As the Song Goes: It’s Blues Time!

The Long Beach Blues Festival pays homage to Chicago blues this year, and from the looks of a stellar Labor Day weekend lineup at Cal State Long Beach, it landed everyone short of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

Luther Allison, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Sun Seals and Otis Clay play Aug. 30; John Lee Hooker, Snooky Pryor, Koko Taylor, Otis Rush and the Soul Stirrers perform Aug. 31.

The festival ends Labor Day with Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Joe Louis Walker and the Bosstalkers with guest Ike Turner and the Chess All-Stars (Billy Boy Arnold, Johnny Johnson, Jimmy Rogers and Hubert Sumlin). Tickets: $25 per day in advance, $28 at the gate. Three-day tickets cost $60. (562) 985-1686.

Blues fans who can’t wait till Labor Day can catch the fifth annual Big Time Blues Festival on Sunday at Gemmrig Park, 7390 E. Carson St., Long Beach.

Pianist Charles Brown headlines a daylong bill that also includes Sonny Rhodes, Smokey Wilson, Deanna Bogart, King Ernest, Doug MacLeod & John “Juke” Logan and the Fatt-Back Bluesman & the Jook Joint Crew. Tickets: $20 in advance, $23 at the gate. Free for children 12 and under. (562) 426-4616.