MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER MUSIC SERIES — Preview

Preservation of Fire
August 23, 2021

For the past eleven years, Joshua Abrams has composed, recorded and toured as Natural Information Society (NIS) with a shifting ensemble of musicians. Grounded in Abrams’ interwoven & multi-layered compositions, the group’s long-form psychedelic environments have been described as ecstatic minimalism. Natural Information Society navigates forms that emphasize collective listening and simultaneous differences while building a space that is both meditative and propulsive. Harmoniumist Lisa Alvarado’s free-hanging paintings create a visual analog to the group’s music and recontextualize performance space.

Afrodjia Social Club + Proximity
August 30, 2021

Afrodjia Social Club: Underground art cool meets nightlife in an experiential multidisciplinary performance by DJ Sadie Woods and friends, exploring traditions of space making through diasporic music and culture. This evening affair features a blend of jazz fusion, tropical disco, deep house, and musical accompaniment featuring a roster of musicians and special guest performances.

Proximity: This performance presents a sonic study of time and space and its relationship to influence. Bassist Micah Collier & Electec explore the genres of House, footwork, bebop, and soul to show how their proximity helped influence and innovate new sounds and the approach to composition.

Zulema
September 2, 2021

On a musical journey of many thousands of miles, from her Chiapas home in Mexico to Chicago, young Zulema zigzags through the culturally diverse landscapes of her homeland and our fair city along the way. Regional music and dance from the Sones de México Ensemble combine for this family-friendly event.

Contemporary Indigenous Voices featuring Leonard Sumner, Lyla June and Tall Paul
September 6, 2021

Representing different nations from the US and Canada, these contemporary Indigenous performers re-imagine what is possible for Indigenous music with a performance rooted in cultures and artistry that are older than America. This performance is co-curated with artist Frank Waln.

CIVL Summer Concert featuring Neal Francis
September 9, 2021

The CIVL Summer Concert aims to showcase diverse local talent at the various stages around Chicago on any given night. Two nights of special guest collaborations will combine local acts, rarely on stage together, to create multi-sensory, original works. A special guest headliner joining Neal Francis is to be announced.

Angel Meléndez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra — Homenaje a la Salsa Boricua de Chicago + ESSO
Afrojam Funkbeat
September 13, 2021

Angel Melendez is a Chicago composer, arranger, instructor, and trombonist. Inspired by Chicago record label Numero Group's 2011 release of Cult Cargo: La Salsa Boricua de Chicago, this special DCASE commission pays homage to the golden era of Chicago’s emerging Salsa scene of the late 60's and 70's centered around the period's Puerto Rican Congress of Mutual Aid and Carlos Ruiz’s Ebirac records from which young bands like Orquesta La Justicia, La Solución, La Típica, and others emerged. ESSO Afrojam Funkbeat will open the show.