Eighth Blackbird Puts Spotlight On Chicago Performing Artists
WDCB’s Gary Zidek visited Grammy Award-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird’s Chicago studio to learn more about the group’s new Chicago Artists Workshop.
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“We had to do something, we knew we had to do something, so this is what we’re trying. And I’m personally really excited to showcase a lot of amazing talent that there is in this city and also beyond, but it’s really energizing me right now.” - Eighth Blackbird co-founder and executive director Lisa Kaplan talking about the inspiration to create a virtual performance series featuring Chicago artists.
Like everyone on the planet, 2020 has been a challenging year for the Chicago-based Eighth Blackbird. But the four-time Grammy Award-winning sextet is making the best of the unprecedented situation by creating a new project that aims to shine a brighter light on some of Chicago’s most talented artists. It’s called EIGHTH BLACKBIRD PRESENTS: THE CHICAGO ARTISTS WORKSHOP. The virtual series will provide local artists with an opportunity to work and perform on a state-of-the-art platform at a time when there aren’t many opportunities for performing artists.
A look at the studio set-up at Eighth Blackbird’s Horner Park neighborhood HQ
Eighth Blackbird Presents: The Chicago Artists Workshop officially kicks off October 20 with a live streaming concert featuring tenor Karim Sulayman, joined by Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall. There are other performances scheduled through 12/08.
You can find a complete schedule and more information about the virtual series at eighthblackbird.org
Masked up at Eighth Blackbird’s studio (left to right) Lisa Kaplan, WDCB’s Gary Zidek and Matthew Duvall
