Damon Locks is a Chicago-based visual artist, educator, and vocalist, and a central figure in the city’s creative music scene. His work sits at the intersection of art, activism, and music. He is best known as the leader of the Black Monument Ensemble and is also a member of New Future City Radio and Exploding Star Orchestra. For this performance, Locks is joined by The Gratefuls, an improvisational quartet featuring tuba, alto saxophone, voice, and cello. Together, they delve into the possibilities of improvisation through a shared commitment to jazz, experimental pop, and contemporary music. Rooted in a collective exploration of philosophy, relationships, social dynamics, and visual expression, Damon Locks and The Gratefuls will present a performance that investigates how sound and movement can shape shared space and time—centering rhythm, presence, and collective experience.