darkjive.com

  • About
  • Lack versus Fat. (my philosophy)
  • On the Radio.
  • Chicago Cultural History
  • Visual Art
  • Arts & Culture
  • Music
  • Film and Television
  • Printed Matters
  • Photography
  • Chicago Jazz
  • Chicago Blues
  • Chicago Soul
  • Chess Records
  • Charles Stepney
  • Chicago 1968
  • Chicago Arts & Culture Beat 2009-2015
  • Ebony/Jet
  • PUSH Expo
  • 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…

    May 10, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    the Freshness
    21st Century: Tricks are made for kids.
  • 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…

    May 2, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    the Freshness
    Ayana Contreras, Chicago, curtis mayfield, Dorchester Projects, Jerry Butler, Mercury Records, The Impressions, vocalo.org
  • 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!

    April 30, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Arts & Culture, the Freshness
    Ayana Contreras, Chicago Public Radio, radio, vocalo.org
  • 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…

    April 18, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Local Chicago Music, Music, the Freshness
    Chicago, donald & the delighters, Elephant Walk, South Side Chicago
  • 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…

    April 12, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Art, Arts & Culture
    Art exhibition, Piñata, Sculpture, version fest
  • Early Warning: David Boykin Expanse, DJ Ayana, and the Photography of Wilbur Holmes

    Surplus of Options presents another night of sounds and sights. HEAR: David Boykin’s Expanse David Boykin (reeds, v) Jim Baker (p) Josh Abrams (b) Marcus Evans (d) & DJ Ayana Contreras laying down solid tracks throughout the night. SEE: The found photography of Wilbur P. Holmes. These are the personal works of an artist who…

    April 5, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Arts & Culture, Jive Culture, Photography
    Ayana, Chicago, david boykin, Expanse David Boykin, Josh Abrams, Marcus Evans, surplus of options
  • 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…

    April 3, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Arts & Culture, Chicago Cultural History, Events, Film and Television
    Andrew Davis, Arts & Culture, Chicago, Chicago Cultural History, Gene Barge, movies shot in chicago, Stony Island, Susanna Hoffs
    Stony Island (the movie) returns to Chicago!
  • 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.

    March 21, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Arts & Culture, Commentary, the Freshness
    Avery R. Young, commentary, poetry, trayvon martin
  • Black Picket Fences.

    In Chicago, neat rows of distinctive bungalows line the streets in many neighborhoods (known collectively as the Bungalow Belt). Many of these homes were built in approximately the 1910s and 1920s. On the Southside, a good number of these homes have been suffering a disturbing fate: as longtime owners age, their children have been selling/losing…

    March 21, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    Book Reviews, Chicago Cultural History, Commentary, Lack Versus Fat, Reviews
    black middle class, black picket fences, bungalow belt, Chicago, housing, mary pattillo-mccoy, Social mobility, Urban area
  • 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…

    March 14, 2012

    ayanacontreras

    the Freshness
«Previous Page Next Page»

darkjive.com

Tumblr / Instagram / Email

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
 

Loading Comments...
 

    • Subscribe Subscribed
      • darkjive.com
      • Join 63 other subscribers
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • darkjive.com
      • Subscribe Subscribed
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar