The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will be closing its music exhibit at Navy Pier in Chicago. The program, called “The State of Sound: A World of Music from Illinois,” is a multi-media exploration of Illinois’ contributions to music.
It tells the stories of genres from gospel to punk to disco and world-famous performers like Miles Davis, Sam Cooke and Smashing Pumpkins. The final day to see it is Sept. 25.
On Sept. 23 and 24, Navy Pier will present “Chicago Live!,” featuring 80 performances on three stages. The Lincoln Presidential Library will be on hand with trivia games, kid’s activities, and the chance to win memorabilia signed by artists such as Buddy Guy, Smashing Pumpkins, Disturbed, and REO Speedwagon.
The ALPLM will also host the Soul Children of Chicago as they lead the crowd in a sing-along of “O-o-h Child.” The classic song was a hit in 1970 for the Five Stairsteps, Chicago’s inspiring family of soul whose patriarch was a Chicago policeman.
Surviving Five Stairsteps member Keni Burke is a part of the development of the program, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, at 4:30 at the Wave Wall Stage, near the base of the Centennial Wheel.
The creators of the exhibit – ALPLM’s Lance Tawzer, writer Dave Hoekstra, and rock photographer Paul Natkin – will be at “State of Sound” the same day to discuss the exhibit and some of their favorite parts.
The presidential library will also give away a trip to Springfield for a family of four. The package includes transportation, hotel, meals, and tickets to the ALPLM.
The Lincoln Presidential Library produced a 32-episode podcast to accompany the “State of Sound” exhibit. The final episodes have now been released. They include in-depth interviews with John Prine’s brother and drummer, a look at ChicagoFest’s musical impact, and Reid Hyam’s look back at his two-plus decades as head of the Chicago Trax recording studio.
More information about the podcast and the exhibit is available at musicfromillinois.com.
While more information on the ALPLM can be found at www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov; follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well.
