Arts + Public Life, in partnership with Soundrotation and Brain Trust Management, presents the third installment of the Rear View Mirror Listening Sessions and Lecture Series led by music historian and DJ, Duane E. Powell. Each Session takes a journey through the lives of musical legends and heroes with surprise musical guest performers. All 2019 sessions will take place at the Green Line Performing Arts Center.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch previous programs.
2019: THE THIRD INSTALLMENT
Eugene McDaniels: Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 6:00–9:00pm
For the first program of the season, we will journey through the career of unsung singer, songwriter and producer Eugene McDaniels. Join us as we discuss his rise to success, his walk into black consciousness, the blacklist, his redemption and his influence in the world of jazz, soul and hip hop. Special guest: Tiaybe Bledsoe.
Sylvia Robinson: Thursday, May 2, 2019 | 6:00–9:00pm
Join us as we take a journey through the life and career of singer, songwriter, producer and Sugar Hill Records label owner Sylvia Robinson. We'll explore her multiple tries at a solo career as a recording artist, her production, her presence as a woman in the industry, and her entrepreneurship that led to her being dubbed the Mother of Hiphop.
Curtis Mayfield: Thursday, June 13, 2019 | 6:00–9:00pm
Join us as we dig deep into the rich history and vast catalog of one the music industry's finest and most prolific, Chicago's own Curtis Mayfield. We'll explore his humble beginnings in the Cabrini Green housing projects onto the lead he took injecting soul music with social consciousness.
Death of Disco: Thursday, July 11, 2019 | 6:00–9:00pm
One the eve of the 40th anniversary of the infamous disco demolition which took place at Chicago's Comiskey Park, join us for a special edition of Rearview Mirror Sessions. In this session we'll explore the world of disco. Its major players, unsung heroes, its part in the gay liberation movement and the backlash. Also, we'll take explore the role disco played in the creation of house music. A genre and a culture created in Chicago.
2018: THE SECOND INSTALLMENT
Leon Ware: Thursday, April 12, 2018 | 6:00–9:00pm
Join us at the Arts Incubator as music historian Duane Powell takes you a journey through the life of singer, songwriter, producer Leon Ware. Powell explores Ware’s humble beginnings and his road to becoming one of the go-to songwriters of the classic soul period, which sparked the creation of the neo-soul movement. Special guest: Sam Trump.
Patti LaBelle: Thursday, May 10, 2018 | 6:00–9:00pm
Dive into the deep history and journey of Patti LaBelle. Powell explores the closed doors, tragedies and triumphs that led to LaBelle being revered as one of the legendary divas of soul and pop. Special guest: Meagan McNeal.
Maurice White: Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 6:00–9:00pm
RSVP: rearviewmauricewhite.eventbrite.com
For the final Rear View Mirror Session, Powell discusses and illustrates the richness in the history and catalog of Chicago’s own legendary Maurice White. Performance by Brandon Markell Holmes.
LIVESTREAM begins 6:30 PM CT: http://bit.ly/RearViewMauriceWhite