Urban Gateways artists performing at FREE events all summer with Chicago Park District!

You heard right! This summer is your chance to see the performance groups we’re constantly bragging about in artistic action, totally and 100% FREE. Artists who perform shows in Urban Gateways partner schools throughout the year are heading to the parks!

We are teaming up with the Chicago Park District to bring these free music, theater and dance events to their “Night Out in the Parks” program. Check out the map embedded at the bottom of this post; this shows you when and where our artists will be performing (and in some cases, offering workshops), so you can plan your excursions accordingly. Please check the Chicago Park District’s Events Page before you head out for one of these events, just to ensure that the details have not changed!

EXAMPLES of the Urban Gateways artists you can expect to see in Chicago Parks this summer:

Ayodele: Check out their South Side Harris Park performance on August 1, “The Largest African Empire Revealed”, featuring energetic and traditional dances, music, and stories of West Africa.

Chicago Slam Works: On August 15, the organization that invented the poetry slam is bringing professional poets to Loyola for a community performance in the park. A great way to get energized about Chicago’s dynamic history of performance poetry!

Nahui Ollin: Multiple performances of “Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico”, featuring pre-Hispanic Mexican music and dance, complete with authentic attire and instruments. They’ll also provide musical accompaniment for several Yoga Nights! Locations from Norwood Park to South Chicago.

Riley Wimes: This Urban Gateways teaching artist is offering a workshop at Garfield Park on July 18 that features “Dances of the 60s.” Get down to the oldies and practice the Twist, the Mashed Potato and more!

The Spellbinder: Six different magic shows (and in one case, a magic workshop) on the North and West sides offer great entertainment for adults and kids alike. Walter King Jr. is not only an illusionist, but a true performance artist.