'The Blues Brothers' 40th Anniversary - Joliet - August 2020

[Steam McQueen]

- We'll add more info as it comes along.

This summer, the Old Joliet Prison will host a two-day party to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Plans include a showing of the movie, Blues Brothers tribute bands, and a replica of the country music stage where they were protected by chicken wire while singing the blues according to The Herald. Dates are not set in stone, but it appears it'll be August 21 and 22. It will also double as a fundraiser for prison restoration. Organizers are trying to get Dan Aykroyd to come to the event but no official word as of yet. Hopefully he'll be on a mission from God and show up!

- q985online.com/the-blues-brothers-turn-40-celebration-at-old-joliet-prison/

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"We're going to do a Bob's Country Bunker stage," said Greg Peerbolte, executive director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, which organizes tours and events at the former Joliet Correctional Center. Peerbolte said Aug. 21 and 22 are "pretty firm" dates for the Blues Brothers festival, although final arrangements are still being made.

- www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/15/blues-brothers-anniversary-to-be-big-bash-at-old-prison/ak98vte/

[Deleted]

I’ve been in contact with Greg, we’ll be moving this years Bluesmobile reunion to the prison in August if all works out.

[Steam McQueen]

- There's an official Joliet Prison website which looks pretty good, nothing posted just yet about the 40th Anniversary. The 90 minute walking tour sounds like a cool thing to do when there, costs $20.





- www.jolietprison.org/

[Steam McQueen]

- From "The Bugle" ? Feb. 6 ...

"The prison has defined the city of Joliet," said Executive Director of the prison Greg Peerbolte.

The prison, which was established in 1858, will host a two-day Blues Brothers festival that is set for Aug. 21 and 22 to mark the 40th anniversary of the film.

- www.buglenewspapers.com/story/2020/02/06/news/old-joliet-prison-to-host-blues-brothers-fest-aug-21-22/1138.html

"This movie established such a backstory just simply walking out of that gate in the street it's unbelievable," Peerbolte said. "The Blues Brothers love letter to Chicago was more specifically a love letter to the south region of Chicago because a lot of movies at that time were being filmed on the north side of the city."

[Steam McQueen]

- Has this event been cancelled ? I don't see any mention of a Blues Brothers party at the Joliet Prison website. There is advertising for a craft beer festival for October 10.

Drink in the Clink is a 200-plus craft beer festival to benefit the further restoration and enhancement of the Old Joliet Prison.

...it’s a chance to not only enjoy some amazing beverages, but also step onto the prison yard and see some of the buildings at Old Joliet Prison. This includes walking through the same gate that Joliet Jake walked out in The Blues Brothers.

- www.jolietprison.org/2020-drink-in-the-clink-craft-beer-festival-old-joliet-prison/

[Steam McQueen]

- I'm not really seeing much 40th Anniversary stuff at all, one week away. An Italian site has acknowledged the milestone ...





- www.donnamoderna.com/news/cultura-e-spettacolo/the-blues-brothers

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When 1980 was over at the box-office, The Blues Brothers had maintained a top-10 finish! Not too shabby considering lots of good movies from #10-#20.





- www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1980/

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40th Anniversary parties will play out all over the world well into 2021. After the anniversary next weekend for North America there are 12 more countries that had their movie openings in 1980. UK - October 23, Italy - November 13 etc.

[Steam McQueen]

Jun 13, 2020 13:20:16 GMT -5 Steam McQueen said:

After the anniversary next weekend for North America there are 12 more countries that had their movie openings in 1980.

And seven more countries after that had their openings in 1981.





If you miss any of the 2020 and 2021 40th Anniversary parties then See you in Turkey 2023 !

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul not Constantinople



Spain was 10 years behind. ^ Looks like they had their 30th anniversary last month May 20th ! In Spain the title is, "Granujas a todo ritmo."

- www.imdb.com/title/tt0080455/releaseinfo

[tk826]

This just in from the Historical Museum...

At this time, we are still hopeful to holding the blues Brothers 40th anniversary on August 22 and 23rd. We are still watching the government mandates and recommendations and will continue to make the best call for all guests and staff involved in this project.

Please watch our social media and you can sign up for our email list as well, for updates on this event.

[scmods55]

I received an email from the Joliet Historical Museum this afternoon. IT IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! JOLIET PRISON, Collins Street, Joliet, Illinois

Friday August 21. Evening screening of "The Blues Brothers"
Saturday August 22. Open House full of events including: Tours of the prison, Bob's Country Bunker, Line Dancers, Photo Opps and a second screening of "The Blues Brothers".
Sunday August 23. Open House again with Prison Tours, Bob's Country Bunker, Music and Photo Opps

[spyphish]

Anybody organizing a car parade etc? grand entrance to the festival? car show area? Thanks May bring 2

[scmods55]

I'm going to email the guy at the Historical Museum tomorrow to see if they have anything in mind. Will post ASAP.

[scmods55]

Doors open Friday 8/21 at 5PM, and again at 5PM on Saturday the 8/22. To simply attend, you have to go to their website to RSVP at jolietmuseum.org or

$35 for adults, $20 for kids.

If you bring your Bluesmobile, you (and your car) can get in the prison for free, but we have to tell them ahead of time who is coming. If bringing your car, they ask you arrive sometime between 2PM and 3PM.

[Melvin Blues]

Borders be damned, I wish I could be there...Have a good time Brother Brian.

[Steam McQueen]

Aug 13, 2020 11:51:40 GMT -5 scmods55 said:

To simply attend, you have to go to their website to RSVP

Thanks for the updates, scmods55 . "First 100 to Register Receive FREE Blues Brothers Hat & Glasses Set."

- www.jolietmuseum.org/upcoming-programs

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The box office numbers shown in a post above are the domestic totals only. The Blues Brothers also made an additional $58 million dollars in the International market for a total box-office take of $115,229,890 which is huge for 1980. Yeah they went way over budget but the film made money .





- www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl289834497/weekend/

[Steam McQueen]

- From the Patch ...

JOLIET, IL — History was made Friday night at a place that was built before Abraham Lincoln became a U.S. president. Marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic musical comedy filmed in Joliet, the Joliet Area Historical Museum showed the Blues Brothers inside the Old Joliet Prison on Friday night. The movie began playing around 8:15 p.m.

- patch.com/illinois/joliet/history-made-500-see-blues-brothers-inside-old-joliet-prison