Illinois Humanities presents
An Evening at the Pekin Theatre
Featuring Reginald Robinson
Directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce
Written by McKenzie Chinn
Musical Arrangements by William Hayes
In partnership with Empty Bottle Presents
With generous support from the Joyce Foundation
Saturday, June 17, 2017
7:00pm; FREE
Northwest Corner of 27th and South State Streets
Bronzeville’s Pekin Theatre, often called the “Temple of Music,” was the first Black-owned and -operated stock theatre company in the United States. The Pekin opened the first all-Black show ever produced in Chicago on June 18th, 1905 to an estimated crowd of 400 patrons. Join us just one day shy of 112 years later as we reanimate history at the corner of 27th and S. State Street with an evening of ragtime-era performances by MacArthur-winning pianist Reginald Robinson and some of Chicago’s other most talented artists and musicians.
This live, outdoor concert will be free and open to the public.
Featuring Sydney Charles, Breon Arzell, Destiny Strothers, Christopher Audain, MacArthur-winning pianist Reginald Robinson, and his band:
- Aidan Sinclair Daniels
- Ernest Dawkins
- Dushun Mosley
- Samuel WIlliams
- Robert Griffin
- Roosevelt Griffin III
- Tracy Kirk
Cultural Historian and Consultant: Tim Samuelson
Production Stage Manager: Adia Alli
Choreographer: Breon Arzell
“An Evening at the Pekin Theatre” is proud to be a part of the 2017 Year of Public Art Chicago.
If you require a sign interpreter or any other arrangements to fully participate in this program, please contact info@ilhumanities.org at least 72 hours in advance of the event.
