Chicago House Music Conference

Friday, May 31, 2024

Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

5-10pm • Free Admission

Chicago House Music Festival and Conference  >  Conference Schedule

 

 

The Chicago House Music Conference brings engaging panels with House music icons and experts to the Chicago Cultural Center.

 

The Gospel Truth: Love Letter to House (An Interlude)

Facilitated by Jada-Amina and Anisa Olufemi

Buddy store, 1st Floor South
Friday, May 31, 3-5pm

Serving as a grounding exercise ahead of the House Music Festival Conference panels, visitors are invited to the Buddy store to reflect on The Gospel Truth: Movement I, a video installation that explores the sister city sounds of Chicago House and Go-Go Music. Visitors will receive written prompts that center feeling, memory, and community to spark reflection.

 

(schedule subject to change)



Welcome and Remarks

5-5:30pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor, South)



Beyond the Beat, Dancing with Purpose: Exploring love, consent, and accountability on the dance floor with underground culture creators in Chicago and beyond

5:30-6:30pm, Millennium Park Room (5th Floor, South)

 

From intimate gatherings to bustling clubs, underground culture creators play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences and values of nightlife communities. This panel brings together a diverse array of artists, promoters, and activists to explore how these foundational principles manifest within underground nightlife spaces. Join us as we collectively envision ways to cultivate safer, more inclusive spaces where love, consent, and accountability thrive at the heart of the underground culture movement.

Panelists

Moderated by: Jermaine Collins (Resident Advisor)



The Last Hurrah: Making Money with Music in the Streaming Age

5:30-6:30pm, Washington Room (5th Floor, South)

 

The business model for making money with music has come a long way. The digital divide and low payouts associated with streaming services like Spotify have left many wondering how to monetize their music for maximum profits. SYNC licensing music for ads, TV, and film is one way. Another is working with aggregators that collect your payments – many times licensing fees and publishing royalties go uncollected. Music supervisors and placement companies are at the forefront of this industry and we’ll hook you up with all the essentials so you can start getting PAID today.

Panelists

  • Ira Antelis – Antelis Music
  • Brandy Ricker – Music Supervisor
  • Haroula Rose – Songwriter/Filmmaker
  • Vince Lawrence - Founder Slang Music Group/House Music Pioneer

Moderated by: Shannon "Skip" Syas - S&S Chicago, Inc.



Prep & Process: The Singers and Songwriters of House

6:15-7:30pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor, South)

 

Panel/Workshop 75 minutes
Singing/Songwriting can be a lucrative career. We’ll speak with some of dance music’s most well known performers during a 30-minute panel to help you find your creative voice. Followed by an intensive 30-minute roundtable where we’ll pair attendees and panelists to demonstrate singing/songwriting techniques and answer questions. In the last 15 minutes we’ll come back together and sum up our group experiences.

Panelists

  • Carla Prather – Singer/Songwriter - Nervous Records
  • Jon Pierce – Singer/Songwriter/Author – T's Box
  • Byron Stingily – Singer/Songwriter Insomniac Records Ultra Records
  • Dana Divine – Singer/Songwriter

Moderated by: Dani Sanders aka Black Widow – Chicago Defender & Southside Weekly



The Latine Influence on Chicago’s House Music Culture: How Latine culture has impacted the sound of Chicago’s homegrown dance music

6:45-7:45pm, Millennium Park Room (5th Floor, South)

 

From the underground clubs to the mainstream, the Latine influence has been a driving force, infusing House music with a diverse range of rhythms, instrumentation, and cultural nuances. As we celebrate the cultural diversity that defines Chicago's House music, we will also address the challenges faced by Latine artists in gaining recognition and representation within the industry. By recognizing and honoring these contributions, we aim to amplify the voices of Latine artists and foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of musical cultures in shaping the global phenomenon that is House music.

Panelists

Moderated by: Luis Baro (Viva Acid)



Keep-a-Knockin’ (But You Can’t Come In): Activating Change Within the Recording Academy

6:45-7:45pm, Washington Room (5th Floor, South)

 

The title of a potent Little Richard tune, the architect of Rock & Roll who famously never won a GRAMMY for his music. Jay-Z ruffled feathers this year by suggesting the GRAMMY’s most prestigious awards were withheld from certain people, up to and including his wife, Beyonce. Does the house/underground dance music community want a seat at the GRAMMY table? Is legitimacy at stake when you buy in or opt-out? Frankie Knuckles, Masters at Work, David Morales and Maurice Joshua have all won and it's been proven that nominations and wins increase opportunities and revenue. Hear from nominees, winners, and staff of The Recording Academy on what creators and fans of house music can do to activate the change you want to see.

Panelists

Moderated by: Dani Deahl - Editor, Journalist, and Recording Artist



Keynote Fireside Chat

8-9:15pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor, South)

S&S Chicago 

4-Time GRAMMY® Nominated House Music Pioneer Steve "Silk" Hurley of S&S Chicago

and special guest, 5-time GRAMMY® Winning Producer, “Jimmy Jam” Harris of Flyte Tyme

Moderated by: First Lady - Multimedia Personality & Pioneering House Music Female DJ