Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

For the staff of The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center, the holidays mean a direct connection with the support and generosity of the community through our annual Holiday Fundraiser. Individuals, organizations, and corporations are asked to participate to make this holiday season joyful.The Holiday Fundraiser 2011 will assist us in providing classes for becoming visitor guides and provide operating support to our gallery and administrative staff. The Visitor Center serves all ages and creeds. We invite you to share the joy of giving to the cause of preserving and promoting the cultural history that we build on to give our lives meaning.

For your convenience, just click on the donate button

The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center is operated by the Black Metropolis Convention and Tourism Council, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. All gifts and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Since its inception in 1996, the Bronzeville Visitor Information Center (BVIC) has served as an African-American Heritage Tourism attraction and cornerstone in Bronzeville’s development as a premier international travel destination. The BVIC is a point of orientation and information for residents, visitors, students, investors and researchers on their mission to discover Bronzeville.

In this effort, BVIC has conducted guided tours of the Bronzeville community, developed and facilitated docent training classes, supported local artisans through cultural exhibitions, provided internship opportunities to high school and college students, promoted local business development and assisted in community-based organizing. These initiatives were made possible through the determination, ambition and creativity of community members and allies. Into the future, the BVIC will not only continue, but also expand its reach to continue to serve the Bronzeville community from the perspectives of culture, economics and history. To achieve this growth, we kindly ask for support from generous donors like you!

By donating to BVIC, you will play an active role in our continued efforts to enhance the Bronzeville community. For your contribution of a minimum of $100, you will receive an authentic Preston Jackson mosaic tile. Those donating a minimum of $30 will be automatically entered into a contest for a chance to win our exclusive Bronzeville Visitor Information Center T-shirt!

Your support of BVIC will enable us to continue this vital and invigorating work! 

Brown Derby Jazz Revue Features Live Jazz in Bronzeville Every Thursday Night and Promotes Local Talent

The 51^st Street Business Association is focused on the Good New Days to Come and have jumped- started their plans to become an Entertainment and Culinary District in Bronzeville.  Every Thursday Night a Live Jazz Event called the Brown Derby Jazz Revue hosted by the Heritage Entertainment Preservation Project is attracting more and more audiences to the area.  The Project pays tribute to Bronzeville’s legendary past when clubs like the Brown Derby, formerly located on 51^st Street, were frequented destinations to patrons seeking good food and live entertainment.  The 51^st Street Business Association’s executive director, Sandra Bivens says that the most important lesson to learn from “back in the day” is how to work with what you have.  One of the Association’s members is the International Benevolent Order of Elks, Lodge #43 at 51^st and Prairie Avenue.  Lodge manager, Robert Jackson offered a collaborative partnership by providing a unique venue at the end of a long hallway, known to Elks members as the King Tut Room.  The Association found it reminiscent of a speakeasy setting and on Thursday night, the stage is set with tablecloths and candles and a $5.00 Dinner Buffet that makes the spot the place to stay for the after work set.  Jackson also has a culinary degree and the menu is Chef’s choice.

The big attraction is the entertainment, since opening in May, international jazz vocalist  Maggie Brown has signed on for the 3^rd Thursday of the Month.  Mistress of Ceremonies and Jazz song stylist Alexis (aka Sandra Bivens) and The Vision Band featuring Roger Weaver (piano0, Keith Austin (drums) and James Thornton (guitar) are a seasoned house band. Local artists know these talented musicians and enjoy sitting in with this trio or staying after the second show for the popular jam session.

 Local favorites like Senabella, Kelli Rich, Tracee Adams (Blues) and Marcus Gentry have also become regular featured artists on the monthly calendar.  The weekly New Talent Spotlight reflects the goals of the Heritage Entertainment Preservation Project.  In the spotlight are two new young women artists who have emerged and are requested to perform by the audience whenever they are in the house.  Drummer and Percussionist Taylor Moore, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois (Champaign) and Loretta Love, a German vocalist who refers to her style as “rare funk & soul”.  Love recently moved to Chicago convinced that the city’s musical heritage makes it the place to launch her career.

Quarterly, the Brown Derby Jazz Revue will host a jazz showcase of all its artists and new talent and offer a promotional CD of the show to help promote the development of the Entertainment and Culinary District.  Development is underway for a dining destination called Bronzeville Cookin’ that will also be located at 51^st and Prairie Ave, featuring 3 new restaurants and fresh foods that offer healthier eating options.  Bronzeville Cookin’ will be located in a beautifully white terra cotta corner building and has been allotted TIF (Tax Increment Financing) to support its retrofit.  These original building structures are unique to Bronzeville’s architecture and built environment and are a key component towards Preserving Heritage Entertainment.  The 51^st Street Business Association is working with local Alderman Pat Dowell of the 3^rd Ward to design a Special Service Area that will include façade improvements, new streetscape designs and smart energy efficient lighting that utilizes solar panels.

The Jazz Revue is an affordable option for residents, visitors and tourists with only a $10.00 cover charge and free parking courtesy of the Red Apple Food Store parking lot (anther 51^st Street Association member).     The occasional comedian or spoken word artist provide Thursday Night guests with a big live stage show or super club experience.  The Preservation Project has developed a new $15.00 Jazz Lover Ticket makes a great gift of dinner & show or an easy date night idea.  The Jazz Lover ticket is good for any Thursday night, and regular patrons earn a free ticket after three visits.  As veteran DJ Satin Doll says, “When the music is good you just want to share”.  She entertains with selections from her “jazz vault” during the 5:00 to 7:00 cocktail hour, the guest artists shows are at 7 pm & 9 pm.  New Talent Spotlight and Jam Session begin at 10pm, The monthly Artist Calendar is available on Facebook via Brown Derby Jazz Revue.  Reservations can be made for VIP groups and special celebrations by calling 773.285.3401. or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    

What do your donor dollars support?

The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center (BVIC) was established in 2005 as an African American Heritage Tourism attraction. Additionally, BVIC serves as a cornerstone in Bronzeville’s development as a premier international travel destination. Generous donations have allowed us to sustain the following initiatives:

-serving as a point of orientation and information for residents and visitors;

-offering tour docent training classes;

-four topical Bronzeville tours;

-scheduling and coordinating logistics for personalized tours of the Bronzeville community;

-hosting cultural exhibits, special events and community meetings in our gallery;

-advocating for small local businesses;

-providing tours of our gallery space;

-and collaborations with other non-profits on various projects.

A simple donation to BVIC will assist in providing continued support for these initiatives. We are a 501 (c) (3), and donations made to our organization are tax deductible. A secure donation can be made on our website. You may begin the secure online donation process by entering the amount you would like to donate below and click the "Donate" button. From there, please follow the instructions on the next page.

Thank you for supporting the Bronzeville Visitor Information Center!

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