http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHtGGL-VfQA

Dj Shannon Harris at Sonotheque Chicago (K.I.S.S. Event)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaX_eBL3nEo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEcYOaOHYWg

This month I am featured in the SeventySeven Street with Beat campaign article.  Photo taken by Setk Kammueller at my A.R.O.M.A. event.  Also in the photo is Cordel Johnson who I do Indigo Soul events with.  Check it out!!!  

A.R.O.M.A.

"A Rhythmic Organic Musical Affair"

Hosted by Anika Tene & Kennedy Ashinze

DJ's: Shannon Harris & Joe Bryl

Sonotheque
1444 West Chicago
Doors open 9pm - 2am 
$5 Cover ($FREE before 11PM with RSVP)

Drink Specials: 

BRAZILINCE ($8): A twist on the classic Mojito - Muddled fresh mint, Maker's Mark Bourbon, sugar and lime juice on ice.

COCOCABANA ($8): Sun-kissed sweetness in a glass - Coconut Rum, splash of Amaretto, Grenadine, pineapple juice with an orange slice

HAITIAN CARNAVAL ($5): A taste of the tropics - Sailor Jerry Rum, triple sec, velvet falernum and lime juice. Shaken and served up.

Pacifico beer ($3)

(ə-rō'mə) - n: a pervasive characteristic or quality.

This is what we strive to achieve from creating a platform where many different types of people can share their interests, experiences and expressions under one roof. A.R.O.M.A. is the celebration of the everchanging diversity in music, fashion, style, global awareness and culture. Finally, there is a monthly event that creates a musical platform that blends international soul, carnival, afro-beat, bhangra, soca, reggae, latin groove, jazz and everything in between that makes you want to dance.

February 18th, we will be paying tribute to a tradition that has become a staple amongst many around the world, Carnival in the West Indies. "West Indies carnival is a beautiful example of how carnival can unite the world. For in this small nation, the beliefs and traditions of many cultures have come together; and for a brief five days each year, the whole country forgets their differences to celebrate life!"

Along with global music, it is also our mission to provide global awareness. Therefore, we have partnered with World Bicycle Relief, a global initiative started by local Chicagoans who's mission is simple yet powerful; to provide access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles. A percentage of the proceeds from each of the above A.R.O.M.A. events will go to this worthy organization, empowering relief workers, students, and disaster victims around the world. Party with a purpose!

Upcoming events:

February 18th: Carnival, West Indies style!
March 18th: Fashion show by Agnieszka Kulon of Kreatia designs.

Sponsored by:

World Bicycle Relief

www.worldbicyclerelief.org

The HotHouse
www.hothouse.net

Kreatia Designs
www.kreatia.com

The Silver Room

www.thesilverroom.com



Casa De Soul

www.casadesoul.net

Swank Society

www.swanksociety.com

Urbanicity

www.djshannonharris.com


EARLY ARRIVAL IS SUGGESTED

Call: (312)409-2657 Text: (773)952-0995 or email: aroma2009@gmail.com for RSVP.

A.R.O.M.A. Online:

www.myspace.com/aroma2009

www.facebook.com/people/Aroma-Sonotheque/1654179122

I've been featured on DeeperSoul this month as a guest mixer. Turn it up and move!!

Here's the link:

Aroma

I recently got hired to compose and perform live to a series of 23 silent films by famous directors from the late 1800s to early 1900s. This type of project is challenging because the visual material is 3-4 generations before my time and I had to find some type of an connection to the material in a small amount of time. For those who are into modern day movies and cinema the techniques used by people like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas originated from the producers I had a opportunity to score music to there silent films. They were the first to introduce to the world movie/film effects.

Here's some info on the project and two links to compositions I wrote/performed live to the silent movies. Hope you enjoy:

MAGIC IN CINEMA
CURATED BY: GABE KLINGER

FILMS SELECTED BY JOE BRYL

"Long before modern cinema with its special effects and deceitful editing, the first masters of visual entertainment were stage show illusionists. The Victorian magician, in fact pioneered the development of early cinema. The magician has always been a keen patron of new technology, needing to stay one step ahead of their mesmerized audiences. In 1794, a traveling illusionist Etienne Gaspard Robertson, terrified Parisian crowds with a haunting production entitled "Phantasmagoria". Naive to the invention of magic lanterns the audiences were completely amazed by the eerie figures which flickered and disappeared. Theses images of skeletons and ghosts were back projected onto invisible screens, achieved by ironing translucent wax into gauze. By the late eighteenth century magicians around the world began clamoring for projection devices, buying or making their own living pictures to incorporate into magic acts. Many of the world's earliest films were produced by magicians, they employed techniques still used today, such as double exposure, stop motion animation, fast and slow motion and the dissolve."

Clint Hurrell - "The Egyptian Hall: Notes from the interactive exhibition about Victorian stage illusions and optical devices"

Presently, it seems that cinema is overtaken by the use of special effects in every conceivable permutation. This reliance on CGI (computer-generated imagery) is ubiquitous and apparently unlimited in its scope and influence. Whether one goes to the local Cineplex to see Christopher Nolan's nourishing stylized retelling of the Batman saga "The Dark Knight", Steven Spielberg's latest installment of his serialized-based cash cow "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' or the George Lucas' production of "Star War: The Clone Years"; one cannot be but overwhelmed by visual effects that not only drive the narrative but are the ultimate raison d'etre of the film.

Yet special effects, or rather the use of magic in all it various forms, have been a staple of film from its pre-cinematic years to its infancy in the 1890's. From illusionists working in venues like the Egyptian Hall (aka the "Home of Mystery") in London's west end who used the reflective properties of transparent glass to bring alive ghostly apparitions to the roving minstrels who between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries played their trade on the roads of Europe carrying magic lanterns from hamlet to town that both educated and mystified the locals; the use of magic and special effects has tricked and amazed audiences continuously.

To showcase these times of emerging enchantment in cinematic history, Sonotheque in conjunction with Chicago Cinema Forum is hosting "Magic in Cinema" on Wednesday, September 17. The event will highlight the use of mystical and mesmerizing moments of magic in early cinema history and will include a selection of films (1896-1905) by the 1st wizard of cinema, Georges Melies, a recently restored print of Lotte Reinger's animated film "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" (1926), Edwin S. Porter's "Dream of a Rarebit Fiend" (1906), R W Paul's surreal "The ? Motorist" (1906) and other equally mystifying celluloid treats.


The Four Troublesome Heads

The Human Fly

I recently was asked by the Voices collective crew to do an interview after playing there party in May. It's really intense so be ready to read lots of info on my history, upbringing, projects and the future.



Voices Collective Interview

Reflecting on the wonderful experiences I had while in the UK, I decided to share some of things here with you.

Day 1:

A good friend of mines took me to lunch and to see the legendary Seu Jorge @ the South Bank Center. Walking over the bridge to the Embankment area was really inspiring. Since I am a fan of brazilian music and culture this was one of the most pleasant gifts one could ask for. Especially for a London first night experience. The crowd, energy and performance was amazing!! If you don't know who Seu Jorge is then look him up.

Day 2:

Took the bus up to West London and met with the owner Joe from Farout records. Very nice people to talk to and they are seriously into there music. He gave me an abundance of CD's and vinyl of there current, future and past projects on Farout!! I am still rotating the CD's during my morning and evening commutes. I also had the opportunity to share some of my projects on Urbanicity with them that went over really well. Thanks and much respect to FRankie Valentine for hosting me while in London and taking me around!!! He is a top class brother.

From there we went to BushWackers study not to far from Farout records and listened to some of his new product. Wicked ambient tracky type of stuff. His son is an young inspiring drummer which is great to see. He gave me a promo of a song entitled "The time is Now" and on the flip side "Now is the Time" that I rocked at my set that evening. It's similar to something Moody Man would do with Dr. Martin Luther King vocals on top of it.

From there we took a tour to Ladbroke Groove which I have heard so much about. Seeing that Kerri Chandler did this one disco fusion type of song with that title I was dying to see what could have possibly inspired it. Now I know. There were areas right out of Ladbroke Groove (the name escapes me) that I could see me setting up a residence in. Deco type of architecture with style.

WE went to hit a record shop where another friends of Frankie's just released a dope cosmic disco type of album but got there to late. In fact while typing this I need to get a copy of that album. I will bring note to the name once I receive it. Top notch brit production!!! I also had change to see the building on Kendal Road where I have sent many productions, promos and music too. I didn't get a chance to get to VIrgin and the other places but there will be a next time. :)

After getting on the double decker buses and riding in the front on the top deck I was excited for what the evening had to offer. We went for dinner at a Thai place and then got ready for my set at East Village. WE met up with Jeff Ward and Mark Gurney at Jeff's place. From there we picked up another friend and was off to East Village. The UK driving experience is crazy because the whole time you are leaning from side to side in the car because most roads are curves and not straight lines like here.. I image they spill lots of drinks while driving. hahaha WE arrived at East Village to a wonderful door staff and club ambiance. I really love the decor. I went down to the basement and saw people dancing to world music played by the one and only Cedric Woo. I was so excited to met him, DJ Alex and RAmar since we have been in contact so much and never have met in person (except for Alex who I met at the Loft party in NYC). Cedric played another hour or so then gave me the cue to get on. 2 records into my set all my inhibitions were gone and I was now expressing my message. I had a great time that night. Whats important for me as a DJ is to have open minded people who like dance. Letting go all of the other things and expressing themselves freely, openly and artistically. I got that in return from the set so I am humbled and grateful. Much respect to the Voices crew and I hope to play along side you guys in the near future.

Day 3: To be continued........................