BRIDGEPORT — Experimental industrial gospel punk music, spoken word poetry and an all-out electronic dance party are part of the festivities planned for an upcoming fundraiser to support a potential mayoral candidacy by Karen Lewis.
Chelsey Sprengeler, of Logan Square, 22, an organizer with Artists for Karen Lewis, said the "Jam for Justice" from 7-11 p.m. Saturday at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St., is about more than just supporting the fiery teachers union head.
"Events like these, it's a movement. We're here to have a fundraiser for Karen, yes, but it's a movement that's about growing art in Chicago," said Sprengeler, a freelance artist.
While Lewis hasn't officially announced her candidacy, she was scheduled to attend the event before she was hospitalized Sunday.
The event will feature performances by experimental industrial band ONO, performance poet and songwriter Marvin Tate, social justice poet Ethan Viets-VanLear and electronic DJ David Beltran, a former student of Lewis' at Lane Tech High School who performs under the name Starfoxxx.
Tate, a decorated songwriter, has taught poetry in Chicago Public Schools for nearly two decades. He said he's lending his talents to the party because "I kind of like the idea of a woman mayor ... and I'm ready for a progressive type of politics."
Organizers have created a multi-tiered system for tickets: There is a special $10 admission for low-wage workers, while other tickets cost $18. There is also a $25 "solidarity" ticket for those who feel like kicking in a little extra. The cost of all tickets includes the price of one drink.
Tickets are available at this website.
Lewis, head of the Chicago Teachers Union, has been conducting "listening tours" across the city — including stops in South Shore and McKinley Park — while circulating nominating petitions for her candidacy.
In addition to plunking down $40,000 of her own money into her campaign fund, Lewis has garnered another $30,000 contribution from the American Federation of Teachers.
She is scheduled to appear Saturday and offer "her vision for not just a single individual to be elected, but for a people's movement to take back the power of government from the profiteering crooks who don't care about us," organizers said.
Proceeds will be sent to Lewis' campaign fund.
Sprengeler said the coalition of artists has been hitting up all corners of Chicago and listening to the concerns of the art community on issues like health care and education.
"We have hopes that Karen and the way she's expanded her platform will help us as artists directly, to give money and resources back to the neighborhoods," she said. "And it's about us artists getting off the sideline too. These things affect everybody."
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