🎶 A Love Letter to the South Side. A Homecoming for the Culture.
Black & Bronze is more than a festival—it's an intentional celebration of Bronzeville’s legacy as a national epicenter of Black history, creativity, and cultural power. Held in the heart of the neighborhood, this day-long gathering pays homage to the South Side’s unmatched contributions to American music, art, and activism—while shining a light on the next generation carrying that torch forward.
Join us for a vibrant day of music, movement, and community rooted in soul, spirit, and storytelling. This is where tradition meets innovation. Where gospel choirs, hip hop cyphers, soulful tributes, and jazz improvisation converge with footwork battles, drumlines, wellness activations, and the electric energy of our people. 🎤💃🏾🖤
🌆 WHAT TO EXPECT:
🎵 MUSIC THAT MOVES THE SOUL
Experience four unforgettable musical tributes, where today’s artists honor the pioneers who put Bronzeville and the South Side on the map—from Nat King Cole to Minnie Riperton, Sam Cooke to Common:
- A Tribute to Chicago Soul ft. Jessica Lá Rel, Manasseh, Shantina Lynet & Kristen Lowe
- A Tribute to Chicago Hip Hop ft. Shaundric, Bella Bahhs, M.E.R.C. & more
- A Tribute to Chicago Gospel ft. Monica Anissa, Apollo & CityPoint Worship Collective
- A Tribute to Chicago Jazz ft. Micah Collier & Alysha Monique
🗣 SPOKEN WORD: Bronzeville Past & Present
Our spoken word artists will offer a lyrical journey through time. Poets will share the rich, layered history of Bronzeville—its triumphs, resistance, and creativity—while drawing powerful connections to the issues shaping the South Side today.
Featuring:
Faith Overallat • Tommie Collins • Orion Meadows • Amari Amai • Harlem West • Toni Mono Flow • David Wilson • TJ Gardner
💃🏿 MOVEMENT & DANCE PERFORMANCES
- Footwork Dance Battle hosted by Ain’tchureece & Muv Correctly Studios
- Majorette & Drumline Showcase by King College Prep
- Alvin Ailey Tribute by Hawkins House of Horton
- Divine 9 Strolling Through the Park
- Line Dancing + Double Dutch
🏀 WELLNESS & COMMUNITY
- Basketball Tournament & Dunk Contest by The Denard Bros
- Footwork Dance Workshop
- Free Garden Produce (first come, first served) via New Community Outreach
- Health & wellness activities for all ages
👨🏽👩🏽👧🏽 YOUTH & FAMILY ZONE
- Story Time Tent
- Bounce House & Lawn Games
- Free Kids' Haircuts (14 & under, first hour)
- Trivia & Raffles spotlighting local businesses
👵🏾 SENIOR SEATING + COMFORT AREA
Curated for our elders and seasoned souls—shaded, seated, and celebrated.
👵🏾 COMMUNITY PORTRAITS
We are taking elevated community portraits, because this is a moment to celebrate our legacy. So come dressed in your signature style. Serve up the looks and get your picture taken!
🎯 WHY BLACK & BRONZE?
Because we are the culture.
Because we honor where we come from.
Because Bronzeville is more than a neighborhood—it’s a beacon of Black brilliance.
Black & Bronze is rooted in historical reverence and creative resurgence. It uplifts local independent artists and storytellers, connects generations, and turns a neighborhood park into a portal of pride, memory, and movement.
This is not just a day of performances—it’s a homecoming, a living archive, and a joyful reminder that the South Side’s legacy continues.
✊🏾 WHO THIS IS FOR:
Families. Creatives. Elders. Dreamers. The turned-up. The laid-back. Anyone who loves Black music, culture, and community.
Bring your lawn chairs. Bring your people. Bring your love for the South Side.
This is our moment. This is our music. This is Black & Bronze.
Black & Bronze is brought to you by: Jessica Lá Rel, Comed, League of Chicago Theaters, Chicago Park District, Citypoint Community Church, and BLK Notes.
By registering for this event, you grant permission to Black & Bronze to use photographs and/or video of you taken in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest.
