FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT June 5, 2019 Navy Pier | Payal Patel (312) 595-5073 | [email protected]

Navy Pier | Anna Schapiro (312) 595-5063 | [email protected]

Celebrate Chicago at Navy Pier’s Second Annual Chi-Soul Fest Free, two-day music festival returns June 21 and 22 with robust lineup of the city’s top soul talent in honor of African-American Music Appreciation Month

CHICAGO – Navy Pier’s lively summer programming continues through June with the second annual Chi-Soul Fest music festival and celebration of soul music, kicking off on , June 21 through Saturday, June 22. This one-of-a-kind weekend is an intergenerational conversation of Chicago soul music presented in honor of African-American Appreciation Month and will feature some of the city’s top soul artists across all of the Pier’s public performance venues.

Looking back, Chicago’s rich history of soul was showcased on the famous Record Row in the 1960s and 70’s on South Michigan Avenue when labels, such as Vee-Jay Records, Chess Records and Curtom Records featured classic recordings from artists, like The Dells, , Etta James, , Herbie Hancock and Earth Wind & Fire. The legacy of soul still echoes in Chicago’s current musical landscape and through its free line-up, Chi-Soul Fest reflects the past, present and future of Chicago soul music.

The full schedule for Chi-Soul Fest is outlined below:

Friday, June 21 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Ayana Contereras Pop-Up: “Energy Never Dies” Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Honey & The 45s Miller Lite Beer Garden 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Chi-Soul Sisters Concert hosted by Marqueal Jordan, Polk Bros Park (Lake Stage) featuring Terisa Griffin, Carol Riddick, Joyce Hurley, Mys Michelle and Simone Green 9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Neal Francis Miller Lite Beer Garden

Saturday, June 22 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Ayana Contereras Pop-Up: “Energy Never Dies” Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. DJ Tess Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Silver Room Block Party preview by The Silver Room Polk Bros Park 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Discussion by Duane Powell – Affro-Arts: From The Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion Elements to Chaka Khan, the Gift of Kelan Phil Cohran 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alysha Monique Miller Lite Beer Garden 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Vocalo Showcase ft. Nate Barksdale, Marcus Atom, Oliv Polk Bros Park (Lake Stage) Blu, Rahkii and Loona Dae 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. DJ Sadie Woods Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Discussion by Ayana Contreras: Curtis Mayfield Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 4:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective Miller Lite Beer Garden 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. DJ Duane Powell Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Chi-Brations Showcase with Sam Trump, featuring Polk Bros Park (Lake Stage) Krystal Metcalfe, Rhea The Second, Erthe St. James, Jack Red, Astro Samurai 7 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Manny Torres Miller Lite Beer Garden 9 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Bumpus Miller Lite Beer Garden – MORE –

Other arts, cultural and engagement programs that weekend include three popular music series: Wiggleworms, a children’s music series presented in partnership with the Old Town School of Folk Music, Make Music Chicago, a global day of music, and Wave Wall Wax, an ongoing weekly DJ series; as well as the signature Aon Summer Fireworks. Chi-Soul Fest guests are also encouraged to enjoy other Pier-wide experiences in dining, retail, boats and other activities and attractions. Please note that all events and programs are subject to change.

Navy Pier’s free summer programming is a part of the non-profit destination’s ongoing commitment to offer guests free, one-of-a kind arts and cultural programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.

PHOTOS: Chi-Soul Fest | Credit: Vocalo

About Navy Pier Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is one of the top-attended nonprofit destinations in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming nearly 9 million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2019, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing pier-wide redevelopment efforts – including a 220-room Hilton hotel with rooftop bar, a marina and more – in addition to free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a 501(c)(3) organization, in support of free public programs. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.

Navy Pier Mission Statement Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder.

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