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The Chicago Park District announced today the dates for a series of events for Chicago teens taking place at parks and beaches across the city all summer. All teens are invited to enjoy parties, auditions and an end of summer festival.

The series of events is designed to keep teens engaged all summer, while offering them the opportunity to network with teens from across the city. The Chicago Park District will host a number of parties for teens, including beach parties and a silent party, and hold auditions for the Teens in the Park Festival (T.I.P. Fest), which takes place at the end of summer. 

“We offer a number of programs for teens to participate in throughout the year,” said Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District Michael Kelly. “Over the summer, however, teens have more free time, and we wanted to curate a series of events to help keep them engaged and active.”

The Chicago Park District will host five parties for teens this summer- two inside park field houses and three at beaches along the lakefront. On August 17 at Ellis Park (3520 S. Cottage Grove) the Park District, along with Urban Fetes, will host a silent party for teens. Silent Parties are the most recent party phenomenon to spread across the country and are so named because no music comes from loud speakers. Instead, multiple DJs play music and attendees can choose which DJ to listen to using headphones that glow a color corresponding with one of the DJs. 

This year being designated the “Year of Creative Youth” by Mayor Emanuel, the Chicago Park District will host four open auditions for teens and young adults under 24 for a chance to perform at this year’s T.I.P. Fest. The first audition will be held on Friday, July 27 at Promontory Point (5491 S. Lake St.) from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. All types of performers are encouraged to audition. In the past, T.I.P. Fest featured drumlines, singers, rappers, spoken word artists, bands and headliners like Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Bennett. Also, as a part of the “Year of Creative Youth” the Chicago Park District’s T.I.P. Fest will be a part of the Department of Culture Affairs and Special Events’ Year of Creative Youth Festival on September 22. 

The Year of Creative Youth is part of the Mayor’s citywide vision for raising up youth in Chicago, including the extensive One Summer Chicago jobs program, Mayor Emanuel’s Mentoring Initiative, Chicago City of Learning, the Chicago Public Schools Arts Education Plan, Night Out In the Parks presented by the Chicago Park District, YOUmedia at select Chicago Public Library locations and more. For details, please visit cityofchicago.org/youth. 

Below is a chronological list of teen events for this summer:

North Region Party 
Friday, June 8, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Peace on the Beach
Thursday, July 19, 10am-2pm
Margaret T. Burroughs Beach, 3155 S. Lake Shore Dr. 

Teen Audition
Friday, July 27, 6pm-8:45pm
Promontory Point, 5491 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Teen Audition
Saturday, August 4, 12pm-2pm
Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long Ave.

Silent Party
Friday, August 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Ellis Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Peace on the Beach
Saturday, August 18, 1pm-5pm
Rainbow Beach, 3111 E. 77th St. 

Teen Audition
Friday, September 7, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.

Finalists Audition
Saturday, September 15, 10am-12pm
Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.

For other teen opportunities and events at the Chicago Park District, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com