Chicago Park District Night Out in the Parks
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Future Folk Festival events
Wednesday, July 23 from 6:00-8:00pm
Piotrowski Park
4247 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60623
Cuatro Vientos Mariachi with Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia
Cuatro Vientos Mariachi
Founded in 2018 by passionate music educators and dedicated practitioners of the genre, Chicago-based Mariachi Cuatro Vientos is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich musical heritage of mariachi. With a deep respect for tradition and a vision for innovation, the ensemble brings to life the vibrant sounds, cultural storytelling, and artistry that define mariachi music, connecting audiences of all backgrounds to this cherished tradition.
Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia
Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia (EPA) is a Chicago-based group formed in 2006 by Julio Cesar Montaño Montenegro and steeped in the Afro-Colombian music and dance traditions of the Pacific coast of Colombia. The group features members of the Montaño Arboleda family and a diverse complement of Chicago musicians of various ethnicities performing on traditional Afro-Colombian percussion, marimba, guitar, clarinet and bass. EPA focuses on the Pacific cost sounds of Currulao, one of the most African influenced-styles in all of Colombia, The music is centered around a drum known as a "cununo", which superficially resembles the "alegre" drum (used in Cumbia), and a shaker known in parts of Colombia as a "guasá" or "guache", and Colombian marimba, a wooden xilophone which resembles the African balafon.
Thursday, August 21 from 4:30-6:30pm
Austin Town Hall
5610 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644
Ben Lamar Gay with UGOCHI & A.S.E.
Ben Lamar Gay
Ben LaMar Gay is a multi-freshness artist who moves sound, color, and space components through folkloric filters producing brilliant electro-acoustic collages. An explorer of many mediums who has been called a "visionary musician" by the New York Times, Gay has found a form of creative expression that begins with improvisation and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. With more than 20 years in vibrant experimental music scenes around the world, Gay has collaborated with several influential figures in the world of sound and movement: Dorothee Muyaneza, Theaster Gates and the Black Monks, Nicole Mitchell, Onye Ozuzu, Makaya McCraven and Mike Reed to name a few. Gay’s true technique is giving life to an idea while transforming the thought and theory of the term “Americana.”A worldwide performer, Gay's creative projects are embraced by communities in the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, France, Japan, Nigeria, Poland, Rwanda, Germany, Cuba, and more. He is adopting global visions while remaining true to his roots as a South Side native of Chicago.
UGOCHI & A.S.E.
With over two decades of experience in the literary and music industry, UGOCHI has gained quite a notable reputation for her solo career and collaborations. Not content to rest on her gnash, UGOCHI & A.S.E. are always laying foundations for the next release, adding more classics to their repertoire. Nina Simone once said, "It's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live. That’s why UGOCHI & A.S.E. write, record and share their offerings on a frequent basis, making countless public appearances locally, nationally and internationally.
Wednesday, September 24 from 6:00-8:00pm
Hamilton Park
513 W 72nd St, Chicago, IL 60621
Laruni Hati with Shon Dervis
Laruni Hati
Formed in 2010, the Laruni Hati Garifuna Dance Group Of Chicago consists of drummers, singers, and dancers who specialize in several cultural dances: Hunguhungu (usually danced at opening of the performance), punta (most popular), chumba (almost like salsa), and a combination (mixture of hunguhungu and punta). Laruni Hati performers also plan and perform at the annual Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration which celebrates in Chicago the arrival of the Garinagu people to the shores of Belize, Central America on November 19, 1802.
Shon Dervis
Shon Dervis is a DJ, musician, and producer who has been on the local and national scene for more than 20 years. His knowledge and love of music, along with his ability to seamlessly blend genres and cultures, has elevated him amongst Chicago’s music selectors. In high demand, Shon Dervis is your favorite DJ’s DJ.
Wednesday, July 23 from 6:00-8:00pm
Piotrowski Park
4247 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60623
Cuatro Vientos Mariachi with Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia
Cuatro Vientos Mariachi
Founded in 2018 by passionate music educators and dedicated practitioners of the genre, Chicago-based Mariachi Cuatro Vientos is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich musical heritage of mariachi. With a deep respect for tradition and a vision for innovation, the ensemble brings to life the vibrant sounds, cultural storytelling, and artistry that define mariachi music, connecting audiences of all backgrounds to this cherished tradition.
Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia
Ecos del Pacifico Afrocolombia (EPA) is a Chicago-based group formed in 2006 by Julio Cesar Montaño Montenegro and steeped in the Afro-Colombian music and dance traditions of the Pacific coast of Colombia. The group features members of the Montaño Arboleda family and a diverse complement of Chicago musicians of various ethnicities performing on traditional Afro-Colombian percussion, marimba, guitar, clarinet and bass. EPA focuses on the Pacific cost sounds of Currulao, one of the most African influenced-styles in all of Colombia, The music is centered around a drum known as a "cununo", which superficially resembles the "alegre" drum (used in Cumbia), and a shaker known in parts of Colombia as a "guasá" or "guache", and Colombian marimba, a wooden xilophone which resembles the African balafon.
Thursday, August 21 from 4:30-6:30pm
Austin Town Hall
5610 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644
Ben Lamar Gay with UGOCHI & A.S.E.
Ben Lamar Gay
Ben LaMar Gay is a multi-freshness artist who moves sound, color, and space components through folkloric filters producing brilliant electro-acoustic collages. An explorer of many mediums who has been called a "visionary musician" by the New York Times, Gay has found a form of creative expression that begins with improvisation and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. With more than 20 years in vibrant experimental music scenes around the world, Gay has collaborated with several influential figures in the world of sound and movement: Dorothee Muyaneza, Theaster Gates and the Black Monks, Nicole Mitchell, Onye Ozuzu, Makaya McCraven and Mike Reed to name a few. Gay’s true technique is giving life to an idea while transforming the thought and theory of the term “Americana.”A worldwide performer, Gay's creative projects are embraced by communities in the Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, France, Japan, Nigeria, Poland, Rwanda, Germany, Cuba, and more. He is adopting global visions while remaining true to his roots as a South Side native of Chicago.
UGOCHI & A.S.E.
With over two decades of experience in the literary and music industry, UGOCHI has gained quite a notable reputation for her solo career and collaborations. Not content to rest on her gnash, UGOCHI & A.S.E. are always laying foundations for the next release, adding more classics to their repertoire. Nina Simone once said, "It's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live. That’s why UGOCHI & A.S.E. write, record and share their offerings on a frequent basis, making countless public appearances locally, nationally and internationally.
Wednesday, September 24 from 6:00-8:00pm
Hamilton Park
513 W 72nd St, Chicago, IL 60621
Laruni Hati with Shon Dervis
Laruni Hati
Formed in 2010, the Laruni Hati Garifuna Dance Group Of Chicago consists of drummers, singers, and dancers who specialize in several cultural dances: Hunguhungu (usually danced at opening of the performance), punta (most popular), chumba (almost like salsa), and a combination (mixture of hunguhungu and punta). Laruni Hati performers also plan and perform at the annual Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration which celebrates in Chicago the arrival of the Garinagu people to the shores of Belize, Central America on November 19, 1802.
Shon Dervis
Shon Dervis is a DJ, musician, and producer who has been on the local and national scene for more than 20 years. His knowledge and love of music, along with his ability to seamlessly blend genres and cultures, has elevated him amongst Chicago’s music selectors. In high demand, Shon Dervis is your favorite DJ’s DJ.
