ayanacontreras
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21st Century: Tricks are made for kids.
The 21st Century were yet another Kiddie Soul group out of the Chicago area (not unlike The Jackson 5, The Eight Minutes, Cindy & the Playmates, The Five Stairsteps, Pat & Pam, and The Brighter Side of Darkness). Many of these groups are detailed further here. The group hailed from the West Side and were…
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Waxing Poetic at Dorchester Projects.
Above, a bit of video from my Artistic Residency last year with Theaster Gates’ Dorchester Projects, in which I wax poetic about Chicago’s own Mercury Records, Jerry Butler, and the Impressions. I love sharing the stories behind the music I love with the general public; and was reminded of that as I embark on Hosting…
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Announcing Darkjive on the Radio…
Coming this Thursday (and every Thursday) Darkjive.com’s Ayana Contreras hosts “Reclaimed Soul” on Vocalo.org (89.5fm in Chicago). The music you’ve come to expect from this site, plus stories from people moving forward with what’s been left behind. Below is an excerpt from the first episode. Jive on!
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Donald Jenkins and the Delighters (and their Basement Music Revolution)
I’m not sure what exactly is revolutionary about this record, titled “Music Revolution” and released by Donald Jenkins and the Delighters in 1975, but it sure is lovely. It’s what I like to call Basement Soul. It also reminds me of how much I miss skin tight harmonies. A local Chicago record through and through…
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Objet Petit Ahh… aka the Piñata-Palooza.
from our friends at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport: Objet Petit Ahh… is a single-evening exhibition and smashing party of artist-created piñata-sculptures. In what could be the most destructive art exhibition in the history of Chicago, all of the artwork in the show will be obliterated by the show’s closing that evening. Whatever various and…
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Stony Island (the movie) returns to Chicago!
from siskelfilmcenter.org: STONY ISLAND (aka MY MAIN MAN FROM STONY ISLAND) 1978, Andrew Davis, USA, 97 min. With Richard Davis, Edward Stoney Robinson At the Siskel Center, 164 North State Street, Chicago Wednesday April 4th (8pm-9:30pm), Thursday April 5th (8:15pm-9:45pm) “Stony Island has been the birthplace of great American music and amazing musical talent, nurturing…
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Chicago Poet Avery R. Young’s photo-commentary on the Trayvon Martin tragedy.
Avery R. Young is a local poet, activist, and educator (and I am lucky enough to count him as a friend, too). He champions unconventional showcases for his work, including facebook and taped up on doors (see below). Jive on. more on avery. more on trayvon.
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It’s that Time Again! The weather is fine… come on out and celebrate!
Groove Conspiracy (me and Simeon Viltz) spinning at Morseland tomorrow night! All the good stuff I feature on Darkjive plus lots of new acquisitions, all spun on vinyl (I’ll be spinning with all 45s). Celebrate Chicago’s legacy of righteous music… and dance, too.. The Nitty Gritty: Groove Conspiracy 1218 West Morse Chicago 10pm till 1:30pm…
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