Laura Izibor, performed and signed copies of "Let The Truth Be Told" at Borders on State

Atlantic artist, Laura Izibor, performed and signed copies of "Let The Truth Be Told" at Borders Books on State Street in Chicago on June 22, 2009. Her debut CD/Album was released on June 16, 2009 in the US.

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The 26th Chicago Annual Blues Festival

The 26th Chicago Annual Blues Festival
Grant Park - Chicago, IL, USA - June 12-14, 2009
by Adam Bielawski

The City of Chicago once again celebrated its annual festival to the blues. The 26th Annual Chicago Blues Festival kicked off from Friday, June 12th through Sunday, June 14, 2009 in Grant Park Chicago. The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world, bringing artists, fans and blues journalist from too many nations to name. The weekend is a laid back atmosphere just off the Chicago lakefront with blues performances on six stages with the main night's festivities finishing off each night at the Petrillo Music Shell.

The festival grounds at the intersection of Jackson and Balboa streets offered food, memorabilia, good times and music. On the East of the festival, Gibson Guitars brought their traveling music trailer. Musicians and attendees were able to stop in check out some of the guitars and even try them out. Gibson hosted a full stage with some greats performing over the 3 days.

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Mae Performs at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago

Mae Performs at Reggie's Rock Club
Reggie's Rock Club - Chicago, IL, USA - May 21, 2009
by Dan Hargesheimer

Fans of Mae (multi-sensory aesthetic experience) are always ecstatic to see the guys when they are back in town for a show, but on this night Mae was playing Reggie's Rock Club, a very small, old-school-looking music venue just south of the Loop in Chicago. A place that walking up to it you felt you would see stickers from bands that were around 10 years ago, tape leftover from flyers of shows 15 years ago, the smell of old stale beer that had been spilled on the floor 10,000 times, and see the haze from the cartons of cigarettes that were consumed within the confines of the brick walls. Mae wants you to experience their show with every one of your senses ablaze, and it could not have worked out any more in their favor than playing somewhere like Reggie's.

After experiencing Reggie's for the first time, I'm hoping more well-known bands decide to utilize this venue more often, as it provides one of the best atmospheres for a rock concert in the city of Chicago. The fact that Reggie's can hold less than 400 patrons, some larger bands may avoid this venue just for that reason. But bands that are wanting to give back to their fans by providing a show where they cannot be further than 30ft from their furthest admirer; more bands may choose to take this route.


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Kanye West Press Conference for Kanye West Foundation held at the Sax Hotel

by Tamara Jenkins

Chicago's native son, Kanye West returned home today to support local schools and his Kanye West Foundation (KWF).

During a press conference this morning at the Hotel Sax, West, along with KWF Executive Director Joseph Collins, Highland Park High School sophomore David Abrams, Mayor Richard M. Daley, and CEO of Chicago Public Schools Ron Huberman, touted the importance of staying in school. Following the press conference, West performed for Chicago students from six area schools as a reward for improving their grades. West will perform again tonight as part of the 2nd Stay in School Benefit Concert for his foundation. Tonight's performance will be taped by FUSE TV to air at a later date.

Kanye West Press Conference for Kanye West Foundation held at the Sax Hotel, Chicago, IL, USA, June 11, 2009

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Koko Taylor, Blues Legend Dies at 80

Koko Taylor, Blues Legend Dies at 80

Chicago's Blues Legend Koko Taylor (born Cora Walton, September 28, 1928 – June 3, 2009), died today at the age of 80. Koko Taylor was known through out the world as the "Queen of the Blues." Koko Taylor was a true Chicagoan, always performing over the years at the Chicago Blues Festival or at the Taste of Chicago.

Koko Taylor's music will live on forever.

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Freedom'89: Born in Poland, A Concert Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism in Poland on May 29, 2009

The City of Chicago, known as the Second City to Warsaw, Poland, celebrated
Freedom'89: Born in Poland, A Concert Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism in Poland on May 29, 2009 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park. The special guest of Honor was Former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, Lech Walesa.

The night kicked off with ABC 7 Chicago Anchorman, Alan Krashesky, introducing Lech Walesa who had some joyous and inspirational words to the City of Chicago and the Polish Community. The night was a music event with the dance, film, and the music of Frederic Chopin arranged in exciting new classical, jazz and rock interpretations by renowned musicians from Poland.

Hosted by Freedom89.org, the multimedia presentation consisted of music and historical photo footage tracing the demise of communism from Poland to Berlin and into modern day Poland, with their acceptance into the European Union. The creative musical arrangements by Janusz Olejniczak, Anna Serafinska, Leszek Mozdzer, Leszek Swidzinski and dance choreography by Folies Dancing Company was spectacular. The journey of a nation represented and brought pride to a country that would never give up and their hope for freedom.

You can find more at Freedom89.org


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