Music is the Weapon 2 press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Victor Carreon: 847.477.0126 ~ djlimbs@gmail.com
Date:
December 12, 2009 ~ 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.


Music is the Weapon 2 Unites Beats and Party Atmosphere with Community Activism

A current of innovative, unwavering dedication to grassroots organizing and community outreach runs like a pulse through the avenues of Chicago’s neighborhoods. True to form, in a city often thought of as a collection of unique villages as opposed to a cohesive metropolis, there can exist an extreme social divide between nonprofit organizations, even those with similar goals. Victor Carreon, known in nightlife and philanthropic circles as the inimitable DJ Limbs, decided to act.

His brainchild, Music is the Weapon, has begun: a series of hip-hop, soul, house and funk parties created to highlight and fundraise for nonprofit organizations and encourage them to get out and network with the public and one another. The first installment—at the elegant Between Lounge in Wicker Park—was wildly successful, and set a precedent for how one can incorporate an old-school hip-hop party atmosphere with altruism, leaving patrons simultaneously rocked and informed. The night is produced with the Boogie Knightz Cru and Huyen Tran.

Demand for more has taken hold. Music is the Weapon 2 will feature two non-profits—Chicago Independent Radio Project, a media advocacy group, and Rumble Arts, a Humbodlt Park community arts center. Each get their own booth to disseminate information, a bottle of champagne courtesy of Between Lounge and a chance to speak on the mic about their cause. At the night’s end, 15% of the bar’s gross (usually the DJs’ take), plus donations, are split evenly between the two groups. Joining Limbs are local phenoms DJ Dishwasha and DJ Aroc. Although the DJs spin everything from dusty grooves to dubstep and jungle, the event is firmly rooted in hip-hop culture.

“There are so many great nonprofits around town and one thing that always comes up when I talk to artists and groups is how the scene is still more segregated than we’d like,” Carreon muses. “This is my way as a DJ to celebrate nonprofits and bring groups around Chicago together. On top of all that, it’s a hype party with great DJs.”

Carreon brings a broad perspective to his work as a DJ, music producer and sound designer. Having lived in Geneva, Switzerland, and Manila, Philippines, his collaborations span from a Brazilian singer/songwriter (Ruth Vallera; helped write music for R. Kelly and Smashing Pumpkins, and produced Anacronica and Copacobana Club in Curitiba, Brazil), to a rapper in the Philippines (Nimbus 9) and local up-and-coming artists in Chicago (AMS, Zirafa, Nadia Alfadel, Magnum Exel), San Francisco (Spinnerty), Las Vegas (Krukid) and New York (Murdertronics). In Chicago, he’s pulverized decks at Alive One, Liar’s Club, Evil Olive, Quennect 4 and The Art Institute. His sound swings from milky and contemplative to raucous and infused with a palpable visionary energy.

Music is the Weapon 2 happens at Between Lounge, 1324 N. Milwaukee, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, December 12. Free admission. Donations are also possible through the Web site: mitw-chi.com / djlimbs.com.