Festival de la Francophonie • Film Screening: Taking Back the Groove

In Celia Aniskovich’s 2023 documentary short Taking Back the Groove, Chicago-based Franco-Algerian DJ Jérôme Derradji tells the story of Bronx-born disco legend Richie Weeks, whose song Rock Your World with Weeks & Co. climbed to #1 on the dance charts in the 1980s. Like many Black artists throughout American recording history, his talent was strip-mined to enrich corporate labels.

The screening will be followed by a discussion between Derradji and Vince Lawrence, American dance music record producer, businessman, and one of the leading innovators in house music.

Guests will also enjoy a post-screening reception featuring complimentary French wine and beats curated by Derradji.

About Jérôme Derradji

DJ, producer, compiler, and label operator Jerme Derradji started spinning records at the age of 15 and was, at first, inspired most by jazz and soul. During the tail-end of the ’90s, house music caught his ears. In 2000, he moved from his native France to Chicago, Illinois and worked at record store Dr. Wax as an import buyer.

Derradji established Still Music in 2004 as an outlet for the music he felt wasn’t getting enough support. Within a few years, Still released singles and albums by producers from all over the planet. As Derradji’s reach extended to reissuing obscure disco, funk, and house, executing his own re-edits, and supporting additional musicians, he set up Past Due and Stilove4music as sublabels.

Extensive later compilations released on Still, including 122 BPM: The Birth of House Music, Kill Yourself Dancing: The Story of Sunset Records Inc., Bang the Box!: The (Lost) Story of AKA Dance Music, and The House That Jackmaster Hater Built, were deep dives into the rich dance music history of his adopted hometown.

About Vince Lawrence

Vince Lawrence is a music producer from the South Side of Chicago who is widely recognized for being a house music pioneer. His list of firsts goes on and on, including first vinyl record categorized as “house music” and first house music song to hit the billboard charts. Vince was an original founder of the legendary label Trax Records, working alongside huge names such as Marshall Jefferson, Adonis, and Ron Hardy.

Vince’s rich history in Chicago led him to found Slang Music Group, a multifaceted media production company. Slang is at the forefront of the music industry, having produced remixes for artists such as R. Kelly, Beyonce, John Legend, and The Crystal Method. Vince describes his brainchild as a “pop culture divining rod,” bringing together the musical artist, advertising, gaming, and TV industries in a culmination of media.

Currently, Vince is working through Slang to combine his love for music with his entrepreneurial spirit to produce the next generation of popular music. Through his successful past and into the future, Vince is looking to maintain Chicago’s longstanding status at the forefront of the music scene.

Get here

The Alliance Francaise de Chicago is one block from the CTA Red line stop at Chicago Avenue. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark and the 66 on Chicago Avenue.

Parking Information

$12 for 12 hours at InterPark at 100 W Chestnut St. All you need is the rebate chaser" card we give participants.