Psssst… David Boykin Expanse with DJ Ayana. It’s a righteous situation at a secret location. RSVP info@perpetualrebel.com for more info.
Category Archives: Live Music
Melodic Expansions: David Boykin Expanse with DJ Ayana… pass it on.
Theaster Gates’ Dorchester Projects
What do you get when you mix a maverick artist with strong community ties and an Urban Planner? For one thing, Theaster Gates. For another, the Dorchester Projects, pictured above. Theaster has been purchasing properties in the Woodlawn/Grand Crossing neighborhood for a few years now, and has quietly acquired the stock of the former Dr. Wax record store as well as the now defunct Prairie Avenue Bookstore (both businesses were revered in their respective collector communities). He created a home for glass lantern slides that depict the canon of Western Fine Art. Using reclaimed materials, he is turning his properties into cultural community hubs, featuring curators and programming that reflects the collections and the community.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll be curating the record collection in May and June of 2011, culminating in a series of talks on Chicago Music History (details to follow) and a couple of good, old-fashioned dance parties starring local-born music.
Read the New York Times article about what’s poppin on the South Side with the Dorchester Projects.
You’re Tuff Enough: junior wells’ new breed blues
The title cut off this 1968 album is a bluesy monster produced by Charles Stepney with more than enough groove to stay squarely in the pocket. Also on this album is the local hit “Up in Heah”, another blues-infused party track. Both of the records will make sceptics rethink the blues. According to the back of the album:
“Talk about somebody being “tuff” enough. One night in Pepper’s Lounge, a little night spot on Chicago’s South Side, Junior Wells was introduced as “the little Giant of the blues”. It was around midnight and the Chatter that had been incessant for about three hours ceased. In cool dignity the little black walked to the stage, and said: “I’m gonna sing them damn blues, and you’d better dig it.” This audience at Pepper’s where all the blues greats have passed through and left their mark, is as hip an audience as any performer ever faced. When you bring them slow blues it better be nasty, and when you swing it better make them move. Shoot blanks and you won’t last long. Junior Wells could stay there eternally. “
–David Llorens
Dakar by Way of Chicago: omar pene & yassa
This Saturday, Senegal’s Omar Pene is in Chicago performing at Martyrs (3855 N. Lincoln). A former member of Super Diamono, a 70s Senegalese band that addressed social issues with funk, he is now solo… and in fine form. His voice has been described as both muscular and “islamic”, and the concert promises to be a treat.
Opening act is yours truly, DJ Ayana.
Omar Pene at Martyrs (presented by portoluz)
When: Sat., March 20, 9 p.m. at Martyrs (3855 N. Lincoln Ave.)
Phone: 773-404-9494 or 800-594-8499
Price: $25
To get you in the mood, visit Yassa: savory Sengalese food here in Chicago. African flavors with an emphasis on sauces, seafood, lamb, rice, and cues taken from Islamic and French cuisine, Senagalese food is DOPE! Try the freshly made juice – any of them (they have tamarind, sorrel, ginger and baobab)- or the Dibi Lamb (grilled lamb chops) which comes with red rice. The plantains are delicious, as is the Yassa Fish.
The spot is BYOB, and personally, I’d bring Malta India or a spicy ginger beer, but if you must have an alcoholic beverage, try a stout beer.
Yassa:
716 E 79th St
(between Evans Ave & Langley Ave)
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 488-5599
the get down! this thursday at the morseland
It’s about that time… and I’ve got more heat. Soulful dynamite. Killer funk. Local Chicago gems. Bluesy groovers. Polyrhythmic madness. The stuff that hip-hop was built upon. And, as always, no cover. Join me and Gaucho at the Morseland: 1218 West Morse, this Thursday at 9:30pm.
Below, rare groove stone-cold gangster lean goodness by The Impressions (of our fair city), “Sooner or Later”. Jive on!
The Get Down: keep on singing
The Get Down is back! This Thursday, February 11, let’s celebrate what we love: feel good music! Soul, Funk, Disco, and Bluesy Groovers spun with love by yours truly (DJ Ayana). Expect a healthy helping of both rare and classic homegrown monsters, plus all the darkjive featured music you’ve come to love.
Thursday, February 11 @ the Morseland (don’t forget to check out their revamped menu… their kitchen is open late!)
1218 West Morse Avenue / 9:00pm-1:00am
No Cover!
Sneak Peak music:
Chicago’s own Keni Burke (of Five Stairsteps ["Oooh Ooh Child"] fame) released his self titled debut on George Harrison’s Dark Horse Records in 1976. “Keep on Singing” keeps me high to this day. Enjoy and see you soon!
Stand With Haiti!!
Stand with Haiti!! An Evening of Food, Poets (including Lady Terror), Musicians, and Dancers Gathered to Support Those Devastated by the Earthquake in Haiti. DJ Ayana on the tables.
Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:00pm – 8:45pm
Thorne Auditorium 357 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
Free admission, donations requested.
Food/Drink: 6-7pm
Program: 7:15-8:45pm
ALL Proceeds will be donated to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
to support the relief effort in Haiti.
the get down.
The get down is about to go down again. Old Soul 45′s spun with love at the Morseland. Selections by me (DJ Ayana) and Gaucho. Join us this Thursday December 10 starting at 9:30pm. No Cover. The Morseland is located at 1218 West Morse in Chicago (just blocks from Sheridan). Here’s a sample of some of the proudly local grooves we’ll feature….”Get Down” by Curtis Mayfield.
Get Down With Us. Try it, You’ll like it…
It’s about to go down. Old Soul 45′s spun with love at the Morseland. Selections by me (DJ Ayana) and Gaucho. Join us this Thursday November 12 starting at 9:30pm. No Cover. The Morseland is located at 1218 West Morse in Chicago (just blocks from Sheridan). Here’s a sample of some of the proudly local grooves we’ll feature….
45 or Die: Move. Groove. Jive on.
Catch Gaucho, Harlow, and myself spinning classics and rarities at 45 revolutions per minute. Thursday, October 8th at the Morseland, 1218 West Morse, Chicago. Starts at 9pm.
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word on the street
