Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival features national and Beaver Valley talent

CHESWICK ― Beaver Valley blues talents Billy Evanochko, Dan Bubien, Jon Vallecorsa and Blues Attack add to the firepower of the sixth annual Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival this Saturday and Sunday at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Cheswick.

The festival features performances by nationally acclaimed blues artists such as Tommy Castro, King Solomon Hicks, and Joslyn & The Sweet Compression (all performing Sunday) and Gabe Stillman (Saturday), plus regional acts The Polkamaniacs, Nied's Hotel Band, Mia Zanotti and Xavier Allen Band.

Castro and his band The Painkillers hit the stage at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, celebrating over three decades on the road and a 2023 repeat triumph in the coveted 2023 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of The Year for the second straight year and fourth time overall.

Hopewell Township native Evanochko, whose band Billy The Kid & The Regulators has a new album on the blues charts and a single "Shake That Thang" that's passed phase one for Grammy Award consideration, will lead a 7:15 p.m. Saturday tribute to the three kings: blues greats B.B. King, Albert King and Freddie King. Joining Evanochko on stage will be Aliquippa recording artist Bubien and fellow guitar slingers Vallecorsa and Pierce Dipner, with a house band of drummer Ben Davis, bassist Jim Spears and keyboardist Steve Binsberger.

Blues Attack, a popular draw in the Beaver Valley, performs a 2:15 p.m. Sunday set on the indoor stage.

Additionally, the Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival will offer very special performances from individuals on the autism spectrum.

Tickets cost $35 for the day or $60 for a weekend pass. Those 16 and under are free. To purchase advance tickets and to see the schedule, visit pghbluesfestival.com/. Tickets at the gate, if available, will cost $40; however, no weekend passes will be available for purchase at the gate.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Band Together Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of music to enrich the lives of those on the autism spectrum.

The venue is at 1877 Shriners Way, less than two miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Fest features national & Beaver County talent