With festivals and events coming thick and fast now that we approach summer in Chicago, this weekend an extra special celebration will take place, paying homage to the birth of house music.
The free 4-day celebration of the genre’s 40th anniversary, which was announced by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events last month, commences tomorrow and culminates with the Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park this coming Sunday.
Marking four decades since the popular genre was born in Chicago back in 1984, the celebrations kick off with a Chicago Cultural Center Open House from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May 30th followed by a Chicago House Music Conference at the Chicago Cultural Center from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, May 31st.
DJs spinning will be spinning house music throughout the historical building tomorrow while free arts programming and new visual art exhibitions will be taking place throughout the evening.
The Chicago House Music Conference on Friday will then feature engaging panels with house music world icons and experts in the industry.
A free festival pre-party will kick off the weekend’s events at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Navy Pier’s Wave Wall Stage. Numerous DJs will be playing through to 10 p.m. with one of Chicago’s pioneers in the house music industry, Gene Hunt, rounding off the celebrations for the last hour.
The 2024 Chicago House Music Festival will then return to Millennium Park on Sunday for its 20th anniversary summer season in Chicago. Taking place from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., the free festival will feature an eclectic lineup of local and international-renowned DJs across two stages.
“This is a huge year for House Music as we celebrate 40 years of the genre’s first releases and a cultural movement started in our great city,” shared DCASE House Music Programmer David Chavez.
“DCASE is excited to contribute to the citywide celebration alongside events all year produced by Chicago House legends, including the Inaugural House Music Parade led by DJ Farley Jackmaster Funk of #House40 Anniversary, the non-profit organization House Music 40 led by Vince Lawrence and Chip E, the Chosen Few DJs, and many others.”
View the full events schedule at Chicago.gov.