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CHICAGO—Today the City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the lineups and artist highlights for three of Chicago’s most beloved free music festivals taking place at the top of summer:

• Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 3; Millennium Park): Kicking off the summer season in Millennium Park, this inspirational music festival brings audiences of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate the power of music. 2023 lineup features Choir Nation opening for multiple GRAMMY® Award winners Karen Clark Sheard and Tye Tribbett on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage; MillenniumPark.org, ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us #ChiGospelMusicFestival

 

• Chicago Blues Festival (June 8 – 11; Millennium Park): The largest, free Blues festival in the world returns with four days of top tier talent performing across three stages in Millennium Park. Headliners include: four-time GRAMMY® winners Los Lobos; one of the most decorated gospel music groups, honored by both the GRAMMYs and The National Endowment for the Arts with Lifetime Achievement Awards, Blind Boys of Alabama, will perform with two-time GRAMMY® winner, Bobby Rush; multi award-winning artist and eldest son of Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield; three of Chicago’s own living Blues legends John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, and the Jimmy Burns Band; B.B. King Entertainer and Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year winner Sugaray Rayford, and many more. Guests will enjoy a Blues-inspired food and drink pop-up in the Park, titled “Wally’s BBQ Pitt” catered by Eleven North Hospitality, in addition to a large-scale, historic Blues photography installation curated by Praize Productions. MillenniumPark.org, ChicagoBluesFestival.us #ChicagoBluesFestival

 

• Chicago House Music Festival and Conference (June 23, Chicago Cultural Center; June 24, Humboldt Park Boathouse): Chicago’s favorite dance party takes over the beautiful Humboldt Park Boathouse lawn, June 24, celebrating the genre born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally. DJs include Roy Davis Jr., Psycho-B, NoshaLuv, Emmaculate, DJ V, and more to be announced in the coming weeks. The House conference also returns to the Chicago Cultural Center, June 23, with panel discussions relating to the culture, art, and business of House Music. As part of additional programming citywide throughout the weekend, the festival brings local DJs to spin at the historic Maxwell Street Market, June 25 from 12–2pm. ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us #ChicagoHouseMusicFestival

 

“Chicago is the birthplace of house music, urban blues, and gospel. It’s an honor to celebrate our city’s musical legacy each summer with free concerts across Chicago,” shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey.

Save the dates for these additional DCASE music festivals; as well as the complete Millennium Park Summer Season, including Summer Workouts, Summer Film Series, and more; lineups to be announced in the coming weeks:

• Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): select Mondays & Thursdays, June 22 – August 21, MillenniumPark.org
• Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, August 31 – September 3), MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us
• World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 22 – Sunday, October 1, WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org

For more information about City-funded “Chicago Presents” community events and other City-permitted neighborhood festivals and special events, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE. For Grant Park Music Festival information, visit GPMF.org.

Schedule highlights for Gospel, Blues and House Music Festivals enclosed with full details and updates available online.

 

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Saturday, June 3 from 5:30–9pm
Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us
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Celebrating the influence of this spirited genre born in our great city more than 80 years ago, the 2023 Chicago Gospel Music Festival presents a powerful lineup of top talent. Hosted by Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakey, DeAndre Patterson and Candace McCollum.

Experience a family-friendly day in Millennium Park at the free festival featuring music that touches the soul from traditional choirs to contemporary urban sounds mixed with Hip-Hop, House, Pop, and R&B. This family-fun day is bound to unite all people from all walks of life to celebrate and experience joy.

 

2023 Gospel Music Festival Schedule

5:30pm: Dance Performance by Praize Productions

Led by Ennerèssa LaNette of Praize Productions, Inc., the award-winning RIZE Youth Company performs an excerpt from their highly anticipated theatrical production, “Call Her By Name,” which will receive its full world premiere the following day, Sunday, June 4 on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. Praize Productions is part of the Millennium Park Residency program, made possible with support of the Millennium Park Foundation and Pritzker Foundation.

6-6:40pm: Choir Nation

A tribute to Church Choirs featuring Pastor DeAndre Patterson and Destiny Worship Center Chorale; Janet Sutton and The Voices of Acme; and Bishop Larry D. Trotter and Sweet Holy Combined Choirs.

7-7:40pm: Karen Clark Sheard

Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winner and multiple Stellar and GMA Dove Award winner, Karen Clark Sheard is a gospel music legend. Her musical style with the Clark Sisters and as a solo artist has inspired a host of today’s brightest pop divas including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Faith Evans, among countless others.

8-9pm: Tye Tribbett

Multiple GRAMMY®️ winning artist Tye Tribbett delivers an unparalleled blend of gospel, hip-hop, and worship. His eighth album, ALL THINGS NEW, is soul music in its truest form. Among Tye’s career highlights are five #1 albums, two #1 radio singles, and TV performances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The BET Awards and more. His 1.8 million social media followers often go to him for a positive voice during rough times.

 

The Chicago Gospel Music Festival is sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority, Millennium Garages; promotional partner Inspiration 1390.

 

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Chicago Blues Festival

Thursday – Sunday, June 8 – 11
Millennium Park, Three stages across the Park
ChicagoBluesFestival.us
Concerts will also be livestreamed at Youtube.com/ChicagoDCASE
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The largest, free Blues festival in the world returns to Chicago with four days of top tier talent performing in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Three stages set up across Millennium Park will welcome 45 performances and more than 250 artists celebrating the city’s renowned Blues legacy.

2023 Blues headliners include four-time GRAMMY® winners Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Mud Morganfield, John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Jimmy Burns Band, Sugaray Rayford, Jontavious Willis, Vasti Jackson, Eddie Cotton, O.B. Buchana, Super Chikan, and more.

Commissioned projects include the Centennial Tribute to Albert King featuring Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Rico McFarland, Carl Weathersby and Tony Llorens; a Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration, and a “Women in Blues” tribute featuring Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis, Sugar Pie DeSanto and more.

New this year, the festival elevates its food options with a Blues-inspired smokehouse experience called “Wally’s BBQ Pit” in the North Promenade Tent of the Park with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality. In between Blues sets, guests can stop to enjoy their BBQ, cornbread and drinks on picnic tables alongside whiskey barrels and smokers.

Further enriching the immersive Blues experience, Praize Productions, Inc. presents a photography installation, “The Rhythm Within Our Blues” featuring life-size photographs depicting the history and authentic culture of Blues music told via the lens of professional photographers of color from Chicago's South Side. Photographers include Amber Green, Seed Lynn, and Tony Smith. Praize Productions, one of the 2023 Millennium Park Residency companies, adds to the artistic richness and deep appreciation for Blues music and its greats with this exhibition.

Chicago Blues Festival is sponsored by Visit Mississippi, Chicago Transit Authority, Rosa's Lounge, National Museum of Mexican Art, and Millennium Garages.

 

2023 Chicago Blues Festival Schedule

 

Thursday, June 8

Jay Pritzker - Schedule
5:15-5:30pm - National Anthem/Mayoral Proclamation for Barry Dolins/Commissioner's Welcome/Tom Marker
5:30-6:20pm - Wayne Baker Brooks (50 MIN)
6:30-7:30pm - Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush (60 MIN)
7:45-9:00pm - Centennial Tribute to Albert King featuring Donald Kinsey, Larry McCray, Rico McFarland, Carl Weathersby and Tony Llorens
                          With Randell Mathews, Jay Red Bass, Jeremey Calloway, Brian James, Ron Hanes, Norman Palm, and Skinny Williams (75 MIN)

 

Friday, June 9

Jay Pritzker - Schedule
2:15-2:30pm - 2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Mayoral Proclamation for Delmark Records/Commissioner's Welcome/Tom Marker
2:30-3:45pm - Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration (75 MIN)
4:00-5:00pm - Nora Jean Wallace (60 MIN)
5:15-6:15pm - Jontavious Willis (60 MIN)
6:30-7:30pm - Jimmy Burns Band (60 MIN)
7:45-9:00pm - John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band (75 MIN)

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
12-1:00pm - Mzz Reese (60 MIN)
1:15-2:15pm - Lightnin’ Malcolm (60 MIN)
2:30-3:30pm - Eddie Cotton (60 MIN)
3:45-5:00pm - Vasti Jackson (75 MIN)

Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12-6pm
Emcee: Tony Mangiullo
Daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa's Lounge home over the last 39 years.

12:30-1:20pm - Stephen Hull (50 MIN)
1:35-2:25pm - Big Mike and the R&B Kings featuring Sierra Green (50 MIN)
2:40-3:30pm - Melody Angel (50 MIN)
3:45-4:45pm - Eddie Taylor - 100th Birthday with the Taylor Family "the Taylor Family: Featuring Larry, Brenda, Edna, Demetria and Tim" (60 MIN)
5:00-6:00pm - Rico McFarland (60 MIN)

Film Screening: Chicago Cultural Center (Claudia Cassidy Theater)
Friday, June 9
1:00pm - Film screening of "Born in Chicago" followed by a Q&A
Full-length documentary on the Chicago Blues, co‐directed by Emmy award-winner John Anderson with Bob Sarles.

 

Saturday, June 10

Jay Pritzker - Schedule
2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Mayoral Proclamation for Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis and Sugar Pie DeSanto/Commissioner's Welcome/Tom Marker
2:30-3:45pm – Women in Blues with Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis and Sugar Pie DeSanto (75 MIN)
4:00-5:00pm - Joe Pratt & Source One Band featuring New Orleans Beau (60 MIN)
5:15-6:15pm - Sugaray Rayford (60 MIN)
6:30-7:30pm - Demetria Taylor with The Mike Wheeler Band (60 MIN)
7:45-9:00pm - Mud Morganfield (75 MIN)

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
12-1:00pm - Chris Gill & The Sole Shakers (60 MIN)
1:15-2:15pm - Rising Stars Fife & Drum Band (60 MIN)
2:30-3:30pm - John Primer with Steve Bell (60 MIN)
3:45-5:00pm - Super Chikan (75 MIN)

Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12-6pm
Emcee: Tony Mangiullo
Daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa's Lounge home over the last 39 years.

12:30-1:20pm - Dave Herrero and Friends (50 MIN)
1:35-2:25pm - Matthew Skoller and Chicago Wind featuring Precious Taylor (50 MIN)
2:40-3:30pm - Milwaukee Slim with the Billy Flynn Band (50 MIN)
3:45-4:45pm - Lynne Jordan and the Shivers (60 MIN)
5:00-6:15pm - Rosa’s Lounge Jam Session with Mary Lane, Lil Ed, Willie Buck, and Billy Branch (75 MIN)

 

Sunday, June 11

Jay Pritzker - Schedule
2:15-2:30pm - National Anthem/Mayoral Proclamation for Billy Boy Arnold/Commissioner's Welcome/Tom Marker
2:30-3:45pm - The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi (75 MIN)
4:00-5:15pm - Stephen Hull (60 MIN)
5:30-6:15pm - Sheryl Youngblood (60 MIN)
6:30-7:30pm - Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials (60 MIN)
7:45-9:00pm - Los Lobos (75 MIN), Made possible by a grant from the National Museum of Mexican Art. Media Partner

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
12-1:00pm - Duwayne Burnside (60 MIN)
1:15-2:15pm - Terry “Harmonica” Bean (60 MIN)
2:30-3:30pm - Zac Harmon (60 MIN)
3:45-4:45pm - O.B. Buchana (60 MIN)

Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12-6pm
Emcee: Tony Mangiullo
Daily showcase of Chicago Blues legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa's Lounge home over the last 39 years.

12:30-1:20pm - Wendy and DB with Blues Friends (50 MIN)
1:35-2:25pm - The Ivy Ford Band (50 MIN)
2:40-3:30pm - The Bear Williams Band (50 MIN)
3:45-4:45pm - Gerald McClendon (60 MIN)
5:00-6:00pm - Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band (60 MIN)

 

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Chicago House Music Festival and Conference

June 23, Chicago Cultural Center (conference), 5–9pm
June 24, Humboldt Park Boathouse Lawn (festival), 12noon – 8pm
Additional House programming at Maxwell Street Market, June 25, 12noon – 2pm
ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us
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Chicago House Music Festival and Conference brings DJs and live performances highlighting the various sounds and styles of House Music, the genre born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally.

Presented in conjunction with the Taste of Chicago pop-up in Humboldt Park on June 24, the House festival brings a full day of DJs to the mainstage, including DJ Roy Davis Jr., DJ Psycho-B, NoshaLuv, DJ Emmaculate, and DJ V, with more to be announced. Newly added, on Sunday, June 25 as part of ancillary festival programming, local House DJs will spin at the historic Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines) from 12noon to 2pm. Additional festival lineup and conference details to be shared in the coming weeks.

The House Music Festival and Conference is sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city—to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city—serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.