The Silver Room Block Sound System Block Party began on the Northside of Chicago, moved with its founder to Hyde Park and is now emerging from the pandemic as a two day festival at Oakwood Beach.
The 17th annual block party founded by The Silver Room owner Eric Williams, will be held this July 16th and July 17th 2022. Unlike past years, however, this year’s event will be a ticketed festival held at Oakwood Beach.
Oakwood Beach is Chicago’s newest beach according to the Chicago Park District, having opened in 2010 at 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive (41st Street and Lake Michigan). The site previously hosted React’s Mamby on the Beach Festival from 2015 to 2018 (the 2019 festival moved to Montrose Beach, where it was cancelled due to high lake water levels and the nesting presence of endangered Piping Plover birds).
This year’s Block Party has adopted the theme “Back Together Again.” As with most festivals and outdoor summer gatherings, the Block Party was on hiatus due to the pandemic for two years. In addition the sustainability of the event — a free party for 40,000 people — was in question.
“Everything has just grown — which means more expenses — but we haven’t been able to charge,” Williams told Block Club Chicago last year. “It’s just not sustainable, having this event for 40,000 people that’s free.”
Just a few days ago the line-up for the Silver Room Block Party was announced, featuring Body & Soul, Ron Trent, Specter, Duane Powell, DJ Emanuel, Vick Lavender and more spread across two days. Full line-up as announced below. Tickets are available at silverroomblockparty.com.
