Monday, November 9, 2015

Chicago's Chosen Few Picnics (House Music information & video examples)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents information about House music and showcases seven video examples of sets from Chicago, Illinois' Chosen Few House music picnics (concerts) that were held in 2011, 2012, & 2013. Chosen Few House Picnics have been held annually in Chicago since the early 1990s.

The artists who are featured in this post include DJ Frankie Knuckles, DJ Tony Hatchett, Dj Wayne Williams, DJ Jesse Saunders, DJ Terry Hunter, and Mike Dunn.

The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the coordinators/producers of the Chosen Few Picnics. Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSE MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_music
"House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the American city of Chicago in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized circa 1984 in Chicago, but beginning in 1985, it fanned out to other major cities such as Detroit, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Montreal, Manchester,[1] Miami, London,[1] and Paris. It then began to influence popular music in Europe... Since the early to mid-1990s, house music has been infused in mainstream pop and dance music worldwide.

Early house music was generally dance-based music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, rhythms centered around drum machines,[2] off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines. While house displayed several characteristics similar to disco music, it was more electronic and minimalistic,[2] and the structured music's focus around a repetitive rhythm was more important than the song itself. House music today, while keeping several of these core elements, notably the prominent kick drum on every beat, varies a lot in style and influence, ranging from the soulful and atmospheric deep house to the more minimalistic microhouse. House music has also fused with several other genres creating fusion subgenres,[2] such as Euro house, tech house, and electro house."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHOSEN FEW HOUSE MUSIC PICNICS (CONCERTS)
From http://chosenfewdjs.com/about/

“House Music” is a Chicago original — a genre of dance music now known the world over that was born, nurtured and developed here in Chicago. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a group of popular DJs from Chicago’s south side — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Alan King, Tony Hatchett and Andre Hatchett — played their unique brand of soulful dance music to huge crowds in packed basements, high school cafeterias and legendary nightspots, including Sauer’s, the Tree of Life, First Impressions and the Loft, a club of historic importance in the birth and development of house music. Along with a handful of other legendary DJs including Frankie Knuckles at the Warehouse, Ron Hardy at the Music Box and Lil’ Louis on the west side of Chicago, the Chosen Few were the DJs primarily responsible during this period for popularizing the underground dance music that came to be known as house music…

In 1990, the Chosen Few DJs and their longtime friend and Chosen Few member Kim Parham had the idea of inviting old friends from the early house music days to a “reunion picnic” in the park. Beginning as a small gathering of family and friends and later dubbed the “old school picnic,” the reunion became an annual event. Now more than 20 years later, the “Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic” has grown into one of the largest and most highly anticipated music festival events in the world. The event now features world renowned guest DJs, live performances and, of course, the legendary Chosen Few DJs.

While the Picnic has grown to unimaginable proportions and now draws media members and house music lovers from around the world, the organizers remain committed to presenting a “family reunion” atmosphere. This unique event is a true celebration of family and friends, food and fun, and a part of Chicago’s rich musical history and culture. The Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic is a Chicago institution and an experience that is simply unforgettable!...

House Music for Life!"
-snip-
Another page of that website indicates that tickets for the Chosen Few Picnic range from $25 for general admission to $1,000 for all-access passes with no charge for children under 12 years of age. That website also indicates that the Chosen Few Picnic attracts more than 40,000 people.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are given in chronological order according to their publishing dates on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.

Example #1: DJ Frankie Knuckles at the Chosen Few Picnic 2011



Ken Ori, Published on Jul 12, 2012

Here is a nice moment from last year's (2011) picnic. Frankie sounded great! The song he's playing at the end has some special significance to you all that went this year!

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Example #2: DJ Tony Hatchett at the Chosen Few Picnic 2011



Ken Ori, Published on Jul 12, 2012


Tony playing the Lil Louis classic that reached a crescendo you won't see very often. Enjoy!
I do not own any of the copyrights to the music played here.

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Example #3: Dj Wayne Williams Drops Hit It & Quit It at 2012 Chosen Few Picnic



Smokeg1016, Published on Jul 8, 2012

The founder drops the 326/Bug edit for the summer househeads!

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Example #4: DJ Jesse Saunders at the Chosen Few Picnic 2012



Ken Ori Published on Jul 12, 2012

Jesse definitely pleasing the crowd with his set.

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Example #5: I am a Househead....yes I am!



Ken Ori, Published on Jul 13, 2012

DJ Terry Hunter at the Chosen Few picnic playing one of my favorites. I do not own the copyrights to this music.
-snip-
"Househead" is a referent for people who perform House music and people who are fans of that music. Two common sayings among that community are "House for life" and "Househead for life".

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Example #6: Chosen Few DJs | House Music Picnic | By Konee Rok



Konee Rok, Published on Sep 21, 2012

Event Created by: http://ChosenFewDJs.com
Video created by: http://KoneeRok.com
Music created by: http://TheOpusOnline.com
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
agrippa9, 2013
"Chicago is the womb of this we call house.. luv and res frum Toronto"

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Reggie Stevenson, 2013
"Just sayin if u gone have chicagos history u got smooth smokin seville,farley,andre,boo will,frankie,terry hunter an sadar"

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Example #7: The Chosen Few™ Old School Reunion Picnic 2013 with Mike Dunn, Part 1



marius bingue, Published on Jul 9, 2013

Mike Dunn performing @ The Chosen Few™ Old School Reunion Picnic 2013; July 6, 2013
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
Mario Bolling, 2013
"This is House Music.......Nuff said!!!!"

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YOUENNNN, 2014
"What's this first track? i can't remember. Great vid

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marius bingue, 2014
Reply
"Thompson & Lenoir - Can't Stop The House Thank You"

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