At least a hundred community members and local vendors gathered in downtown Homewood’s Martin Square for Rock the Block on the evening of Thursday, June 26. They sang karaoke and enjoyed food, drinks and each other’s company.
The Village of Homewood organized the block party in Martin Square, located on the corner of Ridge Road and Martin Avenue, the same space where the Homewood Farmers Market is held.
Throughout the evening, kids and adults did karaoke led by Nate Olson of All Sing Karaoke. Community members danced, sang along nearby and recorded their friends and family members on stage.
About 20 tables were set up by the village where other community members sat and enjoyed food, drinks and conversations.
“Adults sometimes need a little liquid encouragement. Kids don’t need any of that,” Olson said, referring to karaoke performers.
Homewood resident Michael Focia recorded a video of his 11-year-old daughter doing karaoke with her friends. He said he was proud of her for the confidence this required, and he’ll never forget it.
“I was real shy back in my day. So, I give her props for getting up there and doing that,” Focia said.
The evening ended with a duet performance from Loraine Hamlett and her friend Jasmine Jones, who said they love singing karaoke.
“It gives me a voice and makes me feel powerful to sing in front of people,” Hamlett said.
The food and drink vendors at Rock the Block included Dairy Queen of Homewood, the Emerald Cup, Juancho’s Tacos, Kona Ice, Nissa Nana’s Pudding & More, OMG Pastries, Twisted Q BBQ and TJ’s Kettle Corn.
The retail vendors included Blue Pearl Candles, Botanika Tea House, Century 21 Circle, Just Geralyn Jewelry and Reiki, Martinez Custom Designs, Nissa Nana’s Pudding & More, OMG Pastries, Sacred Therapy Spa, SpirituallyAwakened, Thrift LLC, Cozy by Joc and True2mi Inc.
South Suburban painter Amoz Ben Wright, who goes by “Son Amoz,” sold colorful paintings at Rock the Block, including portraits of Wright’s friends and family and people he observed in Chicago.
“A lot of times, for me, art feels like a spiritual practice. Maybe I’m not fully aware of it all the time, but I could be painting angels or something like that,” Wright said.
One of Wright’s paintings features a faceless man in a red hoodie walking while carrying a boombox, with the Chicago skyline in the background. The painting includes a word balloon showing that the man is saying “Loud, Loud.”
“Art is the opportunity to help others recognize beauty,” Wright said. “A lot of people have traumatic experiences in life. And based on those traumatic experiences, it can be hard to see the beauty in the world – until they see a piece of art.”
There will be more Rock the Block events in Martin Square from 6 until 10 p.m. on July 10 and again on Aug. 28.
