Sound check: Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues; Side Street's anniversary

Corky Siegel extravaganza

The Chicago blues songwriter puts a classical twist on his craft with "Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues Extravaganza: Closer Than In-Person" show livestreaming this weekend in conjunction with City Winery. Bringing home a lineup of stellar musical guests, including Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Ernie Watts, vocal divas Marcella Detroit and Lynne Jordan, famed bluesman Toronzo Cannon, Frank Orrall, Pavel Roytman and Tracy Nelson, Siegel has crafted a 100-minute musical journey for fans to follow along with from the comfort of their living rooms.

7 p.m. Saturday, March 6. $30 suggested donation; more info or RSVP at citywinery.com.

Musical aid

Hall of Fame songwriter Linda Perry has put together a heck of a show for music fans this weekend with the two-day Rock 'N' Relief: Live Stream Concert Series Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6. The series - featuring Foo Fighters, Deadmau5, Perry Farrell, Miguel, Carly Simon with David Saw, Gavin Rossdale, Pete Yorn, James Blunt, Jewel, Tracy Bonham, Sheryl Crow, Macy Gray, Kevin Bacon, Silversun Pickups and more - will raise funds for CORE, the Community Organized Relief Effort founded a decade ago by Sean Penn and Ann Lee to assist during widescale crisis events. Donations for the show will benefit CORE in leading a mobile COVID-19 vaccination program in low-income communities throughout L.A. The star-packed performances will stream via Amazon Music's app and Twitch channel.

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, at twitch.tv/amazonmusic.

Celebrate Year 8 with SSSA

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed but didn't stop Elgin's artistic education and outreach organization, Side Street Studio Arts. With in-person events severely cut back, Erin Rehberg and Tanner Melvin and their team devised new ways to continue their mission - going virtual with the annual summer Battle of the Bands and numerous musical performances throughout the year, paring down interactive sessions, restructuring the Elgin Fringe Festival and creating the Side Street Art Mobile, which brought art opportunities out to the community in safe and effective ways and distributed free Brown Bag Art Kits. This weekend, SSSA celebrates its eighth anniversary in Elgin with a judged art competition and live (and livestreamed) musical performances by The Mini Projects, the indie-pop band that won last summer's musical competition. The gallery, featuring area artists, will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, when the art will be judged by a panel, but the community can visit and cast their votes throughout the month to spread out and limit the numbers. Musical performances will be at 7 and 8 p.m., with each limited to 10 ticketed guests; performances will also be livestreamed. "While we may not have a lot of the usual activities, crowd or cake, it doesn't make it any less cause for celebration," said Melvin, SSSA Founder and Executive Director.

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Zeigler Court, Elgin. $5-$10 suggested donation; more information and performance tickets at (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org.

• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). Brian also keeps tabs on the local music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.