Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Chicago Artist Month• HyPa * Art Here Art Now-Artspaces exhibit

Artist, Marty Barnes and Artist, Cydney Lewis share a smile by the flowers created by Barnes at Art Here, Art Now.
"Central Park"- mixed media by artist, Cydney M Lewis

Director of Civic Engagement at University of Chicago, Michelle Olson and Artist, Cydney M Lewis stand by Lewis' mixed media works in the artspace on the corner of 53rd and Harper.

Olson spoke about the goal of the project during Chicago Artists Month. "The U of C is a big supporter of the arts in Hyde Park. Art contributes to community and we want to see it create vitality and keep the spaces alive."

Artist, Melissa Weber's concept "was to transform the spaces into artspaces to bring the community and the artist together."

Debby Halpern of Hy Pa chats with Carolyn Albritton from the Hyde Park Jazz Festival.
Albritton is the engine behind the upsurge in the promotion of Jazz all over Hyde Park including Duet performances at the upscale resturant, Park 52 and noontime Jazz concerts at the Hyde Park Shopping Center.
Art lovers pour into the barbershop artspace on 53rd and Harper
redesigned by collector, Peter Zeigler.
This space was the original barbershop of President Obama, a Hyde Park resident.
Artist, Star Page stops in the remixed Artspace by Peter Zeigler,
(shown seated in the mirror)
Artist, Dorian Sylvain comes out to experience the Art Here, Art Now exhibit.
Art Here Art Now
"The Hyde Park Alliance for Arts and Culture and the University of Chicago collaborated with artist, Melisa Weber and other southside artists and arts organizations to create window art installations and studios that invite the public to engage with the artistic processes and visit with working artists."
Every Saturday in October- 2010
1PM - 5PM
1452-1466 E 53rd st.
The space will host several public art programs. For more info and schedule for the month

Go to: Art Here Art Now on 53rd Street http://hypachicago.org/ or visit the

Art Here Art Now Facebook page for all of the latest news.

Program Co-ordinator for the University of Chicago Arts Collaborations, Dara Epson is one of the primary creators of the the Art Here Art Now exhibits and installations.
Hyde Park Artist, Turtel Onli of Onli Studios and Hy Pa, puts a choke hold on Darth Vader as he installs art for the upcoming exhibit at the "Black Age Central" museum-store that will be at the HyPa space between October 11 through Oct 15, 2010. Kenwood Graphic art design students also worked on an installation of a presentation of their graphic art for the exhibit. The students worked independently and professionally as they completed their work.
Artist, Onli shows the new book, Black Comix by John Jennings and Damien Duffy which features art of the Black Age to an art fan. On October 15, 2010, "Black Comix" will be one of the books signed at the "Black Age Central" Store. It will be signed by artist-author John Jennings. On October 16, 2010, Onli Studios will host the 13th Black Age Convention at Kenwood Academy at 5015 S Blackstone. All events are a part of BLACK AGE WEEKEND, a series of art events that focus on the Black Age art movement. For more information see: www.dablackage.blogspot.com/
Musican, writer and art collector, Aki Antonia, who lived for many years in Hyde Park before returning to Bronzeville, enjoyed seeing the artspaces come alive. " Many of these spaces have been closed and empty for some time and it's great to see 53rd Street return to it's roots in artistry. When I lived in Hyde Park in the 70's and 80's, I spent many days at the 57th St Art Fairs, the Harper Court Art Fairs, Artisans 21, Window to Africa and in out of many art shops buying trade beads and amber and fabric at the Bazzar on 53rd St. I loved going to the art supply store in Harper Court. In later years, I enjoyed coming to What the Traveler Saw and buying art and crafts from Morocco and all over the world."
All photos by Aki Antonia c2010.

Living In da Black Age II Covers

Living In da Black Age! I

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Black Age of Comics • Telling Our Stories


Living in da Black Age!! ♪♫•*¨*•♥ The 13th Annual Black Age Of Comics Convention will be celebrating Women of the Black Age at Kenwood Academy High School Oct 16, 2010.....And the sistahs will be bringing it! Check out artist and creator of Millenia War, Ashley Woods!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

LA Banks is Coming to Black Age Con XIII !

Come meet author, LA Banks at the Black Age Convention XIII
"Celebrating Sustahs In the Black Age!"
Black Age XIII will be held Oct. 15th, 16th and 17th at Kenwood Academy High Scool - Art building, 5015 S Blackstone, Chicago Illinois.
This weekend celebration is of the creative work done by indie and mainstream professionals in the fields of Graphic novels, Sci-fi, Movies, Video, Games, Cos-Play, Illustration, Writing, and Education.
Black Age XIII will celebrate selected women of all ages for their contributions to the Black Age's ideals and values. Authors at the Black Age XIII convention
will include L.A. Banks, featured author in the Readers' Circle appreciation of "Vampire Huntress" and a celebration of Banks' unique and inspirational contribution to the Black Age and beyond.
Black Age XIII is a production of Onli Studios.
For more information go to: www.dablackage.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Chaka Khan at the The African Fest-Chicago-2010

Chaka Khan was back home and in great form at the African Fest in Chicago!
Chaka's band and vocalists were awesome!
"I'm Every Woman! It's All In Me!"
And the audience sang right along with every song.
Chaka!....Chaka Khan......Chaka Khan!
It was great to see the Sisters rocking....Natural beauty-Africana!
"Just need a little bit of plaintains and I'll have some of that Gumbo, please. Asante!"
You can't be at the African Fest and not have a smoothie!
Masks, Sculptures and Carvings from the Motherland...
Samuel J Martin lll talks about the international entrprenureal
collective efforts that it takes to produce
African Cowboy Style batik/African shirts..... hitting hard from L.A.
Artist, Mobulaji talks about his works-the African Cowboy wearable art collection.
These shirts are hand dyed in Africa and sewn in the U.S.A.
AFRICANCOWBOYCLOTHING.COM
Sister Yaa (right) promoted House Music and H.O.U.S.E Nation
at the birthplace of HOUSE-Chicago!
Hand dyed Hand crafted Quilts from Ghana from BaBa Blankets
www.babablanket.com
Morrocan lamps light up the night at the fest
from On the Road to Marrakech
- New York

A 100 year old statute of a Benin King.... was only $8,500....last price..
African Masks of many tribes ...
Artist, William CJ stands surrounded by his works-Williamcj.com
Well known Chicago festival artist, Kamau Foluke wears one his shirts.
Kamau creates contemporary paintings and African themed art on fabric and clothing.
www.myspace.com/pyramidvisuals
Master Drummer, Tyhimba relaxes at the Drum Village at the end of the Fest
The African Drum Village at the end of the Fest!
All photos by Aki Antonia c2010

It was the last night of the African fest in Chicago and I needed to see Chaka. So I hopped into a cab in Bronzeville and headed straight to Washington Park. At the entrance of the park, I felt like I had returned to the Motherland.... to the rich cultural tapestry of the African marketplace...

There was a cacophony of music, sights, sounds and smells of food....

The drummers were drumming while the colorful African fabric and tie-dyed hues hung and swung in the night air swaying to the beat...


If you could only afford one night at the festival marketplace, this was the night to come, for this is the night you get that "last price", the "we don't want to take this back home to NY, LA, Atlanta or wherever the vendors travel from to be at the at the African Fest. I moved quickly , stopping to chat and collecting cards to make that purchase when I could... but tonight I was on a mission. I needed to see Chaka Khan....


First, I went to the Drum Village to listen to the drummers and to tune into the ancestral vibe as they played. As I moved throught the park, there was such a diverse amount of sounds...

Live congas and African drums rang all through the park. Jamaican Rasta... dub music, House, Funk, R&B, Stepping music and Highlife from Africa were all blending from booth to booth like some master DJ was weaving a mix and soundtrack from different parts of the Diaspora.

This year the festival featured Chicago's own House Music and recognized us a the center of HOUSE nation. On the festival stages, over the four day holiday weekend there had been a large array of musical performers including Sugar Strings, Bobbi Humphrey, Maggie Brown, Seneke, Tito Jackson, Angelique Kidjo and Javon featuring Les Mc Cann... but I came tonight to see Chaka.... Chaka Khan.


Along the way in the marketplace, I drank in all the beautiful art, paintings, sculptures and statues and carvings from Benin, Senegal, Haiti, Jamaica and works from artists from all over the United States .

The crafts were from all over the Diaspora as well. I saw unique clothing, jewelry, quilts, posters, books and bolts of colorful African fabric and more.....

There stood huge and small African statues made from carved wood or bronze. I was told by the art dealers that some of the statues were over a century old.


There were African inspired designer dresses, bags and purses. Rastafari and Bob Marley gear.

Earrings made from African beads, metals and fabric and feathers. Shea butter, incense, books, musical CDs and so many items that I wanted.... needed... but I was focused... I was here to see Chaka.


I was headed towards the food... but there were so many choices.....jerk chicken, African joloff rice, African greens, plaintains, smoothies, J&J catfish, ribs, turkey hot links, chicken wings, Brother Tim's healthy offerings, red beans and rice, yams, funnel cakes..... It was all so inviting.... but I was focused. I knew that all I needed was a little gumbo and some plaintains.


Can't get distracted.... My mission... going to see Chaka..


When I finally made it over to the concert area, Les Mc Cann was playing and the park was packed! It was a sea of people. It was a

variety of races, ages and lifestyles and they were all there for Chaka Khan. I saw everything... including young people, baby boomers, Japanese, African, Europeans, African-American, Hip Hoppers, Steppers, Pan-African creatives, House music lovers, corporate types and grandparents... The fans were everywhere! Everyone had brought their own seats and some had brought food , wine, candles and incense to create a vibe as tribal as the fest!

Chaka came out performing in great musical form. She wowed the crowd with her professionalism and spirit. Accompanied by a top-notch band and background vocalists, Chaka held her own in the night crowd. She spoke about how she felt she was right at home amongst family and friends. She also spoke of having been clean for seven years and thanking God for her gifts.

Chaka was very warm to the the crowd at fest. And the crowd loved her back! As she sang her songs including "Aint Nobody, Hollywood, Sweet Thang, Tell Me Something Good... the crowd

sang along with every song. If Chaka modulated up to change keys, the crowd flowed right with her and changed keys as well. They knew every word and riff and scatted like they were getting paid to sing the parts.

I'm Every Woman was the closer and it was just phenomenal.

Chaka... Chaka Khan was at her best in this performance!

After the show, I played around asking the departing crowd in a mock exit interview....

"How did you enjoy the show?" "Was it all that you expected?" And the answer was resoundingly the same.... "No, it was better! She was marvelous!" She was as exciting as she was when she first began." The crowd appreciated her respect for her craft and her sobriety. And they made it known and plain. Many had experienced her days of artistic departure so they really appreciated this show.


It was a major homecoming to see Chaka Khan in this setting. Why? Because many of early fans remember when Chaka Khan sang in these African based settings back in the day that marked the beginning of her career before she went on to mainstream Funk stardom.

Part of Chaka's musical roots came out of the Chicago Pan-African avante garde musical style as she had sang at the Kelan Phil Coran's Afro-Arts Theatre in the early days of the Pharoahs and Earth Wind and Fire. The Chaka that we knew from Chicago could scat jazz and funk simultaneously and she brought it all back in this concert.


So finally I could leave... I had my gumbo, I had my art, my music and my concert with Chicago's own Chaka Khan. I ended my journey.. like I had begun. As I left in the night.... the drummers were still drumming at the Drum Village and I stopped to watch a mixture of dancers freestyling capoeira and break dancing as they played. A crowd watched and breathed in the rhythms.... Time to go...

Thanks, Patrick Woodtor and the Africa International House....for a great fest.

Can't wait till next year.

AA972010