The AMp from Vocalo

Collaboraction Social Contemporary Theatre incites social change through

community engagement and devised theatre practices. The company is now accepting

submissions of short plays, dance, spoken word and performance for their upcoming

youth festival, "The Light."

Luis Crespo, Director of Youth Programming, and Isabel Bravo, Peacemaker ensemble

member, spoke with Jill Hopkins about the fest and why you should get involved.

The deadline for submissions is January 31st. For more info, visit:

https://www.collaboraction.org/the-light-submissions

There are 15 candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring to become

the next mayor of Chicago and so many more running for other positions at the

municipal level. Chicagoans looking to educate themselves before the election on

Feb. 26th now have a new option in www.chi.vote. It’s the core product of the

Chi.vote Collective, a new group of nonpartisan media and civic organizations,

including the news outlet, the Triibe, that believe in fostering a safer, more

prosperous, equitable and connected Chicago by creating content and tools of the

highest quality and accessibility around city elections. Jill Hopkins spoke with

Tiffany Walden, Editor in Chief of The Triibe, about the initiative and how Chi.Vote

aims to help us help ourselves.

The Morning AMp airs 8-10 AM M-F on Vocalo 91.1 FM in Chicago and streaming at

vocalo.org

The six-part Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” has reignited

conversations about the singer’s predatory behavior toward underage girls that first

came to light in the early 2000s. This comprehensive series presents a united front

of women who speak out about the singer’s alleged physical, mental and sexual abuse.

Jovante Cunningham is a former backup dancer for R. Kelly who alleged she witnessed

the R&B star having sex with a then-15-year--old Aaliyah on a crowded tour bus.

She shared her story in the dream hampton produced docu-series, and is sticking to

it, even after Aaliyah's mother denied the episode occurred. Jovante joined Jill

Hopkins on the AMp to talk about the documentary and the importance of speaking out.

The six-part Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” has reignited

conversations about the singer’s predatory behavior toward underage girls that first

came to light in the early 2000s. This comprehensive series presents a united front

of women who speak out about the singer’s alleged physical, mental and sexual abuse.

Jill Hopkins spoke with Sun-Times Reporter Kathy Chaney, who appeared in the

docuseries, about why she thinks the singer is still enjoying a wide-spread success

and support amid all the mounting evidence and allegations, and whether she thinks

this docuseries will turn the tide in public opinion toward R. Kelly.

The current partial government shutdown is the second longest shutdown in

American history, and it's affecting all numbers of agencies including the

Department of Homeland Security, The Executive Office of Immigration Review and The

Department of Justice. Nationwide, the backlog at immigration courts is at an all

time high. Jill Hopkins spoke with WBEZ Immigration Reporter Maria Ines Zamudio

about that backlog.

Read Maria's full story on WBEZ here:

https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/federal-government-shutdown-adds-to-a-crushing-load-in-chicagos-immigration-court/aac925ad-b552-4391-9e77-66654f0a20ca

Chris Connelly moved from his native Scotland in the 80's to pursue a

career with industrial music icons The Revolting Cocks and Ministry. But his side

project with Matt Sweeney (Filter, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Morrissey), "Sons of

the Silent Age" gives him the chance to play tribute to his favorite musician -

David Bowie. Sons of the Silent Age are honoring the Thin White Duke on January 12th

for an all-star show at The Metro, performing Bowie's Scary Monsters as well as a

slew of hits and classics. Jill Hopkins spoke with Chris on what would've been

Bowie's 71st birthday.

Before taking over the Up Comedy Club in Chicago Jan. 4-6, Lucas Brothers

stopped by the Vocalo studio to talk about their journey from law school to becoming

comedians and cartoon stars.

For more info about Lucas Bros., visit: https://thelucasbros.com

Jill Hopkins spoke with Entrepreneur Alex Tardos and artist Brandon Breaux

about their new joint endeavor - the opening of a basketball themed "Chi Pizza Pie"

restaurant and an adjoining “The Invisible Space” community gallery in Chatham

neighborhood at 8548 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago. Their business model will offer

profit sharing to employees as well as support to local non-profits.

For more info, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ChiPizzaPie

Chicago's drums and trumpet duo The Burns Twins will be joining Nico Segal,

Young Chicago Authors Poets, Loona Dae, Ric Wilson and Victor! for Fulcrum Point's

"Peace in Chicago" concert this Wednesday 12/19 at Harris Theater. They spoke with

Jill Hopkins about the eclectic performance bridging music, poetry and Hip Hop.

For more info about the show, visit:

http://fulcrumpoint.org/event/peace-concert-2018

Elgin Bokari is a Visual and Performing artist, a Program Director at Free

Write Arts & literacy, the President of Elephant Rebellion and a Co-Creator of

Pocket Con, a comic book convention that celebrates art by youth and POC. He joined

Jill Hopkins along with Hip Hop artist D-Nick The Microphone Misfit and visual

artist Ashley Woods to talk about Pocket Con taking place this Saturday, 12/15 at

Chicago Cultural Center.

For more info about the Con, visit: http://pocketcon.org