At the 4th annual Englewood Music Festival on Sept. 14, hundreds of people came together to celebrate the neighborhood at Kennedy King College’s baseball field, located on South 64th and Halsted streets.
Commemorating the unique vibrance and qualities of the neighborhood, the festival had local food and clothing vendors, as well as community outreach programs, art installations, a petting zoo, skating rink and much more. It was truly a family affair, and was free to the public.
Not only that, but where else can you see Black lady police officers dancing to gospel music while eating snow cones, reminiscent of a scene straight out of an episode of the late great HBO series, “South Side.”
The Englewood Music Festival had one main stage and a performance lineup that consisted of quality local acts like rappers BigMouf’bo and Heavy Crownz, along with industry heavy hitters such as rapper Waka Flocka Flame, soul singer Lenny Williams, R&B singer Kelly Price, and Chicago’s own Twista.
Hosting and keeping the crowd laughing in between performances was local comedian Jeremiah Frazier, who was also joined by Chicago legendary radio personality Bioncé Foxx from V103 and comedian Damon Williams.
The event, previously held on 63rd and Halsted, has grown into an anticipated event. The South Side recently lost two prominent festivals with the unfortunate end to the Silver Room Sound System Block Party, and the Hyde Park Summer Fest.
Those losses make the Englewood Music Festival more important than ever for the South Side. A family-friendly and free event offering quality entertainment while uplifting and promoting the surrounding community.
Taking the lead in producing the festival each year is Englewood native Stephanie Coleman, alderwoman for the 16th Ward which includes the neighborhood. The TRiiBE briefly spoke to Coleman while at the festival.
“This is our fourth year, but in a new location where everyone is together. You witness the Englewood Arts Collective, Grow Greater Englewood with the Fresh Market, all of our community organizations, and we’ve even got a petting zoo,” Coleman said.
There was truly something for everybody at this festival. Even down to the talent selected, it was clear that this festival was community based, run and operated by the people of Englewood.
“We’re supporting Black businesses here by way of the vendors, and we’re covering gospel, R&B, soul and hip hop,” Coleman said.
When asked about the cancellation of the Hyde Park Summer Fest and the Silver Room Block Party, Coleman told The TRiiBE, “It is difficult for festivals because these are very expensive, especially on the South Side.” The TRiiBE reported in June of 2023, that CEO of the Silver Room, Eric Williams, suffered a substantial loss to produce the event, with the block party costing a little over 1$ million to produce.
“I’m just glad to put in the extra work and to keep it free. I’m intentional about making sure of that.” Coleman said. “You can go to Grant Park for free. You can go downtown all the time for free. Our people deserve that as well. Englewood deserves that as well.”
Designed for and by the community, the festival was a reflection of Englewood greatness.
“We’re exemplifying Englewood excellence [and] bringing the family together,” Coleman said.
The TRiiBE spoke with one vendor, Corie Luckett of Englewood Branded. Started in 2017, Englewood Branded has grown into one of the top Chicago clothing lines.
“Honestly, I just think it’s a long time coming,” Luckett said when asked about the success of the festival. “We’ve been overlooked for so long, and to be able to have all of these organizations and businesses and just residents of Englewood come together for a great outcome every time, it’s just great.”
It was fitting for the event to feature a homegrown gem. Performing a few tracks from his new E.P., Mr. Alkaline, Heavy Crownz often goes by the moniker, “The Farmer,” and is an advocate for healthy living.
A constant crusader and spokesman for Englewood, Heavy told The TRiiBE, “It feels good. It’s an honor. It feels right. I feel like this is just another seed in the progression of Englewood coming back with a PR revenge.”
When asked about the true character of Englewood, he said, “A lot of beautiful things happen in Englewood. Englewood is truly growing right now. So if you ask me, it’s the heart of the South Side. It makes sense for us to hold it down in this way.”
The festival also had an “Arts Village,” produced and run by the Englewood Arts Collective, a collective of 10 artists dedicated to amplifying and supporting artists and creative engagement. This section of the festival was beautiful and included different interactive art projects for kids, such as a custom skateboard making booth, and even a skating rink.
“People deserve to play where they lay,” said Janell Nelson, executive director of Activations for the Englewood Arts Collective. Along with being in charge of the activation at the festival, Nelson is also a co-founder, as well as the organization’s primary producer.
“We got kids yoga. We got skating. We got break dancers,” Nelson proudly told The TRiiBE. “We had a South Shore drill team. We’ve got live mural painting, a safe space for toddlers, and we also had line dancing earlier for elders.”
Also helping to manage the Arts Village was artist Tonika Lewis Johnson of the Englewood Arts Collective.
“I think it’s beautiful that the neighborhood that gets bullied in the media all the time has now become one of the major arts festival events in the absence of so many wonderful, strong Black festivals,” Johnson added. “Not only do we need festivals and activities like this, but for it to be in a neighborhood that gets spoken so negatively about is really transformative, not only for the neighborhood, but Chicago overall.”
The post As other Black festivals fade, Englewood’s free music festival unites and uplifts the community appeared first on The TRiiBE.
