The Wichita Blues Society has been an affiliate of the Memphis-based Blues Foundation since 1983. Our mission is to ensure the future of the Blues, a uniquely American art form, by celebrating blues recording and performances, and expanding appreciation and awareness of Blues music’s significance. We do this by hosting and supporting live music events, and outreach through our Blues in the Schools program and other community involvement.
The WBS is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and supported through memberships, donations and sponsors.
Scroll down for upcoming events and more!
B.I.T.S. Program
Blues In The Schools is an umbrella term used to describe a program that utilizes a classroom format to teach children about the Blues. Programs are not limited to schools or classrooms; they can be held anywhere.
Why Teach The Blues? The Blues is the first truly American music. With its roots in the deep South of the 1800s, it spread across the U.S., evolving based on the styles and preferences of the region, but always soulful and reflecting the human condition. From the acoustic blues of the front porch to the electrifying sounds of the Chicago Blues scene, it has been the major influence in jazz, rock and roll, and country western music. We can find common ground through the Blues.
WBS Membership
Become a Member! Membership Fees help keep the blues alive! Wichita Blues Society members are a delightfully diverse group of people who have a love and appreciation for the Blues. If you have any questions about how you can participate, send an email to wichitabluessociety@gmail.com to get more information.
One Year Memberships available starting at $20/year. Pick a plan that works best for you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Sat13Sep20259:00 pmThe JukeBox 1300 S Seneca St, Wichita
Delano Drive at The JukeBox
Enjoy delicious Barbeque while listening to amazing sounds of classic, pop and original Rock music. $5.00 cover charge. Plan your party now! Show starts at 9pm
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Thu18Sep20256:30 amArtichoke Sandwichbar East 2959 N Rock Rd
WBS MEMBERS GET $5 OFF THEIR TAB NIGHT OF THE SHOW!
Get to Artichoke Sandwichbar East for incredible acoustic blues from award-winning artist Joe Waters on Sept 18! Make the night complete with great food, craft cocktails and cold beer.
Joe Waters, a multi-instrumentalist from Dayton, Ohio, pours his creative passion into his music. In January 2024, Joe won the solo/duo category at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He is also the 2022 Telluride Blues Challenge winner.
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Sat20Sep202511:00 amDowntown Paxico Kansas
MUSIC. COMMUNITY. A RURAL GOOD TIME.
BIG CITY BLUES. Small town charm. DANCING. LOCAL FOOD ANTIQUE DEALERS. THE SCENIC FLINT HILLS. LIVE MUSIC FROM MORNING TO NIGHT
Free Festival! 11AM- 8:30PM. Info and lineup here:
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Fri26Sep2025Sat27Sep2025Riverfront Park, Fort Scott, KansasFortFest is a FREE fundraising Music, Food, Arts, Crafts & Kids Festival and Fundraiser for Care to Share Cancer Support Group. The music is mostly Blues with classic country, rock, soul, & R&B thrown in.
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Fri26Sep2025Sat27Sep2025Historic Midland Railroad Hotel, Wilson, KSJoin us at The Historic Midland Railroad Hotel for our third annual Roots & Blues Festival in conjunction with Wilson Tourism Hub, Inc.With 8 bands performing over the two day festival, We kick off the festival Friday night with our headlining performance by Johnny Mullenax! Saturday we start the afternoon with an acoustic lunch show at The Barn followed by our headlining performance by Zac Harmon!Details here
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Fri26Sep20257:00 pmWalker’s Jazz Lounge 252 N Mosley St, Wichita
Don't miss this blazing blues and gritty soul Final Friday at Walker's Jazz Lounge!
"Lady Dee," professional and fantastically talented, is a powerhouse singer and songwriter. She started her career as most great gospel, soul, jazz, pop and blues singers do - as a preacher's daughter singing in her fathers church.
Guitarist Michael 'Mud Cat' Gnapp, aka Les Ismore, began his professional career touring Japan in 1965 playing rhythm guitar with a band known as the Others. He sharpened his guitar skills with the Blue Bloods and Ham Bonn; becoming a talented guitarist and musician.
$5 off your first drink with proof of membership to the Wichita Blues Society
21+ to purchase a ticket for this event
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Sat27Sep20256:00 pmAthletic Park, Newton, KSCome to Athletic Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, for Newton’s biggest party of the year. Bands, food trucks, vendors, plus kegs of Kansas craft brews, as well as domestic cans and wine. The show is free and open to the public. All Ages.Doors open at 4 p.m. Music starts at 6.Opening act is Flatland with headliner Levee Town.Info and details here
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Sun28Sep2025
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Wed01Oct20257:00 pmWave ICT , Indoor 650 E 2nd StGreat artists take the pulse of their times. In his half-century as a street-level social observer and scaldingly honest songwriter, blues-rock’s resilient icon Walter Trout has never told his fans what to think, how to feel, where to stand politically, or what to scrawl on their protest placards. But in an era when his home nation – and the wider world – is ripping at the seams over the battlelines of modern life, the iconic US bluesman’s hard-rocking new album, Sign Of The Times, is the primal scream and pressure valve we all desperately need.Doors: 6:00PM | Show: 7:00PMDetails and tickets here
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Sat04Oct20257:00 pmKnuckleheads Saloon 2715 Rochester Ave, Kansas City, MODon't miss the Kansas City Blues Society’s 3rd annual “Blues in the Bottoms” signature show at Knuckleheads Saloon on Saturday, October 4, 7 - 11:00 p.m.
The lineup includes: Kevin Burt, The Selwyn Birchwood Band, and The DK Harrell Band. Details and tickets available here
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Sat04Oct20258:00 pmBarleycorn’s 608 E Douglas AveThe Terry Quiett Band, a soulful blues-rock trio from Kansas, returns with a batch of electrifying and uniquely contemporary blues music from their brand-new album Arrivals/Departures! This is the first studio release since 2020's Truth & Intent and is a show you won't want to miss.$15
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Fri24Oct20258:00 pmWAVE 650 E 2nd St NWith a guitar slung over his shoulder and the amps turned up full tilt, Anthony Gomes electrifies blues and rock at a 21st century crossroads of his own. The Canadian vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and producer wails with all the force of a hurricane in the Mississippi Delta and enough fret-burning fireworks to leave his strings in flames.Doors: 7:00PM | Show: 8:00PMDetails and tickets here
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Sun26Oct2025
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Sun30Nov2025
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Sun28Dec2025
THANKS TO OUR AWESOME SPONSORS
