LIVE: American Indian Center of Chicago on the "Down and Dirty" Show Tonight

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

CHICAGO – The youth computer room at the American Indian Center of Chicago has received a much needed makeover courtesy of the "Down and Dirty" show with Frank Fontana.

The public is invited to attend a special broadcast of the "Down and Dirty" Show with Frank Fontana at the American Indian Center of Chicago tonight. Doors open at 6:00 pm cdt. The show will originate LIVE at 7:00 pm cdt.

The American Indian Center of Chicago is located at 1630 West Wilson, north of downtown Chicago.

The renovations of the youth computer room will be featured.

The renovations were paid for by the "Down and Dirty" Show. Some members of the Chicago Black Hawks volunteered their time to assist with the renovations of the room. Several American Indian community members donated their time to paint the walls. The walls are adorned with paintings by local American Indian artisans to ensure the room has an Indian flair.

“Our building was in need of a makeover. Reaching out to create new relationship, such as with the Black Hawks, is leading to new endeavors for us as we work to renovate our building,”

said Joe Podiasek, Ojibwe, executive director of the Center.

Chicago State University supplied 12 new computers to the American Indian Center and deal is in the works with Comcast to ensure each computer has Internet access.

Established in 1953, the American Indian Center of Chicago is the oldest urban American Indian center in the United States. It moved to its current location on West Wilson in 1966. Previous to the Center occupying the facility, it was a Masonic Temple.

For those who cannot attend the LIVE broadcast in person, you may catch the LIVE webcast.

posted March 29, 2012 9:20 am edt