Steve Seaver

ebruary marks Black History Month, which brings attention to the achievements and creativity of African American people. Blues music is one of the most significant creations of black culture and deserves non-stop visibility, and there are extra opportunities this month. Check out these blues-focused events during Black History Month.

BTS Express with Shirley Johnson, Blue Chicago, 536 N. Clark, February 1 For over 20 years, Shirley Johnson has performed her gospel-inflected blues to appreciative crowds. Her soaring vocals tackle classic-blues and funky boogie rhythms with equal skill. The BTS Express backs her

By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Toronzo Cannon

with tight, eloquent sounds that Shirley dives into smoothly. She is a blues woman that showcases the cultural history of the blues in a few notes.

Elmore James Jr. and the Broomdusters at the Water Hole, 1400 S. Western Ave, Chicago, February 2 Chicago is home to many of the children of blues legends carrying the torch of their family blues legacy, but Elmore James Jr. has flown under the radar. A Living Blues Award and recent album releases have gained him a little more attention. An expert slide guitarist like his father and smooth vocals that are all his own, James and his band play Chicago blues classics as

well as originals in their must-see show.

Ivy Ford Band- Potato Creek Johnny’ s, 1850 Waukegan Road, Glenview. February 3 There are only a handful of young Chicago blues women commanding the stage locally, and Ivy Ford is one of the best. At 25, she plays guitar and belts out soulful notes with the skill of a performer twice her age. With a retro 50s style and a bubbly stage persona, she’ s opened for Buddy Guy and was a semifinalist in last month’ s International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

L’ Roy and the Bullet Proof Band- Linda’ s Place, 1044 W. 51st St., February 5 It doesn’ t get more downhome blues than L’ Roy and the Bullet Proof Band at Linda’ s Place. One of the Southside ' s last remaining live blues clubs, this humble little neighborhood gem serves as the base for L’ Roy’ s flamboyant showmanship and expert chops. He flows from soul-blues to jazz in an instant, without missing a beat.

Original Chicago Blues All-Stars- Motor Row Brewing, 2337 S. Michigan, February 8 With core members who have performed with the road band for blues icon Willie Dixon, the Original Chicago Blues All-Stars is a quartet that pours out history with every note. Members include Willie’ s son, Freddie Dixon on bass, legendary blues drummer Jimmie Lee Tillman on drums, Rob Robertson on guitar and Michael Damani on vocals.

Kirk West Book Signing and Photo Exhibit- Blues Heaven Foundation, 2120 S. Michigan Ave, February 10 and 11 Photographer Kirk West’ s photos of classic Chicago blues clubs and musicians, including Muddy Waters, Junior Wells and Willie

Dixon at historic clubs like Theresa’ s, Pepper’ s and the Checkerboard will be on display on February 10 from 4-8pm and on February 11 from 12-4pm. The Grammynominated guitarist and singer John Primer, who played with Muddy and Willie, will also perform on February 10. West will sign copies of his photography books on both days.

Mississippi Heat- Shaw’ s Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard, February 15 One of the best blues ensembles performing, Mississippi Heat pumps out well crafted, high energy blues with hints of Latin rhythms and R & B. This show is the perfect way to kick off a cozy Valentine’ s weekend.

Toronzo Cannon, Dunn Dunn Fest, FitzGeralds 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn Hubbard, February 17 Dunn Dunn Fest returns in 2018 exclusively at FitzGerald ' s and they couldn ' t have made a better choice to book Cannon to represent blues meshed with, rock, soul and TC ' s incredible musicianship.

Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, February 17, 18, 23-25 As one of the godfathers of rock, Chuck Berry helped pave the way for blues to progress into rock. He started out as a bluesman in St. Louis and recorded on Chess Records with his idol, Muddy Waters. Every blues fan should know Chuck Berry’ story and this musical production is a great way to understand it.

Ruthie Foster- Space, 1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston, February, 22 The three-time Grammy-nominated blues

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Food for the Body, Music for the Soul

THU FEB 1 FRI FEB 9 SAT FEB 10 * WED FEB 14

Valentine ' s Day Dinner

Sinatra Tribute

WED & THUR

Happy Hour 5pm-7pm

210 Green Bay Road, Highwood, Illinois 60040 847.433.0304 www. 210live. com

Mardi Gras menu from Feb 7-13!

FriFeb2 The Ravines

SatFeb3 Chicken Bone

SunFeb4 Super Bowl Party *

WedFeb7 Highland Pk Pops Big Band *

ThuFeb8 STEEPWATER

SunFeb11 JNQ with Bill Overton *

TueFeb13 WDCB Mardi Gras Bash *

ThuFeb15 Pat McKillen & RAILHEART

FriFeb16 Rosie & The Rivets

SunFeb18 Neil Carson ' s New Nostalgia

FriFeb23 Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings

SatFeb24 King Saturday

WedFeb28 Lorin Cohen Quartet

(*) no cover charge

The Bad Plus

Never Stop II Tour

Cliff Johnson and the Raine

Mardi Gras Bash Zydeco Voodoo and Mr Blotto

210 Day with Liquid Soul

no cover charge

Carlos Johnson

Corky Siegel ' s Chamber Blues

THURSDAY

Singles Happy Hour

6pm-7pm

Delmark Records Live Recording Soul Message

Sunday no cover charge

18 illinoisentertainer. com february 2018