Chicago is the World

Collected by Lucia Anaya, Community Media Workshop New Media Intern

Photo courtesy of Make Music Chicago

Here’s a weekly roundup of upcoming cultural events in the city:

Make Music Chicago – Various locations, June 21

Make Music Chicago is a live, one-day music festival on the first day of summer that celebrates the ability of everyone to make music. Throughout the day, people of all ages and musical abilities – beginners, amateurs, students, professionals, and marquee artists – gather to play free live music of all genres in public venues across the city.

Make Music Chicago is part of “Fête de la Musique,” a national musical holiday marking its 30th anniversary this year. Since 1982, “Fête de la Musique” has become an international phenomenon, taking place on June 21 in more than 460 cities in 110 countries, including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Australia, Vietnam, Congo, Cameroon, Fiji, Colombia, Chile, Nepal, and Japan.

To get the full schedule of events click here.

Thai Festival Chicago—Federal Plaza, June 21

Catch the last day of Thai Festival Chicago, a three-day cultural festival that features various aspects of Thai culture and food in the heart of the Loop. The festival is sponsored by the Royal Thai Consulate General of Chicago and includes traditional dance and classical music, Muay Thai, Thai traditional massage and a fashion show.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free. Check out the Royal Thai Consulate General of Chicago Facebook page for more information.

American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, June 21-23

Presented by the Ensemble Español Center for Spanish Dance & Music, the American Spanish and Dance Music Festival will host a cast of 40 dancers, singers, musicians, and guest artists who bring the magic of Spain to Chicago through their exciting fusion of traditional, classical, folkloric and dramatic theatrical productions.

Ticket price varies for performances. For more information, click here.

Melaku Belay Fendika, Constellation, June 25

Melaku Belay Fendika is a super-group of top traditional musicians and dancers from Ethiopia. They return to Chicago as part of  a summer 2013 US tour. Fendika’s musicians and vocalists are rooted in the ancient azmari tradition of bardic minstrels, while the dancers draw deeply from the well of tradition, but also tap joyously into their natural creativity.
The group features six performers – two dancers, a singer, and instruments including kebero drums, masenko (a one-stringed bowed fiddle), and krar (a five- or six-stringed lyre). Fendika leader Melaku Belay is the world’s foremost interpreter of eskista, a traditional Ethiopian trance dance of athletic shoulder movements that presage hip hop dance styles like breaking and popping.

At Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave June 25, 2013 at 8 p.m. Tickets 12 to 15.

World Music Wednesdays: Jacco Müller and Victor Ghannam, Old Town School of Folk Music, June 26

Flamenco guitarist Jacco Müller and oud master Victor Ghannam have successfully collaborated to create a unique blend of flamenco and Middle Eastern music with underlying influences of rock, jazz, and belly dance.

The dynamic duo who have worked together previously on “Viento del Desierto” in 2009, have come together once again to produce a fresh and innovative sound that effectively combines different worlds and cultures to produce a high quality record: Palace of Dreams. At this concert they will perform a mix from the new album with other compositions.

Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. Click here for more info.