A New Phase in Chicago Jazz History in Bronzeville
Chicago jazz history in Bronzeville, like any history, will continue to evolve. Meyers Hardware, in Bronzeville, has closed its doors after 95 years in business. For the past six years, I’ve had the pleasure of taking groups on our Jazz, Blues, and Beyond Tour inside his hardware store to see relics from its incredible past as a legendary […]
The South Side by Natalie Y. Moore: Book Review
“The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation” by local author and journalist Natalie Y. Moore tackles the thorny history and ramifications of institutional racism. Despite briefly living in Hyde Park, I knew there was a lot for me to learn. So, being the bookhound that I am, and enticed by a pull quote […]
The History of the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been an annual tradition for nearly forty years. It’s an expression of the pride and history of the South Side Irish, one of Chicago’s oldest ethnic communities. In fact, the tradition of a South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade is so strong and long-lasting that it […]
Theaster Gates and the Preservation of Black History in Chicago
In the past few years, Theaster Gates has established himself as one of the fine arts world’s biggest stars. Born and raised here in Chicago, he has made his name as “social practice installation art” in the oft-neglected neighborhoods of the South Side. In the process, Gates has become a force behind the celebration and […]