WHAT IS ROCK THE FUTURE?

Rock The Future! is an annual concert and exhibition fundraiser for Rock For Kids, a Chicago-based nonprofit that offers free music education to underpriviledged homeless youth, provide support and assistance to children and their families. Rock The Future seeks to raise funds in effort to support Rock For Kids in their mission to provide free music education through community partnerships through out the city of Chicago.

THE CURATORS

Carlos Torres, CT, is a musician and event coordinator. His deep love for music began at the age of 10 and he began playing drums and singing at the age of 12. He joined a local Chicago spanish/carribean pop band called Giovannis Show as percussionist, drummer and vocalist and travelled throughout the country playing myriad venues as the opening act for large recording artists under the promotional team of Cardenas y Fernandez. In 2002, he coordinated Sala, and art event with friends of the art collective Fluxcore. He continued to work with Fluxcore for several years DJing art shows and collaborating with local artists Likalee, Corona Jose and Antone on soundscape projects. He helped launch Fluxcore's online magazine in 2007 by managing the music section. He interviewed local, national and international DJs and musicians, wrote articles and album reviews while creating art and music events. In mid-2007 he became Artistic Director for Fluxcore working with local art, music and fashion personalities. Shortly after he created Rock The Future!, a fundraiser for local non-profit Rock For Kids, with Sadie Woods as an annual event. In 2008, Carlos created his own music/art project called U.R.W.E. Productions which coordinates art and music events throughout Chicago in collaboration with White Label and other collectives. In addition to all this he is in post-production on an electronic music project called LASO with local musician/artists, such as Verbose and Sandra Ivelisse scheduled for release in late 2009.

White Label is a Chicago-based leading edge DJ/production collaborative comprised of Madrid and Sadie Woods. Projects include collaborations with contemporary artists, performers and cultural tastemakers hosting exhibitions, curating events and providing atmospheric music programming for corporate, independent and private clients nationally and internationally.

Fusing disparate elements and manipulating them into a harmonious composition is essential to Madrid's aesthetic. Madrid has spun across north and south America and Europe alongside such notables as Antibalas, Juan Atkins, the Brazilian Girls, King Britt, Derrick Carter, DJ Cam, Green Velvet, Gotan Project, the Hacker, Jazzanova, Osunlade, Larry Tee and Ron Trent. In addition to holding a six year residency as In-Store DJ for Virgin Radio at the Virgin Megastore Chicago he performed at Akira, The Art Institute of Chicago, De la Costa Restaurant/Lounge, Evil Olive, The Field Museum, Jaguar, Louis Vuitton, Mark XIII (Grenoble), The Merchandise Mart, Metro, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Science and Industry, Sanz Sans (Paris), Soul Cafe (Buenos Aires), Sotheby's Auction House, Sushi Samba Rio, Vogue Magazine, and W Hotel. Past residencies; De La Costa and Nacional 27. Current residencies: Alliance Française, Debonair Social Club, The Puma Store, Rodan and Sushi Samba Rio in Chicago.

With a background in performance and contemporary arts, Sadie received her BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Vocal Performance and Photography from Columbia College. She has worked and freelanced with local independent businesses and institutions Around the Coyote, Fluxcore Online Magazine, Fusion Dance, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, Latinos Progresando, Marwen, Rock for Kids, Shrinkboutique.com, The Silver Room and Translucent Chocolates in multiple roles, including curator, event planner, instructor and musician. She recently completed the International Curatorial Training Program at Ecole Du Magasin (Grenoble, France) and has performed at he Anthenaeum Theater, Armani Exchange, Around the Coyote, Auditorium Theater, Chicago Theater, Columbia College, DePaul University, The Field Museum, Island Records, Magasin-CNAC (Grenoble), Mark XIII (Grenoble), The Museum of Contemporary Art, Ozamarte Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (Santo Domingo, DR), Sotheby's Auction House, Sonotheque, Sound Bar, University of Illinois at Chicago, Victor Hotel, The Virgin Megastore and VerveLife. Past residencies: Bungalow Lounge and Nacional 27. Current residencies: Debonair Social Club, Rodan and Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago.