5 Magazine is North America's only magazine dedicatd exclusively to House Music. Founded in August 2005, we distribute 10,000 copies each month, free of charge, with stories on a variety of artists, DJs and producers from House Music's past and present. 5 Magazine can be found at boutiques, cafes, and stores around Chicago, in the clubs, by subscription and at select locations out of town (if you'd like to carry 5 Magazine in your store, please contact us here). For advertising info, read our online media kit here.

Welcome to Chicago's first magazine dedicated exclusively to House Music! It's been a long time coming. There are parties, clubs, radio shows, TV specials, movies and books being dedicated to House Music. It was only time before a magazine came into play.

I've always been drawn to House, and its clubs where it was all about freedom of movement and expression sans judgment. My path to the House scene went from club-goer to dancer to promoter to magazine editor. Like everyone else, I am a House lover still learning and growing from this ever-changing scene.

The abundance of House in this city never ceases to amaze me. Not only would some argue that Chicago is the birthplace of House, but to me it seems like the scene has become somewhat of a monster, with its branches being stretched and strained and pulled every which way. Almost every lounge, club or bar in the city has a House night, and more and more House residencies are popping up everyday. The north side has their upscale, loungey House along with the post-rave kids' more electronic nights; the south side has its classics and disco/house scene; the west side has its harder, jacking sounds.

What we seek to do at 5 is to bridge this gap, to bring us back to the reason we came to this music in the first place: House stresses love, positivity, family and acceptance. It literally is a church for some people. There was a time when househeads all knew each other and had an unspoken love and respect for one another. So though each of us may have our own preferences of where we go and which DJ we like, we are still bonded by our enthusiasm and love for House. And who knows? Maybe a squeamish reader from the suburbs may one day venture out to one of the listed clubs way down on the southside, and find his/her Home.

Secondly, 5 Magazine strives to provide information on artists, DJs, promoters, events and any other happenings that a House lover would like to know. With hip-hop's global domination of the younger generation, it's important to provide the blessed few who do show interest with the necessary information. It's one thing to like the music, but in order to truly appreciate it one should know the history as well as the many contributors to this genre.

Lastly, we'd like to expose up and coming talent to the rest of the world. It's not only about the godfathers and the legends but also about the newer artists with amazing gifts.

I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people throughout the years: my resident DJs from Fivestar's Wednesday nights at Trace (Harry T and Doug Brandt), and two of my dancers from Fivestar Boogie (Laurie Canning and Boogie McLarin) are the main contributors to this publication.

Going back to the multitude of House events in the city, our staff can only go to so many places and hear about what everyone's doing! That is where you, the reader comes in. Please feel free to email us your ideas, opinions, contributions, pictures, etc. We'd like to get to know you and vice versa. Thank you for your readership and we'll see you on the dancefloor!

Best wishes,

Czarina Mirani
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Email: czarina@5chicago.com