Smoking sounds and sauces

The Old Capitol Blues & BBQs is the place to be Saturday afternoon or evening to tantalize your taste buds and stimulate your ear drums. Thirty-seven BBQ entrants compete for prizes in rib, pulled pork and open division categories with 17 preparing and selling a variety of culinary favorites, such as, jerk chicken, Moroccan chicken pitas, fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries, pecan pie and more. The Illinois Central Blues Club Challenge kicks off at noon with solo/duo and band competitions featuring local musicians who vie for a chance to compete in the international blues challenge in Memphis. Beginning at 3 p.m., The Modern Sounds, winners of Chicago Reader’s “Best Jazz Act” and “Reader’s Choice” awards take to the Neuhoff Media Stage to scintillate the crowd followed by five other acclaimed bands.