Posted 3 years ago
Press contact: Ariella Gibson | Marketing and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance Ariella@ChicagoLoopAlliance.com | 708-543-4002
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@loopchicago @ChicagoLoopAlliance @ChiLoopAlliance @Chicago-Loop-Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 19, 2022
CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance and Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation announce the return of ACTIVATE for a special one-night only spectacular to take place from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at Quincy Street (enter at intersection of W. Quincy and S. LaSalle). Inspired by the return of a vibrant Loop, filled with notions from your wildest imagination, ACTIVATE invites guests to dream in color. The event is free, and when guests (21+) RSVP in advance, they also receive a complimentary drink ticket. Valid photo ID must be shown at entry. More updates and details can be here.
After a hiatus in 2020 and 2021, the award-winning ACTIVATE event returns to Chicago by popular demand in 2022 for one night only. ACTIVATE is a celebration of local arts and culture that brings life to unexpected spaces in the Loop. Launched by Chicago Loop Alliance in 2014, these free events give the public a chance to interact with local art, music, and performance and take part in transforming urban environments. Playful, authentic, sometimes bizarre, and always surprising — ACTIVATE is not your average street festival.
“After taking a break due to the pandemic, Chicago Loop Alliance is ecstatic to bring one of our most popular events back for one special night,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “This year’s ACTIVATE is rooted in the vibrancy of the Loop that we have all missed, and encourages attendees to envision spaces in unexpected ways, filled with color, art, fantastical ideas, and captivating experiences. The past two years tested the resilience of the Loop but, ACTIVATE is one of the spaces where we come together to celebrate that resiliency, and also explore the unique nature of the spaces often unseen.”
Elements of ACTIVATE include:
- Live DJ sessions by Marc “Moose the DJ” Moder
- Art curation by Andrea Jablonski
- Performances by A Queer Pride
- Captivating performances by hip-hop violinist, Windy Indie and tap dancer, Djedi
- Live, interactive art displays by Paint the City
- Moving visuals arts by Opera-Matic
- Fashion and accessories trading post – White Elephant meets Grand Bazaar where attendees haggle goods for fun
- More unique performances and surprises upon arrival
“For years, ACTIVATE has celebrated what makes us all unique. This event invites the city’s most creative to express themselves through moving installations in an open space – be it visual, performing or mixed-media art,” said Allison Gerlach, Director of Events of Chicago Loop Alliance. “ACTIVATE takes place during Pride Month this year, and further aligns with the inclusive goals of this event, as we welcome everyone, and encourage all members of our community to dream in color with us.”
“After years of collaborating on Chicago Loop Alliance events, especially ACTIVATE, Paint the City is thrilled to bring arts and activations to the more underutilized canvas of the LaSalle Corridor,” said Missy Perkins, Co-Founder of Paint the City.
In addition to ACTIVATE, Chicago Loop Alliance’s award-winning event series, Sundays on State returns to State Street from Lake to Monroe on July 24, August 7, August 21, and September 4. Launched in 2021, Sundays on State accelerates the economy, unites the community, and creates joy. Chicago Loop Alliance invites community participation through vendor applications currently open until May 24. Learn more at LoopChicago.com/Sundays.
About ACTIVATE
ACTIVATE is a series of pop-up arts programs that encourage visitors to see the Loop anew. The event series transforms alleys and other urban locations into creative exhibition spaces that bring artists and the public together for an evening of exploration, interaction, and celebration of the arts. Chicago Loop Alliance launched the placemaking initiative in 2014 in partnership with Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation. In the previous six seasons, ACTIVATE generated approximately $3 million in estimated economic impact to Loop businesses, and welcomed over 70,000 attendees to the Loop. Find more information and details at LoopChicago.com/ACTIVATE.
About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA)’s mission is to create, manage and promote positive and inclusive programs that attract people to the Loop and accelerate economic recovery. CLA is a membership organization as well as the sole service provider for Special Service Area#1-2015, and the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation produces public art projects and events. For more information, please visit here.
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