101 artists and cultural organizations team up with the Park District to feature over 1,200 hours of safe, high quality, cultural programming in 235 Chicago neighborhood parks citywide; Movies in the Parks launches June 11.
CHICAGO- The Chicago Park District is proud to officially unveil the full calendar of events for the 12th year of Chicago Park District’s highly successful Night Out in the Parks series. For more than a decade, Night Out in the Parks has teamed up local arts organizations, performers and community members to host free cultural events that are accessible to all ages and abilities; celebrating Chicago’s vibrant cultures, and emerging and seasoned arts professionals in parks citywide. All events are now available to view at www.nightoutintheparks.com.
“The Chicago Park District is proud to carry on the tradition of delivering quality entertainment that is free and accessible to all Chicago residents and visitors, while uplifting the incredible talent of our local artists and performers,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. “We are excited to bring our signature Night Out in the Parks program and enriching cultural programs to our communities all season long and urge residents take advantage of the rich and diverse Night Out opportunities happening in their neighborhood parks!”
This year, the 12th annual Night Out in the Parks edition will bring over 600 cultural events to each of the city's 77 community areas. A total of 101 Chicago-based artists will be involved as part of the family-friendly park event series happening in 235 parks citywide. All events are offered with free admission to promote wide reach and attendance in every community across the city.
New this year, the Chicago Park District is launching a ‘Text to Subscribe’ feature for park patrons to get details about Night Out in the Parks events conveniently sent directly to their phones. Individuals may sign-up for the new service by texting the words ‘Night Out’ to (833) 270-0707.
Park audiences are encouraged to use the hashtag #NightOutInTheParks to share photos of their Night Out in the Parks experiences for a chance to see them posted on the Chicago Park District’s social media channels.
At the launch event, hosted in conjunction with “Switch on Summer,” an annual celebration held in partnership with ComEd to officially start the season for Chicago’s historic Buckingham Fountain, the attendees were treated to a small taste of the amazing performances that park patrons will experience citywide all summer long. These partners include Asian Improv aRts Midwest, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, and the Movement Revolution Dance Crew. In addition, eventgoers interacted with the Chicago Creative Reuse Exchange at their maker space booth, and the wandering performers of La Vuelta Ensemble, Cabinet of Curiosity, and Jabberwocky Marionettes. Patrons will be able to see these performers and the breath of Chicago’s talent in parks across the city. Below is a list of the parks where the artists that participated at the Night Out in the Parks kick-of event will be showcasing their talents this summer.
This year’s events and performances by new and returning partners include:
Films
Movies in the Parks
June 11 – September 7, multiple dates and park locations
The Chicago Park District's signature summer movie program, Movies in the Parks, returns to parks across the city beginning June 11th with The Great Gatsby (1974) at Belmont Harbor. Screenings continue Tuesdays-Saturdays in over 100 parks citywide through September 7th. This year's 155 screenings will feature over 80 different films, including something for everyone from children and young families to fans of classic cinema, cult classic adventure comedies and local film lovers. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/movies and/or Facebook.com/ChicagoParks.Movies. Movies in the Parks is supported by San Pellegrino®.
Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase
August 26 - August 31
Chicago Onscreen, Chicago Park District’s annual celebration of local films and filmmakers, will return to parks for an eleventh season. From August 26th to August 31st, parks across the city will feature local films for local audiences as more than a dozen locally-made and Chicago-focused films take over the Movies in the Parks screens. The final movie lineup and screening locations for this series will become available in September at www.nightoutintheparks.com.
Highlights: Night Out in the Parks Partners – celebrating world culture
Intonation Music Workshop: Mixtape Live!
• Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave. – Sat. Jun. 1, 12pm- 5pm
Kicking off the Night Out in the Parks series, Intonation Music will host the annual Youth Arts Fest: Mixtape Live. We intend to grow the success of previous events with another day-long festival featuring performances by Intonation’s 12+ youth bands, guest artists and other community arts groups. It includes hands-¬on family activities like face painting, an instrument petting zoo, community outreach tables for local organizations, a DJ, and more. This event has become a staple for our community and a goal for our students, who look forward to performing annually.
American Indian Center: IndigiFest: Celebrating Indigenous Culture
• Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St. – Sat. Sept. 7, 12pm -5pm
Join us at IndigiFest, presented by the American Indian Center, for a vibrant celebration of Indigenous cultures from around the world. Experience mesmerizing performances by various Indigenous groups, including Native and West African dancing. Explore a diverse array of food and art vendors, immerse yourself in cultural heritage at information booths, and delight in family-friendly activities suitable for all ages. Performances will captivate audiences every 45 minutes, ensuring non-stop excitement throughout the event. Don't miss this opportunity to honor and celebrate Indigenous traditions.
Tierra Colombiana Ensemble: Tierra Colombiana Festival
• Kosciuszko Park, 2732 N. Avers Ave. – Sat. July 13, 2 pm – 6 pm
• Mozart Park, 2036 N. Avers Ave. – Sat. Sept. 14, 2 pm – 6 pm
Join Tierra Colombiana Dance Ensemble for their festival “Colombia, mi bello país” or “Colombia my beautiful country” at Kosciuszko Park. In this festival we are celebrating the richness of the Country Colombia and 214 years of Independence from Spain. We will have music, dance, food and entertainment for the adults and kids.
Lookingglass Theatre Company: Lookingglass PORTAL at Columbus
• Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave. – Thurs. Aug. 8, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
• Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Ave. – Thurs. Aug. 1, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
• Gage Park, 2411 W. 55th St. – Sat. Aug. 10, 3 – 4 pm
Dive down the rabbit hole with Lookingglass Theatre Company in their presentation of PORTAL. An experience full of circus, dance, and puppetry amidst the grandest of all theatrical settings, nature. PORTAL is produced in association with Actors Gymnasium.
Chicago Summer Dance in the Parks
• Austin Town Hall Cultural Center, 5610 W. Lake St. – Wed. Jul. 24, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
• Calumet Park Cultural Center, 9801 S. Avenue G – Wed. Jul. 31, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
• Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Ave. – Wed. Aug. 7, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
• Douglass Park Cultural Center, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. – Wed. Aug. 14, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
• Davis Square Park, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave. – Wed. Aug. 21, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
In partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago SummerDance in the Parks is a social dance party bringing people of all abilities and ages together for free dance lessons followed by live music and DJs. Many styles of dance are explored throughout this series, and each neighborhood program includes creative activities with local artists.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Shakes in the City
Free pop-up performances and activities across Chicago
July 20–August 18, 2024
“If music be the food of love, PLAY ON!” Shakespeare’s joyful comedy Twelfth Night is brought to vibrant new life with free pop-up performances and activities in green spaces, neighborhood festivals, and events across the city as part of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s (CST) Shakes in the City initiative. Director Tyrone Phillips, a first-generation Jamaican- American, reimagines the story in the Caribbean isles, infused with the music and playful spirit of Carnival. Separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck and washed ashore in an unfamiliar land, the spirited Viola disguises herself as a man to work for charming Duke Orsino—and finds herself in the middle of a love triangle of hilarious mistaken identities. Enjoy this immersive pop-up performance and engage with artists in hands-on activities inspired by play. A full schedule of the performance locations and times will be available at www.nightoutintheparks.com.
Night Out in the Parks artists featured at “Switch on Summer” May 11th announcement
Asian Improv aRts Midwest: Tsukasa Taiko
• Sauganash Park, 5861 N. Kostner Ave. - Fri. Jul. 12, 6 – 7 pm
• Roberts Square Playlot Park, 5230 W. Argyle St. – Tues. Jul. 30, 6 – 7 pm
• Park No. 596/Park Headquarters, 4830 S. Western Ave. – Fri. Aug. 2, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
• Rosedale Park, 6312 W. Rosedale Ave. – Wed. Aug. 7, 6 – 7 pm
• North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. – Fri. Jul. 26, 6 – 7 pm
Asian Improv aRts Midwest presents taiko (Japanese drumming), shinobue (bamboo flute), and classical Japanese dance. This includes a short dance lesson in which the audience is invited to learn a few classical dance steps. The shows are inspiring opportunities for our members to share our culture through music and summer festivities. Overall, AIRMW's NOITP provides education (about the Japanese cultural aesthetic) and fun with active participation in festival dancing for the whole audience. Additionally, AIRMW can introduce its new cultural hub, available for workshops, artists' talks, and presentations.
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center: La Cantera and Friends
• Kells Park, 3201 W. Chicago Ave. - Sat. Aug. 3, 4-6 p.m.
• Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. - Fri. Jul. 19, 6-8 p.m.
• Addams Park, 1434 S. Loomis - Sat. Sep. 21, 4-6 p.m.
One of 40 organizations recently recognized for its contributions to the history, culture, vibrancy, and identity of communities of color in greater Chicago (see Chicago Cultural Treasures), Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago. Established in 1971, it was named in honor of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, a Puerto Rican patriot and member of a secret abolitionist society that freed slave children under Spanish rule. Through music and dance performances, SRBCC realizes its mission to preserve and promote appreciation of the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Latin America, with a focus on its African heritage.
Movement Revolution Dance Crew: The Adventures of...A Cosplay Hip Hop Experience
• Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave.- Tues., Jun. 18, 5-7 p.m.
• Meyering Park, 7140 S. Martin Luther King Dr.- Fri., Jul. 19, 5-7 p.m.
• Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave. - Thurs., Jun. 20, 5-7 p.m.
Movement Revolution Dance Crew (MRDC) is a non-profit hip hop dance crew and performing arts collective. MRDC creates dance, produces an annual concert, teaches youth programs, and providing enrichment through community engagement. Movement Revolution Dance Crew (MRDC) was founded in 2010 by Chicago native Monternez Rezell. As Artistic Director Monte takes street dance to another level by integrating the street culture into concert dance; all while paying tribute to the founders and originators of the hip hop culture. MRDC performs several styles of street dance seen in hip hop culture including breaking, popping, locking, waving, and litefeet as well as other club dances and social dances.
Chicago Creative Reuse Exchange (CCRx): Imagination Station
• Murray Playground, 7304 S. Wood St. – Wed. Aug. 14, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
• Grand Crossing Park, 7655 S. Ingleside Ave. – Fri. Aug. 2, 1 – 3 pm
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave. – Thurs. Aug. 1, 11 am – 1 pm
• Burnham Park (w/ Teen Peace on the Beach) – Thurs. Jul. 18, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Galewood Park, 5729 W. Bloomingdale Ave. – Fri. Jul. 26, 5 – 7 pm
• Washtenaw Park, 2521 S. Washtenaw Ave. – Sat. Jun. 8, 2 – 4 pm
• Smith Park, 2526 W. Grand Ave. – Sat. Aug. 24, 2 – 4 pm
• Gage Park, 2411 W. 55th St. – Thurs. Jun. 20, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
• Wentworth Park, 5625 S. Mobile Ave. – Tues. Jul. 9, 4 – 6 pm
• LaFollette Park, 1333 N. Laramie Ave. – Wed. Jul. 10, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange is a 501c3 nonprofit organization launched in 2017 to redistribute donations of clean, safe + working materials, supplies + equipment to Chicago teachers, nonprofits, arts + community groups. The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange’s Imagination Station, provides a pop-up creative reuse making project for children, youth, adults and families. At the Imagination Station, participants can reimagine old things into fantastic new things: -Vinyl Street pole banners become Recyclo-Pouches. -Old binders and notebooks become Imagination Journals. -Takeout containers and paper rolls become Kaleidoscopes. -Left-over fabric becomes Story Quilts, Banners and Flags! It's all about using your imagination!
La Vuelta Ensemble: La Vuelta presents BOOK UP!
• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L- Fri., Jun. 28, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
• Shabbona Park, 6935 W. Addison St.- Thurs., Aug. 1, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
• Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard- Tues., Aug. 6, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
La Vuelta is a POC-led performance company founded in 2014 by Puerto Rican artists, Jean Carlos Claudio and Raquel Torre. Conceived as Circo La Vuelta during their 2 years of circus/theatre education in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the company returned to the island as a tour de force, becoming one of the most popular circus and theater companies on the island. Deciding to establish themselves in the Windy City, they rebranded as La Vuelta Ensemble in 2019, building a base in the Humboldt Park neighborhood under the mentorship of UrbanTheater Company, and created outdoor circus and theatre performances.
In Book Up! a nomadic librarian takes their small mobile library everywhere and beyond, getting through to the toughest of readers! Using circus skills like juggling, tumbling, clown, and aerial acrobatics, La Vuelta Ensemble celebrates the infinite worlds found in books. This outdoor spectacle is set to the beat of Latin music and is perfect for the whole family.
Jabberwocky Marionettes: Big Little Puppet Show
• Mann Park, 3035 E. 130th St. – Mon. Jul. 8, 1 – 2 pm
• Athletic Field Park, 3546 W. Addison St. – Fri. Jul. 12, 1 – 2 pm
• Commercial Club Playground, 1845 W. Rice St. – Mon. Jul. 22, 1 – 2 pm
• Cotton Tail Park, 44 W. 15th St. – Wed. Jul. 10, 6 – 7 pm
• Kennedy Park, 11320 S. Western Ave. – Tues. Jul. 16, Time: TBD
• Grandparents Playlot, 5445 N. Chester Ave. – Wed. Aug. 14, 6 – 7 pm
This Summer 2024 join Jabberwocky Marionettes at your neighborhood Chicago Park for our 'Big Little PUPPET' adventure. Fantastically operated, colorful, handmade puppets of all types and sizes with original music and amazing scenic environments, come to life in a series of comic, big-hearted, hilarious puppet shorts about friendship. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs out and join us for this magical experience only at a Chicago Park near you! 60-minute puppet friendly show for all ages and families.
Cabinet of Curiosity: Pedal Powered Playground
• Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave. – Sat. Aug. 3, 1 – 2:30 pm
• Boler Park, 3601 W. Arthington St. – Sat. Aug. 12, 1 – 2:30 pm
Cabinet of Curiosity will provide numerous pedal-powered items the community and audience can use to power whimsical delightful objects, like pedal-powered bubble machines, human-powered sound devices, and more. The afternoon includes family-friendly engineering workshops and focuses on health, nutrition, engineering, and wonder.
History of Night Out in the Parks
Launched in the summer of 2013, Night Out in the Parks brings world-class arts performances, including theater, dance and live music to neighborhood parks across the city providing residents with access to world-class cultural opportunities. Park neighborhood activations foster a long-time appreciation for the arts and parks among diverse audiences and continue to create safe spaces for entertainment and educational experiences to thrive throughout the year. Since its inception, Night Out in the Parks has provided thousands of hours of safe, diverse, and unique arts programming with yearly grant support from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).