Concerts & Events

Presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District, this Future Folk Festival concert will feature Dill Costa Quintet and DDG with AKENYA and Shon Dervis.

Future Folk Festival draws inspiration from the definition of folk music provided by Folk Alliance International: “Folk is the music of the people, reflective of any community where they are from.”

Old Town School of Folk Music doesn't limit folk to any one genre or group of instruments, we prioritize connecting innovative, new, and global folk artists with diverse audiences. Providing a wide variety of music-related experiences with the purpose of strengthening Chicago's African American, Caribbean, Latinx, African, Asian, and Indigenous communities.

RSVP for the full series of Future Folk Festival events:

Future Folk Festival: Night 1

Future Folk Festival: Night 2

Dill Costa Quintet and DDG

Raised in Rio de Janeiro, Dill (pronounced ‘Jill') is one of the only experts in samba dance and performance. As a regular dancer in some of Brazil's best known escolas de samba (samba ‘schools') — groups of hundreds of musicians and dancers in one of the greatest festivals on Earth — Dill is one of the only performers in Chicago who represents the authentic Carnaval music that is part of Brazil's rich musical legacy. She has held many titles in samba schools including ‘Queen of the Percussion Section'.

Besides samba, Dill is an expert in jazz, tap, modern, and folk dance of Brazil. She was an instructor of Brazilian regional dance forms for many years. Since relocating to Chicago in 2003, Dill has dedicated herself to music, and can be seen regularly singing with the Evanston Escola de Samba, Cor do Brasil, and her own trio, singing the classics of Brazilian samba, bossa nova, and Brazilian jazz and pop. Her repertoire ranges from classic 1940's era sambas of Ary Barroso and Noel Rosa, to the cool, 1960's bossa nova hits of Antonio Carlos Jobim, to the modern Brazilian pop of Caetano Veloso and Carlinhos Brown.

AKENYA

AKENYA is an award-winning, multi-genre vocalist, pianist, composer, and producer. Fearlessly combining elements across eras and cultures, her music is an eclectic synthesis of jazz, hip-hop, soul, pop, classical, and world music. She seamlessly bridges the traditional with the cutting edge, making her a timeless talent. Her compositions are nuanced and personal, and her pianistic ability is outright virtuosic. Yet it is her voice—dynamic in range, timbre, and versatility—that shines center stage, beautifully wielded like a finely tuned instrument of the highest caliber.

AKENYA's career started in her early youth. At age 7 she was teaching herself piano masterworks by Beethoven by ear, and by age 12 she had written 100 original songs. At 13, she became the youngest student accepted to the Chicago Academy for the Arts. A proud Chicago native, AKENYA has since lent her talents to some of the city's leading artists, ranging from hometown hero Chance the Rapper to living legend Mavis Staples; leading to a Grammy nomination. Perhaps the most notable of these collaborations is her work with rapper Noname, whom she toured with for years as musical director, background vocalist, keyboardist, and opening act. Some of their highlights together include appearing on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and a recent, stellar set at Coachella Music Festival in 2023.

While her contributions to the hip-hop and soul scenes of Chicago are immense, AKENYA has more than made her mark in other realms. A graduate of New England Conservatory of Music's world renowned Jazz Studies program, she has studied under and worked with a variety of jazz heavyweights such as Esperanza Spalding, Vijay Iyer, and Dave Holland. She has also performed with pop/rock sweetheart Hayley Williams of Paramore, who hails AKENYA as “one of the best singers I've heard in my whole life.” In 2022, her journey with classical music came full circle when Palaver Strings featured her debut chamber-orchestral piece, “Fear the Lamb”—a tribute to the life of Emmett Till—on their debut album Ready or Not. This seminal work gained praise from The Guardian, The Arts Desk, and the 2nd movement, “Gorgeous and Gallant/Gory and Galvanizing,” was featured in Apple Music's “Classical Music You Must Hear” playlist in May 2022.

AKENYA's unique style and vast artistry has garnered the attention of publications such as The Fader, Afropunk, and The Chicago Tribune, which has heralded her as a “multi-faceted genius.” In 2022, she was one of two recipients to be honored with the prestigious 3Arts Award in Music. She has performed her own music globally, playing at notable venues and festivals including a main stage set at Pitchfork Music Festival in 2024. She has released several successful singles over the years. Her most successful release, “Decay,” is regarded as a favorite among fans and critics alike, having garnered over 1.5 million streams and counting. She is currently finishing her highly anticipated album, Moon in the 4th, an 11-years-in-the-making, quasi-autobiographical opus. Its lead single, “Hades Moon,” is available now for streaming and purchase on all platforms.

Social Handles: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: @akenyamusic | YouTube, Soundcloud: @akenya

www.akenyamusic.com

Shon Dervis

Shon Dervis, dj, musician, and producer has been on the local and sometimes national scene for more than 20 years. His knowledge and love of music is unparalleled by most - probably one of the reasons the Maywood-raised DJ is in high demand. Seamlessly blending styles, genres, and cultures. Spinning, festivals, clubs, restaurants and bars, you can find him in the city working 3-6 nights a week.Your favorite dj's dj!