The Shades of Blue, all building open house programs are featured in conjunction with the South Asia Institute’s “Indigo: The Blue Gold” art exhibition by Shelly Jyoti, which is focused on and is themed around the history associated with the blue dye derived from the indigo plant that has touched many communities across the world.

Events scheduled for the day are as follows:

2:00 PM
Third Floor:
Film Screening:  Blue Alchemy : Stories of Indigo (79 min)

3:30 PM:
First Floor:
Music Performance: Kabir Dalawari Trio (Jazz) 

4:15 PM:
First Floor:
Dance Performance: Shiwali Tenner (Kathak Dance)

4:45 PM:
First Floor:
Music Performance: Kabir Dalawari Trio (Jazz)

5:30 PM:
First Floor:
Dance Performance: Shiwali Tenner (Kathak Dance)

6:00 PM:
Second Floor:
Music Performance: Ivan Singh (Rocking Blues)

Through this four-part series of free performances and events, the South Asia Institute (SAI) looks to help highlight, educate, and celebrate the roots and journeys of Chicago blues music and jazz music, and South Asian performing arts and share the parallel stories of the color blue dye and Indigo plant’s own journey. From first being harvested and cultivated in India and Africa, then its own journey to the early American South. In the series of all-building open-house events, SAI will engage audiences with poets, dancers, films, and music performances by noted local and international touring jazz, blues, classical, and world musicians.

The four-part series will feature poets, dancers, music ensembles, roaming artist performances, and film screening taking place throughout the three-level building at staggered starting times. Locations for each floor will be in the first-floor gallery space, the second-floor performance hall, and the third-floor event space.

On Saturday, August 5th, International Blues Day, will feature live music performances by musicians such as Chicago Blues legend Corky Siegel and Kalyan Pathak, Chicago's jazz drummer Kabir Dalawari Trio will perform and recent Chicago transplant from Argentina, blues guitarist Ivan Singh and his band will close out the event.

There will also be poetry readings of new works specifically commissioned for the event by Chicago area poets. The poems will be based around or inspired by the “Indigo Blue” theme.

Also featured at each of the events, there will be a short rotating dance performance in the first-floor gallery space. These dance pieces will also be commissioned specifically for the Indigo Blue series by four local dancers ranging from American tap, contemporary and jazz dancers, along with South Asian dancers performing Rajasthani folk and traditional South Asian classical dance. Featured dancer for Saturday August 5th is Chicago traditional Indian Kathak dancer, Shiwali Tenner.

The last element of programming includes film screenings and talks which will also take place at each event for our film-loving patrons. On Saturday, August 5th the film screening will be ‘Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo’ a feature length documentary that explores the history and reveals the beauty and importance of indigo, weaving together stories about textiles and culture and interviews with artists, artisans, and historians.

South Asia Institute has established itself in a Chicago neighborhood with a deep musical history. It is located only blocks away from the legendary Chess Records Studios, Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation, and many other historic music labels that were once scattered along Michigan Ave. and which focused on jazz, blues, gospel, and early recordings of rock and roll. In consideration of this history, it only seems fitting for South Asia Institute to take this opportunity to help celebrate the rich traditions of the blues, jazz, and South Asian Chicago music. The theme of Indigo and shades of blue take on a whole new meaning when presented through various art forms and with high caliber and even world-renowned artists.

The four-part series will kick off on Saturday, August 5, which also is International Blues Music Day and the series will take place once a month on Saturdays at South Asia Institute from Saturday, August 5 until Saturday, November 11, 2023.

Shades of Blues is supported by a grant from Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.