This year, Jefferson Park Forward is proud to again curate the JPF Community Stage at Jeff Fest. Learn more the artists performing on our Community Stage below. Read more about Jeff Fest here.
Friday, July 29
Poppa-Da-Poppa-Da-Pop
Friday, July 29 – 6:30 PM
A five-piece rock band influenced by R&B and classic rock, featuring the Senator of Strum Rob Martwick, State Senator for Illinois’ 10th District, along with a cast of veteran musicians connected to the Chicago and Champaign-Urbana music scenes.
Invisible Cartoons
Friday, July 29 – 7:45 PM
A high energy rock band that loves blending catchy melodies, bounce-inducing beats, spine-tingling keytar riffs and lots of dancing to make audiences smile.
Fury
Friday, July 29 – 9:00 PM
A Chicago based rapper whose moniker stands for Finally Understanding the Real You. Fury has taken her ability to mix powerful lyricism with socially conscious themes to become a force in her community. Her recent work has focused on the revitalization of Chicago’s West Side. Her latest project FURY REVOLUTION will document how her community activism and music are coming together to make an inviting creative scene for Black and Brown people in underserved communities.
Saturday, July 30
Belleisle
Saturday, July 31 – 5:00 PM
With resonant vocals, acoustic guitars, and haunting strings, Belleisle’s wistful original compositions evoke the dusty barrooms and outlaw heroes of the Old West.
Sheep Numbers
Saturday, July 30 – 6:30 PM
Channeling British Invasion bands of the ’60s, lo-fi rock of the ’80s and ’90s, and the 2000s indie rock that was popular during the formative years of the band’s members, Chicago-based Sheep Numbers came to life when songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Martello took a job dog sitting for three weeks and challenged himself to record an album using what was on hand: an acoustic guitar, a microkorg, and an empty Christmas tree box for percussion. The resulting album was full of fun, ramshackle pop/rock nuggets, and from this seed, Sheep Numbers was born.
Rum Velvet
Saturday, July 30 – 7:45 PM
A brass band inspired by early American jazz and musical traditions from West Africa, Eastern Europe, India, and other far off lands. They put their own spin on the classic jazz format, with a unique mix of covers and original songs that have entranced audiences and critics for years. Added to this are some outlandish tales (which may or may not be true) which all add up to some fun, style, and great cocktail jazz.
TheLoveofPpl.
Saturday, July 31 – 9:00 PM
Combining the voices of three distinctly different musical talents, TheLoveofPpl. are contemporary neo-soul at its finest. Made up of vocalists Blake Davis, Anai Akuei, and producer Blank Face Villain, TheLoveofPpl. are as forward-thinking as they are retro-reminiscent, a daring combo of old and new that is sure to find a sweet spot in the heart of any R&B-heads. Amid the chaos, disappointment and uncertainty of 2020, the trio found solace in their shared affinity for clean production, poignant vocals, and moments of true collaboration.
Sunday, August 1
The Chicago Ballet Center
Sunday, August 1 – 2:00 PM
The Chicago Ballet Center works to nurture the creativity, physical and artistic development of young people through a rigorous dance curriculum, inclusive of all forms of dance and movement.
Check them out at http://www.chicagoballetcenter.org.
Chicago Music & Acting Academy
Sunday, August 1 – 3:15 PM
Chicago Music & Acting Academy is devoted to bringing professional music and acting training to all at affordable prices.
They cultivate a safe and welcoming work environment that allows students to explore and cultivate their own unique voice. They teach our students how to see the beauty in this world, how to know their own worth, how to embrace their imperfections and see them as assets, and how to be vulnerable and honest not only as an actor but as a person.
Check them out at www.chicagomaa.org.
Jefferson Park Songwriters Group
Sunday, August 1 – 4:30 PM
A variety of performers from the Jefferson Park Songwriters Group will perform Sunday from 4:30PM-6:30PM. They meet every 1st Tuesday of the month at Jefferson Memorial Park to share music and learn from each other. All are welcome!
JPF Community Stage Sponsors
Jefferson Park Forward would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions to supporting the arts in our community and making the Community Stage possible.
| Gale Street Inn (Headlining Sponsor) | Weston’s Coffee & Tap Co. |
| Triple R Gallery | Rep Chi |
| Senator Robert Martwick | Representative Lindsey LaPointe |
| Lopp Mathias Law | Eris Brewery & Cider House |