23rd Anniversary of "Chicago s Friendliest Blues Lounge"

Rosa s Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage (773-342-0452), celebrates 23 years of blues music history with a month-long family reunion  which reunites many performers from the club s past, showcasing the variety and range of talent that has called Rosa s home base over the years. This February, Mama Rosa welcomes home all her sons & daughters of the blues, including all the blues fans who have supported the club and kept it vibrant.

Over the years, many bands grew along with Rosa s, and the very first band to play there, the Sons of Blues, is the source of 3 of the acts appearing in February. Guitarist Lurrie Bell, and bassist J.W. Williams are both appearing with their current bands, and the latest incarnation of Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues returns home to Rosa s stage this month as well. They re not the only sons of blues  on the schedule: popular Rosa s mainstays Li l Ed and the Blues Imperials, Willie Davis, and Guy King also stop through during the month.

Mama Rosa, the matriarch of Rosa's, also has announced a special 2-for-1 "Friends of Rosa's" promotion for the month of February: wear any Rosa's apparel, from any era of the club's history, and bring a friend - Mama will pay the friend's cover charge for that night. Long known as "Chicago's Friendliest Blues Lounge",

Rosa s has always been proud to feature veteran performers in weekly residency  sets, rotating popular performers from the South and West side lounges on weeknights. The most recent addition to Rosa s weekday lineup, Talented veteran Killer  Ray Allison, has built a strong following playing guitar with his new band after years of playing drums for the likes of Buddy Guy. Pyrotechnic guitarist Melvin Taylor has called Rosa s his home base nearly since its inception, building a worldwide following with his weekly Tuesday night sets, frequented by guitarists far and wide trying to steal a few licks.

The club has a reputation for progressive music and progressive politics, and the two will come together twice during this homecoming month, with the Thursday Pro Jam session hosted by James Wheeler, which will be turned into benefits on the 22nd for State Sen. Miguel del Valle, who s running for City Clerk. Rosa s was an early supporter of his progressive agenda.

Rosa s Anniversary month is also a time to remember the many persons who have been a part of the Rosa s family and are no longer with us, and to celebrate their contributions to our lives. We invite everyone who visits to enjoy the many photos on display taken by Susan Greenberg, who recently passed and was a dear friend for many years. Her work allows us all to remember not only the subjects of her photographs, but her talent and loving dedication as well.