Perhaps no other city in the world has contributed to contemporary dance music as much as Chicago. The Windy City spearheaded a new era in music after the decay of disco, a genre stifled by prejudices from homophobes and racists. In 1970s, disco thrived in Chicago, especially among the city's Black and queer population. When it disappeared - it left a void, and a community searching for a home. House first appeared at a members-only gay club in South Jefferson Street called The Warehouse, through the fearless sets resident DJ Frankie Knuckles.

If Knuckles is considered the Godfather of house, then DJ Lady D is the queen. Inspired by Knuckles and 1980s innovators like Ron Hardy, Lady D worked the dance circuit hard in the 1990s, establishing herself as a major figure in the underground club scene and forming Superjane - the first all-female DJ crew in the US - in 1997. She's an ambassador of House music - and Chicago at large - establishing a record label in the 2000s, and appearing in multiple documentaries about the city's musical legacy.

Below, she shares her guide to the places she frequents when she's not behind decks or mentoring the next gen of club stars.