Reprint of ChiGivesBack.com / Photo courtesy of ChiGivesBack.com
Erica Faye Watson served as an original founding Advisory Board Member for ChiGivesBack. Erica was many things to many people. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, actress, comedian, on-air personality, and pillar of her community.
Erica was also fierce and as a full-figured woman, she proudly embraced body positivity.
Erica was so full of life, light, and love. Her passion for helping others and paying it forward was contagious. Erica loved to give back so much that she created a prom initiative that supported a local girl who may not have had the means to go to prom. Erica came with an entire Glam Squad that included hair, makeup, transportation, and more for the deserving young lady.
IN HONOR OF ERICA FAYE WATSON, CHIGIVESBACK HAS CREATED
“ERICA’S BELLE OF THE BALL”
Nominations will close on March 3rd and the winner will be announced on March 17th. If you have any questions please email us at Contact@ChiGivesBack.com!
Surprise Your Valentine with Tickets to Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.
Previews start February 25th!
Written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks
Previews February 25 – March 4
Opening March 5
Running Through April 16
Reasons takes us on a journey of how Earth, Wind and Fire was formed from their humble beginnings, to become the musical revolutionaries that changed the course of music. They took a vision that no one said would work, and turned it into a musical powerhouse that still lives on today.
Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old motorist who died three days after a vicious beating by a group of Memphis police officers is being laid to rest on Wednesday (Feb. 1) in a ceremony that has seemed to become a morbid, and all too frequent ritual in Black America: the funeral of a young Black person who lost their life at the hands of law enforcement.
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 was the day in Chicago, IL for a celebration of The Chosen Few Djs’ Terry Hunter being nominated for a Grammy Award, for the remix of Beyonce’s hit single “Break My Soul.” In addition to Terry Hunter being nominated, poet J. Ivy was also nominated for a Grammy Award and was celebrated as well.
Photo courtesy of GO BANG! Magazine
The Grammy celebration was held at The Loft, located at 2251 N. Lincoln Avenue and brought out ALL of Chicago House Royalty, including House legend Senior Robert Williams, Singer/Songwriter Chantay Savage, Singer Chuck “ThaVoice” Roberts (“In the Beginning There Was Jack….”), Singer/Songwriter Jon Pierce, legendary DJ/Producer/The Lodge club owner Craig Loftis, DJ/Producer Stacy Kidd, DJ/Producer Steve Miggedy Maestro, DJ/Producer Dee Jay Alicia, and DJ/Promoter Mz. Nicki Devine, to name a few. All were there to congratulate and celebrate both, before they head out to Los Angeles for the big show!
Pierre A. Evans w/Chuck Roberts Craig Loftis Pierre A. Evans w/Stacy Kidd Donald Burns & Afrika Porter
Photos courtesy of GO BANG! Magazine
Dani Deahl, President and Mark Hubbard, Former President of The Chicago Chapter of the Grammys hosted the event.
Photos courtesy of Facebook
The turntables were manned and BEAT by Terry Hunter, Wayne Williams, Julius “The Mad Thinker” and Emmaculate DJ.
Terry Hunter
Photo courtesy of Facebook/Kellie Croasdell Hayles
The Chosen Few DJs founder Wayne Williams
Photo courtesy of Facebook/Arlis Ball
Julius “The Mad Thinker”
Photo courtesy of Facebook/Zeke Torres
DJ EMMACULATE
Photo courtesy of Facebook/Emmaculate
During the event, Terry played his Grammy nominated remix of Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” and J. Ivy blessed the crowd with a soul stirring poem and ALL of the Chicago artists and DJs that were in attendance all joined in on stage for a massive and historic Chicago Artist photo shoot with the Grammy reps and nominees. It was quite a night to remember!
Join GO BANG! Magazine and the entire Chicago House music community in congratulating and wishing Terry Hunter and J. Ivy luck in winning their Grammy awards!
They’re already winners, just by being NOMINATED!!!
TERRY HUNTER J. IVY
GO BANG fellas!
GO BANG!!!!
LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!!!
Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Kevin La’Don Burns, 26 years old, born in Chicago, but living in Atlanta, Georgia, is a senior at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. Currently, he’s a tumbler/performer for Cirque du Soleil’s “Cirque Dreams Holidaze.”
This is Kevin’s first experience tumbling for a globally recognized entertainment brand. Kevin explains, “This has been a very mind-opening experience for me with all the traveling across the country and working with different people from different countries with different backgrounds. Some of them have the same interests as me, as far as liking the same tv shows and music choices. We all learn from one another, whether it’s culturally or helping each other helping them make their set for the show look perfect.”
GO BANG! Magazine: When did you first get started in tumbling?
Kevin Burns: I started tumbling at the age of three. My mother put me in gymnastics.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Burns
GO BANG! Magazine: When did you first start with Cirque du Soleil and how did you react when you first found out that you had been selected to perform in their upcoming national touring production, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, which hits Chicago on Thursday, December 22 – Saturday, December 24, 2022 @ The Auditorium Theatre, 50 Ida Wells Dr.?
Kevin Burns: I first started the 22nd of November of this year. I was excited and nervous, all at the same time. Just a bunch of mixed emotions really. I’m happy that I can finally get paid to do something that I love to do.
GO BANG! Magazine: Your parents, family and friends must be extremely proud of you because of this great opportunity you have been blessed with. Your father, Donald Burns, is one of my best friends, and he is so proud of you, being his only child. How does it feel to have your family and friends seeing you do what you love doing, professionally?
Kevin Burns: It’s an exciting feeling really. My family already knows that I tumble, but they’ve never seen me tumble fully, and in person. So, I’m ready to give them a show to remember!
Kevin Burns Summer 2014 Tumbling
Video courtesy of Super Kami Guru/YouTube
GO BANG! Magazine: For our readers that plan to see Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque Dreams Holidaze when it comes to their city, what exactly are you doing in the show and what characters are you portraying?
Kevin Burns: The show is Christmas themed, so they’re different acts that correlate to the theme. There will be gingerbread men, penguins, etc.
GO BANG! Magazine: Your family, friends and GO BANG! Magazine will be attending Cirque Dreams Holidaze when it hits Chicago December 22nd – 24th. How does it feel to be performing in your hometown in front of your family and friends and does that make you feel more nervous or more confident knowing they’re out there in the audience watching?
Kevin Burns: It does indeed make me nervous, but I’ve been tumbling in front of people all my life. I used to get nervous, but now I just get hyper, the bigger the crowd.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Burns
GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, I want you to know that GO BANG! Magazine and I are so proud of all that you have accomplished thus far. You’re like a nephew to me and you’re a very intelligent and talented young man. You’ve done so much already and the future is so bright for you.
Thank you for granting me this interview Kevin. You have now been officially BANGED! GO BANG!
Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE lights up the stage in this popular and dazzling family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family!
This critically acclaimed extravaganza is sure to dazzle any audience as Broadway World proclaims it, “The Perfect Holiday Gift… a show that everyone will enjoy.” Audiences of all ages will marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails as “Entrancing… Las Vegas meets family entertainment.”
Cirque Dreams is a Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group Company and will tour the United States in more than 40 cities in 2022. For more information, visit https://cirquedreams.com/
Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Khari Bowden – The Church of the Funky Soul presents – THEE DEBAUCHERY BALL
THEE MISSION: The Debauchery Ball is a celebration of sensuality, liberation, and consent from a Black cultural lens. We reserved inclusive melanated spaces because African descendants across the diaspora deserve and are worthy of having places to feel safe, protected, and free where we may fully express our beauty, creativity, and sensuality, away from the European gaze and of our own making. House music is our foundation. Freedom is our creed. Lames, creeps, and inhibitions are strictly prohibited.
THEE EVENTS:
Black Fantasy Ball
October 29th, 2022 St. Petersburg, FL
Representation, liberation, and a combination of Black fairies, cosplayers, and lifestyle communities in a beautiful collaboration with friends in Florida are behind this presentation. In sync with the DBall, a premium play space is arranged for creative expressions, kinks, and costuming complete with the most heart-racing soundtrack to keep the People moving all the night through.
Thee Debauchery Ball
December 9th, 2022 Chicago, IL
The Afrofuturistic Black BDSM-themed flagship of the series. 18 years running, the DBall is the defining celebration borne out of the sensual and electric nature of Chicago’s House music culture. Today it is an audience revered, protected space for POCs to marvel and be marveled at as living works of art and experience an uninhibited abandon they may not have known they needed. It’s a sensory engaging feast designed 2 fill its attendees up with joy and a greater sense of self simply by being their most beautiful selves.
winter babies revenge
Summer 2023 Chicago, IL
Once upon a time some of the liveliest people in the Western zodiac born under particular signs were forced to celebrate their entrance into this world in the wintertime, specifically in the Midwest. Such an egregious error and insulting assault has been corrected with WBR, a summer Debauchery celebration.
PAINTED, DARK & DIVINE is a living exhibition of AfroEroticism, dance, and Black divinity. Think Met Ball but WAY nakeder, sweatier and more Afrocentric!
The Rebirth Reverie
Spring 2023 New Orleans, LA
Can you feel a brand new day? Honoring the hemisphere’s actual new year/Spring equinox, the doors of the “Church” open to costume, dance, and sweat into the wee hours of the night in one of the most celebratory cities in the country, New Orleans! The wonderful world of Oz (in the spirit of “the Wiz”) is the theme. Attendees wear elaborate costumes of red, gold, or green; to be seen.
THEE DOCUMENTARY:
What is Thee Debauchery Ball?
THE DEBAUCHERY BALL LIVING EXHIBITION IS, on its face, a tasteful, erotically-themed festival series where music, art, and live performance are synthesized into a memorable, highly-charged, sensual, sensory-engaging experience. Its foundation, however, is an odyssey into the world of sexual boundaries and allowance; into the protocol, custom, and social mores; into evolving attitudes and individual empowerment. It is a celebration of brown bodies freed from societal norms and conventional sexual expression. It’s a study of the relationship between collective freedom and individual comfort, all from a Black cultural lens. It’s a party but… THE DEBAUCHERY BALL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A PARTY.
Y’all did a documentary about the ball?
Yes! We did! The story of Chicago’s Afro-futuristic, BDSM/kink/fetish-themed House music party and how it has reshaped the Black social scene and challenged the narratives of Black sexuality. Thee Debauchery Ball, tells the story of a single house music event that was intended to pay reverence to the original intention of House Music culture of Chicago. Born in 2005, it has grown to become the only fetish-themed, BDSM-friendly, body-positive, House party in the city. It has helped to redefine Black music, community, art, and sexuality, all topics that are often maligned in the Black community. The documentary tells the personal story of the founder, the DJs, and the participants who look upon this event and the culture within as a bastion of freedom and an escape from preconceived notions.
Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Welcome to The Chatter Box With King Jacob Live 🎬🎬🎬🎬🌎🌎🌎🌎 Special Invited Guest Pierre Andre Evans Chicago Illinois Journalist Publisher Author DJ/Dancer Community Innovator/ Social Influencer
Please join us tonight and SHARE this link with everyone that you know. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE SUPPORT!!!
Welcome to The Chatter Box With King Jacob Live Tonight at 8pm cst / 9PM EST 🎬🎬🎬🎬🌎🌎🌎🌎 Special Invited Guest Pierre Andre Evans Chicago Illinois Journalist Publisher Author DJ/Dancer Community Innovator/ Social Influencer
About Mr. Evans Publisher, Journalist, Author, DJ, Dancer
Pierre Andre’ Evans has taken the publishing, literary and entertainment industries by storm. As a former writer/journalist for the iconic Soul Train brand, the historic Chicago Defender newspaper, and the ground-breaking N’Digo Magapaper, Evans has earned the right to emerge as the owner and publisher of his own innovative publication, GO BANG! Magazine.
GO BANG! Magazine, https://gobangmagazine.com/, founded in April 2020 during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, is written, edited, and published by Pierre Andre’ Evans. It is internationally known as the “go to” informational, educational and entertainment resource, providing readers with in-depth reporting on ground-breaking people, places, and events, which are having positive impacts on the world.
A proud, active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and its’ Chicago chapter (NABJCC), Evans is a sought-after freelance writer who contributes entertainment, music, theater, film, art, culture, fashion, dance, and current event write-ups in countless prominent publications throughout the world. One of his most momentous interviews was with Eric Monte, the creator of such significant television shows as Good Times, The Jefferson’s, What’s Happening, and the coming-of-age comedy-drama movie Cooley High. Pierre’s writing prowess does not end with publishing magazines, he is also an accomplished author. Inside The Minds of Entertainers, self-published in April 2018 and available on Amazon, is a well-received, thought-provoking collection of interviews with 22 well-known, and not-so-well-known celebrities.
When each were asked 10 intriguing philosophical, spiritual, and political questions, their responses reveal an insightful look into their psyche. It exposes a side to them that you never knew existed. One of the most notable celebrity participants in the book was the late Cuba Gooding, Sr., who earned the book’s dedication. His interview took place three weeks prior to his life’s transition and may arguably be one of his last interviews given.
Inside The Minds Of Entertainers
His responses to the questions about his purpose in life and the possibility of life after death, are haunting, knowing he passed on three weeks later. Inside The Minds of Entertainers has received great critical reviews and is a highly celebrated book.
As an entertainer, Pierre is a former actor/model, appearing in various roles in five of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including Home Alone II, Richie Rich, The Negotiator, Never Been Kissed and Road to Perdition. He has also graced fashion runways wearing the accoutrements of various fashion designers and has been the subject of numerous photo shoots.
As a DJ under his company Pinnacle Entertainment Productions, DJ Playerre, as he is known in the House music community, has the stellar reputation as the DJ that “gets you up and leaves you dead on the dancefloor!” That is one helluva calling card. He is also known as the one and only Andre’ Pierre “The Dancing Machine,” a prolific hired club dancer that is known to inspire and promote joyful dancing at venues and events.
Pierre Andre’ Evans the brand, embodies quality, integrity, dependability, and creativity. When you partake in the world of Pierre Andre’ Evans, whether it is a special event, an entertainment piece, or literary media, you can expect an unparalleled level of gratification and pure bliss, that only Pierre Andre’ Evans can provide
EMC announces final Conference Speakers & Festival Line Up of more than 150 artists including Calvin Harris, Green Velvet, Anna Lunoe, John ‘Jammin’ Collins (Underground Resistance), Anna Morgan, Joseph Capriati, Nina Kravitz
Electronic Music Conference (EMC) celebrates its 10 year anniversary under the theme ‘Decade Of Dance: 2012 – 2022’. They have now announced their full speaker and festival line up, which includes more than 80 speakers from across the industry with influential global players. Maintaining a strong focus on diversity and inclusivity, this year’s line up will further showcase speakers and performers with representatives from Asia, Europe, USA, First Nations community leaders, LGBTQ+ pioneers, whilst giving a firm nod to the original curators of electronic and dance music from Chicago and Detroit.
John ‘Jammin’ Collins (Underground Resistance) said: “I am excited to participate in the Electronic Music Conference and share my unique perspective of being involved in techno since it was created in Detroit by four African American men and also as a frequent participant in the Australian music scene as a touring performer. Electronic music and the culture surrounding it continues to shift and change in Detroit, Sydney, and around the globe creating opportunities and obstacles that vary depending on where you are. One question shared in all of these markets is “who creates and controls the culture?”. Streaming services and social media are so prevalent you could understand why their influence is so strong – however the answer is the same today as it was 40 years ago when it started – it’s the community.”
Eora/Sydney artist Moss said ahead of his masterclass at EMC: “First Nations dance music is on the rise and there’s so much talent out there waiting to be heard. Music and dance are part of who we are, and how can we create an ongoing space for the future to foster rising electronic artists? I’m excited to have a yarn alongside some great mob discussing ways we could give access, resources and support for electronic musicians in cities but more importantly remote communities.”
The roster includes a compelling selection of pivotal brands including Red Bull, Warner Music Australia, Strawberry Fields Festival, Astral People, Glasgow Underground, NITV, triple j Unearthed, Green Music Australia, Spore Festival, Bakehouse Studio, FBi Radio, NSW Government and the City Of Sydney.
The prominent EMC10 Festival further highlights exactly why EMC has become a trusted and innovative model. Running for a consecutive 10 years they have continued to drive the envelope forward. This years Festival line up covers a diverse range of artists and crosses genres with Calvin Harris, Green Velvet, Sub Focus Boyz Noize, Caribou, Joseph Capriati, John Summit, Cosmic Gate, Richie Hawtin, Len Faki and Nina Kravitz as a part of 150+ artists across 35 events on the festival program running from November 25th until December 15th.
The program commences with EMC’s Emerging Artists Showcase, curated by Dave Ruby Howe (triple j Unearthed Music Director). This will accentuate the current abundance of electronic music talent throughout Australia, aiming to help discover and uncover the most exciting next generation artists breaking through.
On the Emerging Artist Showcase, Dave Ruby Howe said: “From the talent pool that applied to perform at EMC 2022, it’s clear that this generation of Australian artists has remained creative and vibrant in the face of the last few years of hardship. Producers, solo acts and bands have been finding new ways to hook in audiences and build their communities with them. The crop that we’ve selected for this year shows how the local scene is responding to fresh influences and innovating their own sounds; we’ve got emergent hyperpop party starters, hypnotic lo-fi house selectors, and future club stars bound for main stages all smooshed together like a colourful electronic tapestry.”
This special 10th anniversary edition of EMC will see an increased expansion that now stretches across multiple local government areas across the Sydney CBD, Inner West, Western Sydney and Northern Beaches.
A marquee event on the Festival Program is EMC presents ‘Decades of Dancing’ at Powerhouse Late on Thursday December 1st. Celebrating milestone anniversaries of EMC (10th), Roland (50th), Vicious (30th), Hardware (30th), Condesa (10th), Charades (10th), Motorik (10th) and Lucky Ent. (10th), this promises to be a birthday bash of epic proportions. Taking over the Powerhouse Museum, the event features DJs, installations, exhibitions and talks from 5pm – 9pm.
EMC Director Jane Slingo said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate not only our own milestone but also the milestone of respected friends, businesses, partners and brands that have contributed so much for a decade or more. The Powerhouse Late takeover will feature a wide range of sights and sounds from across the spectrum of electronic and dance music, and is free to attend – so we can’t wait to welcome everyone to celebrate with us.”
This monumental celebration is set to put the Asia Pacific’s Electronic Music scene back on the map and prove to be a necessary strategic destination for all artists, labels and events.
Growth of EMC Over the past five years, the EMC platform has seen immense growth and expansion, more than tripling its verticals to include a diverse and forward-thinking offering. These include the annual conference for industry professionals and artists, next generation scholarships for emerging talent, the annual festival with underground parties and larger-scale events, the EMC Connect series of virtual events that analyse current trends and challenges, break-through artist showcases, the global United We Stream network, special events and initiatives in collaboration with a range of partners from not-for-profits to artistic institutions, research projects including the mental-health-focussed ‘AKAR’ and the ‘Club Culture Census’, and ‘SYNC’, a fully immersive VR club experience.
EMC10 At EMC10, 8,000+ estimated combined attendees are expected across the activities which includes EMC10 CONFERENCE, EMC10 FESTIVAL, EMERGING ARTISTS SHOWCASE, EMC FILMS PROGRAM and SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CLOSING EVENT.
Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Burns
Photo courtesy of Kevin Burns
