Day One of the 2026 Chicago House Music Festival, featuring the Chicago House Dance Summit and Chicago House Music Conference.
🔵 THURSDAY, AUG. 27
Chicago House Music comes to Daley Plaza Farmers Market.
11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Daley Plaza
11 a.m. – Nosha Luv
Noon – Cratebug
1 p.m. – Martin Boogieman Luna
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Chicago House Dance Summit
4:30–9:30 p.m.: Chicago Cultural Center
4:30 p.m. – Doors Open & House DJ Set
Kick off the evening with a House DJ set before the House Dance Summit programming begins.
5 p.m. – All-Ages House Dance Lesson by BraveSoul Movement
A family-friendly House dance class led by Taraja Mumbeja (BraveSoul Movement) with live music by DJ Vader (Circle Theory).
5:45 p.m. – “Place, Space, Werks” Documentary Screening & Talkback with Dr. ShaDawn Battle
A screening of Dr. ShaDawn Battle’s documentary followed by a conversation with the director.
6:30 p.m. – “Chicago House Dance: Roots & Branches” Panel Discussion
An intergenerational conversation featuring House dance pioneers, innovators, and cultural leaders Bruno Blaque, China, King Charles, Mlaya Moves, Shan S, and Terrayne, exploring the culture’s history, evolution, and future.
Moderated by: Daniel “BRAVEMONK” Haywood (BraveSoul Movement).
7:30 p.m. – Body: House Dance Competition Qualifiers
Presented by Jus.Be House Collective, the qualifying rounds feature dancers competing for a place in Saturday’s tournament finals. Competitors will battle to live music by DJs Duane Powell, DJ T-Rell, and DJ Vader (Circle Theory), with judging by Bruno Blaque, China (Kamikaze), King Charles (Creation Global), Mlaya Moves (Untouchables), and Shan S (Dance Fusion). Hosted by Daniel “BRAVEMONK” Haywood (BraveSoul Movement).
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Chicago House Music Conference (Preston Bradley Hall, 5th Floor Millennium Park and Washington Rooms)
All Panels Free and Open to the public
Panel 1: Cutting Through the Noise
Independent Artists, Labels & Visibility in a Crowded Market
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Millennium Park Room, 5th Floor South
Discover how today’s artists are building successful careers on their own terms. Learn how independent labels are reshaping the industry, hear strategies for growing authentic audiences, explore community-powered music ecosystems, and uncover new opportunities to inspire Gen Z while cultivating the next generation of House DJs.
Moderated by: Mary Datcher, Founder/Global Mixx
Panelists:
Terry Hunter
Emmaculate
Steve “Miggedy” Maestro
Mo Mami
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Panel 2: Distribution, Publishing & Vinyl Culture
The Resurgence of Physical Media & Independent Distribution
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Washington Room, 5th Floor South
Celebrate the return of vinyl while learning how artists are taking greater ownership of their music and revenue. Explore modern distribution models, publishing administration, royalty collection, manufacturing, direct-to-fan sales, and practical strategies for bringing your art to market with confidence.
Moderated by: Dirk van den Heuvel, Groove Distribution
Panelists:
Phil Cialdella, Wonderlous
Tony Technics, SoulJack Digital
Hameedullah, Lunt and Oglesby
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Featured Workshop: Jack Your Body, Don’t Get Jacked
6-7:30 p.m.
4th Floor – Room 408
Leave with practical tools you can put to work immediately. This hands-on workshop helps artists build lasting financial security through publishing registration, financial literacy, royalty management, savings strategies, intellectual property protection, merchandise branding and preventative measures by an audiologist to protect two of your most precious instruments, your ears. Learn how to protect your creative assets while building a sustainable career that supports your future.
Facilitators:Kenard Gibbs, Northwestern Mutual
Dr. Shannon Switzer a music audiologist at Sensaphonics who specializes in the prevention and treatment of sound-induced hearing injuries
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Panel 3: Bridging Generations – Passing the Torch
6:15-7:30 p.m.
Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor South
Celebrate the enduring legacy of House music through powerful conversations between pioneers and emerging leaders. Explore mentorship, cultural preservation, innovation, and cross-generational collaboration while discovering how today’s visionaries are preparing the next generation to carry the culture forward.
Moderated by: Lori Branch
Panelists:
Quicktastic
Kristen Kaza
Yanna Lynette
AMG
Tai Hunter
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Panel 4: AI in Music – Don’t Get Played
6:45-7:45 p.m.
Washington Room, 5th Floor South
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the music industry at an unprecedented pace. Join an educational conversation that helps artists, producers, and DJs understand the opportunities, legal considerations, creative possibilities, and potential risks of AI-generated music, empowering creators to make informed decisions for the future.
Moderated by: Sarah Rosenbaum, Los Angeles-based digital music law expert
Panelists:
Jeff Becker Swanson, Martin & Bell
DJ Dani Deahl
Romel Murphy, Artist Manager, Label Founder
Stacy Kidd, Producer, DJ
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Panel 5: DJ Advocacy, Rider Requests & Venue Relations
6:45-7:45 p.m.
Millennium Park Room, 5th Floor South
As the landscape of Chicago nightlife changes, how can dance music culture survive and thrive? Join us as we unpack the pressures facing independent venues, the role of DIY spaces as cultural incubators, and how nightlife responds to shifting economics, demographics and daytime audiences.
Moderated by: DJ Heather
Panelists:
François Crokaert, owner Le Nocturne
KJ Rose, Global Performance Director & Author
Wayne Williams, CEO Chosen Few DJs
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Fireside Keynote Conversation – Jamie Principle
8-9 p.m.
Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor South
In partnership with S&S Chicago (Steve “Silk” Hurley & Shannon “Skip” Syas), step inside an unforgettable conversation with Jamie Principle, one of the pioneering voices of House music. Hear Jamie’s personal journey from the earliest days of Chicago House to the recent induction of his iconic track “Your Love” into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the culture for the first time, this intimate conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear the story from one of the pioneers who lived it.
Moderated by: Steve “Silk” Hurley & Shannon “Skip” Syas, S&S Chicago
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See Also:
Chicago House Music Festival Day 2 – August 28 2026
Chicago House Music Festival Day 3 – August 29 2026
Chicago House Music Festival Day 4 – August 30 2026
🔵 DATE & TIME
August 27 2026
🔵 TICKETS / INFO
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/house_music0.html
More Chicago House Music Events →
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