Summer is in full swing with MANY opportunities to see/hear LIVE BLUES at all of the clubs and more. Check out the special Delmark related gigs coming up!
July 10 – JAMIAH ROGERS @ NAVY PIER, Chicago
July 13 – JIMMY BURNS with Cesar Rosas of LOS LOBOS @ The Venue, Aurora, IL
July 16 – DAVE SPECTER @ July 16: North Center Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series, Chicago
July 18 – SHIRLEY JOHNSON @ Gallagher Way, Wrigley Field, Chicago
July 19 – DELMARK DAY (Demetria Taylor, Sheryl Youngblood, Patch of Blues) @ The Venue, Aurora, IL
Thursday, July 10
6:30pm-7:30pm A Patch of Blues
8:00pm-9:00pm Jamiah Rogers
SKYLINE SESSIONS 2025
Enjoy your summer nights with free music and skyline views at Skyline Sessions!
Join us every Thursday and Friday at the Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage for live performances by solo artists and small ensembles. Whether you’re swinging by after work or enjoying a night out with friends, Skyline Sessions is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the best of summer.
Sunday, July 13
Cesar Rosas & The Chi-Town Playboys wsg Delmark Artist: Jimmy Burns
The Venue is proud to present Cesar Rosas & The Chi-Town Playboys with special guest Jimmy Burns for an OUTDOOR CONCERT on July 13th.
By The Venue Aurora
Sunday, July 13 · 7 – 9pm CDT. Doors at 6pm
Location
THE VENUE21 South Broadway Aurora, IL 60505
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
- ALL AGES
- Free venue parking
The Venue is proud to present Cesar Rosas & The Chi-Town Playboys with special guest Jimmy Burns for a special outdoor concert on Sunday, July 13th.
This event will be held outside only – rain or shine – it will not be brought indoors.
DOORS = 6pm | SHOW = 7pm
~ Advance Admission ~
General Admission = $25
~ Day of Show ~
Additional Door Charge = $5~ NOTES: This show is General Admission only, with open outdoor seating. This concert will be held outdoors – rain or shine, regardless of the weather, so please prepare in advance. Guests are welcome and encouraged to bring their own blankets and/or folding bagged chairs. Rental Chairs will be available for purchase ($5) and a dance area near the stage is accessible to all if you do not wish to sit. Depending on the forecast, rain gear and umbrellas are also encouraged. Guests are allowed to bring in their own food and water, but no coolers or outside alcohol is permitted. Restaurants and food trucks are located nearby, and a full bar offering cocktails and N/A drinks will be available on-site at The Venue.
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⭐ Cesar Rosas & The Chi-Town Playboys ⭐
Cesar Rosas is a founding member of the iconic band, Los Lobos. Founded in 1973, the six-time Grammy winning band has spanned generations with traditional flavored music to mind altering sounds and garnered a reputation as being one of the best damn bands in America. Their latest release, Native Sons, won the Grammy for Best Americana Album in 2022. Cesar’s original blues rock songs as well as his original Cumbia flavored music have helped make Los Lobos what it is.
Joining Cesar will be The Chi-Town Playboys featuring Chicago’s own Dave Herrero, Scott Tipping, Ari Seder, Dan Ingenthron and Gerald Dowd.
⭐ Jimmy Burns ⭐
Jimmy Burns is a versatile musician with deep roots in the Chicago blues scene. Born in 1943 in Dublin, Mississippi, Burns moved to Chicago with his family at the age of twelve in 1955. His musical journey began early, learning to play the diddly bow and guitar as a child, influenced by his father’s musical abilities and the blues records they listened to at home.
In Chicago, Burns initially pursued doo-wop and R&B, singing with groups like the Medallionaires as a teenager. He recorded several singles in the 1960s and early 1970s, which have since become rare collectors’ items, especially in the UK’s Northern Soul scene.
After taking a break from professional music to focus on family and run a BBQ restaurant, Burns returned to the blues scene in the early 1990s. He was signed to Delmark Records and released his breakthrough album “Leaving Here Walking” in 1996, which earned critical acclaim and awards.
Burns’ style blends traditional Delta blues with R&B, soul, and even elements of jazz and rock. He’s known for his strong vocal abilities and guitar skills, as well as his songwriting. Throughout his career, he has toured extensively, playing festivals in Europe, Russia, and South America.
Today, Burns continues to perform and record, often collaborating with younger musicians. He hosts an open mic night at Buddy Guy’s Legends and is working on a new album called “Full Circle” with a jazz quartet. His discography includes several albums that showcase his diverse musical influences and his ability to interpret classic blues songs as well as write original material.
Despite his success, Burns remains modest about his talents and passionate about music, emphasizing that there are only two kinds of music: “good and bad.” His life story represents a unique journey through various genres of American music, always circling back to his blues roots.
~ The Venue is brought to you by Fox Valley Music Foundation, dedicated to local music awareness, education and preservation. Find out more at themusicvenue.org
Wednesday July 16
The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce’s annual Summer Concert Series returns in 2025! Join us for free music and fun on Wednesday nights. Bring a chair, invite your neighbors, and get to know some new ones every week!
Event Details:
When: Wednesdays, July 9 – August 13, 7PM-8:30PM
Where: Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, Chicago
Friday July 18
SHIRLEY JOHNSON at Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field GALLAGHER WAY – 2 sets, 1 before game and 1 after! Get your blues and baseball on!!
Saturday, July 19
DELMARK DAY: Masterclass Series
Join us for DELMARK DAY, the first installment of the Delmark Records and FVMF Masterclass Series, on Saturday, July 19th.
By The Venue Aurora
Date and time
Starts on Saturday, July 19 · 4pm CDT. Doors at 3pm
Location
THE VENUE21 South Broadway Aurora, IL 60505
Lineup
Sheryl Youngblood
Demetria Taylor
The Fox Valley Music Foundation is proud to present DELMARK DAY, the first installment of the Delmark Records and FVMF Masterclass Series.
Join us for the beginning of a brand new community related partnership with the historic Delmark Records! Delmark Day is the first in a quarterly series filled with music, mentorship, good times and most of all, the blues!
This immersive day-long celebration, funded by a Music In Action grant from Live Music Society, brings together the power of live blues, music education, and Chicago music history.
The Masterclass will be led by blues vocalist and Delmark Records artist Sheryl Youngblood, whose fiery performances and deep roots in the Chicago blues tradition have made her a standout educator and performer. Musicians and non-musicians of all levels are invited to learn from Youngblood’s expertise in performance, vocal technique, and stage presence.
Throughout the day, music lovers can soak in the sounds of DJ Oliver “Fade” Torres, who will spin rare and classic Delmark Records vinyl between activities. His curated sets will showcase the legendary label’s deep blues and jazz catalog, offering a musical journey through Chicago’s vibrant sonic history.
The evening concert will feature special performances from:
~ Patch of Blues ~ A rising young band with a fresh approach to the blues, offering tight grooves and passionate performances.
~ Demetria Taylor ~ Acclaimed Delmark Records vocalist and daughter of blues icon Eddie Taylor, Demetria delivers powerhouse vocals and a fierce stage presence that’s earned her a place among today’s greats.
Saturday, July 19th
4PM – 11PM
General Admission = $25
Additional Door Charge = $5
~ The Venue is brought to you by Fox Valley Music Foundation, dedicated to local music awareness, education and preservation. the musicvenue.org
~ TICKETS: We strongly recommend that you avoid buying tickets for our shows from any third parties. We will be unable to honor tickets purchased anywhere other than our website through Eventbrite or at our Box Office.
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Organized by
The Venue is a live music performance space located west of Chicago in downtown Aurora, Illinois. Featuring local, national, and touring acts, The Venue showcases all genres of music on its intimate stage. The Venue offers a bar specializing in local craft beers and comfortably seats nearly 200 with no obstructed views.
The Venue is operated by the Fox Valley Music Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to music education, promotion, and preservation.
Easily accessible by Metra with free parking across the street, The Venue is a convenient destination. Entrance is located on Water Street Mall.
DELMARK DAY: Masterclass Series Tickets, Sat, Jul 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite
