Navy Pier is sounding the call for Chicago music-lovers with the return of its annual “Chi-Soul Fest” in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month. The two-day music festival celebrates Chicago soul music and traditions at two lakeside, outdoor settings, the Navy Pier Beer Garden and the Polk Bros Park performance lawns.
Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, and re-established annually by presidential proclamation, June celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“This month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Black music on American culture and recognize the indelible impact it continues to have on the world,” according to a May 31 proclamation released by the White House. “Perhaps no music has had as profound and powerful an impact in shaping America’s musical score as Black music. Intricately woven into the tapestry of our Nation, Black music enriches our lives and pushes the boundaries of creativity… We honor Black musicians, singers, and contributors to the music industry — past and present — whose innovative talents unite us in joy as much as in sorrow and healing.”
Navy Pier’s “Chi-Soul Fest” is offering a vibrant line-up of free live music Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. Saturday’s talent includes DJ Lee Quentin at the Chi-Soul Fest Lawn Party, hip hop hits and 90s dance music with DJ Leon Rogers and Grammy Award-winning DJ Maurice Johnson with his brand of Chicago house music. Comedian Damon Williams will be delivering laughs between the sets as master of ceremonies.
Singer-songwriter Danielle Juhre, known for her thrilling, 3-octave vocal runs, takes the Lake Stage at 6:30 p.m. followed by Madison McFerrin, who Questlove dubbed the queen of “Soul-capella.” The Beer Garden stage features Chicago funk Bumpus at 2-3:30 p.m.; followed by the edgy and literary soul of Barry & The Fountains; with sought after session guitarist, Isaiah Sharkey closing the evening from 9-11:30 p.m.
Sunday’s lineup features The Corner Series, featuring LeftJones, a group of arts-community musicians; and the Beer Garden House Party with sizzling soul DJ Steve Gerard.
For more details, including a full line-up and other activities, visit Chi-Soul Fest at Navy Pier.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.