The popular Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (GAAF) announces complete music lineup for the three-day festival, headlined by Chicago rapper Psalm One (my daughter), Rock n Roll band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Screaming Females, and Chicago’s award-winning Indo-Afro-Caribbean music ensemble Funkadesi. GAAF returns to Rogers Park for its 21st year on August 19-21, 2022, bringing more than 120 artists and over 30 live music acts on three stages to the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, steps from the Morse Red Line ‘L’ stop at 6900-7000 N. Glenwood Ave. and 1300-1500 W. Morse Ave. Admission is free to the public. The Fest includes an art fair, live music on three stages, kids’ artmaking activities, food and drinks from local restaurants, and live demonstrations of performance art and artmaking.
The festival will kick off with a Friday Night Cobblestone Jam (music only), Friday August 19, 6-9 p.m. and continue with an Outdoor Art Fair on Saturday, August 20, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, August 21, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., presenting a diverse selection of over 120 artists and craftworkers, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textile, metal, mixed media and functional art.
This year, the festival will add a second food court near the East Stage, bringing local food offerings to both music stages. The festival has also expanded its footprint this year from the west side of Glenwood Avenue to both the east and west sides of the coveted cobblestone street. In addition to two traditional music stages—East Stage at 1330 W. Morse Ave, and Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce West Stage at 1430 W. Morse Ave—live music will also be presented at the Le Piano Stage, part of the Glenwood Avenue Alfresco community area newly opened this year.
Cristalle Bowen, also known as Psalm One, has been consistently named one of the nation’s Best Artists by the Chicago Tribune, and in 2011 made her television debut on MTV’s Emmy-winning series, MADE. She is an international touring and recording artist; featured in publications such as Vice, Forbes, and The FADER. An artist cut from Chicago’s vast and unique Hip Hop talent, Psalm One has commanded stages of festivals from Paid Due$ to Riot Fest; among artists such as Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Jean Grae, Odd Future, Wu-tang and so many more. Not just an MC, and more than an entertainer, Psalm One is also an advocate, an author, (“Her Word Is Bond, Navigating Hip Hop and Relationships in a Culture of Misogyny;” Haymarket Books), a scholar and teaching artist.
For over 25 years, wowing crowds with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, Funkadesi emphatically personifies inclusive joy. This 10-time award-winning Chicago-based band delivers a virtuoso high energy musical experience. With members who are unprecedentedly diverse (Indian-American, African-American, Jamaican, Latino, and European-American), their music expresses their motto: “One family, many children. Insisting we all belong.”
Friday, August 19
East Stage:
6:00 PM Radio Free Honduras
7:00 PM Tierra Roja
8:15 PM Psalm One
West Stage:
6:00 PM Adam Gottlieb & OneLove
7:15 PM ESSO Afrojam Funkbeat
8:30 PM LowDown Brass Band
Saturday, August 20
East Stage:
12:00 PM Gustavo Cortiñas & Desafío Candente
1:30 PM Menjunje
3:00 PM Glenwood Dance Studio
4:30 PM Son Monarcas
See website for additional performances.
West Stage:
12:00 PM Rogers Park Community Singers
1:15 PM School of Rock Andersonville
2:30 PM Clickbait
3:45 PM IfIHadAHiFi
5:00 PM Yoko and the Oh No’s
See website for additional performances
Sunday, August 21
East Stage:
12:00 PM Thaddeus Tukes
1:30 PM The Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago
3:00 PM Mariachi Sirenas
4:30 PM Muntu Dance Theatre
6:00 PM Funkadesi
West Stage:
12:00 PM Sad Songs
1:15 PM Neptune’s Core
2:30 PM The James Dean Joint
4:00 PM The Polkaholics
5:30 PM The Avondale Ramblers
Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is a free, weekend-long street arts fair serving an estimate of 15,000 festivalgoers annually. For over two decades, visitors have experienced fine art and crafts, music, live demonstrations, and local food and drink on the cobblestone streets of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Chicago’s historic Rogers Park neighborhood. GAFF is a broad-based, grassroots and non-profit event planned and staffed by volunteers. For more information, visit glenwoodave.org.
