The Dark Matter Series was founded in 2015 by Jonathan Woods and Sam Lewis, focusing on new directions launching from and beyond hip-hop while exploring collaborations between sound and video. In 2019, the Series propagated an artist Residency for emerging BIPOC artists, and now also features performances by Dark Matter Resident artists and alumni along with exciting artists from a diverse range of disciplines and traditions, from across Chicago and beyond. The Dark Matter Series culminates each year in the AfroFuturist Weekend festival.