Posted 3 years ago
Press contact: Jessica Cabe | PR and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance jessica@chicagoloopalliance.com | 815-713-8909
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SOCIAL: #SundaysOnState #BackInTheLoop
@loopchicago @ChicagoLoopAlliance @ChiLoopAlliance @Chicago-Loop-Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | AUG. 3, 2021
CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance is announcing the lineup for the Aug. 8 Sundays on State event, taking place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on State Street from Lake to Madison. Sundays on State is an open streets celebration of arts, culture, active recreation, food, drinks, shopping and more that is free and open to the public. Subsequent Sundays on State events will take place on Aug. 22 and 29 and Sept. 5 and 12. Note that there will be no event on Aug. 15. Those who register to attend Sundays on State at LoopChicago.com/Sundays will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Loop staycation package.
“With three Sundays on State events under our belt, the celebration has received high praise from across Chicagoland,” said Chicago Loop Alliance President and CEO Michael Edwards. “During the July events, State Street pedestrian activity neared 2019 levels for the first time since early 2020 aside from July Fourth weekend. Vendors and attendees hail from over 12 states and over 150 zip codes, including every neighborhood in Chicago. Sundays on State is successfully accelerating the economic recovery, uniting the community and bringing joy back to the Loop.”
Qualitative and quantitative feedback from event attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. 82 percent of attendees reported they would refer a friend to Sundays on State. 71 percent visited a Loop business or landmark before, after or during the event. $213 is the average amount reported spent per person who did so. 65 percent say the event positively affected their feelings about the Loop.
In addition to positive feedback from attendees, vendor participants have reported success from the events.
“Sundays on State has helped me generate awareness of the small business I recently launched, grow my presence on social media and draw customers,” said Sundays on State participant Mike McMains of Tours With Mike. “I have participated in the first three Sundays on State [events], and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
“Sundays on State has resurrected Family-ism Face Paint Factory to put joyful smiles back on the decorated faces of many children and the young at heart,” said Sundays on State vendor Het-Heru of Family-ism Face Paint Factory. “We could never have imagined how transformative the Loop could be and will never see it the same way again after Sundays on State.”
“Everything was flawless!” raved vendor Sylvia Moore of Sylvia's BackRoom and Friends. “Sundays on State contribute[s] nothing but positive energy for the city, especially the Loop.”
The Aug. 8 Sundays on State event will feature over 100 on-street activations – the most to date – throughout the day. These activations were submitted by community members and organizations from all over the Chicagoland area. Aug. 8 will feature the following list of activations, plus even more surprises. The event’s schedule, participants and acts are subject to change. Visit LoopChicago.com/Sundays for the most up-to-date details.
Performance Schedule – Lake-Randolph
- 11 a.m.-8 p.m. – The Freakeasy
Performance Schedule – Randolph to Washington
- 1 p.m. – Jason Winslade of Ritual Rhythms Chicago Drumming
- 4 p.m. – Bellydance by Phaedra
Performance Schedule – Washington-Madison (on stage)
- 11 a.m. – Yoga with W Chicago City Center
- Noon – The Joffrey Ballet
- 1 p.m. – Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards
- 2 p.m. – Walter Parks & Master Accordionist Rob Curto
- 3:30 p.m. – Broadway In Chicago presents Teatro ZinZanni
- 5 p.m. – Cabinet of Curiosity presents Michelle Billingsley
- 6 p.m. – The Real Pretenders
- 7 p.m. – Jon Langford and His Fancy Men
Arts and culture
- American Writers Museum – writing activations including My America series; also joined by Brown Books and Paint Brushes from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to celebrate the life and legacy of Toni Morrison as part of the Free Black Children's Library summer pop-up series
- Ballet Folklorico de Chicago – musical performance of all ages
- Be The Match – a bone marrow drive that can help save a life
- Brazilian Cultural Center of Chicago –a broad spectrum of traditional Brazilian games, dance demonstrations and several interactive board games, as well as an experiential learning station where people of all ages can play an ancient board game developed in the Indigenous Xingu community in the Upper Amazon Rainforest
- Cabinet of Curiosity – music, bubbles and spectacle
- Caricatures by Mary Ellen – live caricature artist
- Center for Decision Research, University of Chicago Booth School of Business – a pop-up behavioral science discovery center where attendees can participate in research studies on the processes by which intuition, reasoning and social interaction produce beliefs, judgments, and choices
- Chicago Public Library – interactive showcases of projects created in YOUmedia (teen space) and Maker Lab (adult space), as well as offering library cards and additional resources
- Chicago Queer Creations – a safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community and its allies
- Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation – a kid-friendly space with different summer science projects for all ages
- CIRCLE Foundation/Innovations High School – gaming station to help build community awareness of their school and other services, with swag giveaways
- The Climate Reality Project – raising support and awareness for moving to a clean, green future
- The Connection Movement and Chicago Cuddle Therapy – experiences that bring people into stronger relationship with themselves and others, including empathic listeners who invite attendees to spend a few minutes to be heard without judgment, as well as moments of physical touch from Chicago Cuddle Therapy
- Crawford Media: WPWX Power 92 radio station booth playing live music.
- Ella Frost Photography – pop-up art gallery with photography on display and for purchase
- Family-ism Face Paint Factory – professional face painting and a photo backdrop for selfies
- The Freakeasy – an art collective inspired by the Burning Man Arts Festival, which will be bringing their Augmented Reality Sandbox and The Freakeasy Lounge, in addition to special music performances by Freakeasy Resident DJs
- Freelife Records / A Logic Electric – State Street Collective Cyphers podcast, featuring intern hosts with a culturally uplifting, no-violence music mandate
- FromBupkis – handmade pottery for sale
- Gene Siskel Film Center – selling popcorn outside the theater
- Global Citizenship Experience Lab School – a series of short educational workshops/discussions centered on project-based and real-world learning, like demonstrating donut economics, building models with Chicago Mobile Makers, exploring sustainable design or public art
- Healing Power of Reiki – holistic therapy engaging massage table, tarot cards, covers, pens, notebooks, candles and incense
- Illinois Science Council – examine real brains from different animals up close, enjoy an exotic insect “petting zoo,” chat with scientists (e.g. soil ecologist, neuroscientist, immunologist, etc.) and learn about science outreach opportunities in Chicago
- Jason Winslade of Ritual Rhythms Chicago Drumming – a collaboration with a dancer to create a space of soundscapes, drones and drumming
- The Joffrey Ballet – Academy students will perform two to three dance pieces, and the Community Engagement Extension program students will perform three dance pieces
- Jon Langford and His Fancy Men – punk rock, alt-country group with deep Chicago roots
- K Elizabeth Décor – demonstrations on how to make home decor items using repurposed and/or recycled items
- LeonMechelle Artist Studios – 3D interactive artwork
- Metrix, Chicago’s New Hero – book promotion for a child-designed, mother-supported comic book superhero named Metrix, along with a youth literacy campaign
- Millar Brass Ensemble – live light classical, pop and jazz music
- Milton Coronado – Live public art display with active participation
- The Original Sixty Fourth Street Beach Drummers – four conga drummers will teach the art of hand drumming and lead drum circles with dancing
- OperaGram.com – mini-concert of operatic arias, followed by an improvised operatic number with audience participation, and a free singing telegram awarded to an audience member
- Planned Parenthood of Illinois – an information station decorated with balloons and streamers with activities, like cornhole, and two craft tables to promote body positivity and sexual health
- Plein Air painters – 12 artists live painting an iconic Loop scene – the Chicago Theatre and State/Lake 'L' station
- Pritzker Military Museum and Library – family-friendly interactive activities that showcase the museum’s new exhibit, collections, and upcoming programs
- The Real Pretenders – four Chicago music scene veterans with a passion for the hard driving rhythms, catchy melodic hooks, soul-tortured lyrics and back-alley sex appeal that characterize the music of the Pretenders
- Revolution Club – activist group advocating for equality among different people, cultures and languages
- Sarah J Wilson art – pop-up art show of work depicting painted signage and painted stickers/everyday objects from around Chicago
- S.H.E. Gallery – Pop-up live painting, along with merchandise benefitting mental health and wellness workshops
- THUG Hippie – a gently guided drum and dance circle that embraces diversity and models what true inclusion looks like
- Walter Parks & Master Accordionist Rob Curto – singer-songwriter and guitarist and accordionist performing music dedicated to traveling performers
- Zaller Brothers – affordable entertainment for kids and adults meant to build confidence
Active recreation
- Ballet Chicago – kid friendly live Creative Movement classes and Stretch Classes for all ages, along with “red-carpet style” photo area, craft table and apparel available to purchase
- Bellydance by Phaedra – learn the rich historic tradition and health benefits of Middle Eastern dance with Phaedra Darwsih
- DePaul Athletics – Spin the Wheel with prizes and other activities, such as cornhole
- Dzika Fitness – Chicago-made, trademarked training program bringing pop music-fueled fitness classes to the street
- Fit & Fly Fitness, LLC – Hula Hoop demonstrations, along with handmade, padded weighted hoops and apparel for sale
- Mathew Churney – playing and teaching hacky sack with the goal of reducing violence
- Mind Body Defense - self-defense workshops and kickboxing classes for those who do not normally have access to self-defense classes
- Playbound – kids’ activities like tag, chalk, music and dancing, all led by counselors
- Reign Body Fuel – fun photo opportunities and complimentary samples of Reign Body Fuel, a performance drink, along with complimentary workout classes
- Revolution Club, Chicago – U.S. Marines – Try out the Marine Corps Challenge to win posters, water bottles, and T-shirts.
- W Chicago City Center – detox with a W exclusive yoga class from 11 a.m. to noon, and retox later with craft cocktails, house-made goodies, local beer and rose all day
- YogaSix – yoga classes for every body
Food and drink
- Adams Street Brewery – beer and root beer sales from the Berghoff’s sister brewery
- Aguas Frescas – serving non-alcoholic fruit and rice based drinks
- baKIT Box – individually wrapped sugar cookies, with sprinkles and icing packs to decorate and eat or take home
- Cynthia’s Gumbo Express – Louisiana-style food truck serving seafood, chicken, turkey and vegan gumbo
- The Fat Shallot – classic sandwiches food truck
- Good 2 Go Veggie – 100 percent plant-based food options that are shockingly vegan and shockingly delicious
- Happy Lobster – lobster rolls food truck
- Harold’s Chicken – food truck
- Tittle’s Cupcakes – dessert food truck, serving your “Favorite Cake in a Cupcake”
- Pita Heaven – Family-owned, local Greek restaurant
- Sundays on State beer tent – Goose Island beer and seltzer favorites
- thrd.coffee company, LLC – mobile coffee bar
- W Chicago City Center – detox with a W exclusive yoga class from 11 a.m. to noon, and retox later with craft cocktails, house-made goodies, local beer and rose all day
- The Walnut Room – alcoholic beverages and customer favorites, like Mrs. Hering’s chicken pot pie available as a walking pot pie
Retail
- Activate Your Impact – pop-up shop for AYI Beauty, offering product samples and complimentary skincare consultations and job opportunities
- AT&T – pop-up shop featuring brands like Samsung, FirstNet and AT&T services
- The Body Shop – sidewalk shop with new beauty product releases and demonstrations and kids coloring activities
- Broadway In Chicago – collectable banners from past shows for sale
- Brown Babies Books, LLC – an online children’s bookstore specializing in children’s, teen and young adult literature written by authors of color will have a storytime space with readings from select books
- Botanica Chicago – cannabis education and giveaways
- BWYB Life – a new apparel brand (“Black-White-Yellow-Brown”) designed to bridge racial divides, stop racial hate and bring good people together regardless of their race, culture or ethnicity
- Chanellie – a self-care DIY day where you can make your own coffee clay masks, use their paint and sip kit, write on their Tanuki writing kits and be in a safe space to decompress, mingle and self-care
- Chicago Cannabis Company – cannabis education and DIY infusion demonstration
- Chicago Culture Gear – a pop-up shop for this brand that celebrates the city allegiance, neighborhood pride and unique style inherent to being a Chicagoan
- Chitiva by Prescribd – a CBD pop-up shop with infused products, tinctures, drink additives and more
- Clay By Clare - handmade, hypoallergenic, clay earrings and necklaces
- Divinity Seven Apparel – pop-up boutique with hanging apparel racks, mannequins and tables displaying apparel
- Equal Clothing – a minority-owned urban fashion line geared toward empowering a generation to speak out for, fight for and strive for equality
- Family Credit Management – financial educational and hourly book readings, along with promotional materials
- Giveashirt – hand screened designs by local artists and musicians, with 100 percent of profits donated to Streetwise
- Half Day CBD – educational sessions and one-on-one consultations around hemp-based CBD products
- Indelible Bliss Candle and Soap Co. – candles and other products for sale that carry a message/mantra serving as a daily reminder to the user
- Insurance Navy – free giveaways and representatives to answer insurance questions
- Loop Wear – a leading online destination for men and women’s contemporary fashion and streetwear
- Macy's – pop-up sidewalk shop
- M.A.D. Scrubs LLC – fashionable, comfortable uniform scrubs line create by a registered nurse
- Nordstrom Rack – a sidewalk sale in front of the store featuring their best grab-and-go, festival-ready items
- Old Navy – a summer pop-up shop with exclusive discounts.
- Open Profile – an online boutique that curates a selection of vintage women, men and children's clothing.
- OutCold for Primark – vintage 1963 Metro Mite vehicle for photo ops, cornhole games, fashionable mannequins and product giveaways
- PRIMERICA – a financial services company for families
- Rahalah – bespoke vintage fashion and one-of-a-kind shoes
- *SUSAN*HAT* – one-of-a-kind hats made of recycled materials that are often sculptural, at times whimsical, but always fashionable
- Sw1’s Exotic Reflections – handcrafted jewelry using Swarovski crystals, and healing products using gemstones
- Sylvia’s BackRoom – a collaboration of vintage sellers all in one place, bringing you the best in vintage, artsy and oddities. Find one-of-kind treasures from days gone by including racks of clothing and accessories, art, textiles, jewelry, accent furniture, home decor, eyewear and so much more.
- Walgreens - offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccinations in front of their State and Madison location
East-west streets within the program area will remain open so that retail, hotels, restaurants and residential spaces will still have access by vehicle. Signage about the street closure will be placed at the sites of the closure and two blocks out to provide ample notice to vehicles. State Street from Wacker to Lake will be used as a drop-off zone. Sundays on State will follow public health guidelines in place at the time of each event.
Sundays on State is planned to occur rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather during the events, Chicago Loop Alliance encourages guests to take a moment to enjoy the bountiful indoor shopping, dining and attractions on State Street and throughout the Loop including special discounts and promotions available at LoopChicago.com/LoopDeals.
Sundays on State is a project of Chicago Loop Alliance in partnership with Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation, City of Chicago, and SSA#1-2015. Event sponsors are Hilton, Allstate, Macy’s, PNC, Target and Walgreens. Community sponsors are Block 37, Cabrera Capital, Clayco and Millennium Garages. Captivate, The Chicago Crusader, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Firefly, Me-TV FM, Power 92.3, Rejoice 102.3, Star Events, Soul 106.3, Vocalo, WBEZ, WGN, WLS-AM 890, 94.7 WLS-FM, 101WKQX and WVON are media sponsors.
About Sundays on State
Chicago’s most iconic street, State Street, closes to traffic from Lake to Madison on select Sundays this summer and transforms into an open street full of surprises. Come together with neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond for this free, interactive block party, while safely enjoying art, culture, active recreation, food and drink, shopping and local attractions. Experience everyone’s neighborhood, the Loop, like never before! For more information, visit LoopChicago.com/Sundays. #SundaysOnState
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 LoopChicago.com.
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