You're invited to bring $20 and your talent --music, poetry, storytelling-- to a West Side Chicago neighborhood jam and open mic Friday July 26, 5:30 to 8 p.m at the new Front Porch Arts Center storefront , 5851 W. Madison St., Chicago IL 60644.

Let "Barrelhouse Bonni" McKeown, the original script writer, give you the story behind this event—besides to have a good time, hosted by Jerry Hamlin’s band, and add to Keli’s drive to bring out hidden West Side stories and talent.

"Ten years ago I first wrote the script for The Rhythm and the Blues, a drama based on my partner, bluesman Larry Taylor’s life story. I wanted to show up close and personal  what Black musicians feel like when they never get their due. Producer/ Director Darryl Pitts, who creates the monthly TV interview series “Women on the Move,” added his own insights.  He recruited the actor Leon, known from The Temptations and Five Heartbeats, to play the volatile role of Larry’s father, the  frustrated blues guitarist Eddie Taylor, as the Taylor family struggles to survive and keep the music alive.

"Darryl planned to offer our early-1970s period piece as a TV show pilot. Trying it out at the Pan African Film Fest in L.A. in February, a private showing in Chicago in March, and the African Film Fest in NYC in May, industry heads advised Darryl the project would best succeed as a full-length feature movie.  Audiences liked what we did, so we’ll give them more! Once we reach full length, The Rhythm and the Blues should find a distributor and be available for all to see in a year or so.

"To gather $40,000 to shoot the additional scenes in Chicago this summer and fall, Darryl plans a gala fundraiser Wed. Aug.21 at Navy Pier, downtown Chicago at the height of tourism season, the week of the Democratic Convention.  Tickets are already on sale at the movie website: https://therhythmandtheblues.com/experience

"But first--To inspire our guests and add to the buzz, we need some live blues!  Larry, his band the Soul Blues Healers, and other Taylor family members are happy to bring the music Aug. 21.  My part in supporting the gala is to raise $3000 to pay the musicians and incidental expenses.

"So join us this Friday July 26, and bring your instrument and voice for the music and poetry jam.  Or if you can’t make the jam personally but want to help make the movie a reality, please email me, Bonni for other methods of donating. 

barrelhbonni (at) yahoo.com

Yours, Barrelhouse Bonni"

P.S. Please stop by Bonni and Larry's  websites too, and see what they're are up to, bringing live blues music back to the community that created it:

https://barrelhousebonni.com/             https://larrytaylorchicagoblues