Live At Levings Talent Show And Concerts

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Gloria Hyatte

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

09/05/2026

We believe this would be a good fit for Live At Levings. What do you think?

CHI-TOWN: Hip-Hop Orchestra returning on October 24th! Get Your Tickets ASAP!
Link: https://www.axs.com/events/1541709/thee-phantom-and-illharmonic-orchestra-tickets

09/04/2026

When Is It Time for a Legend to Retire?
​For true artists, the stage isn't just a workplace—it's a lifelong calling. The idea of "retiring" makes sense for a standard job, but when your work is fueled by raw passion and a deep connection to an audience, you don't simply clock out. While health is wealth, and financial reality often means artists need to keep working, the drive to step on stage remains purely authentic. Unless health forces a step back, real legends keep creating, performing, and sharing their gift because performing is built into who they are. As long as the spirit is willing, the music never stops.

WHEN IS IT TIME FOR OUR LEGENDS TO RETIRE?

I absolutely LOVE R&B legend Gladys Knight. But watching recent footage of the 82-year-old icon appearing disoriented onstage raises a difficult question: When is it time for our legendary Black entertainers to stop performing?

Gladys isn’t the only one. We’ve seen moments of concern involving legends like Ron Isley, Eddie Levert, Charlie Wilson and Larry Blackmon. Lionel Richie recently faced his own health scare as well.

Some of our Black music legends may continue touring because they simply can’t afford to stop. And that makes this conversation even more complicated.

We celebrate these artists for giving us decades of incredible music—but should we also be asking whether the industry, promoters, families and fans are doing enough to protect them when it’s clear their bodies may be telling them it’s time?

At what point does honoring the legend mean letting the legend rest?

🙏🏾 Praying for all of our music legends. We owe them more than applause—we owe them dignity.

POLL: Should older performers retire when their health begins affecting their performances, or should they keep performing as long as they want?

What are your thoughts?

RETIRE — Let them enjoy their legacy
or
KEEP GOING — If they want to perform, let them

09/03/2026

Hey family, we're bringing back gospel in the park in 2027! Here are some artists we're looking at. What do you think about these artists? Who would you like to see that's on this list and that's not on this list?
Harlan Jefferson
​
​Jessica Reedy
​Isaac Carree
​Maranda Willis
​Joshua Rogers
​Jekalyn Carr
​Brian Courtney Wilson
​Jonathan Butler
​Kierra Sheard
​Bri Babineaux
​The Walls Group
​Y'Anna Crawley
​Smokie Norful
​Myron Butler
​Jor'Dan Armstrong
​Tasha Page-Lockhart
​Kym Marsh
​VaShawn Mitchell
​Earnest Pugh
​Casey J
​Pastor Mike

09/03/2026

Here is a list of possible jazz, neo soul, R&B, and Southern Soul artists within our budget that we're considering bringing to the park in 2027. What do you think? Who would you like to see that's on this list and that's not on this list?
Harlan Jefferson

1. H-Town
2. Adina Howard
3. After 7
4. Miki Howard
5. J. Holiday
6. Syleena Johnson
7. Howard Hewitt
8. Evelyn "Champagne" King
9. Ready for the World
10. Alex Bugnon
11. Marion Meadows
12. Norman Brown
13. Everette Harp
14. Paul Taylor
15. Jackiem Joyner
16. Tony Terry
17. Donell Jones
18. Jon B.
19. Tamia
20. Kenny Lattimore
21. Silk
22. Case
23. Dru Hill
24. Chante Moore
25. O.B. Buchana
26. Theodis Ealey
27. Lannie Spann
28. Leela James
29. Dwele
30. Ginuwine
31. Meli'sa Morgan
32. Karyn White
33. Stacy Lattisaw
34. Shai
35. Brownstone
36. Pokey Bear
37. Big Pokey Bear
38. J-Wonn
39. Tyree Neal
40. Calvin Richardson
41. Chico DeBarge
42. WanMor

08/26/2026

What an incredible summer! Live @ Levings 2026 was a massive success, packed with unforgettable energy, incredible talent, and pure community joy from start to finish.
Look at what we pulled off together across the season:
June 7: Jumped it off with national Southern Soul recording artist Mike Clark Jr. for Southern Soul Party Pt. 3.
June 14: Co-sponsored by the Crossroads Blues Society, we brought real Chicago Blues to the stage with the Mike Wheeler Chicago Blues Band and Bernard Crump.
June 19: Collaborated with Juneteenth to bring the Live @ Levings Talent Show over to Sinnissippi Park with DJ Big C.
June 21: Celebrated the 100 Fathers Day Event featuring the Queens of the Stage (Kandrice Jackson, Lil Rhonda, and DJ Vanessa).
July 11: Brought down the house at Jazz Fest featuring Liquid Soul, The Phil Seed Band, and Harlan Jefferson.
July 12: Highlighted local talent with the Community Showcase featuring Rockford's Best Dance Crew, KRK Band, and B. Lytemore.
July 26: Turned up the energy at The Hype DJ Battle with host Harlan Jefferson taking the stage!
August 9: Packed the park for the Battle at Levings breaking battles.
August 16: Co-sponsored by the Crossroads Blues Society, we welcomed national recording artist Sheryl Youngblood and the Knott US Band.
August 23: Wrapped up an epic season with The 2026 Talent Show Finals, headlined by R&B group Pure Soul performing a special tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze!
A Huge Thank You:
Our Community: To everyone who brought their lawn chairs, supported local vendors, and showed up every week.
All-Ages Performers: To every contestant and artist—of all ages—who shared their talents on our stage.
Our Partners: Special shoutout to our presenting sponsor, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, the Crossroads Blues Society, Juneteenth, and the Rockford Park District for supporting this series!
We are already counting down the days until next year. See you all at Live @ Levings 2027! 🎷✨