🎶🎂 Willie Dixon Birthday Blues Party @ Legendary Chess Records! 🎸🔥

# 🎶🎂 Willie Dixon Birthday Blues Party @ Legendary Chess Records! 🎸🔥

Willie Dixon's Birthday Bash @ Chess Records! 🎶🔥

🎵 FREE Record Row Concert Series Featuring Joanna Connor Band & Special Guests 🎵

Let’s go BACK for one of the best free blues events of the summer!

Join us at the legendary Willie Dixon Blues Garden next to the historic Chess Records building for a special evening celebrating the birthday of blues legend Willie Dixon. This annual event is always a favorite—and this year features the incredible Joanna Connor Band along with special guests.

Even better? 🎉 They’ll be serving a FREE BBQ dinner with a complimentary plate of food and a soda for attendees!

We attended this birthday celebration several years ago, and the food was fantastic—delicious BBQ, great music, and an amazing neighborhood atmosphere. 😋🌭🎶

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📅 WHEN:
🗓️ Thursday, July 2, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 WHERE:
Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL

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🎶 TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
🕔 5:00 PM — Meet & greet in the Blues Garden and grab seats
🎸 5:00–7:00 PM — Willie Dixon Birthday Celebration Concert featuring Joanna Connor Band & Special Guests
🌭 7:00–8:00 PM — FREE BBQ dinner and soda served (while supplies last)
🍻 8:00–9:00 PM — Optional socializing afterward at a nearby restaurant or bar

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🎸 FEATURED PERFORMER:
🎤 Joanna Connor Band & Special Guests
🌐 https://www.joannaconnor.com/
Widely recognized as one of the most electrifying blues guitarists in the country, Joanna Connor has been a fixture of the Chicago blues scene for decades. Known for her fiery slide guitar work, powerhouse vocals, and high-energy performances, she’s shared stages with blues legends around the world and continues to carry the Chicago blues tradition forward.

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🍖 FREE BBQ DINNER!
As part of the birthday celebration:
✅ Free BBQ plate
✅ Free soda
✅ First-come, first-served
This is always one of the highlights of the event!

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🪑 SEATING:
The Blues Garden typically provides chairs, but seating is first-come, first-served.
Feel free to bring:
✅ Lawn chair
✅ Folding chair
✅ Small cushion

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🏛️ ABOUT THE VENUE
The concert takes place at the historic Chess Records building, one of the most important sites in American music history.

Founded by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, Chess Records became America’s most influential blues label, launching the careers of legends including:
🎸 Muddy Waters
🎸 Howlin’ Wolf
🎸 Chuck Berry
🎸 Bo Diddley
🎸 Little Walter
🎸 Etta James

Willie Dixon served as songwriter, producer, arranger, and creative force behind many of Chess Records’ biggest hits.

The famous studio at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue became known worldwide and was immortalized by The Rolling Stones, who recorded there during their first U.S. tour.

Today the building houses Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, dedicated to preserving blues history and supporting musicians.

🌐 Website: http://www.bluesheaven.com
🌐 Record Row Concert Series: http://www.bluesheaven.com/record-row-concert-series.html
🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluesheavenfoundation

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🍽️ OPTIONAL DINNER & DRINKS AFTERWARD
If anyone is still hungry, we may head to one of several nearby spots:
🍗 Jerk Villa Bar & Grill
🍺 Fatpour Tap Works
🍕 Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar
🍝 Il Culaccino
🍕 Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta

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🚇 GETTING THERE
CTA:
🚉 Red Line & Green Line nearby
🚌 #1 Bronzeville
🚌 #3 King Drive
🚌 #4 Cottage Grove
🚌 #29 State Street
CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving:
Metered street parking is usually available nearby, along with several parking garages.

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📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina: 312.835.4259

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⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cutoff to update RSVP is event start time
✔️ If you're running late, contact the host directly
❌ 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event restriction
🚫 Continual no-shows may result in removal from the group

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🎸🎂 An evening of free blues, free BBQ, Chicago music history, and great company at one of the most legendary addresses in American music. It doesn’t get much more Chicago than celebrating Willie Dixon’s birthday at Chess Records! 🎶🔥