CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A long-running blues festival plans a return to its origins, as Bluesmore is revived on the grounds of the historic Brucemore estate.
The Aug. 2, 2025, festival marks a comeback to Brucemore, 2160 Linden Drive SE, after an 11-year hiatus.
Bluesmore, featuring a range of local, national and international blues artists, began in 1994, but ended its 20-year run at the estate in 2014.
The non-profit Linn County Blues Society later teamed up with Friends of Czech Village to start a new blues tradition in Cedar Rapids, called Czech Village Blues, as a fundraiser to resurrect the Czech Village Roundhouse.
See photos from the inaugural Czech Village Blues
Tony Brown and Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin perform during the 2017 Czech Village Blues. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Its inaugural year in 2017, located on 16th Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids, featured International Blues Slide Guitarist Joanna Connor and The LCBS Allstars, including eight Iowa Blues Hall of Famers.
Czech Village Blues was paused in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but returned in 2021.
The city of Cedar Rapids later announced plans for a new “roundhouse,” and the blues shows were moved out of Czech Village and rebranded as Bourbon & Blues Festival.
See plans for the new Czech Village Roundhouse
Bluesmore returns this year to the Brucemore estate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The Linn County Blues Society announced the 2025 lineup of Bluesmore will feature the Buckmiller Schwager Band, Avey Grouws Band and Ghost Town Blues Band.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate for the festival, which runs from 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Brucemore. Gates open at 3 p.m.
Guests should bring a blanket or lawn chair, though outside food and drinks are prohibited.
Vendors will be on-site to sell food and drinks.
Find tickets at: Brucemore Inc. and see photos from a past Czech Village Blues.
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