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Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival
A Day of Music, Food, Community, and Giving Back in Warren, Ohio
ONLINE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
8/5/2025
🔥 Get Ready to Feast, Jam & Celebrate!
Experience the excitement of one of the region’s newest can’t-miss festivals — it’s got music, food, and fun for all ages! Packed with soul-stirring blues, sizzling BBQ flavors, and refreshing brews! Whether you’re here for the music, the mouthwatering eats, or the community vibes — there’s something for everyone.
👉 Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Starts at 12:00 PM
📍 Warren Community Amphitheater | 321 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren, OH
Gates open at 11:00 AM
📍 Warren Community Amphitheater | 321 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren, OH
Gates open at 11:00 AM
Quick Links
Admission & Tickets
Music Lineup
Food & Drink
BBQ Cookoff: Taste & Vote
Parking
Giving Back
FAQs
Stay tuned for updates and full event schedule!
🎟️ Admission & Tickets
- General Admission: $10.00 per person, including all children. No refunds. Rain or shine.
Net proceeds will benefit the United Way of Trumbull County, Game Changers Inc., and the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League. - Purchase Tickets:
- Buy Online
- Any 7 17 Credit Union Branch (cash only)
- Sunrise Inn (cash only)
- The Eastwood Mall (cash only)
- What to Bring
- Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for lawn seating
Scan to purchase tickets online
🎤 Live Music Lineup
Feel the rhythm with an incredible lineup of blues, soul, and R&B talent:Noon – Warren Community Gospel Choir
1:00 PM – Damian Knapp
2:00 PM – Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band
3:00 PM – Sacksville Rhythm & Blues Band
4:00 PM – Jazz in the Park Allstars
5:00 PM – Norman Nardini
6:00 PM – Aaron McCoy and Friends
7:00 PM – Solomon Hicks
8:00 PM – Shemekia Copeland
About the Artists
Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. The multi-GRAMMY nominee is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality. The Chicago Tribune says, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. There’s no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery.”
“Shemekia Copeland is the greatest blues singer of her generation.” –The Washington Post
“Shemekia Copeland is the greatest blues singer of her generation.” –The Washington Post
Solomon Hicks aka King Solomon Hicks, the 28-year-old guitar phenom from New York City, is an American guitarist, blues, jazz singer, and composer. His style of music ranges from jazz, blues, classical, gospel, R & B, funk, and classic rock. Hicks has been a blues guitarist since he was 13.
Aaron "Saxoholic1" McCoy Jr. is a dynamic saxophonist, composer, and performer with over 35 years of experience spanning blues, jazz, funk, soul, and R&B. A Norfolk, VA native and Shaw University graduate, he’s toured internationally as lead saxophonist for Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience and performed with icons like The O’Jays, Yolanda Adams, and Mary J. Blige. Known for his electrifying stage presence and versatility on saxophone, flute, and EWI, Aaron continues to captivate audiences through recordings like Phaze 2 and his work with the Mixed Water Band.
Norman Nardini, Pittsburgh’s uncrowned king of rock ’n’ roll, has been rocking since his teens with raw, bluesy guitar and vocals. From his roots with Diamond Reo in the ’70s, through Norman Nardini & The Tigers, to recent solo and livestream performances, he remains a powerhouse of live energy. Known affectionately as the “Manful! Handful,” he keeps the spirit of straight-ahead rock alive well into his 70s.
The Jazz in the Park Allstars is coming to the Warren Amp to give you their Blue’s Experience. Direct from Youngstown’s favorite concert series, they will serve up a soul stirring mix of jazz, blues, funk, and R&B.
Sacksville Rhythm and Blues Band formed in Youngstown, Ohio, in the early 1980s, is fronted by Ron "Sonny Boy Hopchick” Hrehovcik. This veteran ensemble blends blues, funk, classic R&B, and rock into high-energy live shows. With albums like Let’s Have a Drink, Let’s Have a Toast and Playtime, a trademark loose-tight groove, and having opened for luminaries such as Bob Dylan and Southside Johnny, they remain a regional blues favorite—still bringing soulful surprises to audiences over 40 years later.
Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band is Cleveland’s scorching harmonica driven blues ensemble known for merging swing, rockabilly, and funk into electrifying live shows. With FM airplay for their original tracks and appearances on the Roots Music Report, they’re equally at home lighting up tavern corners or major festival stages. Highlights include opening for the Fabulous Thunderbirds and returning to the Niagara Falls Blues Festival. Through passion and grief, they carry forward the legacy of their late drummer, “Bubba,” honoring him in every beat.
Damian Knapp is a seasoned blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose raw, heartfelt performances channel the deep soul of American roots music. With decades of touring under his belt, Damian blends classic blues traditions with his own fiery, emotionally charged style. Whether performing solo or with a full band, he delivers gritty vocals, masterful guitar work, and a passion that captivates audiences across the country. His original songs reflect a life steeped in the blues—honest, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
The Warren Community Gospel Choir is made up of voices throughout the Mahoning Valley and was selected to open the festival and bring the energy, unity, and spiritual power to our event. Their powerful voices will engage the audience and set a communal, celebratory tone, especially at a festival that’s all about bringing people together. Both blues and gospel music have deep roots in the American experience, particularly in the South. They evolved side-by-side, gospel often in the church, blues in the juke joints, but both speak to struggle, hope, resilience, and soul.
🍻 Food & Drink
From smoky brisket to sweet ribs and frosty brews, indulge all day long with our hand-picked food and drink vendors.- Vendors accept cash and credit
- No outside food or drinks
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🍖 BBQ Cookoff: Taste & Vote!
12:00 PM – 4:00 PMNortheast Ohio’s top BBQ masters go head-to-head for your vote in the People’s Choice Award BBQ Tasting!
- $5 = 5 Wooden Tokens
- Sample delicious BBQ (free)
- Cast your vote by dropping tokens at your favorite booths
- Purchase tokens at the People’s Choice Tent
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🚗 Parking
- Free parking available near the amphitheater
- Overflow parking will be clearly marked
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FAQs
The festival takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Warren Community Amphitheater, 321 Mahoning Avenue NW, Warren, OH. Gates open at 11:00 AM.
General admission is $10.00 per person. No refunds.
All tickets are $10.00 per person, including all children.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance. Tickets can also be purchased at all 7 17 Branches, Sunrise Inn and Eastwood Mall, CASH only.
Yes, but only if your hand is stamped upon exit.
Yes! Enjoy BBQ and drinks throughout the day from our vendors.
Absolutely.
Yes, lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for comfortable seating on the amphitheater lawn.
We love furry friends, but only service animals are permitted at the event.
This is a rain or shine event. Please dress accordingly.
Yes, free parking is available near the amphitheater. Overflow parking will be clearly marked.
Yes! Enjoy a full lineup of live blues bands throughout the day. A full schedule will be posted on the website.
The cookoff spans from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Top rated BBQ competitors from Northeast Ohio.
Net proceeds will benefit the United Way of Trumbull County, Game Changers Inc., and the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League.
Warren Community Choir, Damian Knapp, Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band, Sacksville Rhythm & Blues Band, Jazz in the Park Allstars, Norman Nardini, Aaron McCoy and Friends, Solomon Hicks, and Shemekia Copeland.
Food and drink vendors accept cash and credit card payments.
You will be the judge for our People’s Choice BBQ Tasting- Saturday, October 4, 2025, 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM. For just $5, you will receive five (5) wooden tokens. Samples are free and will be offered at each vendor. You will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite vendors by using one (1) of your wooden tokens. Wooden tokens will be sold at the People’s Choice Tent.
