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Chosen Few DJs Celebrate 25 Years of House Music, 'Family' Reunions

By Angela Myers | July 5, 2015 12:35pm | Updated on July 6, 2015 9:47am
 The internationally acclaimed mixmasters celebrated July Fourth with a bang Saturday night at their 25th annual Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic, bringing together househeads from all over the country.
Chosen Few DJs Celebrate 25th Annual Picnic
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CHICAGO — It was on and popping this Fourth of July as The Chosen Few DJs pulled out all the stops to celebrate 25 years of rocking house music in Jackson Park at the annual Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic.

DJs Terry Hunter, Alan King, Tony Hatchett, Jesse Saunders, Wayne Williams, Andre Hatchett and Mike Dunn got the fireworks going early, taking turns moving the crowd into a frenzy.

Not missing a beat, a stellar lineup of guest turntable masters also kept the crowds jacking and finger-snapping into the night.

R&B powerhouses Evelyn “Champagne” King and Stephanie Mills treated househeads to the jams of their youth (“Shame,” “Put Your Body in It” and more) — their energy clearly showed that it’s not over and out after the big 5-0.

Away from the stage, from the grills amid the “tent cities” to the buffet tables in the VIP section, good vibrations flowed. Kids rested on parents' shoulders and napped in strollers, frat brothers and sorors mingled, high school and grade school pals embraced and caught up on old times.

And everybody danced.

Aside from the music, what keeps househeads coming back, many from out of state? It’s all about friendship, they said.

“I went to high school with Alan King,” said Dr. Phillip Ricks, who works in malaria control in Ghana. “We’ve been going to Chosen Few parties for I don’t know how long, since high school.”

Making the trip to Jackson Park to kick back with King and the rest of their U. of C. Lab School buddies, including Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), is just part of a tradition that’s been going “on and off for the past 20 years,” he said.

Tina Pompey, who grew up with DJ Jesse Saunders, said she's been coming from L.A. for the past two years after finding out about the picnic via Facebook.

"It's great music, of course," said Pompey, "But it's a great way to see friends I grew up with."

William Shepherd, a graduate of shuttered Mendel Catholic Prep (now Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep) and Chicago State University, said he and his wife Erica have been making the trek from Florida to the house music picnic for the last five years.

“We’ve been enjoying it, having a great time, seeing our friends and family, and meeting new people and having them become a part of the family,” he said.

Before the nighttime pyrotechnics, the DJs unveiled a few surprises, including:

—An honorary street designation, “Chosen Few D.J.’s Way"
—A new song by R. Kelly, introduced by Wayne Williams
—A  25th anniversary salute from Barack Obama himself.

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