The Generator

306 North Halsted Street

Owned by brothers in law Nick Mandis & James Allen Misovec, the Generator replaced the duo’s original venture, the Stop and Drink, and became one of the most popular Black, gay, house music venues in Chicago during the second half of the 1990s. It was known, in particular, for its pioneering disco Wednesdays spun by DJ Dana Powell, as well as for being a place where new house music records broke in Chicago. According to founding spinner Tyrone Mixx, the club went through three incarnations before becoming The Mid (all under the same ownership). First it was simply The Generator, then it was The New Generator, and finally it became a straight club called Rive Gauche.

1996

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Breaking “Can I Get a Witness”

Dana Powell became known for breaking new house sounds in Chicago. He was so good at finding and making new records hot, that artists would often show up in his DJ booth asking for feedback. Powell remembers that Ann Nesby came through the venue asking him about a test pressing of her upcoming single, “Can I Get a Witness.” He played one of the original promo mixes for the Generator audience at her request and it cleared the floor. Perspective actually re-remixed the song with Mousse T and it became a Generator anthem.

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