Eighth Blackbird Announced as Artist-in-Residence at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
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CHICAGO - illiNews -- The Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture is pleased to announce that Eighth Blackbird (https://www.eighthblackbird.org/), a pioneering force in contemporary classical music, has been appointed as an Artist-in-Residence. Founded in 2020 by Lawrence and Katie Joy Daufenbach, the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture (https://athenaeumcenter.org/about/) is dedicated to promoting fine arts, cultural programming, and spiritual development in Chicago and beyond. This historic center and Eighth Blackbird's partnership marks a milestone in Eighth Blackbird's nearly 30-year legacy of innovative performance, advocacy for living composers, and mentorship of emerging musicians, significantly enriching the Chicago arts community through collaborative programming and exceptional performances.

Eighth Blackbird, an interdisciplinary music nonprofit based in North Center, has garnered acclaim for its commitment to moving music forward. The organization's flagship initiative, the Eighth Blackbird sextet, has captivated audiences worldwide and has been recognized with many accolades including four GRAMMY Awards, the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, and the Chamber Music America Visionary Award.

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The sextet is comprised of founder/pianist Lisa Kaplan, founder/percussionist Matthew Duvall, violinist Maiani da Silva, clarinetist Zachary Good, flutist Lina Andonovska, and cellist Aaron Wolff. Some  recent projects include the world premiere of David Lang's Composition as Explanation directed by Anne Bogart, and collaborations with:  American poet and spoken word artist J. Ivy,  Bryce Dessner of The National, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, Deborah Johnson of Candy Stations, singer Tarrey Torae and multimedia artist XUAN.

Eighth Blackbird's commitment to education is exemplified by the Blackbird Creative Lab which provides an immersive mentorship program for emergent musicians. The Lab, currently hosted at the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, WI, emphasizes collaboration, creation, and the pursuit of a sustainable artistic career.

The Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, an historic venue in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, shares Eighth Blackbird's belief in the transformative power of beauty in art. Artistic Co-Directors Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall are inspired by the Athenaeum's mission and are enthusiastic about showcasing both local artists and international talent, delivering exceptional performances to the public of Chicago.

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"We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Athenaeum to support the dynamic arts community of our city," said Matthew Duvall. "Eighth Blackbird looks forward to bringing together a remarkable group of artists to deliver innovative performances that will inspire the community."

Lawrence Daufenbach, Executive Director of the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, shared his excitement about the partnership: "The Athenaeum Center is honored to partner with such high-caliber artists as Eighth Blackbird for our inaugural Artist-in-Residence program. Their innovative approach to music and collaborative spirit perfectly aligns with our mission to create opportunities for people to encounter beauty."

Programing information available on their websites.