Conceived at San Jose State in 1981 and still going strong, the Fountain Blues and Brews Festival aims to preserve and proliferate the gospel of America’s original artform, all while throwing a kickass party downtown. From its humble beginnings on campus to its present residence at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the festival has hosted such legends of the genre as John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Bo Diddley and Buddy Guy. This year’s edition is headlined by harmonica god Charlie Musselwhite, and with plenty of local beer on tap, it’s sure to distract you from whatever’s giving you the blues this week.

Fountain Blues
Sat, noon, $20+
Plaza de César Chávez, San Jose

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