CHICAGO (December 7, 2010) – Kicking off 2011, Chicago Public Media (WBEZ 91.5 FM) continues its Off-Air Series with The 3rd Annual Winter Block Party for Chicago’s Hip-Hop Arts at Chicago Urban Art Society, 2229 S. Halsted Street, on Saturday, January 15 from 11:00am – 10:00pm.
Created to celebrate Chicago’s hip-hop arts, this annual event will begin at 11am with the visual art and graffiti gallery exhibition showcasing some of Chicago's most notable and up and coming contemporary artists. Other day time highlights include a marketplace; hip-hop barbershop; and the Vocalo Sampling Showcase where Jesse Menendez, host of Vocalo’s Music Vox, will lead a presentation on the art of sampling with local producers constructing beats live with Stefan Ponce providing the music. Hear music all afternoon by some of Chicago’s favorite DJs including Itch 13, Sweatpants Money, DJ Susannah Kim, and more!
Winter Block Party highlights this year include a ticketed screening of Copyright Criminals at 1pm. Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, tracing the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. Many of hip-hop music’s founding figures are showcased including Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground — while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more. At 3pm the popular “First Come, First Served!” one-on-one B-Boy/B-Girl battle will commence – hosted by Chicago’s very own Legendary Brickheadz.
Culminating the all-day party will be a ticketed program at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) titled Original Style: Exploring the History of Chicago House. Hosted by Kevin Coval, the hour will include archival film, bringing back the scenes and sounds of the 1980s and 90s, and music selections courtesy of SilverRoom founder, DJ Eric Williams. Special guests include the founders of Chicago House: DJ Frankie Knuckles, known as 'The Honorary Godfather of House Music'; Robert Williams, owner of the Warehouse and Music Box; Frederick Dunson, original warehouse manager; Reggie Corner, House music promoter; Lewis Lazu, dancer and promoter; and many more. The evening will close with an After Party with legendary house DJ Ron Trent and seminal Hip- Hop DJ Jesse De La Pena!
Admission during the day is free with optional ticketed programming for $5 general admission or $3 for WBEZ members. Tickets for the evening program are $15 general admission, $12 for WBEZ members, and $10 for students with a valid ID. Tickets are available at www.wbez.org/events.
Hosted this year at the Chicago Urban Art Society’s (CUAS) brand-new exhibition space, CUAS was created by the brother-sister team of Peter Kepha and Lauren M. Pacheco to promote the art makers visual voice. The space will be transformed for the Party, with the visual exhibition – curated by Creative Director Peter Kepha and Winter Block Party artistic director Kevin Coval – remaining on display through Saturday, January 29, 2011.
