ayanacontreras
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WBMX…and the White Sox?
I am posting this old ad for WBMX here just because: it is weird and wonderful. In the 80s, WBMX was the Electro/House/Italo-disco/club station, not only in Chicago. The radio station (and its DJs) gained an international reputation for being tastemakers in the burgeoning house community (whose pulsing heart was here in the Windy City). Jive on….
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Into Africa: 1 to check out… Les Nubians at Green Dolphin Street
The world-renowned French-Cameroonian sisters will be in Chicago this Thursday, ready to share their fusion of traditional African rhythms, jazz, and future-sonic soul. Not to be missed. Start Time: Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 9:00pm Location: Green Dolphin Street Street: 2200 N Ashland Ave City/Town: Chicago, IL http://www.lesnubians.com $25 Adv. $30 DOS (Brown Paper Tickets) http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/69712…
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Into Africa: 50 must reads for “Every African”…
…courtesy of afripopmag.com… lots of good stuff for a book nut like me. Anthem of the Decades, by Mazisi Kunene. Biko, by Donald Woods Roots, by Alex Haley Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe Woman at Point Zero, by Nawal el…
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Into Africa: 1 Must Do
mark your calendars for Ron and Sonia’s 5th Anniversary Party for Africa Hi-Fi, that afro-funk-highlife-house-shindig…. Saturday, July 11th at Sonotheque… Sonotheque 1444 W. Chicago Ave. AFRICA HI-FI SUPPORTS NEXTAID , an LA based non-profit that uses music events to raise money for children in South Africa orphaned by the horrendous AIDS EPIDEMIC, and AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, working diligently to raise…
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Howlin’ Wolf (covering Howlin’ Wolf)
“Evil”. A fundamental Howlin Wolf record, created here in Chicago, back in the 1950s. A platter of standard electrified Delta Blues. Now, add Marshall Chess (son of Chess Records’ Leonard Chess), the turbulent and psychedelic 1960s, and some of the best jazz, funk, and soul studio players in the city. Remake and enjoy. Well that’s not exactly…
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The Other Side of Paradise, in plain view
Poet Stacyann Chin’s memoir, “The Other Side of Paradise” (Scribner, 2009), is a coming-of-age story. It’s a tale of growing up never fitting in, not with family, not with social structure. It’s also about living in Paradise (both literally and figuratively), but never feeling as though Paradise’s bounty is available for you. Ultimately, however, the book…
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Marion Perkins: Sculpted a Better Chicago, a Better World
Woodson Regional is a gem of the South Side. I’ve always believed that. One of my favorite locations of the Chicago Public Library, bar none. The library, located at 95th and Halsted, boasts the Vivian Harsh Research Collection (all manner of Black Ephemera) and a really strong overall collection. 1 of only two regional libraries in the…
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How Michael Jackson saved Kabuika’s Life
My Congolese friend, Kabuika Kamunga, slipped a story my way about how Michael Jackson saved her life. The story is testament to just how universal his music was (and is). An excerpt: “Papier!” The soldiers shouted at us in French, demanding to see our ID. The threatening look on their faces did not leave any room for…
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Light: On the South Side…Grit and Gold Lamé
I, for one, have stared for more than a moment at the forgotten, peeled paint on the side of the 408 Club building over on 79th Street (just East of King Drive). In mid-seventies hipster font, the ad reads “Sheba Disco”, apparently some sort of disco club. I’ve wondered what manner of elephant bells and Quiana was to be found…
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“The Exchange” of Color and Sound at HPAC
Thanks to Tricia Hersey-Patrick for the heads-up on this one… www.trescolony.com “The Exchange” Curated by Tres & Kevin Coval @ Hyde Park Art Center 5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd Chicago, IL 60615 Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 @ 6pm Featuring artwork and performances by… Amanda Williams / Clifton Henri / Avery R. Young / Kevin Coval…



