RESCHEDULE FROM 9/27
This event is *offsite* at Armstrong (Lillian Hardin) Park
4433 S St Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of pianist and composer Lillian (Lil) Hardin Armstrong, in the park named for her. Ms. Armstrong was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, with whom she collaborated on many recordings in the 1920s. We honor her on September 5, 2024 (5:30-7:30 pm), a week after the 53rd anniversary of her passing, featuring dynamic singer and musician Alysha Monique and trumpeter Bobby Wonderfull, who recently released Ella and Louis Reimagined, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. They will be joined on the bill by DJ, promoter, music historian, and tastemaker Duane Powell, who will DJ before and after Monique and Wonderfull’s performance.
In addition to our amazing live performances, this event will also feature Puppetry and Dance, as well as an art activity facilitated by Hyde Park Art Center highlighting their most recent exhibit The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige.
Puppetry by Leah Lara
Dancin’ with the Fishes
Come join a beginner ballet and movement class, taught by a reverse mermaid! Move your body, and become one with the earth, sea, and sky. Enjoy music, streamers, bubbles, and dancing like the sea.
Dance Instruction: 5:30
Open Dance: 6:15
This FREE Event will be filled with Music, Community Vendors, and Fun for the whole family to enjoy!
Artist Bios
Alysha Monique - Bold, sensual vocalist, Alysha Monique mesmerizes audiences with the sultry vocal styling of jazz and soul music. Her endearing aura bewitches listeners into the essence of love, individuality, and self-actualization. Surrounded by incredible musicians who strive to push their music to an innovative level, Alysha’s creativity and originality continue to ascend upward. An experience with Alysha is striking, genuine, and poignant.
Duane Powell - Growing up immersed in the richness of Chicago's soul music scene of the 70s and early 80s, Duane Powell entered the world of street promotions in 1985 pounding the pavement promoting events for prominent DJs within Chicago's burgeoning house music scene starting with Lil Louis. By 1990, Duane had done street promotions and served as marketing manager and consultant for many clubs and DJs including the historic Powerhouse. As a DJ, he has spun, headlined, and held residencies at many of Chicago's most popular music venues, hot spots, and festivals including Taste Of Chicago, SummerDance, and Chicago House Festival. He has also been a headliner at festivals throughout the U.S. including Arizona House Festival, and Afro Disco Miami, and shared the bill with the likes of Francois K, Nicky Siano, Joe Claussell, Ron Trent, DJ Spinna, Ian Friday, and many many more. In 2019, he was named Best House DJ by the Chicago Reader and most recently, recorded a live DJ set for the international TV network Boiler Room.
Bobby Wonderfull - With a sound as warm as his smile, multi-instrumentalist Bobby Wonderfull ferries audiences to a place that feels like home. Come into his kitchen where he’s serving music that is sustaining to the soul and satisfying to the most refined palate.
Dark Matter Resident - Leah Lara
Leah Lara is a black nonbinary puppeteer and 3-D illustrator from Dallas Tx. Their work often investigates the black femme experience while drawing on dark and whimsical fairy tale archetypes and themes, utilizing fairytales as a way to reexamine social structures, behaviors, social hierarchies, and biases. They love working with their hands, and stick to the commitment of writing, designing, and performing one original puppet show a year.