ESS launches a series of Virtual Happy “Hours” in 2025. These are 30ish-minute live Zoom events every few months curated exclusively for the ESS Plugged-In supporter community featuring special artist content, Creative Audio Archive selections, and a lively chat—no cameras required!
This first Virtual Happy “Hour” is themed on ESS’s current education initiatives, tying into the return of the Patchbent Sessions this spring and upcoming workshops with Chicago Creative Machines and the Center for Concrete and Abstract Machines Intro to Microsound workshops at ESS in February and March. The event features:
Archival footage from Hal Rammel’s invented instruments workshop at ESS in 1991
Artist videos from Samantha Debord, Muindi Fanuel Muindi (Center for Concrete and Abstract Machines), and Hugo Flores García (Chicago Creative Machines),
Video content made by ESS Studio Manager Kate In experimenting with our newly donated EYESY synthesizer.
Virtual events are just one part of 2025 Plugged-In programming—we’ll have events in-person and online throughout the year. These events represent a vibrant ecosystem—staff, engineers, artists, and partners—all made possible thanks to individual supporters.