Authors and Artists Chicago

]Glenn Murray, NBC5 Street Team

Authors and Artists Chicago celebrates its 6th year with a 3 event 12 hour day this Saturday. The event features independent writers, artists, and music acts at 3 different locations around the Chicagoland area.

Saturday from noon to 5 Azizi Books at Lincoln Mall in Matteson hosts a book signing featuring workshops on self publishing and how to write your first book. Featured author will be mystery writer Sylvia Hubbard, who founded the writer support group the Motown Writers Network and has held conferences on writing, self publishing and blogging. (For more information visit www.azizibooks.com ). Admission is free.

From 6 – 9PM the events moves back into the city for “Art Across Cultures” at Murphy Hill Gallery 3333 West Arthington 3rd Floor of the Homan Square Building. The super gallery will host over 20 artisans and also will host the featured authors for a book signing. Admission is free www.murphyhillgallery.com

Tonight at 9 Ai Japanese Restaurant will host “Unplugged” featuring performances by top independent acts Spike Rebel, Aniba Hotep and Paulette “Passion” Stinson. Admission is $25. As part of this event 2 lucky attendees will win 6 day cruise vacations in a special drawing.

For more information on the events visit www.authorsandartistslive.com

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The Sound of William Kurk

Glenn Murray, NBC Chicago Street Team

At 9 months old, William Kurk was already banging on the drums. His father was an accomplished drummer/teacher around Chicago, while his mother was a staff writer with Curtom records, as well as a bassist/singer among greats like Jerry Butler, Bobby Hutton, and Ray Charles. Grandmother, Lena Mclin, is a world-reknowed educator/composer who has several works published under Kjos music in San Diego, and has taught a great number of first class vocal talent. The great-uncle, Thomas A. Dorsey, is the inventor/pioneer of Gospel music, fusing blues, jazz, and sacred songs stylings to create the phenomenon we know as gospel today.

In 2005 he started the William Kurk Enterprise Band and continued to explore his original works at live performances and workshops related to his works.

William has performed with The Dells, Chico DeBarge, Jon Faddis, Martha Reeves, Frank McComb, KRS-ONE, Kindred the Family Soul , and Stanley Jordan among other notable artists. Studio credits include his two albums (The Sound: Volume 1+2), Melba Moore, Common, Anthony Nicholson, and Seal among many. A notable side project for William is “Black Slang”, featuring Corey Wilkes, Junius Paul, Anthony Kapers, Yaw, Kevin Nabors, and Phenom.

 A musical director, composer, arranger, and performer the “quadruple threat” continues  his rise in the Jazz world.

William Kurk will be the featured performer at Hot Nights…Cool Jazz.  This Saturday night at Ai Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Lounge 358 West Ontario the event starts at 9PM.  For more information visit www.hotnights.eventbrite.com

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