Lot Jams is a free, summer concert series that showcases the people, businesses, and cultures that make Albany Park one of the best communities in Chicago.
Past Lot Jams
Lot Jams 2021
Thank you to everyone who attended our four shows in 2021 and to our sponsors and supporters, including the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. We look forward to more Lot Jams next year!
2021 Recap
Thursday, July 1st - Surge Billiards - 3241 W Montrose
Sonic Octopus performs an upbeat blend of Caribbean and Latin dance music from across the popular and sub cultural spectrum. Giving meaning to its namesake, the group is comprised of musicians from various groups including ÉSSO and Jugo de Mango, showcasing both modern and classic songs with a rhythmic twist. This special performance features Diana Mosquera (vocals), Armando Pérez (guitar), Yendrys Céspedes (piano, horns), Ryan Schoen (bass), and Dan Lieber (drums, percussion).
Thursday, July 22nd - Noon O Kabab - 4701 N Kedzie Ave
Returning to Lot Jams after a 2019 show, Madera Once is a four-piece band that pays tribute to Mexican-regional and traditional music with a contemporary spin. Madera Once's original music draws from the influences of traditional rancheras, cumbias, and Latin-Indie and pop. Madera Once's mission is to keep Mexican and Latin American music alive as it forges a new identity through the musician and audience's lived experiences within the U.S.
This program is made possible by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events with funding from the Walder Foundation.
Thursday, August 5th - Heartland Health - 3737 W Lawrence Ave
Mariachi Sirenas is proud to represent the genre of mariachi music in the windy city. As Chicago’s First All-Women Mariachi, we are honored to be a part of the community of strong women working together to promote the folkloric arts of Latin America.
Mariachi Sirenas was founded by members Ibet Herrera and Eréndira Izguerra, both with a dream to bring women together for the art of mariachi music in their hometown.
¡Que viva la mujer y nuestra tradición Mexicana, si señor...a!
This program is made possible by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, with funding from the Walder Foundation, and by Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam
Thursday August 26th - Surge Billiards - 3241 W Montrose
The Luna Blues Machine is a Chicago based acoustic hip-hop, Latin, folk-soul band fronted by sisters Belinda and Maritza Cervantes. Founded in 2001, the LBM first started performing at Subterranean's Open Mic Night, cultivating their own unique sound. Today The Luna Blues Machine continues to be a staple in Chicago's music scene. Their timeless music is still attracting new fans and keeps old fans coming back for more.
Lot Jams 2019
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Rev Bob
Presented by The Residents of Irving Park (TRIP), NRC welcomed Rev Bob and his rockin' blues band to the Lot Jams stage!
Rev Bob is a Blues & Classic Rock cover band hailing from the west suburbs of Chicago. Dishing out an Chicago Blues to Eric Clapton To ZZ Top, Rev Bob brings Howling Harmonica, sizzling guitar solos, and plenty of energy to their sets.
TRIP (formerly UNITE) was founded in May of 1976 by a group of neighbors that organized to form a voice for the Irving Park community. Today, TRIP is made up of community residents that share the same concern and serves Chicago's Irving Park Neighborhood from Montrose Ave. to Irving Park Road, and Monticello to Sacramento Avenue.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Madera Once
Presented by the People of East Albany Park (PEAP), NRC welcomed to Madera Once to the Lot Jam stage!
Madera Once is a four-piece band that pays tribute to Mexican-regional and traditional music with a contemporary spin. Madera Once's original music draws from the influences of traditional rancheras, cumbias, and Latin-Indie and pop. Madera Once's mission is to keep Mexican and Latin American music alive as it forges a new identity through the musician and audience's lived experiences within the U.S.
Check out more of Madera Once's amazing music on their YouTube page!
PEAP = People of East Albany Park! PEAP is a neighborhood block club focused on the 4400 North and 4500 North blocks of Troy/Albany/Whipple and the 3000 West and 3100 West blocks of Montrose/Wilson. PEAP represents a portion of the east side of Chicago's Albany Park. All neighbors are welcome to our events and meetings. Fun activities, litter cleanups, civic engagement, positive community development. All neighbors welcome! For more information about PEAP, contact: peapblockclub@gmail.com
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Black Bear Combo
Presented by Albany Park Neighbors (APN), NRC welcomed Black Bear Combo to the Lot Jam stage!
Black Bear Combo was formed in 2002 by Doug Abram, a noise drummer inspired to take up horns after hearing Romany musicians in Ceske Krumlov. Their travels have taken us across the country, to festivals on both coasts, Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, the Halloween party at the White House, and every nook and corner of Chicago. Their sound is rooted in different styles from eastern Europe, played in a way that's all their own.
"a velocity and drive that would satisfy a Minutemen fan...ragged, raucous horn voices and odd-metered beats that come straight from the brass-band tradition of the Balkans, where the celebrations sometimes last for days." - Bill Meyer, Chicago Reader
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Gone Valley
Presented by the North River Commission Education Committee, NRC welcomes Gone Valley to the Lot Jams Stage!
Gone Valley writes songs with no words here in the Great North Middle West. In equal turns the music is earthy and abstract, hook-filled and meditative, intimate and cinematic -- the five piece explores an electrified amalgam of American roots, rock, ambient and jazz. Gone Valley is Jason Bennett, Tim McNulty, Tim Bennett, Oliver Horton and Bob Kessler.
Location: Parking LOT between Surge and Aspire, 3241 W Montrose
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2683689955039335/
North River Commission supports the 25 CPS schools in our area by working with diverse education stakeholders to improve the quality of education. This collective of diverse education stakeholders, known as the NRC Education Committee, includes local teachers, civic leaders, LSC representatives, parents, community organization staff members, students and residents. After convening a series of public meetings to gather information from the community on how to improve education locally, the committee volunteers their time pursuing five initiatives; Branding and Marketing of Neighborhood Schools, Fundraising Education, Art Programming, Student Voices, and LSC Awareness.