Crown Fountain by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, Millennium Park, Chicago

Sweet Home, Chicago. Crown Fountain by Jume Plensa at Millennium Park in Chicago

Welcome to Chicago, the undisputed home of the blues. If you’re a fan of blues music, make your way here to Millennium Park this weekend for the 36th annual Chicago Blues Festival. Blues music is considered one of America’s greatest contributions to world culture and the progenitor of jazz, R&B, and rock & roll.During the Great Migration (1910-1970), over half a million African Americans followed the Illinois Central Railroad from the Deep South up to that land of opportunity, Chicago. Among those making that trip was a veritable Mount Rushmore of blues greats including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, and Buddy Guy. And they all brought that propulsive electrified country style that makes Chicago blues so distinctive. So, put on your walkin’ shoes, get your mojo working, and catch a spoonful of that smokestack lightning at the Chicago Blues Festival. And if you need to cool off and mellow down easy, just wander over to the Crown Fountain by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. You’ll feel like the sky is crying just for you.