I'm so excited to share our upcoming concert series.
Seward Park (Saturday, July 25), Clarendon Community Center Park (Saturday, August 22) and Washington Park in front of DuSable Museum (Saturday, September 19).
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom is a multi-genre concert of spoken word and music. It’s written and narrated by award-winning journalist, Cheryl Corley, and features a stellar band lead by singer/songwriter Lucy Smith.
The concert chronicles America’s story from its founding years to the 21st century. It includes Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing” and Langston Hughes’ “Backlash Blues” along with the words of other American authors. Songs include: Thomas Paine’s “Liberty Tree,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land,” Curtis Mayfield’s “This is My Country”, and Beyonce’s “Freedom.” It is a performance that presents the intricacies of America’s 250 years.
Personnel: Cheryl Corley, co-producer/voice; Lucy Smith Quintet - Lucy, voice; Jon Deitemyer, drums; Carmani Edwards, bass; William Kurk, keys; Greg Ward, alto sax
Free Admission/All Ages
A Night Out in the Parks (NOITP) Presentation
