Ns. Nack: Update Page
Tuesday, April 19 - Thursday, April 28, 2022
Stagg Elementary School
7424 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60621
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
Team Building for Teachers and Administrative
(Professional Development)
Site: Hilton Hotel Chicago/Oak Lawn
12:30P to 2:30P
Sunday July 4 to Saturday July 10, 2021
Blues Camp at Columbia College Chicago
1014 S. Michigan Avenue
8A to 12P plus post-Blues Camp performances
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Blues Camp Workshop
Knotty Luxe Bistro
3445 W. 159th Street
10A to 11:30A
Blues Camp Workshop Day
Chicago Police Department District 25
Grand & Central
Saturday, May 9, 2021
Blues Camp Workshop Day
at the Chicago Police Department District 002
5101 S. Wentworth
10A to 11A
2:30P to 5P
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Presentation for the Chicago Police Department District 002 Online
Wednesdays Online
April 28, 2021,
May 5, 12, 26,
June 2, 19, 16
Blues Camp Workshop Day
at Owen Scholastic Academy
Harmonica and Songwriting prep for graduation.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Blues Camp Workshop Day
Presentation for Jack and Jill of America Online
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Blues Camp Workshop Day
Kappa League National Day Online
Monday, April 5, 2021
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Presentation
In hopes of having a strategic partnership there in 2022
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Blues Camp Day with the Links
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Blues Camp Day Online
Blues Camp
Update: Sunday, January 24, 2021 | 3:45P
(Blues Camp Grant Journal from Fernando Jones)
Hello and Happy Day before the Snow Storm,
All is going well in the Allstate/Kellogg course with my board member Dr. Ja’ami Dawan and I. I just completed my first discussion assignment on DEI in Canvas. Yay!
1. We have an article coming out in DownBeat Magazine in April. Allstate is definitely mentioned.
2. We will have 2 full sized ads in the mag: One about the Blues Camp Workshops and Blues Camp; the other, Master Class Session video.
3. I was in contact with Mike Lowe, reporter on WGN. He’s going to forward the info below to Micah Mattere for a possible interview on yours truly talking about the grant affording opps.
4. I’ll be featured on WGN by Lowe in an earlier recorded program due to run during Black History Month on the Palm Tavern on 47th Street where I performed and mounted interactive stage plays in the late ‘90s.
5. Blues Camp Reunion is online Feb. 27th. I’ll send the link.
6. We are reaching out to new schools (students) on Facebook and emails today.
7. Carolyn Palmer at the Citizen Newspaper will mention the Blues Camp Workshop info. I'll send you the clipping.
See script posted on Facebook:
Black History Month / DEI / Music:
Attention Chicago area administrators and band directors of K-12 schools with interests in music enrichment programming in this time of COVID-19. Though we are a Chicago Public School Vendor this is something different for your consideration — a potential gift
• • •
Blues Kids Foundation in collaboration with Allstate is providing “Blues Camp Workshop” sessions that can/may include but are not limited to online (via Zoom), blended or in-person Blues music, history and/or songwriting/creative writing sessions.
Or an interview session with students and faculty on the impact American music has on our mental well-being during the COVID
Or it could be a simple school concert in June by my trio when and if it’s safe to do so according to the CDC and CPS for your school.
The activities will ultimately be tailored to your student needs and may range from one 30 minute session to five 30 minute sessions between February and June’s end. This gift will be limited to 5 schools contacting me through this Facebook post. If interested, let me know and I’ll send you the application. And it’s free.
For verification check me out if you don’t know me and our work.
Allstate 2021 Programs
Professional Development at Jackson School
ASF Blues Camp Florida
Thanks Allstate from Foundations College Prep
Dr Tucker
Allstate Thank You Videos
Thanks Allstate
Fernando Jones' Blues Camp Day Workshop at Hughes Elementary CPS.
Blues Camp Day at Powell Paideia Academy | CPS
Principal Ericka Williams on The Blues Camp Workshop Series at Foundations College Prep.
Cheryl and Paula
(Blues Camp Grant Journal from Fernando Jones)
Sunday, July 5 to July 10, 2020
• Blues Camp Online
Friday, April 24, 2020 | 9:01P
• Blues Camp will be online July 5-10. We should have a minimum of 25 youths enrolled.
• We have rescheduled the Altruistic Music Festival for Saturday, June 26, 2021.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 6:30P
I'm happily keeping you all in the loop during this time of crisis, The work done so far with the grant support has been chronicled and posted here at BluesKids.com/Allstate as always.
We all hope that this pandemic will go away ASAP. As per Blues Camp and the activities surrounding it this year, we will have no way of knowing what the government, City of Chicago or Columbia College Chicago will plan for social distancing during that time. Columbia has canceled our May 2020 graduation. They originally suggested we open campus during the week of April 8th. The date may now change after the latest presidential press conference moments ago – he is now suggesting that We the people keep the things the way they are for at least an additional 30 days to help bring the “curve” down for more manageable numbers. If this is the case, we are as a country shut down, theoretically, until the top of May.
Antidote: As long as the Chicago team can have access to our Chicago Public Schools partner schools and the Blues Kids there (Whitney Young, Metcalfe, Dyett, Kenwood, Hughes, and Southland College Prep) in mid to late May and early June we can still pull off a successful Blues Camp and June 27th fundraiser because we will have a built in pool of at least 80 to 100 Blues Kids.
Plan A
• If CoVid-19 declines and Columbia is open.
• Blues Fest Blues Camp Store participation unknown for the first week of June.
• June 27: Logan Center / Fundraiser Concert
• I’ve heard nothing from Columbia so far.
Plan B
• We will pick up next June of 2021.
• Reschedule showcase for Fall.
• Online option to keep the Blues Kids and families engaged.
+
• Do Blues Camp Day / October, a Saturday
Plan C: 2021
(If Plan B doesn’t work out)
• We will reschedule for June 2021.
• Blues Camp Chicago July 5-10, 2020 Blues Camp Chicago July 4 to 9.
Friday, March 13, 2020
Will you save these dates and make an appearance, especially on Saturday, June 27th and during Blues Camp? You and your entire team are invited to attend.
___________________________
Friday, November 29, 2019
This page is set-up for you to be able to follow the progress of the project. Here, I'll keep a journal up to the minute. Over the last two weeks contact has been made with Foundations College Prep, Owen School and Metcalfe Community Academy for their workshop session dates. Walter Dyett High School for the Arts and Whitney Young Magnet High School have been contacted as well for theirs.
The plan is to exceed expectations of the grant by visiting additional sites doing one day pop-ups. The reasoning: If we are able to secure Allstate funding for 2021 this will give us a built in audience to expand to 5 to 7 Blues Camp Workshop week sessions concept of "X" amount of schools.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
I piloted the first day of the first school workshop at Foundations College Prep today. We had 25 8th grade students. On Monday we will have an additional 25 more; next week we will finish the first "round" with this site. On Friday, December 6th, we will have a concert for and with them at 8AM. In the Spring we will circle back for a few more sessions and have them ready for the June 27th event at the Logan Center for the Arts, 4P to 10P.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Blues Kids Foundation's End of Year Fundraiser
Chicago Federation of Musicians Loft
Click here for flyer. I'd like to invite you and your team/family.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Blues Camp Day Interactive Concert at Tonti Elementary School. We donated a case of woodwind proper care books also. Next year, this'll be a good school to do a weeklong program.
See video of the principal's feedback.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Blues Camp Day Interactive Concert at Esmond Elementary School.
Next year, this'll be a good school to do a weeklong program.
See video of the principal's feedback.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Blues Camp Day Interactive Concert at the Aurora Township Youth Service Center.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Blues Kids Foundation Fundraiser at the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Blues Camp Day Interactive Concert at the 25th District Police Station.
Friday, February 21, 2020
Haines Elementary School. This concert introduced an ethnically diverse group 2nd graders to the Blues. Next year, this'll be a good school to do a weeklong program.
See video of the principal's feedback.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Blues Camp Day at Columbia College Chicago. We worked with student musicians in preparation for Blues Camp in July. See video. Click here for flyer.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Hughes Elementary School. We performed before the middle school students and got the teachers and administrative team involved in the concert.
Next year, this'll be a good school to do a weeklong program.
See video of the principal's feedback.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Powell Elementary School. We introduced the 2nd graders to the Blues and also got the teachers and administrative team involved in the concert.
Next year, this'll be a good school to do a weeklong program.
See video of the principal's feedback.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Owen Scholastic Academy (Elementary School).
Concert for the entire student body during a Black History Month assembly.
March 2020 (Rescheduled due to CoVid-19)
Dyett School of the Arts
Southland College Prep
Saturday, June 27, 2020 (On Hold due to CoVid-19)
Altruistic Music Festival by Fernando Jones
(Blues Kids from all of the schools will perform as well as pros)
Logan Center for the Arts
Click here for flyer. This will be the grand showcase.
July 5 to 10, 2020 (Still scheduled so far)
Fernando Jones' Blues Camp International at Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
1014 S. Michigan Avenue
Cancelled by Corona - 19
• Sunday, July 5th - Meet & Greet at Motor Row Brewing Co. | 3P to 5P
• Monday, July 6th to 10th - Blues Camp at Columbia College | 8A to 12P
• Tuesday, July 7th - Picnic and concert at South Shore Cultural Center | 12P to 4P
• Wednesday, July 8th - Performance at Reggie’s Rock Club | 6P to 10P
• Thursday, July 9th - Performance at Navy Pier | 12P to 5P
• Friday, July 10th - Finale Performance at Columbia College Chicago | 12P to 4P
Thanks Partner
By making Blues Kids Foundation an Allstate Foundation community partners you are helping ensure a diverse, cultural, social and emotional enrichment opportunity for Blues Kids locally. Your support is also helping sustain current programs such as our free international Blues Camp here in Chicago and music workshops that empower youths, the Blues Kid of the Year Contest, and professional development sessions for educators, parents/guardians and community members.
Mission
I established Blues Kids Foundation in 2010. It is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to preserve, perform and promote the Blues among America's youth, parents and educators under the tutelage of highly qualified instructors; our focus is Social & Emotional Learning, Literacy and Music as a Second Language; our Blues Kids of America program was created in 1989, here in Chicago.
Global Impact
Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp International is presented in performing arts centers and institutes of higher learning in America, Asia and Europe annually, and is free for all participants. Each Blues Kid receives a tuition waiver scholarship. The technology and resources invested in each of them has a value range of $1,500 to $2,500. This priceless, fun-filled opportunity is designed to impact the life of a Blues Kid who simply wants to experience this cultural enrichment opportunity in an organic, nurturing environment with like-minded others. View the graphic below to see where our programs have been since 2010.
Goals
-
Keep Blues youthful and exciting, while preserving and building on the past.
-
Learn the importance of the Blues from a sociological and historical perspective with a focus on the future, while representing student musicians as scholars and achievers.
-
Introduce this American art form to new audiences, globally.
-
Use critical thinking skills, while collaborating with others.
-
Apply practical skills learned in class in a culminating activity on stage.
Learning Outcomes
-
Improve music literacy by learning and playing songs by ear and reading tabs + chord charts.
-
Communicate using cross-generational/regional “Blues” language.
-
Use proper dynamics to ensure appropriate volume levels for vocalists and songs.
-
Critique and self-evaluate performances and provide feedback to others.
-
Perform as “one” in an ensemble setting.
2020 Donor Downloadable Brochure
These Campers Aren't Homesick, They Have The Blues
Welcome to Blues Camp. BluesKids.com | Fernando Jones.com Video by Quincy Rycraw Cochran
Cookie Monster Meets Mr. Jones
Fernando Jones' Blues Camp on ABC7
Fernando Jones & My Band! Feat. Felton Crews and Quincy Cochran.
Fernando Jones & My Band!
Fernando Jones' Silent Movie Promo
