Besides an all-star blues lineup performing outdoor concerts and late-night shows in four clubs, the venerable fest holds an array of workshops, contests and an acoustic artists series.

The bash opens with Jammin’ Jeff, Vince Converse, Little Feat, and The Robert Cray Band on the mainstage. The North Mississippi All Stars and the Rebirth Brass Band will make both main stage and club appearances, with Kenny Neal appearing in clubs both Friday and Saturday.

The brews part of the festival comes on Saturday, with more than 45 microbreweries on hand for unlimited beer tasting. Most of the microbreweries hail from Colorado, with a smattering of brewmasters from Utah, Arizona and New Mexico making the trip to ply their suds.

Texas Johnny Brown & The Quality Blues Band kicks off the music the second day, followed by Mollie O’Brien, Mohead, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and Gov’t Mule. Washington and O’Brien do second shows in the clubs later that night, and Buddy Miles will arrive for a late-night set.

The Jeff Healey Band will join Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Elvin Bishop, Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women, and the Otis Taylor Band as the headlining acts the final day of the festival.

Ticket and camping information is available at the festival’s Web site – www.tellurideblues.com.