This is definitely one of our picks of the SYDNEY FESTIVAL this year, legendary DETROIT MUSIC INSTITUTE icons CHEZ DAMIER & ALTON miller will be playing a very special set at CITY RECITAL HALL this weekend.
Check it out https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/events/detroits-music-institute
A club night celebrating the Detroit home of house
ELECTRONIC MUSIC LIFE | USA
In the 1980s, Detroit was a city of contrasts. Known worldwide as the home of Motown, it was also grappling with the decline of its once-thriving auto industry, leading to urban decay and widening economic gaps.
Amid these challenges, three visionaries – Motor City locals George Baker and Alton Miller, alongside Chicago transplant Chez Damier – established The Music Institute, a Black-owned club in the heart of downtown Detroit. The Music Institute had an indelible impact on dance music history, becoming Detroit’s answer to the legendary house and disco clubs of its era, like New York’s Paradise Garage and Chicago’s Music Box.
For the first time ever, Damier and Miller are touring together to share the story behind this pivotal club night. At this very special no-seats dance session at City Recital Hall, they’ll reach deep into their encyclopaedic collections to curate a night worthy of their former home. Expect deep disco, sprinkles of techno and a whole lot of soul-lifting house from two masters.
SET TIMES
8pm – 9pm: Doors + James Locksmith
9pm – 10pm: JNETT
10pm – 12am: Alton Miller
12am – 2am: Chez Damier
“The legendary Music Institute in Detroit was a fertile breeding ground for early techno.”
– Beatportal
“[Chez Damier is] one of house music’s most intriguing figures.”
– Resident Advisor
The Music Institute, established in 1988 by George Baker, Alton Miller, and Chez Damier, was a pivotal venue in Detroit’s electronic music scene. Located at 1315 Broadway in downtown Detroit, it provided a space for artists like Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson to perform and innovate, significantly contributing to the development of techno and house music.
Alton Miller, a Detroit native, has been influential in the house music scene since the 1980s. Co-founding The Music Institute, he played a key role in promoting electronic music in Detroit. Miller’s DJing and production work blend soulful house with jazz and funk elements, earning him international recognition.
Chez Damier, hailing from Chicago, moved to Detroit and became a central figure in the city’s house music community. As a co-founder of The Music Institute, he influenced the Detroit sound and later co-founded Prescription Records, a label known for its deep house releases.
The upcoming event at City Recital Hall is a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of The Music Institute. With performances by Alton Miller and Chez Damier, attendees can expect a night of deep disco, techno, and soul-lifting house music, reflecting the rich history of Detroit’s electronic music scene.
For more details and tickets, visit the Sydney Festival website:
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