B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and Count Basie were just some of the blues legends who performed at The Hines Farm Blues Club, an unassuming venue in the woods near Oak Openings Preserve that became a legend in its own right. There is even a book and a documentary about "The Farm," both of which will be featured, along with a live performance, at a pair of free public events February 25 and 26.

The Blues, The Hines Farm Blues Club and Beyond 21st Century Blues with Skip McDonald AKA Little Axe, will celebrate the rich history of one of America’s premier blues and rhythm and blues clubs of the 1950s and 1960s.

A collaboration of Bowling Green State University, Metroparks and WBGU-PBS, the two events tie in the history of blues music, the history of Hines Farm and blues music beyond this era, presented by Matthew Donahue. Dr. Donahue, from Bowling Green State University’s, Department of Popular Culture, is author of the book "I'll Take You There: An Oral and Photographic History of  the Hines Farm Blues Club." There will also be a performance of 21st century blues music by native Ohioan and international blues recording artist Skip McDonald also known as Little Axe. 

Thursday, February 25
From 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Bowen Thompson Student Union
Bowling Green State University
Free

This condensed event will consist of a brief lecture on blues music, the history of northwest Ohio’s Hines Farm Blues Club and blues music trends beyond the Hines Farm heyday.  Additionally, there will be a performance of 21st century blues music by Ohio native and international blues recording artist Skip McDonald otherwise known as Little Axe.

Friday, February 26
From 7 to 10 p.m.
Oak Openings Preserve Lodge
FULL - This program is full, but please see the program above

A lengthier program featuring the lecture, live performance plus a full showing of the WBGU-PBS documentary, The Hines Farm Blues Club.

Sponsored by: the Ohio Arts Council, the Ohio Humanities, Metroparks of the Toledo Area, Volunteers in Parks, WBGU-PBS and Bowling Green State University’s School of Culture and Critical Studies, Department of Popular Culture, Arts Village, College of Musical Arts-Jazz Studies and Honors Learning Community.