About the Workshop
The Live PA Workshop Series consists of 5 free experimental workshops organized and conducted by Lional “Brother El” Freeman of The Beat Bank as live music sessions grounded in a tradition of social practice artistry. Each session will feature notable electronic musicians, practitioners and educators to cover different genres and styles of electronic music for performance. Bi-monthly, sessions will broadcast live video from High Concept Labs with an interactive audience. Join a free workshop as Brother El focuses on electronic music composition and performances techniques of Live PA, for streaming and in-person gatherings (as permissible).
Complete questionnaire ahead of time to receive special information and an opportunity to connect. https://forms.gle/ydKnTPwPkG3JocBd6
About Brother El
Lional Brother El Freeman is a spontaneous composer, multidisciplinary creative, and educator who uses music and visual arts to express ideas while connecting people to a higher plane of consciousness. Raised in the hip hop aesthetic and DIY movement, he constantly looks to push the boundaries of music as an expert in the Live PA field. Formally trained as an Audio Engineer and Graphic Designer, he has acquired many different skills running The Beat Bank, an independent record label. His sets often include using sequencers, synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers to create fully improvised and live beat-making. His unique style has been described as Chicago’s pulse, the breath of hip hop, the heartbeat of club respiration, and the clashing fusion of South Side meeting ancestral roots.
In addition to his Live PA performances, Brother El has multiple forays and partnerships within the Chicago music scene. Along with his solo performances, he also is a member of three groups: The electronic experimental duo “Makers Of Sense”, “The Present Elders” who came to prominence with a series of pop up shows held in culturally significant areas of Chicago and most recently, “Englewood Soweto Exchange” a Jazz and Hip Hop international collective of South African and Chicago musicians led by Maestro Ernest Dawkins.
Furthermore, Brother El has worked with many institutions including The University of Chicago, Old Town School of Folk Music, The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art, Knobcon, Loyola University, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Urban Gateways and Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education.
As an educator, Brother El has developed outreach methods that teach multiple subjects to youth audiences centered around electronic music, science, and wellness. Students gain not only musical knowledge and abilities, they learn firsthand the importance of working together as a team, self-discipline, personal responsibility, confidence, and the value of commitment. One of his ultimate goals is to unlock potential greatness within youth and artist communities in Chicago by empowering them with alternative thinking.
The Live PA Workshop Series is supported by High Concept Labs, Logan Center for the Arts and The Beat Bank.