This event is Off Site!
327 N. Waller Avenue Chicago, IL 60644
In Collaboration with Front Porch Art Center and the Austin Community Art Walk, Elastic Arts will be showcasing artists Uneq’ka, Camíla, and Dark matter Resident Carissa Lee. Activating the 327 Garden in celebration of the art and influence of the west side of Chicago.
Carissa Lee: Carissa Lee is a performance and sound artist. She received her BFA in theater from NYU And MFA from the School of the Art institute Chicago. Her work uses recordings, writing, Black southern culture and voice to materialize emotions ranging from grief to joy.
In addition to being an artist she is a passionate teacher who has worked with theaters and non profits across Los Angeles - helping students of all ages use their lived experience to make performances. She has exhibited and performed in New York NY, Los Angeles CA, Chicago IL, and Quebec City Canada. She is extremely proud to be a member of Chicago based artist collective Suspended Culture.
Uneq’ka: Uneq’ka (pronounced as “Unique”-KA), developed her musical Sound early. She started to sing in the church choir at the age of three. Shortly after she began receiving Piano, Clarinet , Saxophone and Vocal lessons. Music has Always been her Passion. The songstress’ goal is to redefine the image of music through her lyrical and artistic diversity while transmitting her life experiences, pains and triumphs through her voice and artistry. While she attended Harper College and Columbia College she trained in classical, jazz, opera, and gospel. She studied Visual Art, Graphic Design, Film Editing, and website development. She holds a bachelors and masters degree in psychology, and is currently a doctoral student, teacher, and clinical therapist. She has been a leader in the community in activism for over 20 years. She also has vast experience in hip-hop and R&B. Uneq'ka writes, engineers and produces her own music and also enjoys collaborating with other producer and musicians. Her artistic talent does not stop when the song is complete, as she continually perfects her talent through abstract paintings, video editing, acting, modeling, web-building & teaching. She Debuted her acting skills as Legend Billie Holiday & Sarah Vaughn , Also as The Scarecrow in The Wiz Chicago-style w/ Mahdi Theater. Uneq’ka has opened up for Usher, T.I, Nas, Nelly, Trey Songs, Rick Ross, Kelly Price, TLC, Life Jennings, Kindred The Family Soul, Melonie Fiona, and many others. She has collaborated on projects w/ Kanye West And Malik Yusef. And her Music has been Featured on NBC's "Friday Night Lights". She recently toured with the Isley Brothers, Rod wave, and KeKe Wyatt. And has released music on all streaming platforms, yearly. She has much more in store for you!
Camíla: Camíla is a creator of space, a vocalist, and writer from the West Side of Chicago. Her musical background explores the sounds, textures and feelings of Jazz and Soul Music, and introduces rhythms influenced by her lineage from the Caribbean Islands. Camila has been performing in and around the city since she was 15 years old, playing in venues such as Andy's Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, and private events at The Ritz Hotel. Outside of her art she is the founder and CEO of The.BlkRoom, an arts community organization working with other partners such as AFRORACK and Elastic Arts to harbor musical communities for Black and Brown artists, bridging gaps and creating opportunities for young musicians in the city. Grounded in her purpose of creating space, she now emerges as the foundation of her trio Cëra, as she hopes to cultivate an air of intimacy whenever she performs, bringing sensual, warm sounds and poetry to those with a listening ear.