During the summer of 2013, Chicago's West Side has had a rough time, marked by fatal shootings, unemployment, foreclosures, school closings and general misery.  Nonprofit community organizations are trying to address the pileup of urban problems in this part of town which gave birth to many fine musicians.  To help the community groups spark up their summer events Barrelhouse Bonni presented blues acts featuring Larry Taylor, Mike Wheeler, Willie D, Jon McDonald among others who learned their trade on the West Side.  They played at the West Side Historical Society Juneteenth weekend; at Priscy's Production violence prevention day; at Terence McGee Back to School Throwdown, and at the Better Boys Foundation.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More in Rosalind Cummings-Yates column in the August 2013 Illinois Entertainer:http://illinoisentertainer.com/2013/07/sweet-home-august-2013/