Chicago’s House Music Festival Pays Tribute to 40 Years of House

The City of Chicago, the birthplace of House Music, is set to honor the genre’s 40th anniversary with a series of free events from May 30 to June 2, 2024. The celebration, organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), will culminate with the Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park on June 2.

The festivities will commence on May 30 with an Open House at the Chicago Cultural Center from 4-8pm, featuring House DJs spinning throughout the historic building, alongside new visual art exhibitions and arts programming. Attendees can participate in a DJ workshop with We Jam Academy, watch a House Music documentary screening, and enjoy dance workshops and DJ sets by Kenny Ray and CTRLZORA.

On May 31, the Chicago House Music Conference will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center from 5-10pm. The conference will kick off with welcome remarks in Preston Bradley Hall, followed by engaging panels covering various aspects of House Music culture and industry.

The panel “Beyond the Beat, Dancing with Purpose” will explore ways to cultivate safer, more inclusive spaces in underground nightlife, with panelists Aria Pedraza (Ripe Productions), James Bangura (Black Rave Culture), and Jenny Fox (Eden/Globe Thotter), moderated by Jermaine Collins (Resident Advisor).

“The Last Hurrah: Making Money with Music in the Streaming Age” panel will discuss strategies for monetizing music, including SYNC licensing and working with aggregators. Panelists include Ira Antelis (Antelis Music), Brandy Ricker (Music Supervisor), and Haroula Rose (Songwriter/Filmmaker), moderated by Shannon “Skip” Syas (S&S Chicago, Inc.).

The panel “The Latine Influence on Chicago’s House Music Culture” will celebrate the Latine community’s contributions to the genre while addressing challenges faced by Latine artists in gaining recognition. Panelists include Louie Gomez (Bassment Tapes Records), Mario Luna (Almighty and Insane Books), and Janesita (Radio Muevelo), moderated by Luis Baro (Viva Acid).

“Keep-a-Knockin’ (But You Can’t Come In): Activating Change Within The Recording Academy” will discuss the House Music community’s relationship with the GRAMMYs and ways to drive change within the Recording Academy. Panelists include Sarah Jansen (Recording Academy Chicago Chapter), Terry Hunter (Two-time GRAMMY® nominee), and J.Ivy (Three-time GRAMMY® winner), moderated by Dani Deahl (Chicago Chapter Governor, DJ & Producer).

The panel “Prep & Process: The Singers and Songwriters of House” will feature well-known performers sharing their creative processes and techniques. Panelists include Carla Prather (Nervous Records), Jon Pierce (T’s Box), Byron Stingily (Insomniac Records, Ultra Records), and Dana Divine, moderated by Dani Sanders aka Black Widow (Chicago Defender & Southside Weekly).

The conference will conclude with a keynote fireside chat featuring Steve “Silk” Hurley of S&S Chicago and special guest Jimmy “Jam” Harris, a five-time GRAMMY® winning Producer, Songwriter, and Multi-Instrumentalist.

Navy Pier will host a special Chicago House Music Festival Pre-Party on June 1 from 1-10pm, showcasing renowned DJs such as Stacy Kidd and Gene Hunt at the Wave Wall Stage.

The celebration will reach its pinnacle on June 2 with the Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park from 10am-9pm. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion main stage will feature performances by Tony Touch, ANANÉ, Ash Lauryn, Karizma, and Wayne Williams and Alan King of the Chosen Few DJs. The North Promenade will host the Queer Fam Pride Jam, a youth and queer family-friendly event produced by Slo ‘Mo and Kido from 10am-1pm, followed by sets from top local DJs presented by Viva Acid until 9pm.

As Chicago pays tribute to the global phenomenon born within its city limits, the 2024 Chicago House Music Festival events promise to be a memorable celebration of the genre’s rich history and ongoing influence on dance music worldwide.