2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom is a prosaic, poetic and musical journey about the United States that encompasses the rage, hope, resilience and history that shaped the country over its many years. It’s co-produced by the creative team of NPR journalist Cheryl Corley and singer/songwriter Lucy Smith and includes the stories, speeches and songs about freedom and change as experienced by leaders, activists and others.
Three public presentations are scheduled as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks program: Saturday, July 25 at 6 p.m. at Seward (William) Park in the Near North neighborhood; Saturday, August 22 at 5 p.m. at Clarendon Community Center Park in the Uptown neighborhood; and Saturday, September 19 at 3 p.m. at Washington (George) Park in front of DuSable History Museum in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
“I like to call our shows ‘edutainment’ and this project gives me and Lucy a chance to share some wonderful nuggets of history along with some slammin’ music,” said Corley.
The concert chronicles America’s story from its founding years to the 21st century. It includes the words of Thomas Paine’s Liberty Tree, Katherine Lee Bates’ America the Beautiful, and Langston Hughes’ Weary Blues. Songs include: Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land, Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me, and Beyonce’s Freedom.
“One song has a chorus that has lived in my head and heart for many years,” said Smith. ‘We who believe in freedom cannot rest. We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.’ “These are the actual words of civil and human rights activist, Ella Baker. They are part of Sweet Honey in the Rock’s Ella’s Song. It’s perfect for the call and response sections of our program.”
Cheryl Corley, the writer and narrator of the program was a longtime correspondent for National Public Radio and is currently its Midwest Bureau Chief. Lucy Smith, who leads a stellar band performing multi-genre music, is a singer, composer and cultural programmer. Corley and Smith’s additional creative collaborations include: Chicago Bound: The Great Migration of the Blues; Chicago’s Soul: The Words and Music of Gwendolyn Brooks and Curtis Mayfield; and Shout OUT: A Tribute to Gays in Gospel Music.
“We look forward to taking our programs to different parts of Chicago. The parks are a wonderful stage for the arts and education,” said Corley.
Performance details and locations
America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom
Saturday, July 25 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Seward (William) Park, 375 W Elm (Division & Orleans), Chicago
Free admission
Artists: Cheryl Corley, writer and narrator; Lucy Smith Quintet: Lucy, vocals; Jon Deitemyer, drums; Carmani Edwards, bass; William Kurk, keys; Greg Ward, alto sax
Saturday, August 22 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Clarendon Community Center Park, 4501 N Clarendon Ave, Chicago
Free admission
Artists: Cheryl Corley, writer and narrator; Lucy Smith Quintet: Lucy, vocals; Jon Deitemyer, drums; Carmani Edwards, bass; William Kurk, keys; Lenard Simpson, alto sax
Saturday, September 19 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Washington (George) Park, In front of DuSable History Museum
740 E 56th Place, Chicago
Free admission
Artists: Cheryl Corley, writer and narrator; Lucy Smith Quintet: Lucy, vocals; Jon Deitemyer, drums; Carmani Edwards, bass; William Kurk, keys; Greg Ward, alto sax
About Cheryl Corley
Cheryl Corley, born and raised in Chicago, is NPR’s Midwest Bureau Chief and is based in Chicago. She previously was a longtime correspondent for the National Desk covering a wide range of issues and breaking news in the Midwest and across the country. Prior to joining NPR, Corley was the news director at Chicago’s public radio station, WBEZ, where she supervised an award-winning team of reporters. She also worked as the City Hall reporter covering the administration of the city’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington, and others that followed. Corley has received awards for her work from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Associated Press, the Public Radio News Directors Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Cheryl earned the Community Media Workshop’s Studs Terkel Award for excellence in reporting on Chicago’s diverse communities and she is a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the School of Communication at DePaul University.
About Lucy Smith
Lucy Smith is a singer, composer, bandleader, cultural programmer, and producer. She was born and raised in the Englewood community on Chicago’s South Side. Her musical collaborations include works for theatre, film, and spoken word productions. Her holiday album, Singing Christmas, ranked No. 1 on the Americana Charts in January 2023. She leads myriad combinations of musicians exploring traditional jazz, blues, gospel, and other popular music. Her project, Autumn in Augusta, a folk and soul-fused tribute to her mother, was featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Lucy worked for eight years as the music director for the “Jazz at Four” service at Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian, where she created a new jazz-infused paradigm for worship. In 2025, Lucy received the Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music from the Black Arts and Culture Alliance of Chicago. (https://lucysmithjazz.com/)
About Night Out in the Parks
America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans.
For more information, please visit www.nightoutintheparks.com.
