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This Friday, (aka DJ Ayana) am spinning at the Southside Community Art Center, an establishment originally founded with help from the WPA during the Great Depression. It is the nation’s oldest African American Art Center.
Also on the bill is the David Boykin Trio (featuring Marcus Evans on drums, Alex Wing on bass, and Boykin on saxophone.) More details on the flyer below. Jive on!
Below, one of the grooves I’ll spin: “Love so Strong” from the Lovelites (pictured, left). Fronted by Patti Hamilton, the group of ladies from Chicago’s South Side recorded a gaggle of groovin’ steppers (including one of their biggest hits, “My Conscience”).
The Lovelites are, in my humble opinion, one of the most consistent female groups in all of Chicago Soul, thanks to a string of sassy-sweet records mainly composed by Hamilton and produced by Clarence Johnson. Enjoy and jive on!
Gallery 400 and threewalls present a ceremony honoring the 15 winners of the 2011 Propeller Fund awards, which serve to promote informal and self-organized creative activity in the Chicago area. Come celebrate the grant recipients and the community with food, drink, and music at the Geolofts. The awards ceremony is presented in conjunction with the Hand in Glove Conference and MDW Fair.
I am perhaps best known for spinning classic Chicago Soul records, but on Thursday, October 27, I plan to play cuts from the trippier and (even) grittier side of my Chicago Music collection. I will also feature what I like to call the Rock Hand Side of things.
Artists like Rotary Connection (pictured above), Hudsen Bay Company, New Colony Six, Howlin Wolf, Young Turks, Elmore James, Spanky and Our Gang, Lost Generation, Magic Sam, Five Stairsteps, The Family, Shadows of Knight, The Buckinghams, John Klemmer, Bobby Rush, Little Milton, Junior Wells, Aesops Fables, Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Syl Johnson, and much much more will be on deck. Of course, all will be spun on vinyl. Jive on!
Join DJ Ayana and Simeon Viltz (of the Primeridian) as we stretch out musically at Morseland. I’ll be spinning with a Chicago accent, as always, and will be featuring local treasures including a cut or two by Leroy Hutson. A college friend of both Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack (all attended Howard University), Hutson was on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Records in the 1970s (listen below to 1976′s “Lover’s Holiday”, and for more on Leroy, click here).
Groove Conspiracy. All vinyl, no cover. Jive on!
Below, one of the great Chicago recordings that I’ll feature.
check out a bit of David’s work below.
Psssst… David Boykin Expanse with DJ Ayana. It’s a righteous situation at a secret location. RSVP info@perpetualrebel.com for more info.
dance locally to vintage sounds culled from Dorchester Projects’ Dr. Wax Collection heavily leaning on music that ‘jus grew’ out of our community: this friday, june 24th, 7pm til 10pm.
bring your favorite summertime dish to share with friends
100% wax spun by dj ayana
from The Dr. Wax Collection
Calendar of Events that Darkjive’s Ayana Contreras will be featured at. All are free and open to the public.
Brown Sugar Marketplace @ Brown Sugar Bakery
Friday May 6th, 5-8pm
328 East 75th Street, Chicago
Featuring deep old school cuts by Ayana Contreras, The Marketplace has handmade jewelry, leatherwares, clothes, and more. Come for the caramel cake… stay for the soul.
Dance Party @ the Dorchester Projects
Sunday May 8th, 5:00pm-8:00pm UPDATE: Sunday May 15th, 3-6pm
6918 South Dorchester, Chicago
Enjoy Music spun by DJ Ayana Contreras as a prelude to a series of talks about the history of Chicago Soul.
Groove Conspiracy, 2nd Thursdays @ Morseland
1218 West Morse, Chicago
DJ Ayana and Simeon Viltz (of the Primeridian) spin old school gold, gritty gems, and silvery stepper madness. Their weapon of choice: vinyl
Dorchester Sessions I @ Dorchester Projects
Sunday, May 29th (location and time above)
Exploring Quintessential Gospel, Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock,
and Pop sounds that were born in Chicago, and the people who created them.
Essentially, the live version of Darkjive. Come for the talk, stay to get down.
Join DJ Ayana and selected friends and celebrate the music that moves us!
Where: Brown Sugar Bakery
Music spun on wax. Real 45s cut to make you move. Soul & Funk classics and rarities… plus caramel cake! You bring the drinks, DJ Ayana will bring the grooves.
Where: Morseland
Let’s get UP Friday Night with DJ Ayana and special guest Simeon from local hip-hop group The Primeridian. Funky Disco, Jazz, Gritty Bluesy Movers… Good Music.
Where: Morseland
DJs Gaucho brings you soul on wax (45s to be exact). Soulful rarities, Bluesy Groovers… and funky movers. Play a game of pool, have a drink, or just plain get down (Ayana’s on hiatus this month).
(above, “There it Is” by Tyrone Davis. Brunswick Records, 1973)
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