Englewood Music Fest celebrates homegrown talent and resilience

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Englewood Music Fest is more than just music, but filled with all types of artists, many born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, eager to show the world the dynamic talent, love, and brilliant minds that come from the community. 

While the ground is still a little damp, the sky dried up and the rain went away right in time for the Saturday afternoon kick-off to the fifth annual Englewood Music Fest, filling up Kennedy King College’s baseball field. 

Janell Nelson, with Englewood Arts Collective, called the music fest not only a fun environment for all, but also beautiful and creative.

The festival showcases some of the city’s best muralists, like Dorian Sylvain, who says the work she and other artists make not only beautifies the area but also helps bridge the gap for students lacking art education. 

“So, it also becomes an opportunity for young people to step up and say, ‘Hey, I’ve always wanted to do murals. How do I get involved? You know where I can go to take painting classes,'” Sylvain said.

Headlines out of Englewood are often one-sided, often focusing on crime and violence. But Chicago Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward) says the challenges in her ward don’t overshadow the resilience and excellence within the community she proudly calls home. 

“I see opportunities in Englewood, and this is my reality, and my reality is showing the excellence that exists in Englewood,” Coleman said.  

That reality includes putting the spotlight on and celebrating several up-and-coming music artists from Chicago. The Englewood Arts Collective, a group of multi-disciplinary artists from the neighborhood, also plays a significant role in the fest. The group, co-funded by 10 creatives who all grew up and remained connected to Greater Englewood, curated an interactive arts village featuring a diverse range of homegrown talent. 

“Englewood is just as great as any other place. The South Side is ripe and abundant with talent, and Englewood is family,” Nelson said.

Offering families a safe and fun experience is a top priority for Alderman Coleman, who points to four years of peace. 

“There’s never been an incident, no crime, no fight, no argument, no homicide, no carjacking,” Coleman said.

Nelson agreed.

“Those facts alone totally dismantles what traditional or other mainstream news stories,” she says, “or what people may have in their mind about communities like Greater Englewood.”