Name: Chicago Music Legacy Tour with Shermann "Dilla" Thomas & Chess Records
Start: 2026-06-13T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-06-13T15:30:00-05:00
Location: Chess Records

Explore Record Row, Chess Records, and historic locations on Chicago's Southside that reflect the richness of our city's cultural heritage.
About this Event

Chicago Music Legacy Tour with Shermann “Dilla” Thomas & Chess Records

As part of the Salutations residency at Hoste (in Pilsen), we're excited to present a powerful (offsite) cultural experience exploring the legacy and impact of Chicago’s music history.

This special afternoon begins with the Chicago Music Legacy Tour led by acclaimed Chicago historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, whose storytelling brings the city’s neighborhoods, artists, movements, and cultural landmarks to life. From soul and blues to gospel, jazz, hip-hop, and house, guests will gain a deeper understanding of how Chicago has shaped the sound of Black music and influenced generations of artists around the world.

Following the tour, guests will continue the journey with a guided visit to Chess Records / Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, one of the most important sites in American music history. As the home of legendary recordings by artists such as Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, and more, Chess Records offers a rare opportunity to stand inside a space where the sound of blues, rock & roll, soul, and modern music was forever changed.

Guests will leave with a greater appreciation for the artists, stories, and spaces that helped define the cultural soundtrack of the city and the world. Let's honor the Black creative traditions that continue to inspire our future.

Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Ages: All Ages

Agenda

🕑: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Chicago Music Tour (Bronzeville)
Host: Shermann "Dilla" Thomas

Info: Guests will explore Record Row and other historic black music locations with A Film Called Black in Bronzeville to reflect on the richness of our cultural heritage; understanding its significance and importance to the city's past and present cultural lifeblood.

🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Break

Info: Participants will break and get set to enter Chess Records.

🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Chess Records + Blues Heaven Gallery Tour
Host: Chess Records

Info: Guests will experience a guided tour of Chess Records with A Film Called Black, learning about the rich history; widely celebrated as "America's greatest blues label. Guests will also learn about how it played a foundational role in the development of electric blues, R&B, and early rock and roll.