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Add-On Day: Old Town School of Folk MusicWant more time together? You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to come to the pre-Conference special add-on at Chicago’s iconic Old Town School of Folk Music (Szold Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago) on Friday, September 27, 10am-3pm. Nestled in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, where old world heritage meets modern charm, Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. Over the years and still today many CMN members are also instructors at the school! The day will include:
An interesting Old Town School of Folk Music fact:
Our Old Town day will be offered as an extra to your conference registration, or separately for Chicago area residents! There is a $35 discount if you are registering for both that includes transportation to and from the Embassy Suites if needed. >> Register Here for the entire conference including Old Town Select option D 4 for Old Town Special Day only Harmonizing Voices: Folk Music, Hip-Hop, and StorytellingJoin SaulPaul, 3X GRAMMY Nominated Musician with a Message, for an immersive and interactive exploration of the intersection between three vibrant and diverse forms of expression: folk music, hip-hop, and storytelling. This workshop invites participants to discover the common threads that weave through these genres, transcending time, culture, and boundaries. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a budding lyricist, or simply curious about the power of narratives, this workshop promises inspiration, collaboration, and creative synergy and culminates with attendees joining our voices and instruments together in a collaborative jam session. GRAMMY Award-nominated artist SaulPaul has garnered an international reputation as a Musician with a Message. Part rapper/part singer-songwriter, SaulPaul is an entertaining artist who blends his voice, his guitar, and his loop pedal to create a live show that is nothing less than an experience. SaulPaul shares his art with his heart and has been inspiring audiences through his music. From performing at three TEDx Talks, five Super Bowls, America’s Got Talent, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Austin City Limits, this seasoned and well-traveled artist has performed nationally and internationally in theaters, concert venues and festivals across the country as well as esteemed industry events like Folk Alliance International, Midem and SXSW. Armed with two chart-topping #1 songs on Sirius XM along with an extensive catalog of music, his latest album, Okay to Be Different, along with his last album, Be the Change, are being played on radio stations across the country. He says “I believe that my voice, lessons learned from my journey and my input are more important than ever at this time. I had to release this music because timing is everything. My grandmother taught me that being kind makes a difference. And it is my belief that by being kind, you can Be The Change.” Story & Song: There and Back Again, with Shanta NurullahThe Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities. Join in a Song Circle, led by veteran teaching artist, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and performer Shanta Nurullah. Shanta will share, sing and play a selection of spirituals, blues, and folk songs. You will be invited to add your voice to the chorus of the room as you learn more about this unique institution and the intersections of place and politics, community and culture. Shanta Nurullah is a storyteller, musician, and teaching artist. her career spans over 4 decades of promoting African and African-American folklore, spoken word performance, children's and improvisational music. Shanta has performed across the U.S. and abroad and has received numerous awards, fellowships, and grants.
Wendy and DBGrammy Nominated Wendy and DB will bring some of Chicago's finest Blues musicians to share some of the tenets of blues with CMN members and attendees. As teachers, musicians and educators blues is a simple form to use as it is fun and interactive. Wendy and DB have designed an easy teaching style to share the blues. Find out how this genre fit into the Maxwell Street area of Chicago and some of its amazing history that goes along with the blues or as we call it African American folk music. |
Our CMN annual conference is now over 30 years old!! Every year it gets bigger and better, creating many opportunities for performers, educators, songwriters, librarians, and families—all those who love music for children—to gather. Together, we connect and reconnect and fill our hearts with laughter and song by sharing songs, ideas, resources and information. Looking forward to seeing you in 2024, #cannotwait! |