Deep Listening Sessions
with DJ Shani and a vinyl pop-up market by Waterloo Records
Every month, settle in and slow down.
Deep Listening Sessions are recurring, intimate gatherings centered on themed vinyl playlists inspired by Moki Cherry and the music of her longtime partner and artistic collaborator, the jazz musician Don Cherry. Staged within the exhibition The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry, guests are welcomed into the space for an unhurried hour of intentional sound.
Each session will be hosted by a guest musician, DJ, or music historian, and begins with an introduction into the world of Moki Cherry and the Organic Music philosophies both she and Don Cherry embodied in their shared lives and artistic collaborations. Then the needle drops, and the space is yours.
This month’s session is hosted by DJ Shani of The Groove Temple on KUTX.
And stop by the 2nd floor Community Room for a vinyl pop-up market with Waterloo Records. They'll be bringing crates of jazz essentials and deep cuts—come prepared to dig!
No devices. No rush.
Know Before You Go
• The event takes place in the 1st floor gallery listening room.
• The program starts at 6:30P and runs to 8P.
• Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis. All seating is on the floor with pillows and poufs for comfort.
• Accessibility seating is available by request, please inform the front desk upon arrival.
• Guests are welcome to come and go throughout the program as seating capacity allows.
• Throughout the program, DJ Shani will preface each track with context about the music choice and its connection to the work of Moki and Don Cherry.
• Waterloo Records is hosting a vinyl pop-up market in the 2nd floor Community Room with crates of jazz vinyl
• Kindly note: food and drinks are not permitted in the galleries
• Parking is available at paid street meters and nearby commercial garages and lots. Rideshare or public transportation is highly encouraged.
• For additional accommodation requests, please contact [email protected]
Thank you to our program partner Waterloo Records.
Waterloo Records & Video, Inc. is Austin’s home for vinyl, CDs, and local music since 1982. Over the decades, Waterloo Records has grown in size and reputation, voted Best Record Store in the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll for 43 years. But more than accolades, Waterloo has become a cultural landmark.
Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, DJ Shani has spent almost three decades creating soulful musical experiences rooted in House, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, and Afro-diasporic sounds. While at Loyola University Chicago, she created and hosted The Groove Temple®, a groundbreaking Deep House radio program on WLUW 88.7 FM that ran for 17 years, reaching listeners worldwide and featuring guest mixes from artists like Derrick Carter, Ron Trent, Osunlade, and Black Coffee.
Now based in Austin, Shani continues to build community through music as a DJ, producer, broadcaster, and cultural curator, with performances at the Moody Center (opening for Duran Duran), The Long Center, 3TEN ACL Live, Antone's, and Soho House, among others. An official SXSW Artist from 2020–2023, she's also worked as a music journalist, studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, and collaborated with producers Glenn Underground and Jay-Cee.
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012, Shani has embraced music as part of her healing journey — deepening her commitment to creating accessible, inclusive spaces where people of all abilities can connect through music. Whether behind the decks or the microphone, she remains dedicated to preserving the soulful roots of House music and amplifying diverse voices.
IMAGE: Children's workshop with Don, Eagle-Eye and Moki Cherry, 1974. Featured in the background: Aum Expression, 1971 (left); Kali, 1973; Dina Kanagina, 1972. Cherry archives, Estate of Moki Cherry.