Lectures on Tap – The Blues Brothers: Dissecting a 1980 Chicago Classic
Wed, May 20
|River North
Celebrate the 1980 Chicago-based movie in all its iterations
Time and Location
May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
River North, River North, Chicago, IL, USA
About
Celebrate the 1980 Chicago classic The Blues Brothers with a deep—and entertaining—dive into its wild mix of movie genres. This interactive talk explores how the film mashes together multiple Hollywood traditions—from musical and comedy to action and more—and why that joyful genre chaos fuels its enduring appeal and occasional controversy.
Along the way, we’ll trace the movie’s origins in the Blues Brothers’ Saturday Night Live act, share behind-the-scenes production stories, and consider the film’s lasting impact on Chicago-based filmmaking, including a special nod to Mayor Jane Byrne’s key role in bringing the production to the city.