This coming weekend Austin celebrates the re-sprouting of small business and culture in the Soul City Corridor along Chicago Avenue. A variety of groups are sponsoring these free, all-ages events:
Friday Sept. 10, 5 to 8:30 p.m. AL FRESCO fest organized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. There will be free music, art and spoken word on the sidewalk in front of Gone Again Travel, 5940 W. Chicago Ave.
Saturday Sept. 11, starting at 11 a.m. AFRICAN FEST “Ghan Again.” Free African music, drum circle, food and crafts on sale at Gone Again Travel, 5940 W. Chicago. Sponsored by Gone Again and Chicago Youth Travel Adventures.
Sunday Sept. 12, 12 noon – 8 p.m. SOUL CITY BLUES in AUSTIN. Free music sponsored by As part of a new citywide celebration of music, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and part of Chicago in Tune, at Mayfield and Chicago. Performers will include Vance Kelly, Lurrie Bell, Mary Lane, Jimmy Burns, Theo Huff, Sheryl Youngblood, maybe more. Austin resident Larry Taylor’s band plays at 2 p.m. Food trucks and nearby restaurants open.
“This is years and years and years in the making,” said Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association.