Red's Lounge? It's the definition of a real-deal Mississippi juke joint. Don't expect to be spoiled with amenities. All you need is a been-there-done-that owner, some beers as big as your head and some "live" blues you'll never forget. (Oh, and MAYBE something out front on the grill.) This is how blues became blues... how the music grew up out of the cotton fields and onto a round piece of vinyl. Speaking of which, the building itself was called "Levine's Music Center" back in the day, and it's where Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm bought the instruments that played the first rock 'n roll song. Yeah, Red's is the real thing for sure...

Miss Sarah used to cook for the jail and now she cooks for the casino at her day job. Her other (more favorite) job is cooking soul food while the blues play on in her classic juke joint kitchen. Note that she recently moved up the street from her other location of 10 years (208 Sunflower). Why did she move? Whenever it rained, she had to cook under an umbrella in the kitchen. Now that's the blues! By the way, she usually has blues on both Thursday and Friday nights when it's not festival time.

This historic club, pool hall and cafe has been in continuous operation -- and in the same family -- since the 1930s. Alan Lomax even included it on his map of Clarksdale in 1941 (and Fisk University even documented the songs on the jukebox then). Since last year's Juke Joint Festival debut, Messenger's has featured "live" blues shows by Jimbo Mathus, Wesley Jefferson, and Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Bandr. Actor Samuel L. Jackson even showed up one night and caught musician Robert Belfour's performance! Look for the new sign out front and come on in for warm smiles and tall cool ones.

The Delta Blues Room is so nice that it's almost a shame to call it a juke joint. The owners run a smooth establishment. From the matching tables and chairs to the fine blues artwork on the walls, this is a classy blues joint through and through. Past performers here have included Big George Brock, Super Chikan, Big T, John Horton, Mississippi Slim and others. Oh... and the hot wings (and the shrimp and burgers for that matter) are excellent!

Clarksdale's largest real-deal blues music venue offers "live" Mississippi blues music every Wednesday to Saturday... plus special events during festival time periods. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, attorney Bill Luckett and music agent Howard Stovall, Ground Zero Blues Club will celebrate its 5th anniversary in May 2006. Besides the plethora of incredible local blues acts who have performed there, musicians from Mavis Staples and Alvin Youngblood Hart to Jerry Lee Lewis and Bobby Rush have been filmed playing there. For more information, log on to www.groundzerobluesclub.com.

Home of the old Hopson Plantation and the current Shackup Inn, Hopson Commissary is a combination museum and music venue that has to be seen to be believed. Pinetop Perkins drove a tractor out at Hopson in the 40s, and it was also home to the first mechanical cotton picker.

Friendly little sports bar with a blues theme, juke box, pool table and occasional "live" music. This is not only a new venue for Juke Joint Festival. It's a recent addition to Clarksdale's nightlife scene. Big T & the family blues band played there for New Year's Eve and will return with a vengence for the festival. Be sure to check out the small sitting room in the back.

Authentic juke joint just a quarter mile from the alleged "crossroads" of hwy. 49 and 61 (now 161).

Super Chikans Place At The Blues Berry Cafe 1st place winners 2007 Jubliee BBQ Cook Off Co-Owned By James Super Chikan Johnson Past Preformers, Malted Milk Band,Lala ,Incode, Super Chikan and The Fighting Cocks,Heavy Suga,Razor Blade,Shake it Like A Caveman,The Blind Ducks,Jeff Lewis,and many more. Good Food,Good Music,Good Drinks, = Good Times

305 south state street

305 south state street

Wade Walton, the blues singing barber, is a legend in Clarksdale. He cut everyone's hair from Howlin' Wolf to Ike Turner, and first recorded his real-deal blues in the late fifties. Read more about him in "Conversation with the Blues," and see him in the DVD "Deep Blues." This is the second and final location of his legendary barbershop. It is currently operating as Big D's Blues Club.

The Juke Joint Festival first used this park for music in 2005, and it is already a favorite location. It shares the block with classic local businesses like Super Soul Shop which used to be the lobby to the old Paramount Theater back in the day (which was the Marion Theater even before that!).

This event staging area is dedicated to the memory of the late Wert Cooper -- a downtown business owner and Clarksale cheerleader who is very missed.

to come

The Delta Amusement Cafe is... uh, well... a "scene"! Great greasy food, bigger-life-characters, occasional music and the kind of place where you can pour your own cup of coffee (and bring in your friendly dog). Past performers here have included Jimbo Mathus, Jacqueline Nassar, Josh "Razorblade" Stewart, Marshall Drew and Terry "Harmonica" Bean. The cafe is definitely the place for breakfast, by the way. Delta Amusement cooks up superb delta soul food, fresh crawfish boil, and has ice cold beer, larger-than-life-characters, live music . . .

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk art is a store, a stage, a record label, a clearinghouse of information and a state of mind. Cat Head specializes in all things blues and folk art. At www.cathead.biz, there is a web site that offers a taste of their wares plus "Live Music" and "Clarksdale Guide" pages. During festival events, FREE "live" music is often offered out front as well... including Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and all day Sunday during the Juke Fest weekend.

Historic Greyhound Bus Station, restored by the city and county and currently run by the Delta Blues Museum.

The one and only Delta Blues Museum was opened by the late Sid Graves in 1979. The current museum director is Shelley Ritter. It houses a variety of vintage guitars and other blues artifacts, including the remnants of blues great Muddy Waters' Clarksdale home. There is also a gallery that features temporary or traveling exhibits. For more information, log on at www.deltabluesmuseum.org.

Located at 11 Third Street our local Delta Cinema will be showing documentaries during our festival. One seat on Sat., April 14th is included in the Juke Joint Festival's $10 wristband price.

Check out this fun and festival general store and take home gifts of food, books, clothes, antiques, bath & body and more! It's a one-of-a-kind store that could only exist in a one-of-a-kind place like Clarksdale, Mississippi.

"Hambone Art Gallery", Artwork by Stan Street , is located at 111 East Second St.,between Madidi's and Theo's Rock and Roll Museum . Formerly Conerly shoes [ co- owned by Charlie Conerly, quarterback of the New York Giants and Old Miss.] Before that, the building was the old Delta theatre. Owners Stan and Dixie Street moved to Clarksdale from So. Florida. Both blues musicians, they were drawn here by the city's historical roots. Stan is a poster designer for many roots and blues festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Artwork is mostly musical, but the Gallery also has landscapes from the Delta, Abstracts, and ecclectic Found Object pieces. " web stanstreet.com ph. 662- 253-5586 stan@stanstreet.com

Not exactly a "juke joint" but a cool venue just the same. This building has operated as several bar/music clubs in the past and is under new ownership. It's spacious and offers a nice bar and music area.

Art gallery. New exhibit on display during the festival.

Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday, during festival times. Clarksdale's Historial site of WROX radio station from 1946-1954. Personal collection of artifacts and recordings of Early Wright. Other WROX and Clarksdale memorabilia.

ART GALLERY; featuring Blues related Art *** Blues musicians, song titles, lyrics and traditions captured in paintings and objects by a variety of blues loving artists. Works by Mississippian Delta artist, John Fewkes; The Music Art of Ilse, Mouth Painter Cindi Bernhardt, and Susan Conditt. (we are working on a gumbo receipe, bring yours in!) Gallery Owner: Deborah Watson 662-302-3803 or 213-507-8661 www.gimmegumbo.com

Six rooms of display and over 100 artist exhibits. Blues, rock, rockabilly and country music memorabilia -- including many rare records, photos and more. "Live" entertainment is also planned for out front. 901-605-8662 www.rockmuseum.biz

Starting from the historic Greyhound Bus Station and traveling around downtown Clarksdale.

www.thebrickgallery.com Located in the heart of Clarksdale, MS; home of the blues and a rich cultural heritage, the Brick Gallery reopened in the spring of 2007 under the direction of owner Susan Flowers. The Brick Gallery proudly promotes artists from across the southeast as well as across the nation. Located in the popular tourist destination of Clarksdale, MS, the Brick Gallery is able to enlighten collectors around the world about our southern artists. The Brick Gallery utilizes open warehouse style space creating an attractive venue for the ever changing inventory showcased on its brick walls. Whether hosting an individual artist, a group of artists, or one of our many charitable events, The Brick Gallery strives to promote the significant role the arts play in today’s society. Recently honored by Delta Magazine as "Best Event-Based Art Exhibits", The Brick Gallery is the place to be when visiting downtown Clarksdale.

Visit our new location at the corner of Second and Delta Avenue. Our expanded space has opened the door to have many new vendors. Our vendors have booth space filled with items to satisfy all your decorating or gift needs! Stop in and browse our new showroom!

Our community art exhibit begins at 10 am till 5 pm. Exhibiting works from local elementary, junior high, high school and college students. Co-sponsored by Brick Gallery, Hardy Jones, Heaton Pecans, Lewis & Lewis, Rock River Foundation & White Construction.

113 East Second

1970 N State Street (HWY161).