The stage inside Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The first public concert will be held at the new venue on Feb. 11 and the grand opening concert will be held Feb. 18.
Hannah Ruhoff
hruhoff@sunherald.com
A new music venue, co-owned by Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman, is set to open in Biloxi in the coming days.
The second location of Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club, located on Howard Avenue, is set to have its opening concert on Friday featuring blues artist Lucious Spiller, and it’s grand opening concert with musicians Bobby Rush, Lightnin’ Malcolm & RL Boyce and Sharde Thomas & Rising Star Band on Feb. 18. The venue will offer lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday starting Feb. 16.
The design of the venue is inspired by the original Clarksdale location but with a Coastal twist. Those who have visited the original location will recognize an indoor porch inspired by the front facade of the Clarksdale location.
Many of the details of the venue are inspired by Mississippi and Biloxi’s blues history including lots of memorabilia such as concert posters, ticket stubs and instruments which line the walls. The exterior of the venue also features illustrations of famous musicians at iconic locations in Mississippi blues history.
The Sun Herald got to take a tour at Ground Zero Blues Club as it prepares to open to the public.
Diners enjoy lunch at the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The venue will serve lunch and dinner and the menu will feature some of the most popular dishes from the original Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale and some new offerings with Coast flavor. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
The walls of Ground Zero Blues Club are lined with memorabilia from various musicians and concerts. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
A waiter carries a tray featuring a hamburger being served during a lunch for Biloxi’s first responders at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The menu for the venue will feature some of the most popular dishes from the original Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale and some new offerings with Coast flavor. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Chandeliers hang over the main bar at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
City workers and first responders dine during a preview lunch of the new Ground Zero Blues Club music venue in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
An old porch inside the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi is intended to mimic the original Ground Zero in Clarksdale and invoke imagery of Mississippi blues. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Biloxi’s first responders are treated to a lunch at the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The outside of the new music venue features illustrations of Mississippi’s blues history. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
The walls of Ground Zero Blues Club are lined with memorabilia from various musicians and concerts. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Chandeliers hang over the main bar at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The venue features two bars, a dance floor, and a dining room. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Andrew Sullivan, 16, of Vancleave performs during a lunch for Biloxi’s first responders at Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Sullivan and his band, 6 String Andrew, will perform as an opening act on Feb. 12, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the new venue. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Biloxi’s first responders are treated to a lunch at the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Old concert posters line the walls of a porch area inside the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi intended to mimic the original Ground Zero in Clarksdale. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
An old gas pump greets visitors as they enter Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
A second bar features two guitars as decoration at the Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
Diners enjoy lunch at the new Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff hruhoff@sunherald.com
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 6:11 PM.
