Celebrating Black Chicago Artists
Chicago has a rich and important history of Black Artists that have had changed the arts with a lasting impression and impact across the globe.
This month we want to share a few of Chicago Black Artists from the past and present who have made a significant contribution to the arts and who are serving communities. Want to learn more or maybe engage with any of the groups or artists highlighted? Follow the links at the end of this post!
DANCERS OF THE PAST...
Katherine Dunham "The Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance”
Katherine Dunham grew up in Chicago to an African father and a French-Canadian mother. She was one of the first black women to attend the University of Chicago and earned her bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in anthropology. During school she became a dance student of Ruth Page, and after her graduation founded the Negro Dance Group. Katherine Dunham revolutionized American Dance in the 1930s by introducing fold, creole, and African Dance into the dance world. She created the Dunham Technique, which transformed the way dancers incorporated new forms of movement and expression, and audience members appreciation for other forms of dance outside of European methods. For almost thirty years her dance company was the only self-supported American black dance troupe at that time, and over her long career she choreographed more than ninety individual dances. Her school embodied multi-cultural principles decades before the term was used in the field of education. Thank you to Katherine Dunham for opening the doors for modern dance!
DANCERS of today...
There are many black led dance companies in Chicago. Ayodele Drum and Dance is one that is paving the way and bringing the African diasporic experience to the stage through drum and dance. This company is comprised of women and children and fosters community from a feminine perspective. The word ‘Ayo’ is a Yoruba word meaning “joy in the home”. Ayodele’s fearless leader, T. ‘Ayo’ Alston has spent her life dedicated to her craft and has traveled, researched, and connected with community in an effort to infuse women and children with cultural wealth.
MUSICIANS of the past...
Chicago is famed for its unique style of Blues Music, birthing some of the world's greatest blues legends. Of the famed artists from Chicago, Muddy Waters is considered to be the father of modern blues music. Born McKinley Morganfield, his music is perhaps the most recognized of the early blues movement. Waters was born in Mississippi in 1910 and moved to Chicago in the early 1930’s to pursue a performance career. He was known to have helped many other black artists get started with record deals and performance opportunities.
Musicians of today...
Chicago hip hop has grown into its own genre with the emergence of famous artists including Common and Kanye West. Chance the Rapper is blazing trails with his wildly successful independently produced albums as well as his philanthropic initiatives that give back primarily to Chicago Public Schools. Chance is dedicated to providing underprivileged children with opportunities to discover their artistry that has even included allowing school children into his recording studio to record their very own album!
Theater of the Past...
The Pekin Theater opened in 1905 on the corner of State St. and 27th. The first black owned and operated theater in Chicago, The Pekin Theater presented the first ever all black stage performance in Chicago on June 18th, 1905 and went on to host a wide array of events from vaudeville showcases to full length musical productions. Despite a decline in the overall interest in vaudeville and stock theatre, and a rise in the competition from White-owned theaters in Bronzeville, the Pekin continued to thrive under owner Robert T Motts' leadership until his passing in 1911. Following his passing, the Pekin remained in the Motts' estate before being sold to various owners over the next decade, never fully reclaiming its prominent position. By 1910, there were over 53 Black-owned and operated theaters across the United States, including seven theaters named after Robert T. Motts' New Pekin Theater.
Theater of today...
Jackie Taylor was born and raised in the Cabrini Green housing project. She rose from modest roots to become a distinguished director, producer, actress, educator, singer, playwright and theater founder. As the founder of the 40-year-old Black Ensemble Theater (BE), she has created a strong institution committed to eradicating racism. BE is recognized throughout the nation for its outstanding original productions and exceptional educational outreach programs.
A leader and innovator in the African-American and mainstream arts communities, Black Ensemble Theater is recognized as one of the most diverse theaters in the country, producing excellent musical theater. On November 18, 2011, BE celebrated the grand opening of the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, the theater’s first permanent home located at 4450 N. Clark Street, in the heart of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
Learning Library
Want to learn more about the content of this blog post? Here are some sources to get you started!
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project
