02/08-10 | In Syria (Insyriated)

“A devastatingly direct and intimate study of the effects of war on ordinary people” —Sight and Sound “[The film] brings the everyday horror home with the kind of realism associated with the most gripping war films” —Hollywood Reporter Trapped inside her own home as the city around her is reduced to rubble, mother of three…

02/15 | Walk All Night: A Drum Beat Journey – Film Screening

The screening will be followed by optional 30-minute bucket drumming workshop with Damonte Williams, one of the musicians featured in the film. An idealistic social worker initiates an ambitious project to take a group of street musicians to West Africa. Fascinated by the sounds of bucket drummers she meets on Chicago’s south side, Elilta Tewelde…

02/24 | West Indian Dance Theater Company

The West Indian Dance Theater Company shares with audiences traditional and contemporary Afro-Caribbean folk and Island dance, music and song. We are comprised of musicians, singers and dancers. Our musicians come together with Conga drums and other handheld percussion along with folk singers to produce a vibrant section of lively and spiritual music which accompanies…

1/18 | Pecados de Maria with Sandra Antongiorgi & ESSO Afrojam Funkbeat

Pecados de Maria, a Chicago collaboration of diverse musicians puts a spin on traditional Latin Alternative music, creating a communion of Rock, Jazz and Latin fusion. The mixture of Afrocuban percussion coupled with Blues/Jazz guitar and deep smoky vocals takes the listener on a fiery journey. Core members Marialen Magaña, Josemiguel Coutiño, Nic Byrd, and…

01/25 Palace Gamelan Concert

Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Java and Bali in Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussive instruments. The most common instruments used are metallophones played by mallets and a set of hand-played drums called kendhang which register the beat. Other instruments include xylophones, bamboo flutes, a bowed instrument called a rebab, and even vocalists…

01/12 La Dame Blanche (Cuba via Paris) w/ Avantist + The Vintage Kids

La Dame Blanche is a pan-Caribbean powerhouse.” – The New York Times With her explosive mix of #hiphop, #cumbia, #dancehall and #reggae, the#Cubansinger, #flautist and #percussionist Yaite Ramos Rodriguez, aka#LaDameBlanche delivers a powerful and compelling sound which summons the spirits. Before unfurling her costume Yaite has travelled a long and sometimes hard road. Everything starts…

01/11 | Persian Circle: Sayeh Eghtesadinia on War Poetry in Iran

Sayeh Eghtesadinia’s Persian-language talk entitled: “War Poetry in Iran” Sayeh Eghtesadinia, literary critic, works in the Department of Contemporary Literature in the Academy of Persian Language and Literature. She has published many book and poetry reviews in literary magazines during the past 20 years. Thursday 11th January 5:00-6:30pm University of Chicago  Pick Hall 218 5828…

01/13 | Cellist and composer IAN MAKSIN at Artango

A night of tango, bossa, jazz !  Acclaimed Chicago artists Ian Maksin and his trio will present an exclusive all-new program at city’s hottest milonga spot. Cellist and composer IAN MAKSIN has gained international recognition for his beautiful tone, his own unique innovative style of playing the instrument and for taking the cello well outside its conventional role. His…