Time: 6:00-8:30pm BandWith: 148 S. California Avenue Once a month on the first Friday, we bring the community together to celebrate culture, wellness, and creativity. Each gathering features a different genre of music, free dance classes, & live music provided by local Chicago artists. ​ July Guests: Flaco Navaja is a singer, poet, writer, and actor who was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. For 25 years he has established himself as a prominent voice of Puerto Rican Diaspora and has graced acclaimed theater stages. Rebekah Marcano Lopez grew up in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, where movement and Latin music were a constant part of life. Guided by her motto, “Movement should make you smile,” Rebekah brings joy and accessibility to every class she teaches.

Time: 6:30-8:00pm BandWith: 148 S. California Avenue 🎶 Summertime, live music, & the incredible artists who inspire our students every day. Join us for BandWith’s Summer Concert Series—featuring live performances & an opportunity to connect with the musicians who help make our youth & multi-generational programs possible. ​ July Guest: Ivan Taylor has been playing the bass since he was nine years old. He had an illustrious high school career, playing with the Illinois All-State Jazz band, The Grammy Band, and Chicago Jazz masters Von Freeman and Orbert Davis. Ivan was a star performer at the 2002 Essentially Ellington competition where he met Wynton Marsalis. This meeting led him to enroll in the Juilliard School of Music. Ivan had a strong impact on the New York scene, performing with Rashid Ali, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Louis Hayes, Nicholas Payton, Curtis Fuller, Mike Philips, Kenny Garrett, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, Take 6, Rodney Jones, Russell Malone, Steve Nelson, Carmen Lundy, Hank Jones, Hal Weary, Cyrus Chestnut, Jonathan Baptiste, Maurice Brown, Diana Ross, KJ Rose, Marly Marl, Chris Madsen, Jennifer Sloan, Tia Fuller, Shamie Royston and many others. He has studied with Ben Wolfe and continues to study with Ron Carter.

Time: 6:30-8:00pm BandWith: 148 S. California Avenue 🎶 Summertime, live music, & the incredible artists who inspire our students every day. Join us for BandWith’s Summer Concert Series—featuring live performances & an opportunity to connect with the musicians who help make our youth & multi-generational programs possible. ​ August Guest: Eriick Starr is a young, charismatic bandleader from Detroit Michigan. Starr is an especially gifted singer, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and arranger; for years he has trained in jazz, gospel, and pop styles which all come together to create his masterfully nostalgic yet authentically original sound. He has also performed with such Grammy Award winning artists as Paula Cole, Diane Warren, and Cory Henry. Performing professionally since age 19, Starr has had the pleasure to share the awesome experience of his work on many stages throughout the Midwest from local night clubs to places such as the historic Chicago Theatre, and House of Blues to name a few; he has also enjoyed success performing to international audiences in Europe.