AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/blues/)
Celebrate the blues this weekend in the heart of Austin’s Soul City Corridor. The free performances will be held from 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 at Chicago and Mayfield. Stop by Friday and Saturday for other activities, including art and spoken word.
The seventh annual blues fest will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson. The event is being sponsored by the Illinois Alliance, Ald. Chris Taliaferro and the Issac S. Carothers Youth and Senior Foundation.
Musician Larry Taylor will be performing at the event, which is a fundraiser for Austin youth to travel. Stop by 5940 W. Chicago Ave. from 12 to 6 p.m. Nov. 9th.
A free concert will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 29th at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson.
West Side resident Bonni McKeown says Chicago’s world-famous blues music can be a powerful cultural symbol to encourage appreciation of African-American culture. The city would greatly benefit from a blues revival, she says.
The fourth annual blues fest will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. Featured performers include Sharon Monique, Larry Taylor, Ronnie G. and Marie Levon.
The free show starts at 7 p.m. Friday, July 6 at Hubbard Park playlot, 4942 W. Hubbard St. BUILD is sponsoring the performance.
Discover how to tell your story in your own three-line blues verse. Born of African-American poverty and struggle, blues music came to Chicago with the Great Migration. “Barrelhouse Bonni” McKeown, piano player, teaching artist, journalist, and Austin resident, will help everyone make up and sing our blues. Another West Side neighbor, legendary bluesman Larry Taylor, will stop by to sing a song, tell a bit about his blues life and music, and encourage us to learn more. All are welcome.
The Illinois Alliance presents a post-Thanksgiving karaoke event 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at 5924 W. Chicago. Saxophonist Ike Carothers will be the special guest.
The third annual fest – which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 1 at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. – features musicians Sharon Monique and West End 40.