Description

Watch or Buy the film Theresa’s Lounge – The Basement That Built THe BluesTHE BASEMENT THAT BUILT THE BLUES

Theresa’s Lounge wasn’t just another club on the South Side of Chicago. For the musicians who played there, it was where careers began.

Long before they were legends, many of Chicago’s greatest blues players got their first paying gigs on Theresa’s small stage. They learned from the performers who came before them. They became part of something more like a family than a job.

At the center of it all was Theresa herself. She believed in people before the rest of the world did — and gave musicians a chance when few other rooms would. Decades later, the ones who played there still haven’t forgotten it.

Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge is a 30-minute documentary built from personal interviews, rare photographs, and newly recorded performances featuring eleven surviving artists who were there. It’s a piece of Chicago blues history, told by the people who made it — and it deserved to be preserved before their stories were lost.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO WATCH

BUY THE FILM

Own the film and watch it whenever you want.

Purchase the digital film and we will send you the film by email. There’s no scheduled screening and no 48-hour viewing window — the film is yours to watch whenever you want on any of your devices that can play an MP4..

WATCH THE FILM

Choose one of three special online presentations:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 • 7:00 PM CT
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 • 7:00 PM CT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 • 6:00 PM CT

Each ticket includes a 48-hour viewing window beginning at the scheduled start time you select. You don’t have to watch at exactly that time. Start later, watch again, or finish the film when it’s convenient for you during your 48-hour window. A link to your show will be emailed to you immediately after your purchase.

WATCH + LIVE WITH JOHN PRIMER

On Friday and Sunday, you can make the screening a special live event.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
Film • 7:00 PM CT
John Primer Live • 7:45 PM CT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
Film • 6:00 PM CT
John Primer Live • 6:45 PM CT

Watch the film and then join legendary Chicago bluesman John Primer live online for a post-film conversation.

John was there. He played Theresa’s Lounge seven nights a week for seven years, performing alongside the musicians who came through the club and helping younger players who followed him onto its stage.

The live session takes place at the scheduled time, but your film viewing access remains available for 48 hours from the start of your selected presentation.

BUY BY DECEMBER 9 AND RECEIVE A FREE DIGITAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Buy the film or purchase any December screening ticket by December 9, 2026, and you’ll also receive the 20-page Digital Collector’s Edition at no additional charge. We will send you your book via email immediately after your purchase.

Created as a companion to the film, the Digital Collector’s Edition takes you deeper into the people and history behind Theresa’s Lounge, with artist biographies, photographs and more from the Theresa’s Lounge story.

“They say, hey, man, you want to play with us? I say yea. I say, what’s the name of the club, they say, Theresa’s Lounge. For you know, I was there seven nights, seven days, seven nights a week for seven years, I was there. Yea I played with all the guys that came down, just had a good experience. Teaching those young guys come down and played there too.”

— John Primer

“Would the Chicago Blues be the what it is today without her?” “I would have to say no. When you get on the airplane, I don’t care where you were traveling, the magazines, the entertainment section, that was the key to Theresa’s Lounge. That’s a NO!”

— Brian Needham, Theresa’s grandson

“I was down there my first years there with Junior and John Primer… yea, we all got together and we just continued to, you know, to keep the blues going. I don’t remember you know, there was so much goin’ on, but I do remember the Blues. If you don’t love the Blues, you have a hole in your soul.”

— Mary Lane

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What’s the difference between Buy, Watch, and Watch + Live with John Primer?

A: Buy the film and you can watch it whenever you want, without a 48-hour viewing window. Watch tickets give you a 48-hour viewing window beginning with the December presentation you select. Watch + Live tickets include the same 48-hour film access plus the scheduled live online conversation with John Primer.

Q: Do I have to watch the film at the scheduled starting time?

A: No. Your 48-hour viewing window begins at the scheduled start time for the presentation you select. You can watch the film at any time during those 48 hours. If you buy the film, we will send you your copy via email and you can watch it any time you like on your devices.

Q: If I choose Watch + Live with John Primer, can I watch John later?

A: No. John Primer’s conversation is live and takes place at the scheduled time — Friday, December 11 at 7:45 PM CT or Sunday, December 13 at 6:45 PM CT. The film itself remains available throughout your 48-hour viewing window.

Q: How do I get the free Digital Collector’s Edition?

A: Buy the film or purchase any December screening ticket by December 9, 2026, and the 20-page Digital Collector’s Edition is included free with your purchase. We will send your book via email immediately after purchase.

Q: What devices can I watch on?

A: If you buy the film , you can watch it on any of your devices that can play an MP4. If you buy a ticket to watch the film you can view it on any device with a web browser — computer, phone, tablet or compatible smart TV browser. You’ll receive simple viewing instructions by email.

Q: When will I receive my viewing information?

A: You’ll receive an email with your viewing information and instructions immediately after your purchase.

Q: Can I share my viewing link with others?

A: Your private viewing link and password are for your purchase and should not be shared or posted publicly.

BUY IT. WATCH IT. EXPERIENCE IT LIVE.

Choose the way you want to experience The Basement That Built the Blues this December.