Chicago's own DJ Cindel is bring the beats back to Market Days

He’s baaaack … and bringing the beats.

Cindel Coss, known mostly as simply DJ Cindel, returns to Chicago this weekend to perform Friday night at the 41^st annual Northalsted Market Days, which runs August 6-8.

Cindel will spin Friday at 7:30 p.m., on the Avita Pharmacy Dance Stage powered by Hydrate

The 35-year-old Cindel spent 18 years living in Chicago. He moved to Atlanta this past March, where he is an assistant community director for RangeWater Real Estate.

“I am very excited for the return of Market Days,” Cindel said. “(Last year) was such a rough year that this is very much needed.  Market Days is such a wonderful event, filled with amazing talent, music, art and overall a great time to reconnect with friends, meet new people and escape the gruesome reality of the world we are living in for a few days.

“I am filled with gratitude (to DJ at Market Days 2021) because, the truth is, there are a million and a half DJs nowadays, many whom decided to become DJs during the (COVID-19 pandemic).  So, to still be considered and appreciated as the artist I am, I am forever grateful.”

This is Cindel’s fourth time DJing at Market Days.

Cindel, who was born and raised in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, has DJ residencies at Hydrate in Chicago, along with clubs in New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

“I am beyond happy to return,” to Chicago, he said. “It has been five months since I left, and I couldn’t be happier to be back among friends and family. There is definitely no place like home.”

In addition to Market Days, Cindel said he plans to eat a jibarito, enjoys tacos from his favorite restaurant and of course enjoy the sounds of Market Days.

Cindel’s move to Atlanta was predicated around the pandemic. “The entertainment industry and hospitality industry got hit the hardest and I was severely affected financially,” he said. “I needed a Plan B and realized maybe some change would do me good as well.  I decided to go back to the corporate world to have some sort of financial security while still allowing myself to be an artist and not lose sight of that.  I plan on returning to Chicago in the future.

“Chicago will forever be home to me.  The experiences I gained, the people I’ve met, the wonderful friendships I’ve acquired … I cherish every moment of it.  Chicago is my favorite city in the U.S. and any chance I get to come back I treasure it.”

He certainly has not forgotten eclectic food choices, including the late-night options. He also, of course, misses the city’s house music scene.