For immediate release, July 23, 1999
Contacts: Chuck Cowdery, 773-477-9691, Maxwell St. Historic Preservation Coalition; Professor Steve Balkin, 312-341-3696, Maxwell St. Historic Preservation Coalition; Tony Mangiullo, 773-342-0452, Rosa's Lounge
Rosa's Lounge is teaming up with the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition to present a Maxwell Street Extravaganza, Friday, July 30, and Saturday, July 31, both nights from 6:00 PM until closing, at Rosa's Lounge, 3420 West Armitage in Chicago.
Entertainment will be provided by Maxwell Street veterans Piano C. Red, Bobby Davis, Iceman Robinson (Saturday only), Johnnie Mae Smith Dunson and surprise guests. Dine on Maxwell Street polish sausage sandwiches and shop at stalls operated by Maxwell Street merchants while you listen to great live blues, just like it used to be in the heyday of the Maxwell Street Market.
Friday night's show will be hosted by Maxwell Street activist Brian Mier. Saturday night will be hosted by Neal Pollack, staff writer for the Chicago Reader and commentator on WBEZ's "848" program.
Both evenings at 8:00 PM there will be a special showing of "And This Is Free," the 1964 documentary filmed on Maxwell Street by director Mike Shea. The film features legendary blues musicians Carey Bell, Mike Bloomfield, Jimmy Brewer, John Lee Granderson, Arvella Gray, Robert Nighthawk, Big John Wrencher and Johnny Young performing on Maxwell Street.
Cover charge for the Maxwell Street Extravaganza at Rosa's is $10 per person.
The Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition is an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the cultural history of Maxwell Street, Chicago's immigrant gateway and the birthplace of Chicago blues. Only a few blocks of the original Maxwell Street district remain and they will be destroyed if the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has its way. The Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, and other opponents of the UIC plan, believe a restored Maxwell Street will be a popular tourist attraction, while also providing the student housing and shopping facilities UIC envisions.
Rosa's, "Chicago's Friendliest Blues Lounge," has been presenting the finest in live Chicago blues for more than 15 years. Live music is presented every Tuesday through Saturday. Rosa's Lounge is located at 3420 West Armitage, just west of Kimball.
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