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**Application open for participants 65 and over
Deadline May 5, 2025 @ 11:59PM
MAY 21 – JUNE 21 – 5 week program
WEDNESDAYS 4:30pm – 7:30pm SATURDAYS 10:00am – 2:00pm
Meeting at Lumpen Radio’s Studio – 3219 S Morgan St
$800 stipend
“Through Your Years: Generations on Air” is a new initiative designed to build new bridges between youth and elders in Chicago through storytelling and audio production. Over the course of five weeks, we’ll facilitate collaborative learning experiences that culminate in the creation of 5-7 minute audio pieces capturing the oral histories of the participants. These pieces will explore the lives, communities, and connections between intergenerational participants.
During the program, both youth and elders will be introduced to the fundamentals of audio production, including recording techniques, editing, and storytelling skills. In addition to guided lessons, participants will be given small assignments to build their confidence and ensure they are prepared to produce their final projects independently. By the end of the program, each pair of youth and elder will have a completed audio piece that highlights the rich history and valuable insights of their shared experiences– these audio segments will then be broadcasted on Lumpen Radio through the National Museum of Mexican Arts youth radio show: Wattz Up!
Stipend: Participants will receive an $550 stipend upon completion of the 5-week, 60-hour program. Participants will also receive a $250 travel stipend to attend.
Schedule: May 21 – June 21 • 5 week program
Wednesday 4:30pm – 7:30pm • Saturdays 10:00am – 2:00pm + ~5 independent hours off site
This program offers a creative and impactful way for generations to connect, learn from one another, and preserve the stories that shape their communities.
A collaboration between Yollocalli Arts Reach and Lumpen Radio. Supported by Innovation80.
If you have questions you can email Lumpen Radio at lumpenradio@publicmediainstitute.com
Preserving Disorder • Host: Jeremy Kitchen, Susie Swanton, Tim Werner • 2nd & 4th Sundays • 11AM – 12PM
Preserving Disorder is the new book show at Lumpen Radio. Hosted by Jeremy Kitchen, author, and purveyor of all that is weird, offensive, and obscene, amateur literary scholar Susie Swanton, the curious minded Tim Werner. Join us as we try and figure out the Midwest literary landscape and beyond. Produced by Julie Wu, and music by RXM Reality.
noseyAF: conversations about art, activism and social change• Host: Stephanie Graham • 2nd & 4th Saturdays • 2PM – 3PM • @noseyafpod
noseyAF is a bi-weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes with passionate people shaping a better world. Hosted by Stephanie, the show features artists, activists, filmmakers, CEOs, cashiers, religious groups, and more—everyday movers, shakers, and subculture makers—sharing their stories, insights, and creative journeys. Expect real talk, unexpected connections, and a healthy dose of nosiness.
Future Rootz · Host: AfroQbano • 1st & 3rd Tuesdays · 10PM – 12AM • @futurerootz
Future Rootz explores music and culture from across las Americas and the diaspora.
Not in Distress • Host: Leslie Hurtado • 1st & 3rd Saturdays • 10AM – 11AM • @leslie_hurtado_
“Not in Distress” is a femme-horror podcast hosted by Leslie Hurtado that shines a light on women of color in horror cinema. Through sharp analysis, interviews, and film critique, each episode unravels how horror empowers women to turn fear into power, rewriting their stories from the shadows. Beyond cinematic chills, the podcast illuminates real-life terrors faced by WOC, celebrating the bold voices courageously reshaping the genre. Here, survival isn’t the endgame — it’s just the beginning.
Garbage, Man · Host: Caitlin Rose Mahoney • 1st & 3rd Sundays · 10AM – 11AM • @garbagemanradio
Ever wondered what really happens to your trash? “Garbage, Man” dives deep into Chicago’s recycling and waste systems and investigates the journey of your trash, from the alley to its ultimate fate, while highlighting the work of local leaders in sustainability. Tune in to get your burning questions answered and discover how you can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Chicago. Get in touch: garbagemanradio@gmail.com
Frontline Youth · Host: Jordan Esparza-Kelley • 1st & 3rd Sundays • 4PM – 5PM • @heavybutlite
Frontline Youth will be covering Chicago and greater US young activists pushing to make change in our city. There is a new era of Civil Rights Movements in our country and once again, our youngest leaders are on the frontlines. Listen in to hear their political analysis and how they are meeting the moment.
An African Abroad · Host: B4DMAN • 3rd Sundays · 12PM – 2PM • @ilovemonsteras
Titled after Olabisi Ajala’s 1963 travel memoir, An African Abroad is about affirming migrant autonomy. Ajala’s legend, spanning countless countries and cities including a 28-day bicycle ride from Chicago to Los Angeles, is filled with enthusiasm and desire. Drawing inspiration from Ajala’s rebellion against border-spaces, the show presents Black/African tunes and guest chats to maintain diasporic meaning and to communicate the African migrant experience. The show encourages listeners to remain boundless in sonic matter and in their day-to-day living in Chicago and beyond.
This title was inspired by the powerful Symposium hosted by No Evil Eye Cinema that prefaced cinemas potential as an act of resistance
Cinematic Interventions · Host: Florence Woolley • 2nd & 4th Saturdays · 10AM – 11AM • @rence_whooly
In these hour-long conversations, I speak with moving image artists about their work, their creative process, and the music that has shaped it. Each of these artists asks urgent questions about contemporary political conditions and the role of the moving image. We explore these questions, their journey into film and video and the commitment to making meaningful images.
Ragas & Talas Radio · Host: Brian Keigher aka DJ Warp • 1st & 3rd Sundays • 5PM – 7PM • @bkbeats
Ragas & Talas Radio is a two hour deep dive listening experience into the incredible sounds of South Asian classical and raga related music. Featuring traditional South Asian classical to contemporary instrumental and vocal music of Hindustani and carnatic music traditions and beyond. The program includes special guest selectors, artist interviews, stories about the music and artists and plenty of rare recordings.
South Asia On The Air · Host: South Asia Institute • 1st & 3rd Wednesdays • 10AM – 11AM • @southasiainstitute
South Asia On The Air, a new talk radio show from South Asia Institute that shares the stories, conversations and voices of visionary creatives from South Asia and its diaspora. Join us every other Wednesday from 10AM until 11AM as we uncover the journeys, passions, and inspirations driving these artists and community.
Impulsiones Alteradas (CoAmp en Español) · Host: Jhonatan Carbonell • 2nd Wednesdays • 7PM – 8PM • @jhonatan.carbonel
Special Thursday night broadcast of
LISTENING DEVICE LIVE
in front of studio audience & on 105.5 FM Chicago
PLUS DJ sets by Ntone Edjabe of PAN AFRICAN SPACE STATION (Chimurenga, Cape Town ZA)
March 6th 2025 @ Co-Prosperity
3219 S Morgan St, Chicago IL
Performance & broadcast 8pm – 10pm
Doors open 7:30pm
Attend in person for $15
Buy tix here.
About the Damon Locks’ solo album:
List of Demands marks Locks’s first foray into creating an entire album based off of his poetry and texts; but the signature collage work heard in his recent New Future City Radio and ongoing Black Monument Ensemble output is distinctly present in this new 12-song cycle of bite-sized Nikki Giovanni-meets-MF DOOM-style rhythm experiments.
The album’s sample-based constructions are steeped in a lifetime of not only keen cultural observation, but direct communal participation in the culture. Locks’ decades-long resume connects the dots between experimental improvisation, sample based hip hop, punk, and poetry – each done at the highest level and with a list of collaborators that could spin the head of even the most jaded listener. With his sheer presence as a communal hub himself, Locks has repeatedly demonstrated his capacity to jump-start an entire personality spectrum into action. With List of Demands he does just that, again, projecting an ecstatic positivity via his nuanced grasp of reality, and lucidly articulating the ever-evasive concept of what could be.
About the performers:
Damon Locks is a Chicago-based artist whose diverse career includes work as a visual artist, musician, and educator. Starting with the band Trenchmouth in the late 1980s, his extensive collaborations span from Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra to projects like the Black Monument Ensemble (BME). Locks has also ventured into sound and animation, incorporating Sun Ra recordings and producing album art for notable musicians. His recent works include “New Future City Radio,” a duo project with Rob Mazurek released in July 2023, exploring community and transformation through a pirate radio format, and “List of Demands,” a spoken and text-based album announced in December 2024.
Ntone Edjabe is a Cameroonian writer, journalist, and DJ, best known as the founding editor of Chimurenga, a pan-African publication of culture, art, and politics established in 2002 and based in Cape Town. The magazine’s name, Chimurenga, derives from the Shona word for “struggle” and also references a Zimbabwean music genre. Edjabe’s work as a DJ blends musical knowledge with political activism, focusing on Africa’s global position. He has been involved in various cultural initiatives, including the Time of the Writer events at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and founding the Pan African Space Station, an Internet radio platform. His contributions to arts and culture have been recognized with several accolades, including the Principal Award of the Prince Claus Awards in 2011.
In partnership with Chicago Community Workers Rights, Lumpen Radio is excited to announce the launch of “Boletín Migrante,” a dynamic Spanish-language radio program dedicated to discussing and dissecting issues affecting migrant communities. The show airs every first and third Wednesday of the month on WLPN-LP Chicago 105.5 FM, with streams available on lumpenradio.com and the Lumpen Radio app.
Hosted by Stephanie Manriquez and Rosi Carrasco, “Boletín Migrante” offers in-depth analysis and heartfelt discussions by engaging with guest activists, experts, and migrant voices. The program combats fear and confusion and strengthens community bonds through shared stories of resistance and resilience.
“This initiative arose from some phone conversations and concerns about the situation we are facing since the entry of this federal government and the implementation of its policies that aim to instill fear in our communities.” – Rosi Carrasco
The inaugural episode, which aired on February 5th, featured Aldermen Michael Rodriguez (22nd Ward) and Carlos Rosa (35th Ward), and spoke on how legislative and community actions are bolstering the protection of migrants at multiple governmental levels. The program highlighted practical examples and interviews that stressed the significance of organization and collective action, particularly in empowering communities through knowledge of their rights and effective resistance strategies.
“Boletín Migrante” not only aims to inform but also to inspire, offering an alternative perspective that celebrates the achievements and addresses the challenges faced by migrants.
“Boletín Migrante” airs every first and third Wednesday of the month, from 9am – 10am CST only on Lumpen Radio.
Listen or watch our first episode down below!
2024 has been a meaningful year for Lumpen Radio. We are deeply grateful to our hosts, DJs, staff, volunteers, and listeners for all your support. Thank you for continuously uplifting and amplifying the voices, stories, and culture of our city and beyond.
This year, we launched 20 new shows, series, and partnerships, bringing an exciting mix of local and international content to the airwaves. From music shows like alluvia’s fluid, Jungle Excursion, Listening Device, Soultronic, and Love Supreme, to talk shows such as The Changes, Mouth on Mic, Dish with David, and Tech Scene, we covered a wide range of topics. Our multilingual programming, like Chit-Chat Cheer HKers (in Cantonese) and Xochipilli Radio (in Spanish), allowed us to reach even more listeners with varied perspectives. We also launched several limited series like Men I Have Ever Met, Entrelazadas in collaboration with Contratiempo, and Art Design Chicago Talks, exploring the intersection of art and community. Other limited series included How to Make a Scene, conversations about artist-run histories with artists from 80s and 90s Chicago, and Midway Atlas On Air, which featured conversations with Midwest art-run spaces.
Our Lumpen Specials highlighted artistic projects and social conversations, with shows like The Gospel Truth, LatiNxt 2024, Folded Maps, Fwd Museums, and Gaza Monologues. This year also included our in-depth coverage of the 2024 Democratic National Convention and 2024 Presidential Elections. During the DNC 2024, we brought insightful analysis, interviews, live reporting, and panel discussions with journalists, activists, and artists, featuring a nationwide collaboration “We Decide: America at the Crossroads” with WORT, WZRD, Pacifica Network, and WBAI. We broadcasted live protests, debates, and expert commentary.
We also dedicated our efforts toward community-driven projects like Neighborhood Audio Portraits, which invited residents from Little Village, Bronzeville, and Back of the Yards/New City to share their stories through audio collages. Our New Arrivals Mutual Aid project continued activating phones and providing support to newcomers via our oral history program, while our new collaboration with UIC and workers’ rights organizations helped empower individuals with mentorship in radio production, culminating in the monthly show Lucha por Tus Derechos Chicago. Important partnerships this year included Radio Nopal, a longtime Lumpen friend from Mexico City, and Juneteenth Productions, which brought their Change Agents podcast to our airwaves.
Two Lumpen Media leaders were honored this year with big awards – Founding Director and Lumpen Magazine creator Ed Marszewski was a named Leader for a New Chicago by the Field and MacArthur Foundations, and Lumpen Radio Director Stephanie Manriquez received a 2024 3Arts Award for her work empowering communities through storytelling. Their contributions continue to inspire and shape Lumpen Radio’s mission.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year. We look forward to continuing to share stories and grow together in 2025.
Fireside with is a monthly, curated live music series featuring diverse representation of Chicago’s music talent. Each event in the series will feature a live conversation and concert with that month’s featured artist.
In taking the performance out of the traditional concert venue and into our historic spaces, we offer Chicagoans and visitors a unique experience to connect with artists and their community.
With support from CHIRP Radio, Lumpen Radio, and Hooligan Mag, Fireside with exists as a celebration of the many facets of the local creative music scene.
Location: 12 S. Michigan Ave. (White City Ballroom, 8th Floor)
Performance Dates, Times, & Ticketing
Fireside with,Tasha & J Bambii & m.e.h.
Tuesday, March 11th at 6:30pm
Doors at 6:30pm / Show at 7:00pm
After Show — DJ set by CHIRP Radio, 8:30pm-9:30pm (Game Room, 2nd Floor)
Ticketing ($25)
Artist Bios
ABOUT J BAMBII:
Jasmine A Barber, also known as the rapper J Bambii, is an artist, educator, tarot reader, and cartoon-lover from the Southside of Chicago. She is the founder and creator of The Brown Skin Lady Show and the community healing initiative called “Come Together”, as well as the co-founder of “The FiFi” a party created on the Southside, for the Southside. Jasmine has also released a tape called “RETROGRADE” under her alias. She is currently working on more community-building events and the release of her debut album “Black American Beauty.”
ABOUT m.e.h:
Music has always been a pivotal part of m.e.h.’s life. She began writing music at as young as five years old and always found a way to incorporate music into her life. Whether that was playing the violin in the 3rd grade, singing in choirs all of her life, performing in talent shows, or getting her first professional gigs in Annapolis, MD when she was only 14 years old. Now 23 years old, she continues to fuel this passion in Chicago, IL. Since she got to Chicago in 2018, she has been performing wherever she can; writing as much as she can; working to perfect her craft and honing her unique sound; a genre bending mix of alternative and neo-soul. She received her bachelor’s degree in music in 2022 to commemorate the years of hard work she has devoted her craft.
ABOUT TASHA:
For Chicago-born artist Tasha, the last few years have been a time for transition and flourishing. Since the 2021 release of Tell Me What You Miss The Most, the musician has supported nation-wide tours with artists like Nilufer Yanya and Margaret Glaspy. In 2023, she was tapped to join the cast of Illinoise, a Tony-nominated Broadway musical that adapts Sufjan Steven’s seminal album, Illinois, for the stage. Michigan is the first single to come out of this period. Produced by Gregory Uhlmann, the single deals with the uncertainty of loss and faltering infatuation, as well as the steadfast solidity of love and pleasure. The artist’s familiar voice flutes over a dazzling, expansive jangle of guitar, indicating an evolution of sound from the quiet introspective of earlier music into something grander, more symphonic. Michigan is, in many ways, an auditory and artistic promise of the abundance to come, for Tasha and for us.
Partners
HOOLIGAN MAG:
HOOLIGAN MAG began as a project to celebrate community, and it has grown into a collective of artists and thinkers who believe in reinventing the norm by normalizing the alternative. While they act as both an online and print publication, they are also a collective that hosts and curates public events. They are intrinsically tied to the DIY art community by being hands-on, contributing members. Hooligan provides oftentimes marginalized artists with URL and IRL platforms through interviews & reviews on the website as well as individual issues, performance showcases + variety shows and Hooligan sponsored live conversations + artist talks.
CHIRP RADIO:
CHIRP is a volunteer-driven, community radio station that focuses on music, arts, and culture. The station can be heard on the north side of Chicago at 107.1FM and worldwide at chirpradio.org. We are live and local every day of the year from 6am-midnight from our studios in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, and the city we live in is a key part of everything we do. CHIRP Radio plays a wide mix of local, independent, lesser-heard, and just generally good music from a variety of genres and eras. CHIRP DJs are true music fans who love to share their discoveries, new and old, with listeners. The station also features conversations with artists, activists, and other people doing interesting work, and our features department produces pieces highlighting Chicago’s diverse voices and stories.
LUMPEN RADIO:
We are a non-profit, community radio station located in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. You can hear our radio signal throughout Chicago at 105.5FM and tune-in anywhere from our website. WLPN-LP is operated by a community of volunteers: we are DJs, curators, producers, writers and organizers who work to connect you with the music and ideas we think you will love.
Join us and support Public Media Institute and our community’s efforts to make Chicago’s cultural, independent media, and movement work more meaningful, powerful and prosperous than ever. Join us Wednesday, October 23rd from 6pm-10.30pm at Co-Prosperity, 3219 S. Morgan Street. There will be live music, dinner, and an auction with over 30 artworks.
Click here to purchase your ticket and click here to view our online auction!
More artworks are coming soon!
All tickets include:
🍽️ Dinner Dozzy’s Grill – Experience the bold, authentic flavors of West African cuisine, thoughtfully crafted to create a one-of-a-kind cultural dining experience. Let Dozzy’s Grill take you on a culinary journey with their signature dishes and warm, radical hospitality.
+ Indulge your sweet tooth with desserts from Elizabeth’s Cakes & Desserts and Eli’s Cheesecake.
🍻 Open Bar – Sip and enjoy drinks, courtesy of Marz Brewing and Jeppson’s Malort.
🎤 Live Music – Groove to beats by DJ Logan Bay, Weird Lady Music, and RADIUS.
🎟️ Artwork Auction – Bid on exclusive, one-of-a-kind art pieces through our Qgiv online auction platform, and help support our cause! Pick the ticket that feels right for you. If you can’t join us in person, please consider attending one of our many free events throughout the year. Your support, in any form, is invaluable. Spread the word, and let’s continue to co-build the communities of the future—together.
Tune In: Live Coverage of the DNC 2024 from Chicago on Pacifica Network’s “We Decide: America at the Crossroads”
Date: August 19 – 22, 2024
Time: 7pm – 9pm
As the Democratic National Convention descends upon Chicago this summer, Pacifica Network is set to bring you exclusive coverage through its special project, “We Decide: America at the Crossroads”. This broadcasting initiative is produced in collaboration with WORT and will feature a comprehensive two-hour nightly live show directly from the heart of the event.
From August 19th to 22nd, join us each evening for ground-breaking reports from the protests, insightful debates from the convention floor, and in-depth analysis of the unfolding political drama. Our coverage aims to capture the pulse of the nation and the issues that matter most to the people of Chicago and across the United States.
“We Decide” will be co-anchored by Jenna Flanagan, an award-winning journalist known for her sharp insights and incisive reporting, alongside Chali Pittman of WORT. The duo promises to bring a dynamic approach to the coverage, blending rigorous journalism with engaging storytelling.
Broadcasting live from WLPN-LP Lumpen Radio’s studios in the vibrant Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, our team is poised to deliver first-hand accounts and fresh perspectives each night. The team includes WORT’s own Sara Gabler, Faye Parks, and Carlos Dávalos, supplemented by the talented crews from Lumpen Radio and WZRD 88.3 FM, Northeastern Illinois University’s student-run station.
Adding to our lineup, veteran labor journalist Bob Hennelly will offer live updates from the convention floor, providing listeners with immediate reactions and insights directly from the epicenter of the convention.
Don’t miss a moment of this pivotal event in American politics. Tune into Pacifica Network’s “We Decide: America at the Crossroads” for coverage that’s as compelling as it is critical.
Call for Submissions: Neighborhood Audio Portraits
Lumpen Radio invites artists, storytellers, and community members to contribute to Neighborhood Audio Portraits. This new project focusing on Little Village, Bronzeville, and Back of the Yards/New City seeks to document and celebrate the unique cultural, artistic, and human elements that define these Chicago communities.
Neighborhood Audio Portraits is an experimental series that invites Chicagoans to create audio collages that capture the experiences of residents in these communities. Each audio piece will serve as a story, illustrating the profound impact and rich heritage of the neighborhood it represents.
Selected audio portraits will be showcased in one of three day-long programs on Lumpen Radio, each culminating in a launch celebration featuring live performances, great local food, cross-neighborhood discussions, and a public listening session.
Deadline for Submissions:
Interested participants can submit audio pieces with this form by August 5, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Stipends:
Neighbors whose submissions are accepted will receive stipends for their work based on the length of their audio pieces.
Stipend Rates:
15-28 minutes: $250
7 -14 minutes: $150
Under 7 minutes: $75
Questions?
Email us at lumpenradio@publicmediainstitute.com
Submission Guidelines:
– Type of Submissions: We are looking for audio pieces that can include sound-art, oral histories, local stories, neighbor and organization profiles, interviews, experimental compositions, field recordings/sound capturing and anything in-between. Think of these as audio-portraits or narrative collages that bring out the essence of each neighborhood. The project hopes to commission *new* radio pieces, never played before, helping you to explore your creativity. Note: We love music, but this is not a song contest; however we would be happy for submissions to include recordings of local musicians as elements or sound beds for the full submission.
– Length: Audio submissions can vary in length but should be comprehensive enough to tell a compelling story. There are three categories your piece can fit into: short: under 7 minutes, medium: 7-14 minutes, long: 15 -28 minutes.
– Themes: Submissions should focus on one of the specified neighborhoods—Little Village, Bronzeville, or Back of the Yards/New City. We encourage pieces that explore topics such as exciting projects, conversations and ideas happening in your neighborhood right now, community heritage, personal narratives, collective stories from local celebrities, activists, community members, and celebrations of cultural expressions.
– Format: Audio should be submitted in a high quality (192 kbps) MP3 format (NO Wavs, AIFFs, etc.), suitable for radio broadcasting and public presentation.
Note: There are several audio softwares and applications for your devices that can help and support your journey on creating your audios!! Check out some free applications here.
– FCC Compliance: As a community radio station, all submissions will be broadcasted on 105.5 FM and must adhere to FCC guidelines including:
1) No Obscenity or Profanity: Please ensure that your submissions do not contain any profanity or obscene content.
2) No Calls to Action: Submissions must not include any direct calls to action or solicitations.
How to Submit:
Submissions should be sent via this form.
Please upload your audio file along with a brief description of the piece, the neighborhood it represents, and any relevant personal or project links.
Deadline for Submissions: July 22, 11:59 PM
Info session: Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30-6:30
zoom link
2023 has been a remarkable year for Lumpen Radio, and as we close this chapter, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our hosts, DJs, staff, volunteers, and, crucially, our listeners, who have all played pivotal roles in this journey. Your support and contributions have been instrumental in our mission to shine a light on the overlooked corners of our city, elevating its diverse voices and sounds.
Lumpen Radio is committed to promoting open media, fostering community unity, and spotlighting the extraordinary efforts of artists, musicians, activists, and cultural workers in our communities. This year, we’re thrilled to have introduced 15 diverse new shows. Our music-based programming, featuring shows like “Buen Viaje,” “Dusty Sparkles’ Spectacular Soundhouse,” “Trqpiteca FM,” “Enchufate,” “Radio Muévelo,” and “Spiritworld,” has captivated audiences with its rich variety. Meanwhile, our talk shows, interviews, and conversations, including “City Dreams,” “Halftone Radio Supershow,” “Perceptions of the Real,” “Queer And,” “Lumpen FC,” “Mutual Aid Report,” and “Sala,” have stimulated thought-provoking discussions. Our new Spanish language programming, including “Entre Sonidos y Almas” and “Neta,” have further broadened our multilingual radio efforts.
In addition, we’ve hosted 15 special conversations and panel discussions in our “Lumpen Specials” series. Highlights include the “2023 Chicago Local Elections Coverage,” with Jamie Trecker, Mario Smith and John Daley. We’ve also delved into the local independent media landscape and its community impact featuring insights from esteemed journalists Tracy Baim, Justin Kerr, and Sandra Treviño. A standout moment was the engaging discussion between Edra Soto and Esmeralda M. Guerrero about Soto’s solo exhibition “Destination/El Destino: A Decade of GRAFT” at the Hyde Park Art Center. And we had the privilege of interviewing Jonathan D. Katz, curator of “The First Homosexuals: Global Depictions of a New Identity, 1869-1930” at Wrightwood 659, exploring themes of identity, queer art, and its historical and future perspectives.
Our collaborations this year have been groundbreaking. In partnership with La Pocha Nostra, we produced “Gómez Peña’s Mex Files – 2023 Season,” a multi-lingual live radio and archived audio program by the renowned artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña. We also continued with the fifth season of “Pocket Guide to Hell,” where host Paul Durica delves into the intersections of art, politics, and culture through Chicago’s historical lens.
Community engagement has been a cornerstone of our work. Our pop-up events at Hyde Park Art Center with “South Side Stories” was a platform for community members, artists and youth to share their cherished memories and stories. At the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Family Day, we captured the voices of children and families, enriching our collective narrative.
Additionally, we’ve hosted enriching Spanish conversations with celebrated 19 Indigenous Chilean artists, providing an intimate glimpse into the region’s ancient cultural legacy and artistic traditions.
Our “Tomorrow is Listening” event, a 24-hour transmission takeover in collaboration with International Anthem, was a global celebration of music and unity. This event, inspired by Damon Locks & Rob Mazurek’s album “New Future City Radio,” featured curated mixes and a grand finale performance, exemplifying the power of collaborative art.
Looking ahead to 2024, we’re excited about projects like the Neighborhood Access Program, which will bring to life “Neighborhood Audio Portraits” in communities like New City, Little Village, and Bronzeville. Our “Art Design Chicago Talks” will explore art exhibitions focusing on Latinx and Native American narratives, among other exciting initiatives.
As we step into 2024, we’re filled with optimism and eagerness to continue our journey of connecting communities through the power of radio. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, and here’s to an even more impactful year ahead!