2025 marks an exciting milestoneโthe 60th Anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM)! For six decades, weโve been at the forefront of redefining the landscape of music, creating opportunities for groundbreaking artists and amplifying voices that need to be heard. From inspiring performances to boundary-pushing recordings, we continue to nurture, produce, and elevate original music that challenges the status quo.
Join us for a celebration of 60 years of music, innovation, and inspirationโletโs make the next 60 even more unforgettable!
Tickets online or at the door $25 (if purchasing for all three AACM shows on 6/7, the VIP price is $50)
Ugochi and African Soul Ensemble (5pm)
Ugochi Nwaogwugwu is a multidisciplinary creative. An internationally renowned poet, singer, writer, poetry instructor and founder of Spirit Speaks, Inc., Ugochi has executive produced, written and co-arranged three album projects; African Buttafly, A.S.E. and Love Shot. Chicago Music Awards named Ugochi and her band, African Soul Ensemble (A.S.E.), โBest African Entertainerโ in 2005, 2022 and 2023. Her poems have been published in โStorm Between Two Fingersโ & Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different, both international anthologies released in the UK. She is also featured in โGolden Shovel Anthology,โ honoring Gwendolyn Brooks, โThe Eternal Year of African People,โ and โWherever Iโm Atโ released nationwide.
Ugochi has shared the stage with several established musical artists such as Common, Eric Benet, John Legend, Femi Kuti, Edwin McCain, Seun Kuti, Maxi Priest, Umphreyโs McGee, Richie Stephens, Blitz the Ambassador, Yellowman, J. Ivy, Queen Ifrika, Luciano, Wayna, Femi Kuti, Shaggy, Richie Stephens, Queen Ifrika, Vieux Farka Toure, Tony Allen, Bushman, Fatoumata Diawara, Capleton, Baby Cham, Wayne Wonder and Stephen Marley, King Sunny Ade, Lizz Wright, MeโSchell Ndegeocello and more.
Ugochiโs music, rich with poetic harmonies and uplifting messages, have taken her to many countries around the world, including Paris, Poland, Amsterdam, London, Leeds, Italy as well as Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, France, Jamaica and Cuba.
Ugochi, a beloved member of her poetry community in Chicago and a member of Malikaโs Poetry Kitchen in London, has created an original pan African poetry form called, โIke,โ (pronounced EE-kay) #Ikepoem, paying homage to her Igbo heritage of Nigeria and fostering black appreciation worldwide. She released her first book of poetry & prose entitled Seasons of Separation (S.O.S), in 2023. The work had its world premiere at the Manchester Literature Festival and the London Literature Festival. Ugochi has also written newsworthy blogs and essays for publication including, โNot My Presidentโ published by Third World Press. In addition, Ugochi is the Treasurer of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and Recording Academy Chicago Chapter Secretary.
For more information about this artist : https://www.africanbuttafly.co...
EDWIN DAUGHERTY FIVETET 7 pm, $25 ($50 for three events)
Dushun Mosley's Interdimensional Sound Ensemble 9 pm, $25 ($50 for three events)
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