A bus tour will give neighbors a chance to explore the richness of Chicago’s Black music scene this weekend. The Chicago Music Legacy Tour — a collaboration between Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation and local historian Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas — offers guests a guided exploration of the people and places responsible for shaping the sound of Black Chicago, from blues to hip-hop.

Local Landmarks and Historical Sites

The tour is open to all ages and starts noon Saturday at Chess Studios, 2120 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $78.67 at Afilmcalledblack.com. Thomas will guide guests to local landmarks and historical sites like the Chess studios and The Stroll, a stretch of State Street once filled with bustling Black businesses and nightlife that ran from 26th Street to 39th Street.

The Mecca Flats, an apartment complex that was home to the city’s Black artists and musicians in the early 20th century, was known as the Stroll’s central hub. The site is now home to Illinois Tech’s Crown Hall. Guests will also get a glimpse of Wendell Phillips Academy, a high school with a roster of famous alumni responsible for changing the musical landscape in Chicago and beyond — among them soul singer Sam Cooke, Blues legend Dinah Washington and the velvety-smooth Nat King Cole.

After the tour, attendees will return to the Chess studios for a guided visit of the famed record label known for recording legendary artists such as Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Chuck Berry.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.