By Scott Tady

CHESWICK — Organizers of the Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival announced the eighth annual event will be renamed “The Kip London Memorial Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival, taking place July 25–27, at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion in Cheswick.

Named in honor of a performer, who contributed his time and talent to promoting and growing the regional and national blues scene, through the generous support of The Kip London Memorial Foundation, the festival will recognize the life and legacy of the beloved Western Pennsylvania bluesman and will feature the official release of his highly anticipated posthumous album, “The Last Dance.”

The three-day celebration of music will bring some of the finest local, regional, and national blues and roots performers to the stage to support Band Together Pittsburgh, a nonprofit enriching the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum through music, and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.

Friday night kicks off with a heartfelt Tribute to Mike Lang, memorializing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ hall-of-fame announcer — a huge Kip London fan — who was one of the region’s biggest champions of blues music. Opening night also offers an electrifying Guitar Throwdown and a featured set by Jason Born, the Western Pennsylvania International Blues Challenge winner.

The weekend brings performances from The Nighthawks, Bill Wharton aka The
Sauce Boss, Solomon Hicks, Alexis P. Suter, Jim Donovan & The Sun King
Warriors, Jimmy Adler & The Soulville Horns, Cleveland’s Fleshman Singers,
and more.

The event also features an art market and vendor fair, which features works
from people on the autism spectrum.
Visit https://pghbluesfestival.com for more information and news about the
growing lineup of bands and performances.