Inside Chicago’s Silver Room Block Party

Chicagoans go hard in the summer because the winters can be so brutal. A theory that was only proven to be true during the 16th annual Silver Room Block Party.

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The block party started in 2002 by The Silver Room owner, Eric Williams, who was fed up with the lack of diversity from other festivals in the city.

It was one of the hottest days of summer ‘19 in Chicago but that didn’t stop more than 50,000 fans from celebrating cultural diversity through expression: the mission of the annual festival. 

“The Silver Room Block Party means everything,” Mario Smith told Rolling Out. “This is our opportunity to show how dope we are. It’s an opportunity to show[case] artists they may have never heard of and it’s a great opportunity for all of us to be in one space peacefully, chillin’ and exceeding our right to be right where we are. I think it’s unique because it has all of the elements of a festival but it really is a block party. We are honored and humbled that people come and kick it with us.”

With three stages and local vendors, Hyde Park was a beautiful display of what makes Chicago one of the best cities in the world.

This year’s theme for the festival, “The Greater Good,” was inspired by the purpose of bringing the community together.  The event, which took place on 53rd Street, featured house music, films, food, rollerskating, and more free of charge.

Performers included Low-End Theory, Papo Santiago, She Through Me Ancestor Soiree, and Tobe Nwigwe.