ayanacontreras
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Hi-Fi White: Foodstamps, Bulldogs, and Hollywood
Wilbur White was a nightclub singer on the South Side of Chicago whose bluesy growl wielded so much power that he was nicknamed Hi-Fi. He’d been in the clubs since the 1950s, and although I hear he put on a knockout of a show, that never translated into record sales. Speaking of knockouts, he…
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Laura’s Song from Donwill (of Tanya Morgan)
From the forthcoming album, “John Cusack in High Fidelity Music” (that cult-classic film shot in Chicago, starring Chicago Native Cusack). Production by Astronote. Grab a glass of Iced Tea and sit yourself down on the porch for this one…
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Peter Hadar Invades Chicago….
Peter Hadar is in town, folk. His dusky voice oozes soul and charisma. The edginess of his productions promises freshness in an oft stale musical landscape. Catch the Jersey native at Lava Wednesday Nite with The Twilite Tone (whom I love and have missed in the Chi) and the Primeridian. He’s doing an in-store…
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Tofu Chitlin Circuit presents The A La Carte: Carrot Cake Edition
From The Tofu Chitlin Circuit (a theater conservatory located in the Bronzeville District of Chicago): TONIGHT’s A La Carte (panel discussion) is sure to ruffle some feathers! We’re talking about the newest trend to hit the stage: White directors staging Black plays. Is this valid? Is this fair? Who cares? Let’s talk about it! Featuring…
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Jive on Icon: Daphne Maxwell-Reid
Here’s the original caption that accompanied the above shot: 25 Oct 1967, Evanston, Illinois, USA — Northwestern Homecoming Queen…Daphne Maxwell, 19, of New York, has good reason to flash that bright smile; she was named Northwestern University’s Homecoming Queen October 20th. Daphne, a sophomore who is studying design, is the first Negro ever to be…
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The Color of Improv
So, recently, there was a Sun-Times article about “diversity” in Chicago’s improv community (sort of the last white frontier as far as integration goes). A week or so ago at my day job (I am a radio host), I interviewed folks from Pimprov (yes…that’s basically what it sounds like. Listen to a clip below). In…
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B.J. the Chicago Kid’s in “Denial”
I am a sucker for samples of “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. Seriously. I love that song. Anyway, “Denial” by B.J. the Chicago Kid is another fresh local record that has got the Darkjive seal of approval (the track was produced by Scoop Deville, and was originally used for a record by “Hot Dollar”…
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Festival of Colors: Photography by Poras Chaudhary
I found these photos on a blog called desinuts.com. Very cool site focusing on pop culture and graphic design with a lot of Indian culture peppered in, as well. I think these colors are so dope. NOTE: the pictures are of a Hindu celebration called Holi, the Festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated as a…
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Looking for Art and Soul this Saturday Night?
Food from South Loop’s Cuatro (which I dig), DJs (whom I dig), art (I’m looking forward to getting to know better….All going down this Saturday night. Art & Soul at The Chicago Art Department (1837 S. Halsted) will feature the Art of Jen Rosenthal and the Soul of Swank Society Radio DJ’s: Duane Powell (Dr.…
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