The festivities begin at West Point, 1233 W. 109th Place, Chicago, IL with a conversation, music, motorcycle demonstrations, a raffle, and a meet-and-greet with Robert Simmons, from the popular YouTube channel Be The Boss of Your Motorcycle®. Joining Simmons for the panel discussion, Why We Ride, is Ken Thomas, founder and president of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Troopers Motorcycle Clubs, Julian Champion, Founder and CEO of West Point School of Music and Smedmore Bernard a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Ridercoach. For the Love of Music, Let’s Ride is hosted by long-time motorcycle enthusiast and WVON’s on-air personality Darlene Hill.
Following the events at the school, the festivities continue with a ride to Chi-Town Harley-Davidson, 17801 LaGrange Road in Tinley Park, IL. Grand Marshal Robert Simmons and the Buffalo Troopers will lead the ride. Upon arrival, attendees will be greeted with a concert by West Point’s renowned, Epic Steel Orchestra, connect with Simmons and the Buffalo Troopers, and enjoy food and more fun. Funds raised from the day will help to support the school’s tuition-free in-school, after-school, Saturday, and summer music instruction and performance programs.
While it may seem unusual for a music school to host a motorcycle ride fundraiser, West Point isn’t your typical music school. Most of West Point’s instructors – in addition to being professional musicians with various music genre masteries – are avid motorcyclists including its founder and CEO Julian J. Champion. Champion shares, “I ride and most of my instructors ride motorcycles too, so it was natural for us to put our love of music and riding together to raise money for West Point. We rock Rachmaninoff, reggae, and ride! We also welcome non-riders to For The Love of Music, Let’s Ride!. There will be lots of activity and fun for all!”
Itinerary: August 10th, 2024
West Point School of Music
10 am – 12:30 pm
10:00 am: Why We Ride, A Conversation
11:00 am: Motorcycle Riding Demonstrations, Music, and Raffle
12:30 pm: Kickstands Up, Riding to Chi-Town Harley
Chi-Town Harley-Davidson
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Concert with West Point’s Epic Steel Orchestra
Meet and Greet with Robert Simmons
Food and Fun
Riders and Non-Riders: $25/ person
Register Below!