CHICAGO — Days away from the inaugural Blues Brothers Con, one starts to wonder: Do I have my suit pressed, and are my hat and shades at the ready to “shake a tail feather"?
In a world where film franchises and TV series have their own conventions, the iconic 1980 Chicago film “The Blues Brothers” finally gets its own, Friday and Saturday at Old Joliet Prison. Fans and aficionados of the brothers will be treated to sights and sounds from the movie, according to Greg Peerbolte, CEO of the nonprofit Joliet Area Historical Museum which is hosting the festival.
Those sounds Friday come from the likes of Toronzo Cannon and Curtis Salgado, for whom the film’s character ‘Curtis’ is named. On Saturday, fans will get the gospel side of things when a gospel music service will be followed by music from Mondo Cortez & The Chicago Blues Angels and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials. Local gospel groups Will Terry & Sounds of Joy, Chrysann Moore and the Lewis University Gospel Choir will perform after an ecumenical church service. A free open-to-the-public screening of “Blues Brothers” will conclude the festivities Saturday night.
