Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 & 24

     The popularity of the blues goes through ups and downs, and we have to admit two things: It's largely an older audience that supports it, and it's less and less supported by African-Americans, young or old. But the blues are eternal, part of our national heritage and continually infused by new blood. "Boston Blues Week" - which kicked off Monday at the Bull Run with the 2nd annual Sam Adams Brewers Dinner and a gig by Robert Lockwood Jr. - concludes Saturday and Sunday with free shows at the Hatch Memorial Shell. We think the weather's going to be fine and this is the perfect occasion to round up the family, bring a picnic (but no booze!) and enjoy the blues. The music stats at noon, both days. The lineup on Saturday Sept. 23: Anson Funderburgh & Darrell Nulish, Jimmy & the Soul Cats, Boston Blues Express, Danny Vitale and Loaded Dice and Mary Lou Ferrante. Sunday's lineup is: Finis Tasby, Enrico Crivellaro, Brian Templeton, The Soul Band, The Dave Hannon & the Solid Sinners and McQuaid, Fitting & Sadler. (The Boston Blues Trust is autioning off a Gibson ES-335 through Sept. 19 on eBay, so if you feel like supporting the cause and scoring a cool axe, go on line and bid.)
Storrow Drive, bluestrust.com