THE FILM
House music is the third largest music genre in the world.
This documentary details the triumph of a music genre that was attacked and nearly destroyed by mainstream America in the late 1970s for being too black, too Latin, and too gay.
It explores the music's mutation, development, and re-birth by African American teenagers on the southside of Chicago in an underground culture of marginalized, largely homosexual nightclub constituents.
It is the untold story of the role of Chicago's Chosen Few DJs in the creation of house music. And, it celebrates the enduring legacy of the annual Chosen Few Music Festival, dubbed the "Woodstock of House" that brings together more than 50,000 people of different races, ages, sexual orientations, and class together in an environment of unity, peace, and love.
TELLING THE STORY
House Lovers for Life
Growing up in Chicago, longtime friends and filmmakers Rodrick Wimberly and Senuwell Smith spent many weeknights sneaking into basements and underground house clubs and dancing until dawn and leaving just in time to catch the last train home.
As adults they both were among the thousands who sojourned to the southside of Chicago for what later became known as the house music reunion picnic in the park.
After years of watching this phenomenon of music that engenders love, peace and fellowship, they decided that this is a part of Chicago black history that needed to be told, thus The Woodstock of House was born.
THE FACTS OF HOUSE
Early house lyrics typically contained positive, uplifting messages for all people, from every different walk of life but spoke especially to those who were considered to be outsiders, especially African-Americans, Latinos, and the gay subculture.
House music first got its start within the walls of Chicago's Warehouse nightclub, thus attaining its name.
At least three styles of dancing are associated with house music: Jacking, Footwork, and Lofting.
On and On" (1984) by Jesse Saunders is often cited as the first Chicago house record.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley proclaimed August 10, 2005 to be "House Unity Day" in Chicago, in celebration of the "21st anniversary of house music."
Founded by Wayne Williams in 1977, the Chosen Few Disco Corp., was comprised of Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King and Andre Hatchett. To the original group of five, the Chosen Few DJs added two new members – Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn, in 2006 and 2012, respectively.
