Young Songsters Keyed up by Rhymefest, Kanye Performing in Pilsen

In August of 2012, Donda’s House Inc. partnered with The ARK of St. Sabina to launch its pilot program “Got Bars,” and selected the best 30 out of the 500+ applicants, who were 15 -24-years-old to participate in high quality arts instruction. The students took three classes every week for 12 weeks. Che “Rhymefest” Smith co-taught the Creative Writing Class for two hours each week with certified English Teacher/Executive Director Donnie Smith. The students also took a Health & Wellness and Studio Recording class.

This first class of performers will debut their original songs on 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 21, 2013, at the Lacuna Artist Lofts – 2150 S. Canalport Ave. The event is being sponsored by Lacuna Artist Lofts. Tickets can be purchased online.

Rhymefest will be performing the night of the event with Chicago’s own live band Zzaje. Additionally, the participants will be attending the upcoming Yeezus Concert as the special guests of Kanye West and will be going backstage to meet with the organization’s co-founder and board member.

Smith said, “When I ran for alderman of the 20th Ward in Chicago in 2011, one of the issues that I wanted to tackle was the violence and youth development. Although I did not win the election, the community still needed my support and when I ran, I did it to make a difference and didn’t need the title of alderman to do that. After a conversation with Kanye West, Donda’s House, Inc. was born to honor the educational legacy of Dr. Donda West and to provide a creative venue and community for youth in Chicago.”

Check out Donda’s House, Inc. on Facebook where they are introducing their artists and follow the official twitter @dondashouse. For more information, please contact the organization’s Director Donnie Smith via e-mail at donnie@dondashouse.org.

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