Mah Man Rahsaan Patterson

I have an infatuation with music. I meticulously maintain my iTunes collection at least twice a week. Both of my parents have eclectic music tastes which influenced me. Sometimes I am not sure if my tastes can be classified, much like the style of the below mentioned artist.

I first heard Rahsaan Patterson on Ledisi's 'We Are One' from her most recent LP, Lost and Found. It was hard to tell the gender of the high pitched voice. I was surprised when I found out that Rahsaan is a male.

Shortly after this discovery, I picked up Wine and Spirits. And I fell in love. I wouldn't call 

him neo-soul, nor R&B. My take on his style would describe it as the cousin of a baby by India.Arie and Prince who is married to Maxwell. Did you follow that? If not, then you just need to go ahead and test him out by coppin' one of his CDs. And he is coming to town!

You know imma be there! Tickets on sale today! Here is the info.

February 8, 2009 @7:30pm

Rahsaan Patterson

Park West

322 West Armitage

Ticketmaster.

Kwanzaa In Chicago

If you didn't know, the holiday was created by in 1968 by Dr. R. Karenga. It is not an African holiday, but it is a holiday that celebrates elements of community and African Heritage of African Americans. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate our history and not simply imitate the dominant American Culture!

Each year, Malcolm X College on the city's near west side hosts a renowned celebration of Kwanzaa. 

The holiday will be celebrated over seven days, each with its own principle. Kwanzaa kicks off tomorrow, December 26th and ends  Jan 2, 2009. The program features a myriad of musical and dance performances and an elaborate African Marketplace.

14th Annual Kwanzaa Observance Program

Malcolm X College

1900 West Van Buren Street Chicago, IL 60643

Kwanzaa E-Cards

Sorry, but if you ain't mail out your cards by today, then the USPS just might not deliver them on time. Well, don't fret 'cuz by the grace of technology there are E-cards.

I found a great selection of animated Kwanzaa E-cards...Check them out!

123 Greetings Kwanzaa ECards

Blue Mountain Kwanzaa ECards

eCardia Kwanzaa ECards

Look out for info on Kwanzaa Celebrations coming next post!

Urbano!

This is for all mah LGBT Brothers and Sisters in Chi-City!

Urbano is held at Circuit Night Club on the last Fridays of each month. The DJ's showcase Hip-Hop, Reggaeton and Latin Music.

Urbano was held this past Friday, December 13, 2008. It was a cool event. Turned out that one of my dear friends/alums of my alma mater was on condom patrol at the door...lol. The one and only Breion Diamond was in present reppin' the infamous FlavaWorks Productions, the folks behind CocoDorm.

I am a big fan of black gay culture and social scene. But, I don't understand the shade that tends to pervade our social interactions with each other as brothers and sisters. The personalities are expected, but it would be great to see more love and affection in the club than superficial masquerades that pull us further away from being the beautiful community that we are.

Even in Boystown, there is racism. So why would we not love being around each other to the fullest extent, knowing that we face hatred from outside because of our sexuality and our race? Let that marinate for a minute....I don't wish to sound preachy 'cuz this blog is not for that...but I feel very hurt by the reality that the community that I love is so self-hating...any input?

Now plan a night out!

Circuit Night Club

3641 North Halsted (Between Addisson and Sheridan)

$5 Cover (though most were charged $10)

Monday Sundae!

Hey! This week, the good stuff gets a head start with Monday Sundae...three scoops of events that you might wanna-kinda-needsta be at! LOL...

First Scoop

Ledisi Quick Fast and In A Hurry!

Y'all up on mah girl Ledisi? She is the soul songstress that has been playin' on Quiet Storm shows for quite some time. You may be familiar with her hits, "Alright" and "In the Morning" from her most recent album, Lost and Found. Its hot!

Well, Ms. Ledisi will be in Chicago again (for those of you who missed her at the NDIGO Gala this past summer) for The Experience with Ledisi as she debuts her Christmas album at the Dusable Museum on the South Side.

The Experience with Ledisi

Dusable Museum--740 East 56th Place

Tues., December 16, 2008 TOMORROW!

7pm, Doors open at 6:30pm

$20 pays for entrance to mini-concert and a copy of Ledisi's new Christmas CD

Tickets available at the door or The Music Experience

Second Scoop!

Chi-City Photos Downtown

I went to see the following photography exhibit a few weeks ago. It was huge and great, at the same time. The photos are by various photographers taken at different times throughout the city documenting everyday life in neighborhoods and the evolution of Chicago. The exhibition begins with black and white photographs of former landmarks that were torn down to make way for the city as we know it today and smoothes out over several decades with pictures of folks that we can identify with in the many diverse communities across our city.

Its free and allows one to step into communities and the lives of people that we would normally not have access to.

Made in Chicago: Photographs from the Bank of LaSalle America Collection

Chicago Cultural Center

78 E. Washington (Washington and Michigan Avenue)

Free admission

Run until January 4, 2009

Third Scoop!

Get Some Ice In Ya' Life

Ice Rink In Millenium Park 

Bundle up and take yo' tail out there and skate! The rink is open as long as weather permits until March 2009. 

Skate rental is $9. I would suggest making this an early Saturday date or going on a weekday because everyone and their momma is downtown for the holiday season! Have fun!

Ruined

WORLD PREMIER

Rape has long been a terrible weapon of war. But the sexual violence associated with the recent civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of the congo has reached unprecendented levels of brutality. Lynn Nottage's "Ruined" is a riveting and poignant examination of Congolese women and their struggle to survive the unspeakable. Mama Nadi (Saidah Arrika Ekulona) is a savvy businesswoman who not only survives but profits from the war by offering food, drink and female company to soldiers on both sides. She takes in two abused women, shunned by their families for being raped. Together, they navigate the baffling intricacies of wartime politics. The topnotch ensemble shines throughout. Ekulona's no-nonsense Mama is a rock of compromis and negotiation; Condola Phyleia Rashad is luminous as the "ruined" girl Mama hopes to save. But Quincy Tyler Bernstine's raw portrayl of a woman enslaved by soldiers stops the heart. She is a wonder. (Lisa Buscani)

*excerpt from New City

Playing at the Goodman Theater

November 8- December 14, 2008

Attend a panel discussion about the themes and issues covered in the theatrical performance on Dec. 7....Info on website

Election Day...Without Words

MIA

I know, I have been gone for a minute. My computer is major messed up...so I will begin to post regularly after I get a new laptop this weekend!

Stuff that you will see soon:
-Review of Dance Africa 2008
-Obama Election Night Rally in Grant Park
-Pictures!

Saturday Sundae

Hey folks! Its Saturday Sundae! This will be a weekly update or a whole bunch of opportunities for us black/brown folks to revel in our beatiful culture and celebrate our ancestry.

This week, my source for most of the listings is the Chicago Reader. If you ain't know, the Reader as its called, is a great source to get a heads up on the arts scene in Chicago. Its a great FREE weekly paper that you can get in those periodical dispensors downtown and sometimes in the front of most bookstores. Check it out! (There is also an online version, link provided above)



On to the Saturday Sundae...

First Scoop:

Dance Africa: A West African Odyssey
Presented by the Dusable Museum of African American History
October 31, 2008

Purchase tickets at Harris Theater Online or call 312.334.777
Also, recieve a one year subscription to Time Out Chicago (events guide) with the purchase of a ticket...how sweet!

Second Scoop:

The Aztec World
Presented at the Field Museum of Natural History
October 26, 2008- April 9, 2009

Art and artifacts from the Aztec Empire, including ceramics, jewelry, and works in stone.


Cherry on Top:

The Other Cinderella
Presented by the Black Ensemble Theater
Through December 27, 2008

She's an abused orphan from the projects, in this inspirational musical version of the fairy tale...

Black Ensemble Theater
4520 N. Beacon
773.769.4451

Enjoy! Yum...Any suggestions for next week's Saturday Sundae? Lemme know!

John Legend and Raphael Saddiq Add 2nd Show! Tix On Sale Tomorrow

November 21, 2008

The Chicago Theater

Buy Tix for Second Show! They go on sale tomorrow at 11am. I am sure that this concert will be hot. Two true artists hit the stage. Between John's new single 'Green Light' and Raphael's 'Love that Girl', you cannot miss this event!

Upcoming Concerts

Check out the line-up of R&B/Soul acts on Tickemaster.com's Upcoming Concerts list....it includes: John Legend, Al Green, Kenny and Chante Moore, Anthony Hamilton and many others! Get your tickets early folks! Here.

Maxwell Live '08

I am a "neo-soul" concert freak as you will come to know. I had the pleasure of attending the Maxwell Live '08 Tour this past Saturday, October 18th. It was phenomenal!

I have come to admire artists who only need a stage and one outfit to perform. They can turn the house out without back-up dancers, mechanical moving platforms, and harnesses that allow them to descend from the roof (no shade to Ms. Beyonce's first solo tour a few years back)...lol.

The Maxwell Live '08 concert was held at the Chicago Theater which was turned into a mini Chocolate City as you can imagine. That was my first time in the venue. It was huge.

Maxwell hit the stage after being opened my Jazmine Sullivan. I really admired the stage setup which payed homage to the big band scene of the 20s and 30s. The theme was formal. His male back-up singers donned tuxes and bow ties. The lone female singer wore a full length flowy gown and gave a Billie Holiday vibe.

The star himself hit the stage wearing a gray suit, bowtie undone. And the boy had moves. Not too choreographed, but sexy nonetheless. He squatted, did semi-splits and used the microphone stand in very seductive ways to convey the words of his sensual songs.

The concert lasted about an hour and a half. He kinda went through the songs fast...back-to-back. But it was great. The entire venue ended up standing up at the beginning of each song with excitement...one of those "That's mah song!" moments. I think I had about a dozen of those outbursts. The concert ended twice! That's right, he gave two encores as the crowd cheered and screamed until he reappeared on the stage.

It was a great evening.

Noah's Arc Movie, 'Jumping the Broom' Coming to Chicago Next Friday!

Alas, all Noah's Arc fans can celebrate! Jumping the Broom will be playing at the Century Center Cinema in Chicago! Click on that link to check out the showtimes and purchase advanced tickets...as you know, ALL of the Kids will be there, so be an early bird! The film is in select theaters around the country starting next Friday.

In Chicago:

Century Centre Cinema

2828 N. Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60657

I personally own both box sets of the first and second seasons of Noah's Arc. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the show, its about the equivalent of 'Sex and the City' for white women or 'The L Word' for lesbians. Therefore, it has a cult following though LOGO, MTV's gay cable channel, cancelled it despite its popularity that led it to become the flagship show of the channel. Some cite racism as the reason...I dunno...but I wouldn't rule it out!

Hope to see you there! We finally get to find out what happens with Noah and Wade!

Also, feel free to check out Blackplanet.com's article on the movie and feature on famous gay African Americans...here.

The 44th Chicago International Film Festival

October 16-29, 2008

This year's Chicago International Film Festival will feature 175 movies from 47 countries. I found it interesting and helpful that the schedule even features a section called "Black Perspectives". These films showcase the experiences of people of African descent. Check out the schedule for these flims here.

My Must-See List:

Kassim
Dir: Kief Davidson (USA)

Kidnapped by rebel soldiers at the age of six. A war-hardened veteran by 12. A boxing champion at 15. Kassim "The Dream" Ouma's extraordinary journey from Ugandan child soldier to world-class athlete is a tale of survival and Determination taht turns tragedy into inspiration.
87 min.
Fri 10/24 @ 5:50pm
Sat 10/25 @ 2:pm

Of Boys and Men
Dir: Carl Seaton (USA)

When the matriarch (Angela Bassett) of a Chicago family dies suddenly in a car accident, no one takes it harder than her husband, Holden (Robert Townsend), and her youngest son, Z. With distraught Holden struggling to confront his shortcomings as a family man, and Z drawing the attention of a local hustler (Faizon Love), each must make an emotional journey toward true manhood.
90 min.
Tues 10/21 @ 8:30pm
Sat 10/25 @ 7:20pm

We are here!

Stay tuned to Brown Around Town: Chicago for weekly updates about cultural events in the city! Most of the postings will feature events that speak from the Black/Brown perspective and affirms our creativity and beauty!

I will offer the occasional review of an event or venue...As well, please make suggestions of events that should be highlighted on this page.

This blog will be the ultimate resource for the posting of Black/Brown cultural happenings around the city!