World Music Central's Guide to Chicago
Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States, with a thriving world music scene. This is fueled by one of the most important clubs in the country, HotHouse; cultural centers such as Old Town School of Folk Music; and the annual World Music Festival Chicago.
The city is also well known as a center of Blues music. From its cradle in the American South (Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee), the Blues migrated north, up the Mississippi River. In Chicago, Blues music exploded and evolved, reaching international notoriety in the 1950s and 60s. The blues lounges in the heart of the South and West sides of Chicago created venues for new and old talent. Furthermore, Blues labels Alligator and Earwig Records were started in Chicago, as well as the influential Living Blues magazine.
There are still many popular blues lounges and club, including Rosa's and House of Blues (more are listed in the venues area). There is even a Chicago blues Tour.
To find out what's happening in Chicago, check the Centerstage guide.
Venues:
The list of venues in Chicago is extensive. The main two stages for world music are HotHouse (31 E. Balbo Ave.) and Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln Ave.) The rest of the venues listed below have programmed world music in the past. Some are venues used during the annual world music festival.
- Chicago Cultural Center , 78 E. Washington St.
- Clarke House, 1827 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago's oldest home and a registered National Historic Landmark.
- Columbia College (Hokin Annex), 623 S. Wabash 1st floor
- Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St.
- Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
- Eli’s Cheesecake Fest, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive
- Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
- Hot House, 31 E. Balbo
- Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
- Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1301 N. Sacramento
- Instituto Cervantes. The Chicago branch of Spain's renowned cultural institution. In addition to promoting the Spanish language, the institute programs concerts by Spanish artists.
- Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie
- Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.
- Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, located between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive at Washington Street
- Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Ave.
- Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.
- Preston Bradley Hall.
- Raven Theatre's East Stage presents Arabesque Chicago is a monthly showcase of Arabic music held in the intimate performance space.
- Rogers Park WMF, Howard & Ashland Ave. at Gale Park
- Schubas , 3159 N. Southport
- Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Ave.
- South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive
- University of Chicago (Albert Pick Hall), 5828 South University Ave.
- Wild Hare, 3530 N. Clark St.
Blues Clubs and Lounges
- Checkerboard Lounge, 5201 S. Harper
- East Of The Ryan, 914 E. 79th
- House of Blues, 333 N. Dearborn
- Lee’s Unleaded Blues, 7401 S. South Chicago
- Linda’s Place, 1044 W. 51st St.
- Rosa’s Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage
- Wallace’s Catfish Corner, 2800 W. Madison
Festivals
Organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the weeklong World Music Festival Chicago showcases both traditional and contemporary music from many of the world's diverse cultures. Festival events include a mix of free and ticketed concerts, live radio broadcasts and educational workshops presented in museums, parks, cultural centers, plazas, theaters, bookstores, clubs and other venues throughout Chicago.
In additional, there are several major roots music festivals:
La Peña is a weekly showcase of Latin folk music and dance held annually. It features the best local and touring talent hosted by the Community Outreach Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Radio
Chicago Public Radio WBEZ 91.5 FM
WLUW 88.7 FM. (88.7 FM) has a world music show hosted by Peter Margasak,11 E. Illinois, Chicago, IL 60611
WNUR 89.3 FM is a student run radio with eclectic programming
WRTE Radio Arte 90.5. A youth initiative of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Radio Arte is an educational radio station.
WDCB 90.9 FM, College of DuPage Radio plays Jazz, Blues, Folk, Reggae.
Cutltural Centers
KFAR Jewish Arts Center in Chicago
Organizations
The Arabesque Foundation for Arab Culture, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of classical Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music. The Arabesque Foundation promotes concerts, publishes a magazine, conducts educational workshops, and produces recordings. One of its most popular activities is the annual Heartland Seminar. Arabesque Foundation for Arab Culture, 1836 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. (888) 699-2836 toll-free, (773) 856-6454 office, (866) 557-1749 fax.
Xauen Music of Chicago is dedicated to preserving the heritage of classical Arabic, Armenian, Turkish, and Sephardic music. Xauen Music produces concerts and tours; records and distributes CDs; publishes scores, magazines, and books; and conducts educational seminars. For information, call 847-830-8277.
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Last Updated 02/26/2007 07:54PM; 1,961 Hits 
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