KIND OF BLUES: Nikki Hill is one of many exciting acts at this year's Fountain Blues Festival.

From John Lee Hooker’s Redwood City home to Aki Kumar’s rotating Silicon Valley residencies, the South Bay has a long and proud tradition of championing the blues. The Fountain Blues & Brews Festival has been an integral part of that tradition nearly 40 years. This year’s lineup includes the Fabulous Thunderbirds, who not only helped popularize the roadhouse Texas blues sound in the mid-’80s, but also opened for musical legends like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. The electrifying Nikki Hill (pictured) is another highlight on this year’s bill—not to mention all the great Southern-style comfort food and refreshing beer.

Fountain Blues
Sat, 12pm, $25+
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, San Jose