Chicago House Music Conference
Chicago House Music Festival and Conference > Conference Schedule
The Chicago House Music Conference brings engaging panels with House music icons and experts to the Chicago Cultural Center.
(schedule subject to change)
Welcome and Remarks
5-5:30pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor)
Beyond the Beat, Dancing with Purpose: Exploring love, consent, and accountability on the dance floor with underground culture creators in Chicago and beyond
5:30-6:30pm, Millennium Park Room (5th Floor)
From intimate gatherings to bustling clubs, underground culture creators play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences and values of nightlife communities. This panel brings together a diverse array of artists, promoters, and activists to explore how these foundational principles manifest within underground nightlife spaces. Join us as we collectively envision ways to cultivate safer, more inclusive spaces where love, consent, and accountability thrive at the heart of the underground culture movement.
Panelists
- Aria Pedraza (Ripe Productions)
- James Bangura (Black Rave Culture)
- Jenny Fox (Eden/Globe Thotter)
Moderated by: Jermaine Collins (Resident Advisor)
The Last Hurrah: Making Money with Music in the Streaming Age
5:30-6:30pm, Washington Room (5th Floor)
The business model for making money with music has come a long way. The digital divide and low payouts associated with streaming services like Spotify have left many wondering how to monetize their music for maximum profits. SYNC licensing music for ads, TV, and film is one way. Another is working with aggregators that collect your payments – many times licensing fees and publishing royalties go uncollected. Music supervisors and placement companies are at the forefront of this industry and we’ll hook you up with all the essentials so you can start getting PAID today.
Panelists
- Ira Antelis – Antelis Music
- Brandy Ricker – Music Supervisor
- Haroula Rose – Songwriter/Filmmaker
Moderated by: Shannon "Skip" Syas - S&S Chicago, Inc.
The Latine Influence on Chicago’s House Music Culture: How Latine culture has impacted the sound of Chicago’s homegrown dance music
6:45-7:45pm, Millennium Park Room (5th Floor)
From the underground clubs to the mainstream, the Latine influence has been a driving force, infusing House music with a diverse range of rhythms, instrumentation, and cultural nuances. As we celebrate the cultural diversity that defines Chicago's House music, we will also address the challenges faced by Latine artists in gaining recognition and representation within the industry. By recognizing and honoring these contributions, we aim to amplify the voices of Latine artists and foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of musical cultures in shaping the global phenomenon that is House music.
Panelists
- Louie Gomez (Bassment Tapes Records)
- Mario Luna (Almighty and Insane Books)
- Janesita (Radio Muevelo)
Moderated by: Luis Baro (Viva Acid)
Keep-a-Knockin’ (But You Can’t Come In): Activating Change Within the Recording Academy
6:45-7:45pm, Washington Room (5th Floor)
The title of a potent Little Richard tune, the architect of Rock & Roll who famously never won a GRAMMY for his music. Jay-Z ruffled feathers this year by suggesting the GRAMMY’s most prestigious awards were withheld from certain people, up to and including his wife, Beyonce. Does the house/underground dance music community want a seat at the GRAMMY table? Is legitimacy at stake when you buy in or opt-out? Frankie Knuckles, Masters at Work, David Morales have all won and it’s been proven that nominations and wins increase opportunities and revenue. Hear from nominees, winners, and staff of The Recording Academy on what creators and fans of house music can do to activate the change you want to see.
Panelists
- Sarah Jansen – Senior Executive Director, Recording Academy Chicago Chapter
- Terry Hunter – 3x GRAMMY Nominee
- J.Ivy – 3x GRAMMY Winner
Moderated by: Dani Deahl (Chicago Chapter Governor, DJ & Producer)
Prep & Process: The Singers and Songwriters of House
6:15-7:30pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor)
Panel/Workshop 75 minutes
Singing/Songwriting can be a lucrative career. We’ll speak with some of dance music’s most well known performers during a 30-minute panel to help you find your creative voice. Followed by an intensive 30-minute roundtable where we’ll pair attendees and panelists to demonstrate singing/songwriting techniques and answer questions. In the last 15 minutes we’ll come back together and sum up our group experiences.
Panelists
- Carla Prather – Singer/Songwriter - Nervous Records
- Jon Pierce – Singer/Songwriter/Author – T's Box
- Byron Stingily – Singer/Songwriter Insomniac Records Ultra Records
- Dana Divine – Singer/Songwriter
Moderated by: Dani Sanders aka Black Widow – Chicago Defender & Southside Weekly
Keynote Fireside Chat: Steve "Silk" Hurley of S&S Chicago and special guest
8-9:15pm, Preston Bradley Hall (3rd Floor)