Chicago Artists Take the Stage with the Isley Brothers and Kindred the Family Soul at the Sundress and Sandals Concert

On Friday, July 23, 2021, R&B legends, The Isley Brothers join Kindred the Family Soul and Chicago artists, Chantay Savage and Carl Thomas for the “Sundress and Sandals” concert. Held in Hazel Crest, IL, and presented by PR Pop-Ups, this seated, outdoor event is sure to please.  TV and Radio Personality Bionce Foxx will host.

PR Pop-Ups, founded by Percy Scott and his business partner, Rita Lee is committed to offering unforgettable events in the south suburbs of Chicago. In addition, to live concerts, both seated and drive-in, they also present movie experiences.

The Isley Brothers are music legends that continue to win new audiences with their timeless sound found in hundreds of hits recorded in their 60-year career including, “It’s Your Thing,” “Love The One You’re With,” “Harvest For The World, “Between The Sheets,” “Footsteps In The Dark,” “That Lady,” “Contagious,” “Hello It’s Me,”  “Summer Breeze,” and “Shout.”   Their music has been sampled by rappers including Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Ice Cube. As perfect in their performances today as when they started, Ronald Isley’s distinctive, smooth voice and Ernie Isley’s electrifying guitar riffs continue to captivate audiences.  They recently wowed audiences virtually during the Verzuz battle with Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Kindred the Family Soul is a famed Neo-Soul duo with hits including, “Far Away” and “All My People.”  Nominated for Soul Train Music Awards and BET Awards, the husband-wife team was introduced to the Hidden Beach record label by Jill Scott.   Kindred the Family Soul recently released their latest album, “Auntie and Unc”. The couple who has been married for over 20 years says creating an album amid a global pandemic forced them to be creative in new ways. “It made you reflect and go inward. It was also really a good time for creativity. When you are dealing with conflict or things that are uncomfortable, you tend to be able to be creative in a different way. And I think that’s served a different purpose for us” says, husband, Fatin Dantzler.

The new album is a melodious reflection of Black life in America.  With songs focused on love, marriage, parenting, and life, the duo feels like the neighbors next door.  Wife, Aja Graydon says the relatability of the album comes from their years of being together. “We are older and have been together, doing this for a long time.  The experience making the album was just a witness to the fact that we are on the same wavelength.

Chantay Savage is a Chicago-born, recording artist internationally known for R&B, pop, dance, and house music.  Her hits include “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor remake), “Betcha’ll Never Find” and has collaborated with Common, Mary J. Blige, and TLC.  In 2020, Chantay took her feelings about what was happening in the world with the song, “Tear it Down” featuring Chicago Hip Hop artist Shawnna produced by Grammy-nominated Chicago producer, Terry Hunter.  Chantay is thrilled to return to the stage and perform live at the “Sundress and Sandals” concert in her hometown.  She says, there’s nothing like a live performance.  “To be able to commune, and vibe with people and enjoy live music; I’m so looking forward to this show”.

She says coming out of a global pandemic taught her how to be more resourceful as an artist. She says, “What I love about being a creative is that the music is going to find a way.  This past year made me step up my social media and technical skills. Like so many, I was shaken initially but I just had to claim that everything was going to be alright and that creativity began to come back.  I got really productive and now I’m seeing the fruits of all of it”.

Originally from Aurora, IL, Carl Thomas is an award-winning R&B singer who has won the NAACP Image Award and been nominated for a Grammy and Billboard award.  Hit singles include, “Emotional,” “I Wish,” and “Don’t Kiss Me” featuring Snoop Dogg.  At the start of his recording career, he was signed by Sean “Puffy” Combs to Bad Boy Entertainment. He says he is looking forward to taking the audience on a journey through his career through music at “Sundress and Sandals”. “I’m definitely gonna just take them on an R&B ride. It’s such an honor to perform with the Isleys. I always love it when I get a chance to see them. I learned so much from being able to watch them, but my show is going to be a trip down Carl Thomas lane”.

Carl Thomas recently announced he was joining fellow Chicago R&B stars, Dave Hollister, and Donnell Jones to form a supergroup, “The Chi”. While friends for years, Thomas says it was the perfect time to come together.  “There was a fun sense of urgency to coming together…we named that group, “The Chi”, to show love to the city and to everybody that, that, that helped build the foundation, of our careers and, to just give some of that energy back to some places that are really special to us”.  The group has a one-year residency in Las Vegas at the Aria Hotel and is looking forward to bringing the soulful sounds they are known for to audiences soon.

The “Sundress and Sandals” concert is a seated, ticketed event, and concert-goers are asked to bring their masks.  Tickets range from $25 – $210 per person and are available through www.prpopups.com or www.Ticketmaster.com.  Group rates are available by emailing the organizer and PR Pop-Ups founder Percy Scott at pscott@prpopups.com. Tickets are still available.

Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago. Find her on social media @DanieSanders20 and @DanieSandersofficial.