On April 15, Samir Sajjad—a Media Communication Senior at Saint Xavier—is planning to organize an ISPro Artist Showcase for his Senior Seminar Project.
As of April 12, Sajaad told The Xavierite that the ISPro Artist Showcase relocated from Wings Fire House on the second floor at 2501 S Western Ave 2nd Floor, in Chicago to project1021.
The venue was marked as a ‘creative space’—and located at 1021 W 18th St in Chicago, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Updated event and ticket information was immediately released.
Sajaad’s event will feature six music artists—including performances by Richoapitt, Sonny Trill, Ayo200nz, Lamar Creation, Martell DB, and Keenan Davis. Sajjad mentioned that each of these artists will have 15-to-20-minute sets. They’ll be able to interact with the crowd—and “…basically get their name out there,” stated Sajjad.
Sajjad’s April 15 event will have vendors selling artist merchandise. Smaller businesses from Blue Island and Oak Lawn will attend as well. The ISPro Showcase is also planning to have a giveaway of four raffle baskets to people who purchase raffle tickets.
Sajjad, reached out to Insomniac Studios on Nov. 1–and told them that, “…I wanted to be responsible for the organizing, and marketing of one event they have lined up for this year.”
Sajjad noted that he has previously worked with the company before, saying, “I had gone there and recorded there myself.”
A crucial part of Sajjad’s Senior Seminar project was his research and event preparation.
“I was researching a lot of ways of how to market my event…[through] social media campaigns, [and] email newsletters,” Sajjad told The Xavierite. In addition, he found posters ‘beneficial’ to use for this event because they are often promoted at the University.
Another marketing idea he continued to research is how to “…direct your marketing toward a target audience.” Sajjad explained how he was able to tailor his marketing towards South Suburban areas of Blue Island, Robbins, Posen and Oak Lawn through social media.
“Instagram has, like, a boost option, so I was able to tailor [them] and a bunch of these cities around here to, like, get people around here to go.”
Sajjad’s main takeaways from this project were to plan ahead of time to ‘secure a venue’ first—and make sure that “everyone is on the same page.”
“As early as you possibly can, start everything. Don’t wait,” he says, continuing, “Give yourself more than two months…[because] you need time to make sure things go well.”
Post-graduation, Sajjad states that his dream job is “…to essentially work for a PR Firm.” Sajjad says he’d hopefully become a PR agent “for someone important,” a big company, or celebrity.
But he has another career field in mind, too.
“Down the road, like long-term, long-term, I want to be the head [Arts & Repertoire] A&R for a record label because music is something that, [for] me personally, I have a really big passion in,” he recognizes. Sajaad wouldn’t mind being responsible for discovering artists—and “finding new talent” as well.
Sajjad looks forward to seeing the SXU campus community and other outside guests come out and support him at his upcoming event.
“My main thing is I want people to feel comfortable and I want them to enjoy themselves, [and] have a good time,” he said.
General Admission Tickets for Sajjad’s ISPro Showcase are available to purchase for $10 on Eventbrite, with a $2.24 fee.
As stated on the event webpage, doors open at 7:30 p.m., and an Open Cash Bar is available for those aged 21 years or older.
There’s no outside food or beverage allowed inside of the venue.
For refunds, attendees are asked to please contact Sajjad at sajjad.s01@mymail.sxu.edu, or call (646) 620-1170.