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The 47th Street Chicago Blues District Celebrates The Grand Opening of The Harold Washington Cultural Center - August 17-18, 2004
Jazz Legend Roy Ayers and Blues Artist Bobby Blue Bland to Headline Stellar Series of Events
Chicago, IL - On Tuesday August 17, 2004, the board of directors of Tobacco Road, Incorporated, Mayor Richard M. Daley and 3rd Ward Alderman Dorothy Tillman will proudly unveil a breathtaking bronze statue of Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black Mayor, at the intersection of 47th and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, with festivities starting at 10:30 am.
The impressive 20-foot sculpture of the late Mayor Washington is the first of its kind located anywhere in the City of Chicago. African-American sculptor and artist Ed Dwight, Jr., whose commissions are on permanent display at the Smithsonian and throughout the world, developed this elegant tribute as a labor of love and admiration, and to respect the important political, social, and historical legacy of Harold Washington.
The historic statue unveiling is part of a series of exciting events held in honor of the grand opening celebration of the Harold Washington Cultural Center (HWCC), the city's newest entertainment and cultural arts facility, located at 4701 South Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
JAZZ LEGEND ROY AYERS AND BLUES MASTER BOBBY BLUE BLAND HEADLINE EXCITING CONCERT EVENTS FOR CULTURAL CENTER GRAND OPENING
The Harold Washington Cultural Center will emerge onto the city arts scene with an exciting schedule of events over the two day August 17-18, 2004 period, designed to introduce this jewel of an architectural and entertainment facility to current supporters and new friends alike. Free-and-open-to-the-public activities kick-off at 10:30 a.m .on the 17th and run throughout both days. Facility tours will also be available on the 17th & 18th.
On the evening of Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at 8:00 p.m., Jazz legend Roy Ayers will fill the ComEd Performing Arts Theatre with his smooth, soulful brand of hot rhythms, and on the night of Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 8:00 p.m., internationally renowned Blues artist Bobby Blue Bland, considered by many music critics as America's greatest Blues singer, will showcase his riveting, masterful mix of musical blues talents, during a concert performance featuring Chicago Blues icon Otis Clay in honor of the newly crowned Chicago Blues District at the intersection of 47th Street and King Drive. Tickets for each concert are $30 for general admission seating. For ticket information, call 773-373-1900. Tickets may be purchased at the Harold Washington Cultural Center Box Office and the Spoken Word Café, 4655 South King Drive.
THE HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER - A NEW CULTURAL ARTS AND ECONOMIC FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY
The grand opening of the Harold Washington Cultural Center is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience. "I am proud of the fact that the a key focus of the HWCC is to honor the strong historical legacy of the cultural and community spirit of both past community leaders and pioneers, as well as the current residents of this great neighborhood," says HWCC executive director Jimalita Tillman.
The Harold Washington Cultural Center is located within the Grand Boulevard community, an area undergoing significant economic, social and real estate transformation, making it today one of the city's most sought after neighborhoods in the City of Chicago.
The goal of the Harold Washington Cultural Center is to educate Chicago youth on the full spectrum of opportunities available in arts and entertainment field, from business and performance management, to digital recording, production, marketing and distribution and more. In addition, the center was designed to support the revitalization of this south side area, as well as providing training and job opportunities for local residents. Already, the Harold Washington Cultural Center is recapturing the vibrant luster of the legendary Bronzeville community and commemorating the legacy of Chicago's first Black Mayor, the late Honorable Harold Washington, whose political career was first nurtured by this venerable neighborhood.
This cultural arts education and entertainment facility is the first of many milestones related to Tillman's vision of creating a diverse array of multi-dimensional, neighborhood revitalization and economic development initiatives.
The cultural center's mission, operated by executive director Jimalita Tillman and her staff, is to preserve and protect African-American culture and history.
"We are working very hard to revive the rich culture of this community, and most important, to bring adults and youth together to share knowledge, history and provide performance opportunities for emerging and established artists alike," says Jimalita Tillman.
This artfully designed; state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot Harold Washington Cultural Center facility is a visual delight, with a neo-classical design incorporating a soaring, two-story glass façade on the north side of the facility. The HWCC boasts a 1,000-seat ComEd performing arts theatre, a digital media resource and radio / television broadcast center, a music business and performing arts institute, digital library and information center, a musical walk of fame, and a recording studio. Future additions to the cultural center include a restaurant and banquet facility.
This historic area on Chicago's south side is known throughout the world as a mecca of music. Some of the greats who have come from this legendary community include the father of gospel music Thomas Dorsey, bluesmen Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, Inez Andrews, called the high priestess of gospel and many others, including those who have launched their careers right on 47th Street.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON
The significance of this statute unveiling is that this will be the first and only statue of Harold Washington, Chicago's First Black Mayor, located anywhere in the City of Chicago. The driving force behind this historically significant commemoration, and the Harold Washington Cultural Center is the dynamic, long-time civil rights activist, nationally respected elected official and one of the longest-serving members of the Chicago City Council, the Honorable Dorothy Tillman, Alderman of the 3rd Ward.
Harold Washington grew up on 47th Street he cut his political teeth in this community for the Democratic Party and the 3rd Ward Democratic Organization. He walked these streets, and he loved and respected the people and the neighborhood. Harold represented this community all of his political life in the Illinois House and Senate, as the representative of the 1st Congressional District and then as Mayor. It is a great honor, and it gives me great pleasure to have a statue of this great man placed here in front of his namesake cultural center, especially since a Black Renaissance man and sculptor Ed Dwight, Jr., designed it.
Continues Tillman, "This is a resurrection of the life and legacy of this great politician - - - the spiritual truth is that we are resurrecting the memory of Harold Washington on this corner for his admirers throughout Chicago, the United States and the world. I was the only woman appointed to the Chicago City Council by the late Mayor Washington and today, twenty years later, I remain in the elected City Council government, fighting for the betterment of this south side community, and African-Americans throughout the country. I believe that this extraordinary monument honoring the late Mayor Washington will serve to inspire the dreams and aspirations of generations to come."
The arrival of the HWCC has launched a groundbreaking renewal of the area, creating a major entertainment and cultural arts venue that will become a major showcase for the rich diversity of African-American culture. "Once again, 47th Street will be a place where people of all races and cultures can shop, dine, enjoy family entertainment and live," said Tillman.
Continues Tillman, "In addition, this facility represents one of the last economic development projects started under his administration, so it is befitting that his statue stand here, and in the community he loved so well."
For more information on the Harold Washington Cultural Center, contact 773-373-1900.
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