Here’s news that will chase away the blues: The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present bluesman Buddy Guy as part of the inaugural Iowa Soul Festival on Friday, Sept. 13 in downtown Iowa City. The free outdoor concert will also feature Iowa legend Kevin B.F. Burt and Big Medicine as well as Guy’s protégé Quinn Sullivan. The musical festivities will begin at 5:30 with Guy taking the stage at approximately 8 p.m.

One of the most influential figures in all of music, Guy is a six-time Grammy winner and has collected 23 W.C. Handy Blues Awards, more than any other artist. He has been awarded the National Medal of Arts, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors.

The Iowa Soul Festival, a new addition to the Summer of the Arts lineup of festivals, will be held Sept. 13-15. A celebration of the dance, music, food, and art of the African and African-American communities, the event is designed to highlight the positive influences those cultures have on Iowa City and the surrounding region. The full schedule for the festival is available at summerofthearts.org.

Guy’s performance will be the first event of the 2013-14 Hancher season.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Hancher in advance at 319-335-1158.