I attend downtown’s Jazz And Ribfest for an hour every year. I attend because I absorb legendary musicians in nature. While I’m impressed our city attracts various vendors who’ve won BBQ competitions. they don’t sell anything I eat.

Hip Hop is why I’m vegan. Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang. “No Pork on my fork. I don’t dine on swine.” Several Wu members are Vegan.

I visit the Jazz and Ribfest because I’ve seen Ramsey Lewis and Roy Ayers. Thanks, Hip Hop. I browse the Jazz and Ribfest’s website every year. Whomz the legend were playing in 2025.

Mavis Staples Sunday. Kenny Lattimore Friday. I didn’t attend Kenny Lattimore. The weekend rained. Sunday, it rained. I debated – is this worth leaving my building if it’s raining?                                        

The Staple Singers, MAVIS STAPLES!

Mavis Staples knew Martin Luther King Jr. Wu, Evidence, Sadat X Cam’ron and others rap over Mavis Staples samples. Run The Jewel’s song Pulling The Pin collaborated with Mavis. Mavis dated Bob Dylan. Mavis worked with Levon Helm. Mavis newest album found release from Anti. Mavis newest music is released from a punk label that whose previous releases include Katie Crutchfield, Saintseneca, Black Keys, Os Mutantes, and The Weakerthans.

Mavis latest single was called Godspeed. I looked at Jazz and Ribfest’s socials. Jazz + Ribfest halted performances because of weather. Jazz + Ribfest’s ig then said shows were continuing soon. Mavis was scheduled for 6pm.

I decided if I decided I would ride da COTA. If it rained then I would just ride Lyft. Jazz and Ribfest is free. I jumped on the 1 from near Kafe Kerouac. Kafe Kerouac sells Stroh’s Beer for 2.50. It was raining. Several punk rock girls with short black hair entered the bus while we traveled from Campus into the Short North. We all were watching our phones for our downtown stop.

We reached the Town Street and High Stop. We all stood up and exited. The punk rock girls all looked like radical feminists. I liked the fact that these women took the bus for Mavis. Unfortunately, I’m wearing my Playboy Hat and Metallica Kamala shirt.

Trump’s finally being outed for his Epstein friendship. I became self-conscious of the fact I could make Kamala look like a creep magnet. Kamala prosecuted sex offenders. She doesn’t know Epstein.

Playboy’s logo exists in Wild Style’s legacy in fashion. I didn’t think I should say: ”Don’t worry, I ain’t look at your tittles. Patty Astor.”  I knew which direction the women would walk. The women walked down Town Street as recommended for the app we all followed. I walked left down Spring. We were both walking towards the river.

I followed the music down across river where I found the Mavis stage. I arrived at 5:55.  I and the several punk rock women were the only people who didn’t bring folding chairs. Everyone waiting for Staples were comfortable like as if Jazz lovers were in their own backyards. Pro-Tip: Folding Chairs For Jazz and Rib-Fest in you intend on watching the music.

I felt like I jumped a fence and stumbled upon a family reunion. I walked around feeling awkward until Mavis’ band and Mavis appeared promptly. I don’t know the names of every Mavis Staples song.

Mavis sang City in the Sky and I’m Just Another Soldier with the righteous beauty of a gospel singer.  Mavis ad-libbed James Brown cues and vocal inflections. Mavis’ voice would sometimes reach a near Screaming Jay Hawkin’s texture of distortion. Mavis songs sang of hope, and triumph in the face of adversity. Mavis announced her next song was Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song.

I Shazamed. Shazam didn’t recognize MLK JR’s favorite song. Mavis sang about defeating the devil with love and peace. I understood why Martin Luther King Jr. liked that song. Mavis’ vocal range is extraordinary and the subject matter implied white supremacy was an evil which was would face inevitable defeat.

Mavis announced, “I know I voted for the correct person.” Mavis voted for Kamala. People cheered. I wondered what our current government feels like to Mavis Staples in comparison with previous decades.

After seeing punk rock girls riding the bus I determined DSA members should attend events where large amounts of old black people watch music legends from our country’s Civil Rights era perform. While some political views would differ still, DSA members would understand enthusiasm for Kamala, Obama, and even Clinton. In the least, perspective enlightened by history. Democrats celebrate Mavis at conventions.

Mavis sang with charm and optimism. MLK Jr. believed it’s possible to defeat evil. Mavis Staples remembers segregation and existed as people power which demanded the VRA.

Mavis Staples performed Freedom Highway which was written for the 1965 Voting March from Selma into Montgomery, Alabama.

Mavis mentioned John Lewis. Staples encouraged Good Trouble. Mavis Staples is 86 years of age. People who’ve triumphed over historic oppression exude a positive aura. The Chicago crooner finished with several classics. Do you think Staples is from Chicago or Mississippi? My hour was up.

I entered da COTA near the Statehouse. I spent my entire evening spreading Mavis Staples’ exuberance.