September Artist News
published: Aug. 30, 2023
Harold Mendez, Invocation for a return, 2021 Courtesy of the artist and PATRON Gallery, Chicago
Now through December 30, Harold presents a solo exhibition entitled one way to transform and two and three, at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio. The exhibition offers “a collection of over 30 new sculptures, large-scale mixed-media works, and assemblages in his largest exhibition to date. A first-generation American of Mexican-Colombian descent, Mendez deepens his ongoing exploration of the historical narratives that have shaped the Americas by reflecting on familial memories and personal stories. The exhibition embraces symbolism and mythology, themes of transformation, allusions to the body and concept of self, and cycles of death and rebirth.”
On September 3, Dee graces the stage of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival, performing with the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective in Millennium Park.
On September 7 through 9, AJ is participating in Chicago Performs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA). The performance is a collaboration with MCA New Works Initiative recipient, Shawné Michaelain Holloway who is “known for her noisy experimental electronic and performance practice.”
On September 8 and 10, Meagan and Rae perform at the Taste of Chicago. “Returning to its Grant Park home near Buckingham Fountain for 2023, Taste of Chicago will once again showcase the vibrant diversity of the City of Chicago’s culinary offerings alongside world-class musical performances, drawing visitors from across the country and around the globe.”
From September 14 through October 15, Emjoy stars in a revival of Jim Cartwright's award-winning drama The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in a production by The Gift Theatre taking place at Filament Theatre (4040 N. Milwaukee Ave). “Blown fuses, real and metaphorical, punctuate the action with flashes of pent up energy in this acclaimed play. The diminutive heroine frequently plunges the dilapidated house she shares with her alcoholic mother into darkness by playing her dead father’s records at a volume matched only by the soulful power of her vocal impressions. Little Voice has a hidden talent: she can emulate every chanteuse from Judy Garland to Edith Piaf.”
On September 14, Jumaane curates the Jazz Hoofing Quartet as part of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival’s “Artist Corp” offsite free community programming. This performance will take place at Mayfair Arts Center (8701 S. Bennett Avenue) from 6:00 – 8:00pm CT.
From September 16 through October 15, Lili-Anne directs The Nacirema Society at Goodman Theatre. “Every year since Emancipation, The Nacirema Society of Montgomery, Alabama introduces six elegant African-American debutantes to a world of wealth, privilege, and social responsibility. For these young ladies, bus boycotts and freedom marches are less interesting than making a perfect entrance—or plotting the perfect blackmail. As the Society celebrates its centennial…with young love brewing, old flames simmering and national media attention abounding…what would dare go awry?”
On September 20, Sam leads and performs in the Dark Matter series at Elastic Arts. This will be the first show of Sam’s at the space for several years, preceded by an opening set featuring vocalist/pianist Sharon Udoh and a DJ set by Sey Twila via The.Blk.Room.
On September 23, Tatsu brings the MIYUMI Project to Elastic Arts with a duet concert presented by his Asian Improv aRts Midwest organization. Tatsu will perform with experimental cellist Jaime Kempers.
DEE ALEXANDER (2012 3Arts/Southwest Airlines Awardee), RAE CHARDONNAY (2017 Make a Wave Artist), MEAGAN MCNEAL (2020 3Arts/Walder Foundation Awardee), NICOLE MITCHELL (2011 3Arts Awardee), JUNIUS PAUL (2020 3Arts/SIF Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation Awardee), TOMEKA REID (2016 3Arts/Southwest Airlines Awardee), and NEJLA YATKIN (2012 3Arts Awardee)
On September 23 and 24, several 3Arts artists perform at this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival, including: “Tomeka Reid and Junius Paul” (Sept 23, 2:00pm); “Artifacts + Dal Niente: Works by Nicole Mitchell” (Sept 23, 3:00pm); “Dee Alexander’s Ancestors Reign” (Sept 23, 9:30pm); DJ Rae Chardonnay (Sept 23, 9:30pm); and Meagan McNeal (Sept 24, 3:00pm).
On September 29 and 30, J’Sun presents The Righteous Beauty of the Things Never Accounted For, a new dance performance (and 3AP-funded project) that explores Black fugitivity. “Righteous Beauty uses movement as an anchor and source for practicing freedom, allowing us to discover unexpected beauty that’s typically hard to experience in a carceral state. It is an embodied look into existing when the cosmos does not want us to exist.”
RIVA LEHERER (2008 3Arts/Chandler Family Artist Awardee), PO’CHOP aka JENN FREEMAN (2017 Make a Wave Artist), and many more
From September 29 through October 1, several 3Arts artists participate in EXPO Chicago’s Exhibition Weekend 2023. “The weekend will bring together over 50 galleries, institutions, and artist-run spaces to present exhibitions that encourage everyone from seasoned collectors to those new to engaging with Chicago’s visual arts scene to explore unique programs, extended hours, and more.”
GINGER LANE (2017 3Arts/Community Awardee), KRIS LENZO (2015 3Arts/David Pinkerton Awardee), ROBBY WILLIAMS (2021 Bodies of Work Fellow), SARAH CULLEN FULLER (2017 Make a Wave Artist), and JULIA COX (2021 Make a Wave Artist)
On September 30 and October 1, the 13th annual CounterBalance performances will take place at the on Halsted (3656 N Halsted). “CounterBalance showcases the power and unique artistry of physically-integrated and inclusive dance.”