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Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival. Singing legend Mavis Staples headlines the day of blues music, which honors Georgia Music Hall of Fame songwriter Willie McTell. Gates open at 11 a.m. Festival starts at noon May 10. $20-$25. Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival Site, Stagecoach Road and Washington Road, Thomson. 706-597-1000, www.blindwillie.com • Map it and review it.

SoCo Music Experience. Bang Camaro, Ryan Shaw, Supersuckers, Ghostland Observatory, Against Me, plus a stage of local acts. 21 and older only. 3-11 p.m. May 17. Free. Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-222-7275, www.southerncomfort.com/scmxatl • Map it and review it.

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Gladys Knight will be at the National Black Arts Festival.
Thomas Campbell (ENLARGE)
Jack Johnson will be among the acts playing for the happy campers June 12-15 at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.
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RELATED LINKS: • Map: Outdoor venues • Photos: Top shows this summer • More Atlanta concerts

Atlanta Jazz Festival. Relocated to Woodruff Park, the fest spotlights local artists including eight-piece group Seranata, keyboardist Ojeda Penn and saxophonist Mike Phillips playing Latin, fusion, straight-ahead and contemporary jazz. 2-8 p.m. May 24-26. Free. Woodruff Park, Peachtree Street at Auburn Avenue, Atlanta. 404-935-0808, www.atlantafestivals.com • Map it and review it.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Kanye West and Widespread Panic are among the headliners at this camper-friendly festival on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn. June 12-15. $209-$244. bonnaroo.com.

City Stages. Diana Ross, the Flaming Lips, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Buddy Guy top the bill of some 125 acts, on nine stages, at this 20-year-old event in Birmingham. June 13-15. $37.95 for weekend pass. citystages.org.

Essence Music Festival. Produced by the popular magazine, this New Orleans fest is drawing such major names as Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Chris Brown, Jill Scott and perennial favorites Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. $56-$110. July 4-6. essence.com.

Georgia Mountain Fair. The 58th annual event held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds features performances by Aaron Tippin, Marty Stuart, Tony Rice Unit and the Bellamy Brothers. July 16-27. $9. www.georgia-mountain-fair.com.

National Black Arts Festival. In addition to films, theater and African dance, musical highlights include, "Legends Celebration: An Evening with Gladys Knight" at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and performances by Arturo O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, a World Music Festival at Centennial Olympic Park, FunkJazzKafe and the debut by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra of a new work by Wynton Marsalis. July 18-27. Various venues and prices. 404-730-7315. www.nbaf.org • Map it and review it.

— Adrianne Murchison, Sonia Murray