How Old Are You?
Every year, unfortunately, it seems the glow of Chicago’s blues scene fades just a little as more and more clubs close their doors. There’s no dimmer switch at Rosa’s Lounge, though, which celebrates its 23rd anniversary in February with a month-long party.
Yeah, we know, we’re telling you about a month-long anniversary party midway through February, our bad. But there are still two weeks left to catch some fine acts play the West Side club they helped establish, and helped establish them. Founded by Italian immigrant Tony Manguillo (and named after his mother, who came to the U.S. to help her son and still tends bar more nights than not) in 1984, Rosa’s has hosted a varsity roster through the years, including Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, Billy Branch, and Melvin Taylor, who has held down a weekly residency as long as anyone can remember.
Taylor and Branch, along with The Songs Of Blues (the first band to ever play the club), Lurrie Bell, J.W. Williams, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Willie Davis, and more, will be part of February’s festivities. If you’ve got an old Rosa’s T-shirt around the house, wear it, because as part of the “Friends Of Rosa’s” promotion, Mama Rosa will pick up the cover charge for one friend of anybody sporting a piece of Rosa’s swag. For more information, including a full calendar, visit www.rosaslounge.com.
– Trevor Fisher
