Tonight: Bachaco is in Chicago! World-class fusion of Reggae, Dancehall and Cumbia with Ska and Hip-Hop. http://ow.ly/5BlKt
Don’t Miss Chicago Folk and Roots Festival This Weekend
Summer is now in full swing in Chicago and there are many world music and dance activities going on in the city. My pick for this weekend is the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival. This festival is a two-day celebration organized by the Old Town School of Folk Music, an institution committed to teach and celebrate music and cultural expressions rooted in the tradition of diverse American and global communities. The festival attracts 30,000 people for a spectacular array of music and dance performances from around the world. The festival also offers dance workshops, children’s activities, food, drink, and retail vendors. This year, I will have the pleasure to participate in this great celebration as a dancer with Peruvian Folk Dance Center. If you are interested in seeing this performance, come by 3:30 pm today. There is a $10 donation to get in the festival ($5 for seniors, 65 and over, and $5 for kids). For more information about other performances and dance workshops, go to http://www.chicagofolkandroots.org/. Hope to see you there!
Chicago World Music Events for the weekend of June 17-19
Hello there!
Here is your world music itinerary for this weekend in Chicago. Click on the links below or on the calendar link in the right column of this page for more information. I hope you can attend one or more of these events. And if you do, please share your comments/pics/videos with me. I would love to hear about your experiences exploring the city. Thanks!
June 17:
Los Vicios de Papa and Middle Eastern Musicians at a Celebration of Freedom
Rudresh Mahanthappa & The Indo-Pak Coalition
LA NOCHE: live afro-latin music and dance
Greek Night with Sounds of Greece
June 18:
Puerto Rican Parade in downtown Chicago
Peace and healing arts festival
Afro-Peruvian music and dance at Kurrulao-Afro Culture Festival: Peruvian Folk Dance Center will perform Afro-Peruvian music and Dance at this festival at 4pm. There will also be dance performances from other countries. Here is the schedule:
Rudresh Mahanthappa & The Indo-Pak Coalition
June 19:
Rudresh Mahanthappa & The Indo-Pak Coalition
World Music & Dance Agenda for Tonight
Hello Urbanites!
Tonight we have many good world music options to explore in Chicago. These are:
Music Without Borders – Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices featuring Hakim + Alim Qasimov Ensemble
Ensemble Espanol’s Duende Flamenco Music and Dance Concerts,
Colombia Vive Chicago 10th Anniversary and 3rd Annual Fundraiser, and
Las BomPleneras Debut @ Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueñas Chicago.
Click on the Calendar link on the right column of this page for further information.
Happy world music adventures!
This weekend: Chicago’s Blues Festival and more
The Chicago Blues Festival and CUBE: Chicago Underground Blues Experience
The Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in the world and the largest of Chicago’s Music Festivals is in full swing right now. The local Blues dance community is organizing an event called CUBE: Chicago Underground Blues Experience 2011 in which they serve as guides to all the best our fine city has to offer in live music, local blues joints, evening dances and all-out fun. More information at http://chicagobluesdance.com/CUBE/2011/ andhttp://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/chicago_blues_festival.html.
GLOBE SONICO @ Cafe D’Noche
2710 N. Milwaukee Ave. 10pm-3am
Join Aguzate & Sound Culture on Fridays and Saturdays as they remix the world!
They’ll be hanging out and playing the best in Afro Latin, Tropical Bass, Global beats and International grooves in the heart of Logan Square.
D’Noche is an intimate lounge that serves up cocktails and pan-latin cuisine. (Kitchen is open until 11 pm). Patio is open.Free Parking in the Rear.
See menu and drink selection: dnochechicago.com
No Cover, Drink Specials, Friends, Family, and Global Grooves.
Sonic Diaspora at Butterfly Social Club
722 W Grand Chicago 9pm-3am
On the second Saturdays of each month, Brotha Onaci and guest selectahs play the best music of Africa and the African Diaspora, including Afrobeat, High Life, Soukous, Afro-House, Afro-Latin, and much more. This month DJs AfroQbano, Sherwin O and David Nallah Marques will be holding down rhythmic sets to keep you dancing all night long. No Cover
Red Rat (Jamaican Dance Hall Reggae)
Cubby Bear (1059 W Addison St. Chicago) $10-20
Also featuring Chicagos own “Kofi” & DJ Slacky J
Andersonville Midsommarfest
Clark St. betwen Foster and Balmoral)
Midsommarfest is one of Chicago’s most unique street fairs. Born out of Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, Midsommarfest retains its quaint, international flavor. Old-world Swedish traditions, including a festive dance around the Maypole, are incorporated into an unrivaled array of entertainment for families and adults. Click here for the list of world music performances at this fest, which include Funkadesi , Chicago Afrobeat Project, and Chicago Samba
Chiara Mangiamelli Ensemble
“A spectacular ensemble! Captivating and inspiring… With every move, Chiara Mangiameli brings vitality to the stage. Her performance was spectacular in every regard – from the circle of her wrist to her rhythmic footwork, Ms. Mangiameli captivated every member of our audience!”- Christina Salerno, Director for Salt Creek Ballet.
Uncommon Ground on Devon 9.30pm $15
1401 W. Devon Ave, Chicago
Balkan Sounds Party
DJ Romasoul(Balkan beats via Chicago house) and DJ MG (“Turkish remix master”), two of the most famous Deejays of Balkan origin in the Greater Chicago area are coming together at the Stone Lotus downstairs lounge for one of the most attractive summer kick-off parties of the year.
Stone Lotus 10pm password “balkan” $5 before 11, and $10 thereafter.
873 N. Orleans Street, Chicago
Latin and World music tonight at ñ
The people at ñ invite us to another wonderful musical evening with Mauro Frosio trio ( old world music and tango ) and DJ Charrua ( Electronic and Latin beats )They promise a great atmosphere, authentic Latin food and exotic cocktails along with great Latin music that includes salsa, bachata, merengue, mambo, cumbia and electronic music. No cover
Show starts at 9pm, party until 2am.
Flamenco with a Chicagoan flavor: An Open Heart conversation with singer and composer Patricia Ortega’s from Las Guitarras de Espana
A few days ago I had the pleasure to have an open-heart conversation with Chicagoan singer and composer Patricia Ortega from Las Guitarras de Espana. I met Patty during my flamenco studies at Wendy Clinard’s Studio. I had the chance to dance to her beautiful singing during Wendy’s open houses, but I had no idea that she was also a composer. I was greatly impressed when she told me she is about to release a CD that is featuring her work in collaboration with Las Guitarras de Espana. The album is titled “Tantas Cosas” (So Many Things), and as the title indicates, this CD has many musical styles that reflect Chicago’s rich cultural diversity. Patty took the forefront on this CD, and taking Spanish guitar as the foundation, the compositions are spiced up with touches borrowed from African, Brazilian, Arab, Indian, Funk, and Rap genres. Patty herself is the product of cultural fusion: She was born and raised in Chicago, but her mom is from Mexico and her dad from Cuba, and as a child, the family parties were infused with Mexican Folk music, Cuban Son, and Flamenco. She mentions that pop, rock, R&B, Mexican ranchera, and artists such as Cafeta Cuba, Ojos de Brujo, Chambuco, Concha Buika, Lila Downs, and Michael Jackson are the inspiration for her compositions.
Patty also borrowed excerpts from her own personal journey during the last two years to write the songs for this album. She has lived “tantas cosas” so intensely during this time that she had plenty of inspiration to create. The CD is a journal in which love is the main protagonist. Patty has poured her heart in these compositions and writes about the joy of being in love, of the sadness of unrequited love, of the pain felt when a relationship ends, of the tender love that a mother feels for her daughter, and also about learning to love unconditionally and live in the present moment. Here are some songs from the CD for your enjoyment:
You can buy the CD at www.the guitarsofspain.com. Also, if you would like to be part of the CD release party, then go to Mayne Stage this Saturday June 4 at 7:30 pm. The show promises to be amazing. There will be 25 performers on stage, including Las Guitarras de Espana large ensemble, dancers and guest artists such as Satya, Silvia Manrique from Beaba do Samba, and New-York based Alfonso Cid and his flamenco rock band Dientes de Caramelo. You can get tickets to the show here.
Wanna win a Free CD of TANTAS COSAS? Then visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/chicagourbanite), post “I LIKE CHICAGO URBANITE” on my wall, and have your friends comment on your post saying that they were referred by you. Winner is the one getting the most comments. Contest ends tomorrow June 2nd at 10 am. Good luck!
Tonight: Radio M Celebrates 5 Years of World Music
If you are a Chicago Public Radio listener, you must have heard of Radio M, the World Music radio show hosted by Tony Sarabia every Friday night at 9pm. The show has been exploring world cultures and people through music for 5 years, and as a way to thank all the fans, a celebration party will be held at Martyrs (3855 N Lincoln Ave Chicago) tonight from 6 to 8:30pm. Tony will spin his favorite tunes and special guests and friends Mas Trueno will close out the evening with live music. Get there early for free food and drink specials and giveaway prizes. Meet Tony and support world music in Chicago! Admission is $5
Tonight:Come to the best Brazilian Carnival party in Chi-Town!
BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL 2011 at MAYNE STAGE
Last year, I had the fortune to be in Rio de Janeiro for carnival. This is one of the biggest celebrations in the world and something you should experience at least once in your life. The entire city stops its regular activities and parties for days. I took this picture at the Sambodromo during the wee hours of the night. As you can see, the place was packed and the people were exhilarating, dancing and singing non-stop. To me, carnival is the ultimate expression of what it is to be Brazilian. This year, I cannot be in Rio, but since I am in beautiful Chicago, I have the chance to party Brazilian style with the local musicians and dancers. I am planning on attending this fabulous Carnival celebration. Don’t miss it! It promises to be the best party in town.
*** Swing Brasileiro will be playing the best of Brazilian Carnival. A lot of Marchinhas, Sambas, Batucada and more ****
Carnival costume dance performance by Passistas Samba Dancers and Special performance by Gingarte Capoeira.
Vallet Parking: Only $5
Caipirinha special $ 5.00
Beers $ 3.50 and up
Cover: $15 if purchased in advance and 20$ at the door
Buy your tickets now!!!!!
http://ow.ly/48uf6
18 and older to enter. MUST be 21 and older to drink alcohol.
Hello world!
Welcome! This blog is dedicated to those interested in exploring a different side of Chicago, one that is culturally diverse, cosmopolitan, global. This city is home to a very diverse group of world musicians and dancers. I want to showcase their talent here and to inspire you to participate in the local world music and dance scene. You will feel there is no need to leave Chicago to travel around the world.
Chicago Urbanite 
