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Connections
Connections

Danielle Ponder, EKUA, and Chi the Realist on their music and the state of the industry

By Evan Dawson,
Megan Mack
Published May 13, 2024 at 3:02 PM EDT
Two smiling women stand in front of a photo of a Rochester skyline: The woman at left has long brown braids and is wearing a green outfit and necklace; the woman at right has long black hair and is wearing a blue t-shirt with a graphic of a heart in white
1 of 2  — EKUA and Danielle Ponder on "Connections"
EKUA and Danielle Ponder on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Monday, May 13, 2024
Julie Williams / WXXI News
A man wearing a white hat, white sunglasses, and white jacket with different logos. He has shoulder-length black hair and is crossing his arms in front of his chest, while pointing his index finger.
2 of 2  — Chi the Realist
Chi the Realist
Rafael Rodriguez / CITY Magazine
A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a blue button-down shirt and a grey blazer. He is holding a pair of eyeglasses. The word "Connections" appears on the left side of the photo in vertical letters.
WXXI News

We sit down with international recording artist – and Rochester native – Danielle Ponder.

Ponder is back home this week for a free concert at the Lilac Festival. She has curated “An Evening of Soul,” set for Thursday. The event also includes performances by fellow Rochestarians EKUA and Chi the Realist.

We talk with all three artists about their upcoming show, the state of the music industry, and their music.

Our guests:

Connections
Evan Dawson
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
See stories by Evan Dawson
Megan Mack
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.
See stories by Megan Mack