What's On in Evanston

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music . Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of six GRAMMY Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years. The Blind Boys are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries with their remarkable interpretations of everything from t raditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by songwriters such as Eric Clapton, Prince, and Tom Waits . They have appeared on recordings with many artists, including Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Su san Tedeschi, Ben Harper, Patty Griffin, and Taj MahalThe Blind Boys released their latest album, Echoes Of The South, in Aug ust of 2023 . It f ound the Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees coming home to Alabama to record in Muscle Shoals . The eleven - son g collection is a portrait of perseverance from a group well - versed in overcoming incredible odds - from singing for pocket change in the Jim Crow South to performing for three different American presidents, soundtracking the Civil Rights movement, and hel ping define modern gospel music as we know it. The album garnered three GRAMMY Award nominations, and won for Best Roots Gospel Album.That win continued a run of GRAMMY Award nominations from the two previous years. In 202 1 , the groups collaborative recording with Bla Fleck, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, was tapped in the Best American Roots Performance category . In 202 2 , the y garnered another no d for their collaboration with the band Black Violin on The Message in th e Best Americana Performance category.

Shemekia Copeland is the greatest blues singer of her generation. The Washington PostShemekia Copeland has established herself as one of the leading blues artists of our time. Profound and truly powerful...inviting you to think and to party. NPR MusicShemekia Copeland gets her message across loud and clear. She transcends with a mix of styles including gospel, rock, blues, soul, and Americana, proudly representing her generation with style and grace in a voice too strong to be ignored. No DepressionShemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. The multi-GRAMMY nominee is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality. The Chicago Tribune says, Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. Theres no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery. On Copelands new album, Blame It On Eve, the songs all hit hard, with jaw-dropping performances that instantly take hold and command repeated listening. Theres serious business on the new album, Copeland says, but there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. Its my blues for sure but its the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And thats something we all can all agree on.

Ruthie Fosters musical journey is as eclectic and vibrant as her soulful voice. Born into a family steeped in gospel tradition, Ruthies earliest influences were the voices of her mother, grandmother, and the gospel singers she grew up listening to artists like the Gospel Keynotes and the Blind Boys of Alabama. However, her path to becoming a solo artist wasnt a straightforward one. Despite a deep love for music, Ruthie initially shied away from the spotlight, preferring to play guitar, piano, and write songs for others. Growing up in the rich musical tapestry of Gause, Texas, Ruthie found herself drawn to the diverse sounds and arrangements of local gospel choirs and musicians. Despite her reluctance to take center stage, Ruthies talent was undeniable, and her mother encouraged her to step up and sing out. She stood out as a young black girl with a guitar in a choir scene dominated by pianos, but with her grandmothers vocal coaching and encouragement from her mother and the church community, she recognized her own power as a songwriter, a musician, and as a captivating singer. After studying music at a community college in Waco, Ruthie decided to take a break from music and enlist in the Navy. The stage drew her once more, and she was selected to sing for the Navy band Pride, where she honed her skills as a vocalist and performer. A development deal with Atlantic Records led her to New York City, where she immersed herself in the songwriting community and learned the craft of writing songs that spoke to the soul. However, Ruthies journey took a turn when her mother fell ill, prompting her to step back from music and return to Texas once again. It was a period of introspection, caregiving, and deep bonding with her mother, and upon her return to writing and performing, it was to shape her voice as a singer-songwriter and storyteller. Drawing on her experiences and her musical roots, she began to craft blues, folk, and gospel-tinged songs that spoke to the universal themes of love, loss, and resilience. Turning down a major record deal in pursuit of authenticity, she has stayed true to herself and her vision as an artist, signing with independent label Blue Corn Music to release Runaway Soul in 2002, followed by The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster in 2007, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster in 2009, Let It Burn in 2012, Promise of a Brand New Day in 2014, Joy Comes Back in 2017, and Healing Time in 2022. She has also released three live albums, Stages in 2004, Live At Antones in 2011, and 2020s Live at the Paramount. Now, with five Grammy nominations to her name, Ruthie Foster has achieved a long-awaited milestone: her very first Grammy win. Her latest album, Mileage, released on the legendary Sun Records, won Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards a triumph not only for Foster, but also a historic first-ever Grammy win for Sun Records. The recognition underscores the power of Fosters artistry and the enduring legacy of a label that continues to champion timeless voices. With soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Foster continues to carve out a path that is uniquely her own inspiring audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Hudson Freeman is a brooklyn-based Lofi-folk artist, inspired and forged by the DIY midwest. The 27-year-old Freeman continues to record and perform songs equal-parts resonant, reflective, and poignant. He has quickly emerged as one of indies most enthralling new voices. His recent full-length, is a Folk Artist, helped solidify his presence as the kind of songwriter unafraid to tackle lifes most draining contradictions: modern identity, digital disconnection, and faith.Born to Evangelical missionaries, Hudson started writing songs upon a radical break at the age of thirteen when his family suddenly moved from the suburbs of Dallas to The Kingdom of Eswatini. The profound influence of indie big-hitters like Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver as well as college years spent in Springfield, Missouri made a do-it-yourself midwesterner out of Hudson. Now, his new song If You Know Me has recently started drawing in attention from the masses, catapulting Freeman into a wider spotlight than ever. Its a moody blend of bedroom pop, folk, slowcore, and post-emo, stitched together by a singular guitar riff and mantra-style lyrics, confirming Hudsons undeniable knack for melody.

Pat McGee has a passion for bringing wildly talented people together. Since the formation of the Pat McGee Band in 1995, McGee has sought out uniquely skilled musicians to compliment his songwriting. After relocating to Rhode Island from Virginia in the early 2000s Pat McGee added Patrick McAloon (backing vocals, guitar and mandolin) to his lineup. The two Pats have performed together all over the world and have a natural synergy that shines bright on and off stage.McGees music, is rooted in the singer-songwriter genre but branches out to the jam band world. Pat crafts tunes that have musical familiarity with a creative stamp all his own. With Classic Rock inspired writing, McGee continues to showcase his love of melodic guitar driven music layered with soaring vocal harmonies, organic grooves and thoughtful lyrics. McGee has toured with the likes of: Allman Brothers Band, The Who, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Little Feat, Counting Crows, Steve Miller and more. McGee will continue to produce his celebrated music festivals, Down The Hatch (NC) and Ocean State of Mind (RI), where McGee shares his love of fellow artists and local culture. Highlights from the past year include Pat and John Popper playing to 2,000+ at the Capitol One Center in Tysons, VA and playing to 4,000+ with his longtime friends emmet swimming and VACO at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap. In January 2025, Pat returned to the Sail Across the Sun Cruise hosted by his friend Train. Most recently PAT performed at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the Naval Academys classes.