Though known for its blues roots, Chicago has also been home to some of soul music’s biggest names. Arguably soul’s greatest singer ever, Mississippi-born Sam Cooke, called Chicago home. And Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Etta James and the Staple Singers made their names in Chicago. Yet strangely, the city has never hosted a big outdoor soul fest. Finally, we’re getting one. The first Chicago Soul Music Festival arrives in Union Park June 26–28. The three-day concert series features headliner and powerhouse vocalist Leela James, vibraphone master and jazz composer Roy Ayers, Chicago’s hip-hop soul band Raw Footage, and others who sing without the accompaniment of Auto-Tune. The fest costs ten bucks, but if you hurry you can nab free tickets at the fest’s producer Star Events (1609 W Belmont Ave) 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday while supplies last.