The annual running of the Chicago Blues Festival may wrap up on Sunday, but Buddy Guy's Legends is giving Chicagoland blues fans plenty a reason to continue celebrating through the month.
After more than two decades of calling 754 S. Wabash Ave., its base of operations and hosting blues and rock royalty from around the globe, including the venue's namesake and owner, Legends has moved a few hundred yards to the north at 700 S. Wabash Ave.
Hosting a grand opening party in honor of their new digs starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Legends' relocation was more than a decade in the making. In 1999, the South Loop building which originally housed Legends was donated to Columbia College, forcing Guy to find a new home base for his acclaimed venue, restaurant and museum
"The fact that Buddy decided to keep the club open instead of just closing it down shows that he's really being instrumental in making sure the legacy of the blues keeps on going," said Isabelle Libmann, Legends head of publicity.
Two stories in height and 16,000 square feet, Libmann noted upgrades that were made to their new building, including a state-of-the-art sound system and heating and air conditioning system. No longer renting, the Roll Hall of Famer is the owner of the property which houses Legends 2.0., which is a relief of sorts to Guy and his staff.
"There's no longer a possibility that someone will come along and say ‘Hey, you have to move,'" LIbmann said. "It's a totally fresh start and we know we're going to be here as long as the club's around."
Blues virtuoso Carl Weathersby, who has performed alongside legends of the genre such as Albert King and released more than a half dozen acclaimed sets in his own right, will serve as the musical host of Tuesday's grand opening party.
Legends will also play host to more than a half dozen celebrated Chicagoland blues greats, including Gary's "first family of the blues," the Kinsey Report -- June 25 and 26 in tandem with Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. The sold-out, day-long festival, June 26 at Toyota Park in south suburban Bridgeview, features performances by the festival's founder along with Guy, Steve Winwood, the Allman Brothers Band and John Mayer, to name just a few.
"We're hoping that some of Buddy's friends will stop by when they're in town for 'Crossroads,'" Libmann said. "Of course, those guest appearances and surprise (appearances after ‘Crossroads') are just that and always surprises. We'll just have to see whose feeling up for going out and hanging out."
"(Performers) come into town early, so people can kind of out for some action to possibly happen before the 26th."
Buddy Guy's Legends hours remain 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. Blues fans of all ages are allowed entrance at Legends up to 8 p.m., when admission is upped to 21 and older.
Buddy Guy's Legends' grand opening party, 3 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S. Wabash, Chicago
COST: $10 (21-and-older show)
FYI: (312) 427-1190, BUDDYGUY.COM
