Fine Art and Low-Down Blues Kick Off Mount Prospect's Summer Events - June 19 Day Will Benefit Local Food Pantry

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill., June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Residents, blues fans and art lovers are invited to "get down" and experience some of Chicago's hottest blues and discover the unique works of local artisans at two Mount Prospect sizzling summer events:  "Blues on the Green" and the Fine Arts Festival, Saturday, June 19 at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Blues on the Green starts at 2 p.m. and continues for nine and a half hours with the soulful, low-down music that distinguishes Chicago as the heart and soul of the blues. This year's entertainment upholds that reputation and features Grammy-award winning harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue; the horn-leavened soul group, the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings; the 2010 Chicago Blues Celebrities--Linsey Alexander, Joanne Graham, Nellie "Tiger" Travis; Hot Rod, featuring Rodney Brown and the Mike Dangeroux Duo.

Headliner Sugar Blue played with the Rolling Stones on numerous occasions, recordings and studio sessions while living in Paris to hone his musical talent and style. Today he incorporates all he has learned into his visionary, singular style that is technically dazzling while entirely soulful. Sugar Blue has performed with the likes of Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, James Cotton and Junior Wells and spent two years touring with his friend and mentor Willie Dixon. He has appeared in festivals worldwide and shared the stage with Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Lionel Hampton.

Since March of 1993, the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings have been blasting out their own soul-steeped brand of R&B and blues on a nightly basis. But anyone who knows Windy City blues and R&B realizes that this band's collective history harks back a great deal further than that. Prior to '93, they were the celebrated Mellow Fellows, the big-energy, brass-leavened outfit that supplied skin-tight backing for giant –sized soul/blues singer Big Twist until his tragic 1990 death (Courtesy, Blind Pig Records).

The price of admission for all of this entertainment—one donated can or box of non-perishable food per person for the Mount Prospect Food Pantry. For the past two years, attendees generously filled the panty. The demand for food in the suburbs continues and event planners are hoping to double the amount of donations from last year.

"Blues on the Green gets bigger every year and continues to exceed our expectations," said Michael Janonis, Mount Prospect village manager. "A steady crowd of all ages appreciate the talented performers and enjoy the music well into the evening. What makes this event special for the Village is twofold: first, that we can fill our food pantry through the generosity of our residents and second, we can listen to some of the top headliners on the blues circuit because of a partnership with a local business owner who sponsors this popular event. It's a win-win event."  

Event sponsor, Blues Bar worked with local agents and searched for a diverse group of performers with a loyal Chicago following. "We couldn't be prouder to sponsor the Blues on the Green again," said owner Errol Oztekin. "It's our third year and to offer such talent as Sugar Blue and the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings demonstrates that this event is becoming one of the premier blues events in the Chicago area.

Sharing the day with Blues on the Green is the Mount Prospect Fine Arts Festival. The juried exhibition features the creations of several talented artisans who are selling paintings, sculptures, photography, textiles, pottery, glass and jewellery. Arts and crafts tables are also available for children at the family-friendly event.

SOURCE Village of Mount Prospect