It’s unbelievable what one tune can do.
Phil Collins’ “In opposition to All Odds” can deliver again the reminiscence of a primary kiss.
Usher’s “DJ Acquired Us Fallin’ in Love” can function a reminder of a faculty friendship.
Jon Batiste’s “Freedom” can conjure a sense of hope for the long run.
These are a few of the songs and anecdotes shared Saturday throughout SOL Collective’s packed storytelling occasion, “Final Evening a DJ Saved My Life,” on the Promontory in Hyde Park. Eight girls audio system instructed private tales in regards to the impact music has had on their lives. The attentive viewers laughed, nodded and mumbled phrases of affirmation from their tables adorned with disco balls and roses.
And, sure, the Indeep tune referenced within the present’s title was performed to kick issues off.
Since 2020, the SOL Collective has been amplifying the voices and experiences of ladies of shade by way of such themed occasions. And the hope is that their tales resonate with others, no matter gender or background, in response to co-founder Shelley Davis.
“All of us have this wonderful assortment of experiences, and there’s all these classes which can be price sharing with any person else for pure leisure functions as a result of it’s enjoyable,” mentioned Davis, 54, of Bronzeville, who works within the nonprofit sector. “But in addition as a result of it helps us take into consideration ourselves in a brand new means.”
There have been loads of impactful messages on the Saturday occasion, which featured some recognizable faces, together with former American Library Affiliation govt director Tracie Corridor and former Chicago faculty board candidate Karin Norington-Reaves.
Famous educator and storyteller Ada Cheng, who referenced Phil Collins, shared a robust story in regards to the highs and lows of falling in love. Undertaking supervisor Keelah Moore, who talked about Usher, recounted a enjoyable expertise a few pal instructing her to bop “stuffed with pleasure.” And Shelley Davis, who cited Jon Batiste, relayed a shifting narrative about having her optimistic outlook dashed following the outcomes of the presidential election.
“I used to be pumped,” mentioned Davis, recalling her temper after volunteering on the Democratic Nationwide Conference final summer season. “That vitality, that pleasure, that electrical energy carried me throughout the autumn and election night time. I requested Google and AI to present me one of the best playlist with freedom because the theme.”
As soon as the election outcomes rolled in, the music stopped, Davis instructed the viewers, holding their consideration whilst she spoke in a hushed tone. “For the primary time in my life, I didn’t have a soundtrack,” she mentioned. “And I don’t know the right way to get it again.”
Davis mentioned she was impressed to take storytelling courses after she was moved to tears by an NPR story in 2017. However she grew discouraged upon noticing that she was typically the one Black pupil.
“I’d workshop my tales with my classmates and they might work on their empathy, however there are just a few issues that didn’t join,” she mentioned.
She determined to kind the SOL Collective, bringing on award-winning storytelling veteran Emily Hooper Lansana as creative director.
“I feel Chicago is a extremely particular storytelling city since you may go to a storytelling occasion nearly each night time of the week,” mentioned Hooper Lansana, 58, of Bronzeville. “However SOL is a novel area. We want, as girls of shade, areas the place our tales are highlighted. What I’m attempting to do is to present voice to tales which can be typically untold.”
Hooper Lansana chosen music because the theme of the Saturday present, the place she additionally served as host and storyteller.
“I consider that, particularly for us as Black individuals, all through our historical past we have now returned to music as a supply of encouragement and liberation,” she mentioned. “And we have now returned to shifting our our bodies as a means for us to get free.”
“I consider that, particularly for us as Black individuals, all through our historical past we have now returned to music as a supply of encouragement and liberation,” mentioned SOL Collective Inventive Director Emily Hooper Lansana, who dances with storytellers through the group’s “Final Evening a DJ Saved My Life,” occasion on Saturday.
Although the room was stuffed with tables and chairs, Hooper Lansana and the opposite storytellers danced within the aisles throughout DJ Ca$h Period’s pre-show set.
“You may assume we must be speaking about one thing else,” Hooper Lansana instructed the viewers earlier than introducing the primary speaker. “However, in moments of disaster, our music, our artistry and our therapeutic have at all times been what we wanted to make ourselves entire in order that we may combat the combat.”
