Concert-goers will be singing the blues this summer as musicians Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal team up for a 30-city trek. The BonTaj Roulet tour kicks off August 6 at Community Arts Center in Williamsport, PA, and concludes September 25 at Agua Caliente Casino’s new concert venue The Show in Rancho Mirage, CA.

The U.S. run will hit cities from coast-to-coast over a period of seven weeks. Stops are set for an August 15 concert at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, MA, an August 30 performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, and a September 11 show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, among other dates.

Pre-sales for select dates are open from April 15-22 to members of the BonTaj fan community, with on-sale dates and times forthcoming. Premium seating and VIP packages for the late summer tour will be sold through The Guacamole Fund, a non-profit organization that helps organize and produce benefits for environmental and social change groups.

In addition to the charitable sale of premium seats, $1 from each regular ticket purchase will help support an artist-selected cause. Raitt and Mahal have narrowed their options down to environmental protection, safe/sustainable energy, social justice/human rights, or music education efforts. Fans can help decide which issue will receive funding by voting on the official tour Web site.

Raitt will perform each night with a backing band, as Mahal takes the stage with The Phantom Blues Band. The two musicians first met in the 1970s, when Raitt opened a concert for the blues music staple. Mahal went on to co-produce Raitt’s 1973 release “Takin’ My Time.”

“We’ve been like ships passing in the night,” said Mahal in a statement. “Some of my musicians used to play with Bonnie, we have so many of the same friends — this is really an opportunity to combine some forces and play some great music.”

Raitt explained that she’s excited by the possibilities for this tour, noting, “It feels like having an extra slice of pie, getting both of these bands to play together like this. There’s so much potential to what we can do.”


Bonnie Raitt / Taj Mahal itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)

August 6 Williamsport, PA Community Arts Center
August 8 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for Performing Arts
August 9 Wallingford, CT Chevrolet Theatre
August 11 Newark, NJ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
August 12 Brooklyn, NY Prospect Park Bandshell
August 15 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
August 16 Vienna, VA Filene Center at Wolf Trap
August 18 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre
August 19 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace Theatre
August 21 – 22 Highland Park, IL Ravinia Festival at Ravinia Park
August 23 Grand Rapids, MI Frederik Meijer Gardens
August 25 Indianapolis, IN White River State Park
August 27 Saint Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair
August 28 Council Bluffs, IA Stir Concert Cove at Harrah’s Casino
August 30 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
September 1 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden
September 2 Boise, ID Idaho Botanical Garden
September 3 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Winery
September 5 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
September 6 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
September 7 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater
September 9 Friant, CA Table Mountain Casino
September 11 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
September 12 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
September 13 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
September 16 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
September 17 San Diego, CA Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay
September 23 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino Amphitheater
September 24 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
September 25 Rancho Mirage, CA The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa