RSVP Now for a Free Networking Event with Negocios Now at Cafe Iberico
June 21: Make Music Chicago, Thai Fest, Ian Maskin and Las Guitarras de España
Summer Solstice, the official start of summer in the Northern hemisphere, is June 21st and marks the start of my favorite season in Chicago as well as the beginning of a very busy cultural agenda. There are so many activities going that it could get overwhelming! I will try to feed you bits of it at each post so you can keep up with them. These are my picks for June 21st.
Thai Fest (June 19-21). Discover a glimpse of Thailand right in the heart of Chicago. Once a year, you can indulge yourself with mouth-watering hot and spicy authentic Thai food, Thai traditional dance and classical music, exciting Muay Thai, pampering Thai traditional massage, soothing oriental fragrance of Thai orchid, refreshing Thai coconut juice and a blow-away-your mind Thai fashion show.
11am-6pm Free admission.
Federal Plaza Square, 219 S. Dearborn, (Adams St. and Dearborn St.) Chicago. Click here for the festival’s schedule.
Make Music Chicago (June 21st): This is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21st, like its international French counterpart Fête de la Musique (also known as World Music Day) that happens around the world. Throughout the day, people of all ages and from all backgrounds – beginners, amateurs, professionals, and marquee artists – gather in Chicago’s public spaces to make music of all genres. Click here for this year’s schedule.
Cello and flamenco with Ian Maskin, las Guitarras de España and Wendy Clinard(June 21st): Flamenco dancer Wendy Clinard and Russian-born/Chicago-based cellist Ian Maksin will join Las Guitarras de Espana for an evening of flamenco, world music, Spanish folk and classical music at City Winery. Click here for more information.
Iris devoilée (June 21st): Eastern and Western musical traditions entwine in the Chicago premiere of the sensuous Iris devoilée by Chinese composer Qiqang Chen. This show is part of the Grant Park Music Fest. Click here for more information.
June 19: Free Pink Martini Concert at Grant Park Music Festival
Will you be in the Loop this Wednesday? If you will, then I highly recommend going to Millennium Park for a treat. The internationally acclaimed Pink Martini will perform with Carlos Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra, bringing their unique blend of classical, jazz, and pop sounds to the stage. I saw Pink Martini perform a few years ago and the easy-going, happy feeling of their multilingual world music still lingers in me when I remember that show. “All of us in Pink Martini have studied different languages as well as different styles of music from different parts of the world,” says Thomas Lauderdale, the band’s founder and artistic director. “So inevitably, our repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you’re in a French music hall of the 1930s or a palazzo in Napoli. It’s a bit like an urban musical travelogue. We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad … and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America … the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world … composed of people of every country, everything language, every religion.”
This concert is part of the ongoing Grant Park Music Festival, a free summer classical concert series featuring the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. The festival is the only free, outdoor classical music series of its kind in the country. Click here for more information about the festival and future concerts. Here is the scoop for Pink Martini’s concert:
WHEN
Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 6:30pm
Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 11:00am – 1:30pm
WHERE
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
WHO
Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Pink Martini
WHAT
Music by Pink Martini
Looking for a job? Then read this post
I know this is kind off topic, but some of you may be looking for a job in Chicago, so I want to pass along this information about an interesting job opening. Send me an email to chiurbanite@gmail.com with your resume if you want to apply for a Business Communications Consultant position. Click here for all the details about the position. Good luck!
June 10: Flamenco-Balkan-Persian concert with Karpah and Bad Mashadi
Bad Mashadi, Karpah and DJ Armin are playing together from Persian and Balkan music to French/Latin Flamenco and Iranian house music this Monday June 10. This is what the musicians are saying about this show:
The world is not ending just yet, but it is getting harder to travel and avoid the x-ray machines and border dogs. Join the Coup D’etat Al-Bohème on June 10 and dance your fears away. Musicians from Poland, Iran, Mexico, France, America and Argentina will play and play and play…
Karpah, a Chicago-based Flamenco fusion band, effortlessly blends together the heritage and musical influences of each band member’s culture. Hailing from Argentina, France, and Mexico, this instrumental power trio showcases compositions that incorporate Rumba Flamenca, Tango Flamenco, Eastern European rhythms, Funk and Rock.
Bad Mashadi is a contemporary fusion of Persian and Balkan music that also incorporates electronic elements. The band’s project and vision is to constantly change and blend the music of the Middle East and beyond to create an original sound signature. Bad Mashadi is the story teller in a globalized world of cultural conflicts and contrasts.
DJ Armin is a recent immigrant from Iran where he had been involved in the house music scene in Tehran’s underground venues. Often accompanied by a live percussionist, his unique collection includes remixes of Middle Eastern folk and pop music.
Cover: $10
Venue: The Burlington (3425 W Fullerton Ave Chicago)
This weekend: Flamenco “Quejios” with Chiara Mangiameli
Directed and created by Chiara Mangiameli, whom the Chicago Tribune hailed as a “formidable flamenco dancer” for her work alongside Rick Bayless in the 2012 Lookingglass Theater production of Cascabel, “Quejios – Cries In The Air” is inspired by the emotional range and power of the flamenco voice.
Showcasing the traditional songs and dances of Andalusia thread together by original poetry from Madrid-based writer Luis Lorente and soundscapes designed by Static Studios, the show will take audiences on a journey from the joy and sensuality of a “cantinas” to the sorrowful, unrelenting rhythm of a “seguiriya” all the while showcasing the talents of student dancers, from the novice to the most advanced, alongside Chiara Mangiameli performing her new solo work. Featuring some of Chicago’s best flamenco and world music musicians, this year will also add guest singer and Seville native Alfonso Cid to the line-up. Other performers will include Carlo Basile and Diego Alonso on guitars and Bob Garrett on percussion.
Performances will take place at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N Noble Street in Chicago, on May 31st and June 1st at 8pm. A June 2nd performance at 5pm will be followed by a show discussion and meet and greet with the artists. Tickets are $25 and $15 for children ages12 and under.
This Saturday: 80s and 90s Party of the Americas!
Brace yourself, because I will take you on a trip down memory lane! Come prepared to sing and dance to popular music from the 80s, 90s and beyond.
We will mix and celebrate musical genres, time periods, and languages from all of the Americas.
Se vale todo/anything goes as long as it is popular and danceable!
Our DJ is open to special requests, so if you have any song you want to hear that evening, just post it here and we will pass it along to add it to the playlist.
Saturday May 4, 2013
10pm- 2am
NO COVER
Little Bucharest Bistro
3661 N Elston Chicago IL 60618
==THIS IS A COSTUME-OPTIONAL PARTY==
We welcome party-goers who want to wear costumes of famous singers and fashion of the era. BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN DOING IT! 🙂
RSVP on Chicago Urbanite’s Facebook page.
Tonight: Puerto Rican Bombazo with Africaribe!
Come for some awesome Puerto Rican art, food and music at this fundraiser benefiting Africaribe, a non-for-profit organization that is dedicated to the preservation of , research, promotion and development of the Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures through, music, dance, theatre and other artisitic mediums. Then stay to enjoy their Monthly Bombazo that will be kicked off by the B-girls of Dirty Sneakers Crew & AfriCaribe.
For those of you who follow this blog, Africaribe was the organization who helped us with the Afro-Peruvian dance flash mob initiative from last year. They also participated in our Afro-Latino drum circle last January. I had the pleasure to interview Africaribe for CAN TV a few months ago. Here is an excerpt of that tv show:
I hope you can come and support this great organization that supports not only Puerto Rican culture in Chicago, but also cultural initiatives from other countries. Tonight for example, in addition to Bomba, they will have Hip Hop, R&B, Rumba, Salve, Salsa, and Belly Dance!
Art exhibit, and Performances go from 6pm and on and the AfriCaribe Bombazo at 8pm. Family, Community, Musician and Artist Friendly! Come and enjoy what their beautiful community has to offer!
6pm – Art Exhibit
6:00 to 8pm – Performances
8pm – BombazoArtists & Performers:
Between Rags & Dolls
Maino Art
Pinqy Ring
OLAS Dance
ASPIRA Club
Eduardo Arocho
Primitivo Cruz
Anissa Vega
Laura Magdalena
Laura Dances
Mary Alduen
Robert Carani Photography
Fotos by Koko
Grupo Cedifé
B-girls of Dirty Sneakers Crew and more……$5.00+ suggested donation
Food, Sweets and Drinks for sale
6:00 to 8pm – Performances
8pm – BombazoArtists & Performers:
Between Rags & Dolls
Maino Art
Pinqy Ring
OLAS Dance
ASPIRA Club
Eduardo Arocho
Primitivo Cruz
Anissa Vega
Laura Magdalena
Laura Dances
Mary Alduen
Robert Carani Photography
Fotos by Koko
Grupo Cedifé
B-girls of Dirty Sneakers Crew and more……$5.00+ suggested donation
Food, Sweets and Drinks for sale
Location:
AfriCaribe Cultural Center – 2547 W. Division – Paseo Boricua
https://www.facebook.com/Africaribe?ref=hl
Africaribe thanks you in advance for your support!
Africaribe thanks you in advance for your support!
Learn to dance Zouk for free!
Zouk (pronounced “Zuke”) is a partner style coming from the Latin category but has become the first structured partner dance to incorporate significant elements of jazz and contemporary movement. It is presented at world music and dance festivals, but for the most part it is performed in nightclubs. Dance comes in two speeds with separate choreography (below are 2 videos showing different styles. There are others as well). This dance is extremely popular in Europe, South America, parts of Asia and Africa and it is slowly growing on the east and west coasts of the U.S.
Music utilized is sensual (light or heavy) French Caribbean Zouk and Portuguese Cape Verdean Zouk with a little Flamenco-Rumba and a few other anglo songs with a similar beat (the videos shown at bottom of this post are performance oriented and do not represent those musical styles; they are representative).
My friend Randy Nufer, an avid promoter of Zouk dance in Chicago, is looking for a female dance partner for performances and class instruction.
This is not a salaried position. However, once training is complete, performance, instructional and other small business opportunities can be realized. It is an opportunity to help build a community in Chicago and make a name for oneself.
Complete training included as part of the deal at NO CHARGE. If there is enough interest, it is possible that more than one female can be trained. Rehearsal studio is located in West DePaul/Lincoln Park.
Desired qualifications / time requirements:
Someone who is dedicated and dependable (meeting 2x times per weekday evenings and weekend afternoons if necessary for training and practice. Availability for performances and or instruction once a recurring event is launched.
Ethnicity unimportant
Some classical training – Contemporary/Jazz/Ballet
Will need to have fairly flexible back
Free flowing hair. It doesn’t have to be as long as shown in the videos below. It can be medium length. But it needs to move to create an effect. If one has long coarse hair, braids are a good solution.
Someone who can breathe life into the dance and enjoys experimenting with new movement and choreography.
Light acrobatics may be employed. TBD.
Please send short description of your dance background to zoukdancers@yahoo.com or whatever other material you would like to share. Looking to train soon!
Have questions about the dance? Ask another female Zouk dancer from Chicago: Katherine M. at kmetres@yahoo.com or 773-969-0140 .
Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITRCYkFMqfk
Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KNhi7eVQg0
Music: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsre7n_fanny-j-sa-ke-ay-yourzouktv_music?search_algo=2#.UXNA9KJg-mA
Music: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe9j9q_darius-denon-mes-larmes_music?search_algo=2#.UXaq-KLUemA
RECOMMENDED FOR FEBRUARY
Snow finally arrived! I hope the cold weather does not stop you from checking some cool events going on in Chicago. Here are my suggestions:
Feb 7: I will be moderating the fist panel discussion for “The Art of Business: Making a Living from your Music” series. The Chicago Sinfonietta is proud to present a monthly Thursday evening discussion series offering insight from industry professionals to continue to nourish a vibrant music community in Chicago and provide an overview on the different aspects of the profession. Each panel discussion will be followed by Q&A and networking. Join this conversation to tackle a wide range of topics from playing for exposure, credit and recognition, income sources and opportunities, financial transparency, negotiating and more! This a FREE event. RSVP here
Feb 8: Tibetan and Modern Dance show in the spiritual pursuit of tranquility, balance, and happiness at Athenaeum Theatre. Click here for more information.
Feb 9: I will be celebrating Carnival with my band Nu Bambu at the Latin Street Dance Academy. Click here for more information.
Feb 12-17: Make plans to see some great Chicago theater productions during Chicago. Click here for more information.
Feb 14: On V-Day Chicago is joining One Billion Rising; walk out, dance and rise up against gender-based violence!http://chicagourbanite.net/2013/02/09/join-a-dance-flashmob-in-chicago-on-valentines-day/
Feb 16-17 FREE workshop to create papier mache alebrijes (Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures)http://ow.ly/hzzY2
Ongoing: The LunchBreak Series in the Randolph Café of the Chicago Cultural Center has taken off! Wired Fridays is a series of LunchBreak concerts featuring DJs and electronic music. From ambient to dance, the world of DJs and soundscape artists will be uncovered each Friday through May. The LunchBreak Series will continue to feature music of all genres on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information visit www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
Feb 22: Sound Culture is presenting From the Arctic to the Middle East (Broken Narratives by an American Flamenco Dancer) by Wendy Clinard at Mayne Stage on Friday, Feb. 22 at 8PM. Click here for more information
Chicago Urbanite 