Illinois Humanities Presents Black Monument Ensemble

(Photo by Daris Jasper)

Originally conceived as a medium for Chicago-based multi-media artist/activist Damon Locks’ sample-based sound collage work, Black Monument Ensemble (BME) has evolved from a solo mission into a vibrant collective of artists, musicians, singers, and often dancers making work with common goals of joy, compassion, and intention. 

Galvanized by Locks’ conceptualizing, poeticizing, and guiding vision, the contributors represent the richness and diversity of Black artistic excellence in Chicago. Together, they weave unique perspectives and experiences into uplifting, anthemic, and highly animated musical performances.

Follow @blackmonumentensemble: Instagram | Website

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance envisions a world where people embrace and honor the importance of nature. Actively working to be more of, by, and for the community, its mission is to change lives through the power of nature.

Although the Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens first opened in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance did not form until nearly a century later, in 1998. Formed by a group of people in the Garfield Park community, the Alliance is a non-profit organization that works closely with the Chicago Park District to provide educational programming, events, and resources to Conservatory visitors.

Follow @gpconservatory: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Website

Empty Bottle Presents (EBP) is the curatorial and production arm of The Empty Bottle, handling all events not housed in the venue proper for over 20 years. 

Born out of a ceaseless creativity and desire to bring new and interesting experiences to artists we admire, EBP has since produced immersive shows at Garfield Park Conservatory (Plantasia), Bohemian National Cemetery (Beyond the Gate), as well as various block parties and street festivals, including the beloved Music Frozen Dancing, outside Empty Bottle in the dead of Chicago winter.

Follow @emptybottle: Instagram | Facebook | Website

2024 Illinois Humanities Beacon Award Recipient Jane M. Saks is the Founding President and Artistic Director of Project&, a new arts entity focused on cultural production with social impact. She is a cultural alchemist, arts advocate, creative collaborator and producer, as well as a writer and educator. She strives to challenge and champion issues of gender, sexuality, human rights, race, and power within the worlds of arts and culture, politics and civil rights, academia, and philanthropy.

In collaboration with artists, Project& creates new models of cultural participation with social impact. Project& amplifies artistic voices that risk, engage, investigate, and inspire, highlighting issues at the forefront of our time, including: race, justice, access and equity, identity, gender, cultures of violence, human rights, and economic inequality.

Learn more at projectand.org.

The venue has three free, accessible parking spaces in its lot; an accessible, gender neutral/family restroom; a limited number of wheelchairs available to rent on a first-come/first-served basis; and benches located throughout the gardens. For more information on the venue's accessibility, visit garfieldconservatory.org/accessibility/ or download its social narrative.

If you require further accommodations to participate in this event fully, please contact Elise Pakiela at events@ilhumanities.org at least 72 hours before the event.