Chicagoans -- Blues club with a 12-year-old?

[schuh]

Question for the Chicagoans on this board:

I'm going to be in Chicago with my 12-year-old son from Tuesday through Saturday. We're staying downtown. We have pockets of time free and I have a good idea of some of the stuff we're going to do (we have tickets to Blue Man Group on Friday, for one).

My son is very into theatre and music -- he plays 2 instruments. I would love to take him to a Chicago blues club but don't know if any of them would be appropriate. It would be on a weeknight.

Any thoughts?
TIA

[Gumbeaux]

If the club serves alcohol and no food would it be legal?

[ellielk]

Have you thought about looking up some clubs on the 'net and then contacting them to find out what they think? If they don't think their club is appropriate, maybe they can make some other suggestions that would be.

Having been to some blues clubs in Chicago, I don't know if that would really be appropriate for a 12-year old.

[schuh]

Most I've looked into online do serve food.

I did email a few clubs -- some don't have "contact us" on the Web site.

Just was looking for advice on whether people would recommend any specific one. I was thinking that, like all clubs, some are tamer than others.

[sneezles]

If I remember correctly clubs(in Chicago) that serve alcohol will not admit underage after 9pm. DS#2 was there for a school trip (HS) and was 16 at the time so while it's been a few years I doubt the law has changed.

[cangoss]

Perhaps the Chicago Cultural Center would help. It doesn't look like they have a lot of jazz on the schedule this week (http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalDeptCategoryAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@10052 07864.1189431803@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddlmelfjhdcefecelldffhdfhg.0&deptCategoryOID=-536884157&contentType=COC_EVENT&topChannelName=SubAgency&entityName=Cultural+Center&deptMainCategoryOID=-536884157) but if you call them they may be able to suggest performance venues that would be appropriate for a kid.

[schuh]

Thanks for the responses.
It's a bummer that there's wouldn't be a place for kids to experience Chicago Blues. It's such a part of the Chicago culture.

[sillybeans]

One of the BLUE Chicago locations does an early all-ages show--They're both on Clark Street a couple of blocks apart.

I think it's the Clark/Ohio location--phone # is 312-661-0100. I couldn't find anything on the Web right away and I have to run to a meeting... I think my boss' son actually got to jam with them during the show.

HTH,
Tracy

[___Rhianna___]

When we were there back in July, there was a series of street-party type events going on at Millenium Park. If I remember correctly, sometimes it might be jazz, sometimes blues, etc. Maybe something like that is available.

[schuh]

sillybeans,
Thanks so much. I was beginning to think I was nuts. I will definitely call them to check. Oh my heavens would my son love to jam! (OK, so would I...)

BTW, I did get this response from Kingston Mines:
Since we are also a restaurant children can attend with parents....they may ask you to order something from the kitchen to keep it legal. Music starts at 9:30 on Sun-Wed and 8pm on Thurs, Fri, and Sat.

At least I'm not feeling so nuts about this idea...

[Beth Y]

I have been to Buddy Guy's and really enjoyed the music. I think they serve food too.