Stony Island Soul
Economic Equality! Building Stronger Businesses! Resurrecting Black Wall Street! Keeping the dollars in our neighborhoods.
Southeast Chicago Chamber and SSA #50 transformed an available space at 9031 S. Stony Island into a pop-up, urban experience by combining the talents of Chicago's most creative minds to feature art, music, and so much more as a way to attract people and investment to the Calumet Heights - Avalon Park communities of Chicago.
This year’s xSite! event began with exploring concepts of art that would be enhancements to the neighborhood and a vehicle for the community to express its identity as family, stability and prosperity. The first xSite! experience changed the look of Stony Island Avenue almost instantaneously! During the last
week of June 2017, passersby noticed the old Soul Queen logo had vanished
from the wall and a blanket of deep teal blue paint took its place on the brick
canvas. By morning's end, an outline of something spectacular had taken shape...
For now, we're calling it "Stony Island Soul."
Thanks to Chicago's local street artists Rahmaan Statik and Max Sansing, the new mural which imbues power, significance and elevation--connecting people, culture and commerce, engages people and leaves an indelible mark about Calumet Heights. What do you think?
RAHMAAN STATIK
Public Artist
Grew up on the south side surrounded by
art and was inspired to become part of the
graffiti subculture. Graffiti infused with classical training is evident in a wide variety
of murals, CD covers, book illustrations and logo designs throughout the world.
MAX SANSING
Public Artist
Product of artistic parents, raised in Avalon Park, grew to love painting. With a desire to create art, he taught himself oil painting then later continued his training at the
American Academy of Art. Painting full time, he creates art across the world and his work is displayed in galleries abroad.
On the main stage, with over 10,000 followers on social media, Vince gets a lot air-time spinning on national platforms as BET, XM Radio, Super Bowl, MLB, NBA, NFL parties, and at major events around the world.
DJ B Rocking
With experience playing corporate events like John Marshall Law School’s “Law Prom” for the last few years, DJ B Rocking takes you back to the 90s. He, drops in current hits that will keep you Juju’ing on the beat!
Jay iLLa
Part of the new generation of Chicago DJs, Jay iLLA's style and music selection allows him to seamlessly mix different genres. Whether hip hop, disco, house, pop or soft rock, he makes it sound good. He has done events for Kanye, Spike Lee, and Common.
DJ Double R
Reggie Robinson created his following by delivering grooves to get you out your seat!
He has the ability to move the crowd and set the mood for prime time DJs. Reggie specializes in private events all over the city.
DJ Vince Adams
DJ Torin Edmond
Having worked with one of the most renowned in the industry–Steve “Silk” Hurley, Torin is an established producer and remixer.
Serving up deep house and other aural delicacies, he can move the dance floor.
To celebrate the change, Southeast Chicago Chamber gave a big party! Open to the public, we had 5 of the greatest music masters mixing beats from five decades of pop, hip-hop, house, and R&B to soothe the soul.
Xsiters enjoyed the popup paint studio presented by Whimsical Eclectic, glow dance party with LED headphones by BackSpin ME, a relaxing massage by Lavish Life, and got very social with Kenya's Photo Booth, the giant butterfly backdrop and live posting on Finch & Associates' big LED screen. Families indulged in a game of Jenga, Connect 4 and the gigantic childhood favorite, Hungry-Hungry Hippo made some folk try the hula hoops!
Our party would not have been the same without the pop-up eateries: The Funnel Cake Man, Cajun Connoisseur, CheSe' Gluten-free, and Oooh Wee Sweet Tea!
Special thanks to all who were instrumental in getting this project underway: 8th Ward Alderman Michelle A. Harris, State Rep Marcus C. Evans Jr., RoShunda Furlow of Tots Express Learning Center, Pastor Olaoye Olasegun of Christ Apostolic Church of America, artistic organizer Abie Vasquez III, Eddie Jones, AllPoints Security, Cleanslate, Ericka Crook of CreativeMixEvents, the staff and Board of Southeast Chicago Chamber and the Commissioners of Special Service Area #50.