Alliance Contemporary NOB Says 'Let's Get Funky' Saturday Night

Alliance Contemporary at NOB proudly presents "Let's Get Funky" Saturday, June 12th in the hippest destination in Beverly, the pop up art space behind Nicky's of Beverly at 105th & Western from 6 until 10 p.m.

The Beverly Arts Alliance organizers will pay homage to the great Blues artists who brought their art form through Peoria and into Chicago during The Great Migration. With the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Hound Dog Taylor, and other formative Delta Blues laying the groundwork, Blues became synonymous with the City of Chicago, especially on the South Side, and still is the definitive destination for enthusiasts from all over the world.

Tour buses carrying visitors from all over the world make daily stops in the South Loop to visit Buddy's Guys'. Muddy Water's South Side home is now a step closer to landmark status in the city as Blues rises to the top again.

Nicky’s of Beverly will carry the backbeat to the Blues sound and presentation of original artwork and working artists as Beverly’s Arts Alliance partners with curator Paul Branton Saturday.

“Let’s Get Funky” is a three-part show currently open at the Beverly Arts Center, scheduled at Alliance Contemporary NOB this Saturday and open for daily viewing at Two Mile Coffee Bar, currently featuring works by Tim Anderson, Paul Branton, Dalton Brown, Roger Carter, Edo, Jon Langford, Blake Lenoir, Paul Natkin, Dana Todd Pope, Jason E. Jones, Dorothy Straughter, Raymond Thomas and Martha Wade.

At Nicky’s of Beverly, Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s “Cultural Historian Emeritus,” will also share some iconic artifacts of Blues history from his collection. A portion of sales of artwork from "Let’s Get Funky" will help fund projects with Chicago Blues Revival and the Bronzeville Blues Collaborative.

The space - Alliance Contemporary at NOB - is distinguished by its eye-popping murals. Local artists Paul Branton and Phil Connon adorned the former tree cutting service building with engaging Blues musician images that turned a nondescript garage into a welcoming art gallery and so much more with musicians and artists projecting "live" their talents for visitors.

Beverly Arts Alliance supporters are growing in numbers and in recent weeks have wired their suggested donations of $20 through the website www.beverlyarts.org in advance instead of exchanging cash at the events, where specialty drinks and other cold beverages are served. The advance donations have been helpful in allowing organizers to plan and cut down on money exchanges.

The Alliance has made substantial inroads into Beverly Morgan Park community and around the city. Their current crusade pays homage to the musicians who made their way north to settle on Chicago’s South and West sides — and in so doing forever alter the musical and cultural fabric of Chicago and music.

"The past year and half has been challenging for all of us, but we are incredibly grateful to live in a diverse community with many creative, kind and hard-working people," said Sal Campbell, one of the Alliance founders.

"We believe in the power of art to lift our spirits and connect us with one another-- even, or perhaps especially, during hard times. "When stores and galleries and events were shut down, we sought ways to partner artists and businesses together to create public art in shop windows and outdoor spaces. Our goal was to keep the art, music and stories coming, in a way that people could enjoy safely." Campbell said the Alliance has been "thrilled beyond measure" and points to more events after "Let's Get Funky, a June 19 Summer Solstice event and the ongoing Summer Concert Series.

"Let’s Get Funky" celebrates the people and places in Chicago that crusaded for Blues the artform and carried the torch when the mainstream media was lending a deaf ear to the Blues format that was relegated to overnight programming or college campuses. Program Dates: @ The Beverly Arts Center: May 28th through July 6th. Opening Reception — Friday, May 28th, 6-8pm @ Alliance Contemporary: June 12th through July 9th. Arts & Blues Jam — Saturday, June 12th. 6-10pm @ Two Mile Coffee Bar: June 12th Beans & Blues with Tim Anderson