Did you know the “King of Swing” Benny Goodman was from Chicago? A master clarinetist and bandleader, Goodman led one of the first racially integrated bands in the U.S. and earned immense popularity.

A son to poor, Jewish immigrants, Goodman grew up in the Maxwell Street neighborhood and was enrolled in free clarinet lessons at the Kehelah Jacob Synagogue. He was tutored by Chicago Symphony Orchestra member Franz Schoepp. He played several venues with a litany of bands, and made his professional debut in 1921 at Central Park Theater.

As the flowers bloom and the school year starts to come to a close across the state, it is now the perfect time to go out with family and friends and enjoy an art festival!

During May, farmer’s markets, cities, villages and more come together to provide the community with an opportunity to partake in family friendly events, see wonderful art and support their local artists.

Check out our list below of art festival throughout Illinois this May:

Did you know one of the most influential soul musicians is from Illinois?

Curtis Mayfield was born in raised in Chicago, living in the Cabrini-Green housing development while attending school alongside his four siblings, mother and grandmother.

He received his first guitar at 10 years old, where he taught himself how to play while admiring blues signers such as Muddy Waters. At 16, he joined the music group “The Roosters” with his friend, Jerry Butler, and brothers, Arthur and Richard Brooks, where they sang and composed music.

Spring is finally here and we have much to celebrate, including these notable figures born in Illinois this month! They say a state’s greatest pride is its people – and Illinois certainly has much to boast about. Here are this month’s birthdays:

March 21 is recognized as World Poetry Day, and to celebrate we are highlighting a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Gwendolyn Brooks!

Gwendolyn was raised on the South Side of Chicago, where she began writing from a very young age with her mother’s encouragement. In her teen years, she began submitting her poems to various publications, and later became a regular contributor to “The Chicago Defender” by the time she had graduated from high school. Her poems often ranged in style from ballads and sonnets to using free verse, and drew upon experiences of living in the inner-city.