JOLIET,
Ill., July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the
recent announcement of the passing of Judy Belushi Pisano, the
Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) will dedicate this year's
"Blues Brothers Con" to Judy's memory and lasting artistic legacy.
The Museum's CEO, Greg Peerbolte,
noted that she had served the Museum's Old Joliet Prison Historic
Site for over five years in an advisory capacity. "Through the
Prison's connection to one of the most important films ever made,
The Blues Brothers, Judy shared our viewpoint that
contemplating this complex historic site as a redefined community
gathering space driven by education, art and music would help to
bring about healing and honor the film's cultural legacy. Nowhere
was this more evident in the creation of the 'Blues Brothers Con'
festival" he said.
Peerbolte noted that from the moment the Museum took control of
the Prison site in 2018, the penitentiary's connection to The
Blues Brothers loomed large and proved to be a major factor in
the decision to reopen the former penitentiary, constructed in
1858. Prior to this, the Joliet
Prison sat largely vacant after its closure in 2002 and was
subjected to vandalism and several acts of arson.
Efforts to host the first "Blues Brothers Con" began in 2019 to
commemorate the 40th anniversary of the film were
stifled by the pandemic. The inaugural Blues Brothers Con was later
held in August of 2022 in which 6,000 attendees descended on the
Prison to watch Dan Aykroyd and
James Belushi perform as "The Blues Brothers" inside the Prison
walls, supported by a performance from Judy accompanied by
Kate Taylor and Chicago Blues
standouts like Toronzo Cannon and Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials.
The inaugural event was also attended by founding Blues Brothers
band members Steve Cropper and Tom
"Bones" Malone.
Lucas Pisano, Judy's son, who
also served as an organizer of the Blues Brothers Con since its
inception, felt the dedication fitting tribute. "Our family is
honored that this festival will be dedicated to our beautiful Judy.
Few people are fully aware of her influence on the Blues Brothers'
and John's creative magic," he said. "She served the blues
community diligently in honor of his memory, and in her own right,
championed this legacy. Her light and spirit are missed, but not
forgotten. Through live music, good food and love, the festival
will be a beautiful celebration of an extraordinary life."
This year's Blues Brothers Con, planned for 2023, was again
delayed, this time by the SAG-AFTRA strikes. "It took patience,
grit and determination to see this historic event through," said
Peerbolte. "Judy was with us every step of the way, fighting
through her health challenges to assist us with planning and
coordination."
While specific plans to honor Judy at Blues Brothers Con are
underway, a loan of her personal artifacts from the film, which
Peerbolte termed "the Holy Grail," are making their way to the
Joliet Area Historical Museum for display. She previously loaned
two of the iconic black suits worn by Dan
Aykroyd and John Belushi throughout the film that are
currently on display in the Museum's Route 66 Visitor's Center.
Peerbolte reflected that while this year's event will be
bittersweet without her, he feels that Judy and the Old Joliet
Prison's shared legacy is worthy of celebration. "We will be
forever grateful to have hosted Judy's final public performance
before 6,000 adoring fans who came from around the world to
celebrate the 'universe' of The Blues Brothers in the place where
the film began – a universe she crafted."
To purchase tickets and for more information on Blues Brothers
Con, click here.
For high-res images of Blues Brothers Con for media use courtesy
of Gill Ross, click here.
For more information about Blues Brothers Con, visit
www.jolietmuseum.org.
About the JOLIET AREA
HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Joliet Area Historical Museum (JAHM) is a private 501(c)3
not-for-profit organization that celebrates the diverse industrial
heritage and culture of the Joliet region. It is funded primarily
through the support of membership, sponsored programs and
government grants. Founded in 2002, it operates a contemporary
Museum facility in Joliet's City Center in the historic 1909 Ottawa
Street Methodist Church along Old Route 66. Since 2018, JAHM has
operated the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site and now operates two
additional historic properties as museum experiences, the Planinsek
Meat Market & Grocery Museum and Joliet Railroad Museum. In
2024, JAHM purchased the iconic "Gemini Giant" muffler man statue
for display in its home community of Wilmington, Illinois and also
leases the World's First Dairy Queen Building at 501 N. Chicago
Street, Joliet.
Media Contacts
Greg
Peerbolte
g.peerbolte@jolietmuseum.org
(815)549-9530
Madeline Sweeney
madeline@timezoneone.com
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SOURCE Joliet Area Historical Museum