Let’s Get Funky

During The Great Migration, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Hound Dog Taylor, and other seminal Delta Blues musicians made their way North to settle on Chicago’s South and West sides — and in so doing forever changed the musical and cultural fabric of Chicago and America, and planted the seeds for Rock n Roll. Let’s Get Funky celebrates the people and places in Chicago that pulsed with the rhythmic power and intensity of The Blues and helps bring that inspiration to the next generation.
Organized by the Alliance in partnership with co-curator Paul Branton, Let’s Get Funky (named for the song by Hound Dog Taylor) is a show in three parts- happening at the Beverly Arts Center, Alliance Contemporary (a pop-up art space at 105th and Western) and Two Mile Coffee Bar, featuring works by: Tim Anderson, Paul Branton, Dalton Brown, Roger Carter, Edo, Jon Langford, Blake Lenoir, Paul Natkin, Dana Todd Pope, Dorothy Straughter, Raymond Thomas, and Martha Wade. Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s “Cultural Historian Emeritus,” will also share some iconic artifacts of Blues history from his collection. A portion of sales of artwork from Let’s Get Funky will help fund projects with Chicago Blues Revival and the Bronzeville Blues Collaborative.
Program Dates:
@ The Beverly Arts Center: May 28th through July 6th.
Opening Reception — Friday, May 28th, 6-8pm
@ Alliance Contemporary: June 12th through July 9th.
Arts & Blues Jam — Saturday, June 12th. 6-10pm
Join us for a festival of funky art and music celebrating the vibrance and history of the blues in Chicago.
Musical guests: Legendary blues singer and drummer Larry Taylor and his band, eternal alt-punk troubadour and visual artist Jon Langford and “the future of the blues” Melody Angel.
Featuring artwork by: Tim Anderson, Paul Branton, Phil Cotton, Jon Langford, Dana Todd Pope, Jason E. Jones, Blake Lenoir, and Dorothy Straughter. 20% of all art sales will benefit Chicago Blues Revival and Bronzeville Blues Collaborative.
Also featuring live painting by mural artists Paul Branton, Phil Cotton, and Brendan McAlinden.
Thank you to Nicky’s of Beverly for making space for art and music and to The Rex Foundation and anonymous donors for their generous support.
The event is free with a suggested donation of $20 per couple/family. Reserve your tickets on Eventbrite.
@ Two Mile Coffee Bar: June 12th Beans & Blues with Tim Anderson
All programs will strictly adhere to City of Chicago COVID safety procedures.
Thank you to our partners, Nicky’s Beverly, Two Mile Coffee Bar, Beverly Arts Center, Bronzeville Blues Collaborative, and Chicago Blues Revival. A very special thanks to The Rex Foundation and an anonymous donor for their generous support of 2021 Alliance programs.