BLUES IN THE DISTRICT

Blues In The District: Free Live Blues Concerts in Quincy’s Historic Downtown

Join us for six magical evenings of live blues music in Quincy’s historic downtown – where great music meets great memories! Welcome to Blues In The District – Quincy’s premier free live blues concert series! These live outdoor concerts are held every 2nd and 4th Friday of June, July, and August – 5:30-9:30pm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Blues In The District?

Blues In The District is a beloved local tradition that brings world-class blues artists to the heart of Quincy, Illinois. Hosted in the beautiful Washington Park, this free, family-friendly concert series offers the perfect setting for music lovers of all ages to enjoy live performances in a historic and vibrant downtown setting.

Why Attend Blues In The District?

Free Admission: Enjoy live blues music without any ticket costs.
Family-Friendly: Bring your children and friends
Historic Setting: Experience the charm of Quincy’s Washington Park, surrounded by historic architecture.
Talented Artists: Each concert features talented blues musicians from across the country.

What to Bring to Blues In The District?

• Lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating. (tents/pop-up canopies not allowed)
• Refreshments and snacks, or enjoy local food vendors. (nothing in glass, plese)
• A love for great music and good times.

2025 BLUES IN THE DISTRICT LINEUP

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Bag Lunch Blues Band has a great time together performing hip shakin’, juke joint jumpin’, house rockin’ Blues so you can put on your party dress, high heeled sneakers, let your hair down and your fancy flow. The Band is comprised of Mike Edsel, Mike Spina, Howard Young, Paul Cockrum, Tony Anthonis.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
Platt Daddy BBQ • Big Bros BBQ
NON-PROFIT
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT
QHS Alumni Association
CORPORATE Traeder’s TNT Golf Car & Motorsports, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP,
SET Gray Hunter Stenn LLP, Kohl Wholesale
SONG WCU Quincy Branch, Dr. Linda K. Moore, Alta King and Michael DeLarosa
NOTE gregorythesongwriter

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

Mike Wheeler, a brilliant staple in the Chicago blues community, has a vast knowledge of music and a voice that’s reminiscent of the late Sam Cooke. He can sing and play everything so well that you may forget what the original record even sounds like. From Jazz to Rock, from popular music to Top 40, he slides in and out of musical genres with sophistication, ease and indulgence. The band consists of Mike Wheeler, guitar and vocals, Larry Williams, bass and vocals, Cleo Cole, drums, and Jesse Lockridge, keyboards and vocals.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
MidSummer Arts Faire vendors will be hosting the food at this concert.

NON-PROFIT
TBA
SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT Craig Industries
CORPORATE GatesAir, Davis & Associates, Realtors, HOMEBANK, Quincy Audiology
SET Winters Insurance LLP, Arts Quincy
SONG Horace Mann Investors – Colin Ash, Awerkamp Machine Co., Mast Holdings, LLC
NOTE Pat Henderson

FRIDAY, JULY 11

Luke is a professional musician who strives to wow audiences every show. Whether a small bar on the south side, an extravagant Blues club on the northside, or music festivals throughout the nation, Luke never fails to give his all, along with his band mates. 

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
Big Bro’s BBQ & Your Mama’s
NON-PROFIT
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT Knapheide
CORPORATE V&R Accounting, Tower on Maine
SET O’Donnell’s Termite and Pest Control Inc., Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
SONG Domestics, Etc., Keck Heating and Air, Julie and Jim Schuetz
NOTE Illinois School Supply

FRIDAY, JULY 25

Dottie Kelly followed her Aunt Betty Padgett, a well-known singer out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to her various shows. Eventually she asked Dottie to sing background with her and Joey Gilmore. From that point on, Dottie has traveled to various states, and opened for many artists from around the world.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT JKW BBQ & The Patio
NON-PROFIT
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT Bower & Associates
CORPORATE Bruening Heating & A/C and Fireplaces, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Savemore Carpets & Rug Gallery
SET  Kent & Gigi Adams,  First Mid Bank & Trust
SONG Bob & Ann Dickson, Kristopher’s Hair Studio, Liberty Bank
NOTE 2nd Chance Furniture & Why Not Hot Tubs

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

Born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971 when he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago.  He has opened for a variety of acts including B.B King, Gatemouth Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Lonnie Brooks, Lefty Dizz, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jeff Healy, and numerous others at festivals. He has been on rotation as a headliner for 20 years at Buddy Guy’s Legends. The band is comprised of Reverend Raven (guitar & vocals), Westside Andy (harmonica & vocals), Craig Panosh (drums), and P.T. Pedersen (bass).

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
8te Open & JKW BBQ
NON-PROFIT
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT SeeQuincy
CORPORATE State Street Bank, Steinkamp Hauling
SET Klingner & Associates, P.C., The Salvation Army Kroc Center
SONG Dave & Jan Hummel, A-1 Security and Lock Service Inc., Mike’s Jewelry & Loan
NOTE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials have played the Chicago Blues Festival multiple times, and have appeared at numerous festivals including The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, Portland’s Waterfront Blues, The Tampa Bay Blues, The San Diego Blues, The Pennsylvania Blues, and dozens of others around the country. Satisfying worldwide demand, they have performed at festivals in Canada, Great Britain, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Australia, India, Turkey, and Panama.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Blessing Tent/Quincy Children’s Museum
FOOD COURT
8te Open & Big Bro’s BBQ
NON-PROFIT
TBA

SPONSORS/LEVELS
CONCERT The Lindsay Family
CORPORATE Full Service Roofing & Remodeling Inc., Poage Auto Plaza, Hollister-Whitney
SET  Fran & Bob Cook, Signe Oakley
SONG Janie & D.D. Fischer, Bruce and Carla Guthrie, Travel House of Quincy, Mays Law Office, LLC
NOTE

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Support Blues in The District

Blues In The District is made possible by the support of local sponsors and volunteers. Want to help us keep this tradition alive?
Click here to become a 2025 Blues In The District volunteer.
Info for 2026 Blues In The District will be released later this year.

presented by

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••• CONCERT LEVEL SPONSORS

••• CORPORATE LEVEL SPONSORS •••

•• MERCH SPONSOR ••
Expressions By Christine

•• STAY SPONSOR ••
The Atrium

•• MEDIA SPONSOR ••
Townsquare Media

••• SET SPONSORS •••

Gray Hunter Stenn, LLP Kohl Wholesale
Fran & Bob Cook
Winters Insurance, LLP Arts Quincy
Signe Oakley

O’Donnell’s Termite and Pest Control Inc. Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
 Kent & Gigi Adams  First Mid Bank & Trust

Klingner & Associates, P.C.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center

••• SONG SPONSORS •••

WCU Quincy Branch
Dr. Linda K. Moore
Alta King & Michael DeLarosa
Janie & D.D. Fischer
Bruce and Carla Guthrie
Travel House of Quincy Mays Law Office, LLC

Horace Mann Investors – Colin Ash
Awerkamp Machine Co. Mast Holdings, LLC
Domestics, Etc.
Keck Heating and Air Julie and Jim Schuetz

Bob & Ann Dickson Kristopher’s Hair Studio Liberty Bank
Dave & Jan Hummel
A-1 Security and Lock Service Inc.
Mike’s Jewelry & Loan

••• NOTE SPONSORS •••

gregorythesongwriter
Pat Henderson

Illinois School Supply

2nd Chance Furniture & Why Not Hot Tubs

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BLUES IN THE DISTRICT PAST LINE UPS

2024

Omar Coleman – Westside Soul
Matt Roberts Blues Band
Jamiah “Deacon Denzel” Rogers & Dirty Church
Travis Ried Band
Levee Town
Rick Berthod

2023

The Mary Jo Curry Band
The Steven Hull Experience
Ivas John Band
Coyote Bill & The Brood
Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations
Ivy Ford Band

2022 – The 25th Anniversary of Blues!

Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys
Coyote Bill
Matt Fuller Band
Travis Ried Band
Brother Jefferson
Hurrican Ruth

2021

Johnny Burgin
Mississippi Heat
Kent Burnside
DownRiver Dan
The Flood Brothers
Avey Grouws Band