Columbia Students, Alumni Featured in 'Humanity is the Genre Festival'

News Office Staff / Aug 20, 2021

This festival is a celebration of unity, which was first demonstrated with the successful recording and release of 'Humanity is the Genre’ (HitG), a student-driven, professionally supported charity initiative album released on Electric Train Records.

The Audio Arts and Acoustics Department, Career Center of Columbia College Chicago, Guitars Over Guns/Haven Studios, Electric Train Records, and students and alumni of Columbia College Chicago, are incredibly excited to announce the first ever 'Humanity is the Genre Festival.' Sponsored and supported by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the festival takes place on Saturday, September 25th (rain or shine), from 12-6:00 p.m. in the courtyard of the historic landmark Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Bronzeville.

This festival is a celebration of unity, which was first demonstrated with the successful recording and release of 'Humanity is the Genre’ (HitG), a student-driven, professionally supported charity initiative album released on Electric Train Records (distributed via The Orchard/Sony). This 9-track album featured students and alums banding together to record and produce, with proceeds benefiting Guitars Over Guns/Haven Studios, a non-profit that provides a powerful combination of music education and mentorship to students from our most vulnerable communities. The album is available on all streaming platforms: https://orcd.co/thegenre

Driven by youth artists, and guided by three main values – safety, accessibility, and unity, this free festival will feature performers from the ‘Humanity is the Genre’ charity album project, including Add-2, Blaqrock, Complex Project, and Yin Waster, and a headlining performance from legendary Chicago house DJ and Columbia College Chicago staff member, DJ Lady D.  The day will feature panel discussions, live art exhibits, vendor tables for young entrepreneurs, food and beverages, as well as education and internship opportunities, all helping to advance the partnerships and accessibility necessary to foster meaningful relationships in the city of Chicago.  Additionally, tours will be available of Haven Studios, Guitars Over Guns’ first community-based recording studio, which is housed within the Mt. Pisgah Church. This event is free and open to all.

Event details:
Humanity is the Genre Festival
Saturday, September 25, 12-6:00 p.m. (rain or shine)
4622 S. King Drive (the courtyard at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church)

For more information, please contact Audio and Acoustics Department Chair, Dr. Ben Sutherland bsutherland@colum.edu.
Humanity is the Genre Festival Co-Director, Tom Joyce tjoyce@colum.edu

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