If you have been living in Chicago for a while, you have probably noticed that the city has a significant number of people of Greek descent living here. In fact, Chicago currently has the third largest Greek population of any city in the world. No wonder there are so many Greek festivals going on during the summer. I would highly recommend going to any of these festivals if you want to experience a little bit of Greek culture without leaving Chicago. Personally, my favorite thing about these festivals is the opportunity to participate in the circle dances that spontaneously erupt during the live music shows. It is definitely a lot of fun! Something to keep in mind is that if you are planning on eating at these events, then you should arrive early because it gets quite crowded after 6 pm and some fests have run out of food in the past. I have attended the following two festivals and have had a great time in both of them:
July 20-22 : Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church & Greek Festival
Who knew I was going to enjoy cycling in the city so much? How did this happen? Well, my friend Ezra, an expert in fixing and customizing bikes, recently got me this beauty of a bike:
It is a 1970s Schwinn Le Tour Tourist . This beauty is just what I needed: It is light so I can easily lift it, with curvy handles so I don’t have to lean too much when riding, and it has a nice and comfy seat. I have been using this little bike as much as I can since I got it and I am having so much fun. I feel so free when I am riding it : I enjoy the sensation of the warm summer breeze caressing my face, the sound of the birds chirping, and the sight of the scenery around me. I know, it sounds cheesy, but I feel so much more relaxed when I bike than when I drive that I am now trying to go everywhere on it! So far, I have used it to go to Pitchfork Fest and to Montrose Beach this weekend and it has been a blessing. No more wasting time looking for parking or dealing with traffic! (I deliberately choose the quietest routes). What’s more, everybody has been cordial and yields at the sight of my bike (!). I guess they are aware of the laws that protect cyclists’ safety in this city. The bike lanes located on main roads also help make the experience safer and enjoyable. My favorite bike route so far is the Lakefront Trail and I cannot wait to explore the rest of the city’s trails!
Because of this bike fever that I have, I am discovering interesting facts about biking in this city. For example, did you know that Chicago has been distinguished as one of the premier cycling locations in the United States? In fact, according to Matador Network, a travel website, Chicago is one of the 15 world’s most bike-friendly cities. If you want to find out why, then visit the City of Chicago website to get facts and information about biking in this city.
Anyway, I hope my experience entice you to start biking more often. It is not only good for the environment, but it is also good for your soul, your body, and your pocket. In fact, why not try to bike to SummerDance Fest for its opening show at Grant Park tonight? For those of you unfamiliar with this festival, it is the largest annual outdoor dancing series in the United States,and one of my favorites festivals of the summer. The series offers free, introductory one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors followed by music and dancing. The diverse musical lineup showcases dance styles from all corners of the globe.
However, if you need to get a bike or fix/customize the one you already have, then send a message to my buddy Ezra and mention that you saw his information on Chicago Urbanite to get a discount for being my follower. He does a superb job!
Oh! One last thing: I am new to this biking thing. So please feel free to leave any recommendations in the comments section for this post. Thanks!
The living legend of Peruvian Rock, MIKI GONZALEZ, is performing TOMORROW for the first time ever in Chicago! He will perform at an event that celebrates the Independence Day of Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela featuring music and dances from these countries. GUEST ARTISTS
DJ Diego Omar
Tango Che Chicago Dance Group
Estampa Colombiana Folkloric Company
SPECIAL OFFER
Bring your ticket stub or online receipt into 4 Suyos Peruvian Restaurant (2727 W Fullerton Ave Chicago) for a FREE APPETIZER with the purchase of any entree — all July!!
WHEN:
Thursday July 12 8PM(doors open at 7pm)
WHERE:
Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N Kedzie Blvd Chicago, IL 60647). Free parking behind the venue (Banco Popular lot)
COST:
$25 in advance and $30 at the door (CASH ONLY)
WATCH VIDEOS OF THIS ARTIST AND BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Let’s celebrate the Independence Day of Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela in July! Our next Global Village party will make you dance South American style with contemporary music from these countries. And for this special occasion, we will also have a special live performance. For the first time ever, the prominent Hispano-Peruvian musician Miki Gonzalez will perform in Chicago. His career spans over 30 years of rock, pop, and electronic music. Throughout his successful musical career, Miki became famous for being the pioneer in mixing rock with traditional Afro-Peruvian and Andean rhythms. An excellent guitarist and showman, his live gigs are astounding and show the vibrant colors of Peruvian culture.
WHEN: Thursday July 12 (doors open at 7, live music starts at 8)
BETWEEN PERUVIAN CAFE AND LOUNGE (1324 N. Milwaukee Ave Chicago)
CUATRO SUYOS RESTAURANT (2727 W Fullerton Ave Chicago)
AY AY PICANTE RESTAURANT (4569 N Elston Ave Chicago)
PERUVIAN CORNER MARKET (3057 N Kimball Chicago)
RIOS D’SUDAMERICA RESTAURANT (2010 W Armitage Chicago)
Watch videos of Miki’s music here:
MIKI GONZALEZ BIO:
Miki Gonzalez is one of Peru’s main rock and all around music artists. For over three decades he has been producing music that has been revolutionary and innovative. His first three records, Puedes ser tú (1985), Tantas veces (1987) and Nunca les creí (1989), were recorded during the rock and español boom of the 1980s. His big hits during this time included, “Dimelo, dimelo”, “Tantas veces”, “Lola” and Vamos a Tocache”.
His next phase, a world music period, started with the fusion record Akundun (1992), a record that mixed afro peruvian beats and style with rock music. This record includes the mega hit “Akundun” and “A gozar sabroso”. His next record, the self-titled Miki Gonzalez (1985) combined Andean rhythms with his pop sensibilities, a good example is the hit “Hoja Verde”. His next record was his long time desired to record a blues record, which he called González blues (1996) . This period ened with the record Mikongo y su cachanga (1998), a record that should have been his door opener to the world music scene, sadly it was badly promoted inside and outside of Peru.
After a long period of silence, he returned to music making, with the 2004 Café Inkaterra, a record that show that his music career was not over. A chill-out record, that combined electronica with typical Andean Instruments like charangos, quenas and zampoñas. Over the next couple of years he has continued to release more records in what he has coined “Etnotonics” style of music.
His last record, Landó por bulerías (2009), mixes afro Peruvian beats with flamenco music. This record continues to show his unwillingness to compromise with the fashions of the day.
PRESS RELEASE IN SPANISH
MIKI GONZALEZ
GRANDES EXITOS
USA TOUR 2012
MIKI SE PREPARA PARA REALIZAR UNA EXTENSA GIRA POR LAS CIUDADES
MAS IMPORTANTES DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
TOCANDO TODOS SUS CLASICOS EN FORMA DE ROCK
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MIKI GONZALEZ; El musico que inicio y lidero la escena de rock local durante mas de 20 anios en Peru se alista para presentar una gira por las ciudades mas importantes de los Estados Unidos.
Esta gira presenta el Show de Miki en su formato original de rock. Sera un repaso por los primeros discos de su carrera. Con exitos como Dimelo Dimelo, Vamos a Tocache, Tantas Veces, Ponte tu Vestido, Un Poquito de Carino, Puedes ser tu, Lola. El show tambien incluira temas afroperuanos lanzados en sus discos de los anios 90. Esta seccion incluye exitos como Akundun, Liberaron a Mandela, La Pequenia, A Gozar Sabrozo.
El formato de la banda es un quinteto de rock.
Eduardo Freire (bajo y coros). Musico que acompanio a Miki desde el inicio de su carrera.
Guillermo Vallejos (Bateria).
David Haddad (Percusion)
Christian Molina (Guitarra y coros)
El aporte de Miki a la musica peruana no ha sido solo a traves de sus canciones. Sus estudios en Berklee College of Music y su contacto con los escenarios durante su estadia en los EEUU a finales de los anios 70 le dieron una clara vision de lo que significaba manejar y producir una banda a nivel profesional. Es de esta manera que la banda de Miki ha manejado los mas altos estandares tecnicos y artisticos desde sus inicios. Trabajar con Miki siempre ha sido sinonimo de profesionalismo. Su banda ha sido cuna de musicos que han logrado carreras muy importantes. Musicos como Wicho Garcia y Manolo Barrios (Mar de Copas), Pelo Madueno (La Liga del Suenio) y muchos mas han desarrollado sus carreras en base a lo aprendido durante su estadia en la banda de Miki Gonzalez. En los anios 80 Miki grababa sus discos en el famoso estudio Panda en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Contando con el apoyo y participacion de musicos como Charly Garcia, Andres Calamaro, Daniel Melingo, Cachorro Lopez, Sebastian Schon.
This Global Village Party will be an event you don’t want to miss!
Come experience the cultural diversity that exists around the world! Learn new traditions and meet new people.
In the month of June, we will pay tribute to the second biggest festivity in South America after Rio’s carnival: The Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun). This was the biggest religious festivity of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti. It is still celebrated annually in the Andes, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.
FEATURING:
9pm: Cuatro Suyos Restaurant will provide Peruvian food .
10pm :Carmen Edith Freeze, Director of Pachacamak Folk Dance Group, will teach a class of Andean/Ecuadorian Folk Dance followed by Pachacamak dancers performance.
10:30pm Chicago Urban Fusion band Nu Bambu will play their danceable Rumba-Reggae music. The band members are from France, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Peru. Their music is multilingual, street-smart and cutting-edge lyrics with a twist that fuse together different styles.
BUT wait…there’s MORE! Get ready for an EPIC DANCE PARTY that will be held later in the evening!
DRINKS SPECIALS:
$4 Jack and Coke, $4 Smirnoff and Sodas, $5 Absolut Cocktails
$5 Jager Bomb, $3 Beer Specials, $5 Crown Royal and Coke
Media Coverage by One Bedroom Productions.
WHEN: Saturday June 2nd 9pm-LATE
WHERE: SILVIE’S LOUNGE (1902 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613)
COVER (cash only): $7 (students with ID:$5)
So come join us on this night for…
• Good dance and music!
• Cultural awareness!
• Free food!
• And most importantly a RAGING night!!
Looking for a place to dance to original and contagious music? Then come see us perform tonight at The Abbey Pub (3420 W Grace Chicago). NUBAMBU is a Chicago Urban Fusion band whose sounds are as diverse as its cross-cultural musicians. We will get you to dance with our unique and highly contagious danceable Latin-Reggae rhythms. Our influences range from all different corners of the world and blend together in an original Chicago style urban fusion sound. The band members are from France, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Peru. Our music is multilingual, street-smart, and has cutting-edge lyrics with a twist that fuse together different styles. Doors open at 8pm ad shows starts at 11pm. $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Buy your tickets here. Click here for more information about the band and the other bands playing at this event.
Is it possible to combine the intricate presentational aspects of flamenco in a vital contemporary context? Wendy Clinard attempts to do that in her latest multimedia show. Clinard Dance Theatre is proud to present From the Arctic to the Middle East (Broken Narratives by an American Flamenco Dancer) tonight at 8:00 p.m., and tomorrow April 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Links Hall 3435 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 207, Chicago, IL 60657.
Artistic Director Wendy Clinard leads you on a journey inspired by travels with her daughter to Syria while reading the Arctic travel epic, Kaloona. The work fuses connections between the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the physical, and those between the essences of struggle and celebration. Clinard questions the forces that shape human history and interdependence. From the Arctic to the Middle East (Broken Narratives by an American Flamenco Dancer) uses the timeless tools of story, song, music, and dance to provide an odyssey and a sense of transcendence which gives the feeling that the journey has just begun.
I recently met Wendy at her dance studio in Pilsen for a conversation about this show. Wendy is a thoughtful, passionate and enthusiastic artist from Chicago that I had the pleasure to know as a flamenco teacher. As her student, I learned that in Flamenco it is vital to be yourself. This is something she learned herself from her teachers in Spain. As an American learning Flamenco, she was encouraged to embrace her own identity and be genuine. Flamenco is about self-expression, and about taking a body of knowledge and work it with your life experience. It is about including people rather than excluding them. In fact, the roots of flamenco come from people from different cultures that were in itinerary camps exchanging ideas and needing to express their hardships. Likewise, ideas are now being exchanged rapidly at a global level; however, when we are exposed to cultural differences, we often get defensive and we try to impose our own worldviews on them. Wendy states that instead of having an attitude of separation, we should see these differences with a sense of curiosity. To her, exposure to Flamenco allowed her to see difference and diversity in this light.
She became interested in Flamenco when, as a painter living in NYC, she tried to sketch a flamenco dance class. The drawings she produced were meek compared to the feelings she had while looking at the dancers perform. She thought that by experiencing the movement of flamenco in her own body she would be able to better capture the feelings she experienced. She started taking flamenco lessons in pursuit of being a better painter. She never ever thought of becoming a dancer. It was not something planned, it was just a path that opened to her and she followed it. Painting to her was introspective, but with dancing she started to work on lifting and and grounding herself. Unlike painting, which is very loose and free, dancing has rules to follow. Having rules to express yourself and to grow was very satisfying to her. She became immersed in the Flamenco dance world, and people started introducing her as a Flamenco dancer without her being aware of this new identity.
To Wendy, Flamenco is a dance form that welcomes a true seeker and that requires discipline, humility and love. And she dances for love. Flamenco is an activity that is deeply connected to her personal life and this is expressed in her work. For example, “ From the Arctic to the Middle East” is inspired by her daughter Sophie. The idea for this piece grew from a personal reflection during a trip they took to Syria and contemplating Sophie’s adaptation to a different environment. During that time, she was reading the Arctic travel epic Kaloona. Wendy started collecting picture files of personal events happening during this trip and quotes from the book that were inspiring to her. She started connecting the dots between them, and discovered a common theme. She found that what started as something very anecdotal became something universal. Her motif for this piece is to pull back from our usual way of seeing common things and to look at them from a different perspective. Through a combination of dancing, and hearing sounds, music, and text , she attempts to offer an opening to people to shift perspectives. The piece talks about biology, psychology, spirituality, and individual growth. Wendy is looking for a dialogue with her audience and for intimacy to occur together. She also hopes that the piece inspire people to have the courage to express and be themselves. She wants people to connect through her work, to reconsider, pause, and feel that it is okay to be who you are and talk about life in different ways. The gift she wants to give through her work as an artist and as a teacher is to allow people to be themselves, to connect, and to create dialogue. If you want to find more information about Wendy, her current production, and her classes, visit her website at http://clinardance.org/wordpress/
The city of Chicago is canceling the international music series “Music Without Borders” that is held every summer in Millennium Park. This great world music series offers a unique cultural experience and a summer highlight for many because it exposes thousands of Chicagoans and visitors to wonderful music and cultures from around the world. Discontinuing the program would represent a huge loss for Chicago and a setback for the goal of being known as a city that has the very best in arts, creativity, and innovation.
Chicagoans need this kind of programming to foster Chicago’s reputation as a global cultural destination and as a city that promotes inclusion and appreciation for cultural diversity. The “Music Without Borders” series brings people from diverse ethnic populations and ages together to joyfully celebrate and learn about the beauty of cultural diversity.
These concerts also encourage pride in the city, as well as intercultural integration. In the city of Chicago, which was recently cited as being the most segregated city in the nation , “Music Without Borders” provides a space for interaction between different cultural groups in the public sphere and encourages a positive attitude towards diversity and integration. Watch the video below to understand the spirit that the Music Without Borders created and the love for Chicago that it infused in people attending these concerts:
It would be great to have some of our tax dollars dedicated to support international music programs that promote inclusion and intercultural integration. Music Without Bordersgives Chicago a visibility as a world-class destination, bringing visitors to the city, benefiting business, and helping achieve Mayor Emmanuel’s goal of getting 50 million visitors by 2020. We hope the city of Chicago considers reinstating Music Without Borders to strengthen Chicago’s reputation as a global cultural destination.
I started a petition to get Music Without Borders reinstated. If you are interested in supporting this cause, please click here to sign the petition , share this post, and leave a comment here.
One of the most exciting up and coming city blogs – Chicago Urbanite – celebrates 1 year in the traditional Chicago style with music, dance, food and fun. And to top it all off, Chicago Latino TV will be covering the event, so be ready to smile for the camera!
Join us in positiveness tonight, Saturday March 24 starting at 9pm, so we can finally meet each other and form a stronger community bond.
YAASHA ABRAHAM, who will do a demonstration of Brazilian and Ethiopian dance. She is the Director of Education & Youth Outreach, Choreographer, and Artist Coordinator for Passistas Dance Group, named the best Brazilian dance group by Chicago’s Brazilian community.
KID JUNGLE, the artistic director of the urban dance troupe, “Thee Authentic Fewsion” or “T.A.F”. He will be doing a demonstration of hip hop/breakdance. Jungle spreads the knowledge and education of positive Hip Hop culture as well as other cultures through workshops and performances. He and his dance crew were chosen to represent the city of Chicago at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo
POPPIN’ CHUCK, who will do a demonstration of Poppin’ and Lockin’. He is an instructor, choreographer, and performer for Thee Authentic Fewsion.
11 PM
Live music by:
NUBAMBU, a Chicago Urban Fusion band whose sounds are as diverse as its cross-cultural musicians. They will get us to dance with their unique and highly contagious danceable Latin-Reggae rhythms. Their influences range from all different corners of the world and blend together in an original Chicago style urban fusion sound. The band members are from France, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Peru. Their music is multilingual, street-smart and cutting-edge lyrics with a twist that fuse together different styles. Get a taste of Nubambu on our YouTube commercial here
SUGGESTED DONATION to keep the vibe going and more events to come: $5
LOCATION:
SILVIE’S LOUNGE
1902 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
Silvie’s Lounge is conveniently located one block away from the Irving Park Brown Line Stop
DRINK SPECIALS:Jack and Coke $4, Smirnoff and Soda $4, Lemon Drops $4, Yeager Bombs $5, Beer Specials $3.
If you live in Chicago, you know that St Patrick’s Day is an important holiday here thanks to the big concentration of people of Irish-descent living in the city. It does not matter where you are from, everybody feels Irish on that day! If you need ideas on how to celebrate, then let me suggest the following activities:
Enjoy the Lights and Sounds of St Patrick’s Day on LightScape with the Trinity Irish Dancers
Friday, March 16, 11 am – 12 Noon
State Street between Lake and Van Buren
Enjoy lunchtime dancer performances along State Street as the Chicago Loop Alliance’s Lightscape celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish soundtrack all month.
Dyeing the River Green – 10:00 am – March 17, 2012
Turning the Chicago river green has been unique to Chicago for the past 43 years. Most people did not know that this is a privately funded operation, which gets more expensive each year. In 2012, the plumbers union will be turning the river green on Saturday March 17, starting at 10:30 A.M.! This year they will be east of Wabash Ave, and west of Columbus Dr. The dyeing operation can be best viewed from the East side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.Do you want to know the history behind dyeing the Chicago river green? Then click here
Chicago Official 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17 at noon
The free 57th annual St Patrick’s Day parade takes place at 12:00 noon, Saturday March 17, 2012, which begins at Balbo and Columbus Dr. and follows Columbus to Monroe St. The Parade begins at noon on Saturday, March 17th. Head to the Buckingham Fountain Viewing Stand to see floats, bands, bagpipers, dancers and this year’s Irish Queen and her court.The parade is held on Saturday, the actual calendar date of Saint Patrick’s Day and takes place at 300 E Balbo Dr.
St Patrick’s Festival Saturday, March 17 at 1 pm
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.
The Irish American Heritage Center celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a full day of festivities, including appearances by the Shannon Rovers, Trinity School of Dance, and more!
St. Patrick’s Day After party Sunday, March 18 at 10:30 am
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.
Live music, step dancing, face painting, and other festive entertainment follows morning mass and a full Irish breakfast at the Irish American Heritage Center.
Chicago Urbanite 