August 14th-15th
There
are few things that bring more visitors into a neighborhood than a great
summer festival. And what better festival than a music festival
to bring visitors into this great lakefront neighborhood! This will be
the 6th year that Tenley Clemente, Rogers Park resident and co-owner of
Ennui cafe, has produced the Annual Rogers Park Jazz Series, a Jazz
and community oriented festival.
The Annual Rogers Park Jazz Series was conceived in
1999 as a way to promote the neighborhood, its residents and Chicago's
artists and musicians. This years festival will be the 14th and 15th of
August, starting at noon with continuous music until 10:00 p.m. The festival,
as in past years, will be located in front of Ennui Cafe, 6981 N Sheridan
Rd., and will run from Lunt Avenue at Sheridan east down to the lake.
The setting is beautiful along the cool lake and the music is hot. The
jazz series is unlike any other neighborhood event in that the focus is
not only on the local sponsors, vendors and businesses, it is on the music
itself. The festival seeks out the best Jazz musicians Chicago has to
offer and occasionally brings in some out of towners to round off the
show. Another aspect that sets this event apart from the few other Jazz/music
festivals that one might find in Chicago, is that the event's artistic
directors present a very wide selection from all the different forms of
Jazz that exist. The festival certainly respects and loves the traditional
Jazz that people think of when the word is mentioned, and continually
presents the best traditional jazz one can find. However, in addition,
each year's roster includes groups from contemporary, fusion, bebop, New
Orleans style, acid, Latin, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, etc. 
The continued success and popularity of the Jazz Series has made it one of the best things Rogers Park has to offer and the unique style, setting and atmosphere of the festival makes it one the of the best events that Chicago has to offer. Due to the continued growth of the event Tenley has hired a a professional event organizer to help with the details of the series. Chicago Special Events Management handles more than 100 festivals each year around the city. With the event busting at the seams, the professional organizers will be able to introduce beer and wine sales, bring in bigger sponsors, a wider selection of vendors and cast a wider marketing net across Chicago and the suburbs.
Tenley
Clemente and Kathy Sprattling, the owners of Ennui cafe are eager to show
off their newly renovated cafe and addition; Don's Backroom featuring
"Shut Up and Eat". Don's back room, run by Don Selle, former
owner of Don's Coffee Club on Jarvis, features Don's famous meatball sandwiches,
polish, hot dogs and the unforgettable sloppy don's sandwiches. "Shut
Up and Eat" will be featured four nights a week in the backroom;
a prix fix dinner with set menu including main course, side, drink and
dessert. No Choices no Hassles. "Just shut up and eat, Tenley says,
it's like coming over to our house for dinner. You don't have a thousand
things to choose from. Just one great rib stickin' meal." Shut up
and Eat menu will be posted on the web and at the cafe two weeks in advance.
The cafe and back room will be open during the event and food vendors
including barbecue will be available at the festival.
The scheduled musicians for the 6th Annual Rogers Park
Jazz Series are to be announced as the artistis director and committee
are in the final stages of booking but the line-up promises to be as "killer"
as in past years. The Rogers Park Jazz Festival has something for everyone;
childrens activities, senior oasis and is truely a family event. Come
one, 
Come all, August 14th and 15th with music from
2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily.
If anyone is interested in participating in the jazz series through sponsorship,
vending space or volunteering they should contact Chicago Special Events
Managments 773-868-3010.
photos from the 5th Annual Rogers Park Jazz Series