Posted 5 years ago
Press contact: Jessica Cabe | PR and Communications Manager, Chicago Loop Alliance jessica@chicagoloopalliance.com | 312-782-9160
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Aug. 8, 2019
CHICAGO—Chicago Loop Alliance’s next ACTIVATE event transforms a hidden alley through the art of lighting and set design in celebration of the City of Chicago’s Year of Chicago Theatre. Guests experience interactive tech, DJs, live performers, body painting and more—all in the alley behind one of the Loop’s iconic theaters. “ACTIVATE: Scene Change” is free and takes place from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, in the Auditorium Theatre alley (416 S. Michigan Ave.).
The event is curated by SONIDOS as a project of the Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation and Presenting Sponsor The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Guests who RSVP in advance receive a free drink ticket, with additional beverages available for purchase on site.
ACTIVATE is a popular free annual series of pop-up arts programs launched in 2014 by Chicago Loop Alliance that transforms alleys and other unexpected places into creative exhibition spaces. ACTIVATE brings people together for an evening of exploration, interaction and celebration in the public realm, inspiring guests to experience the Loop in a new way. The final event of the season takes place on Sept. 26. Details will be announced at www.loopchicago.com/activate.
Elements of “ACTIVATE: Scene Change” include:
- Curation by Andrea Garces of SONIDOS and Zac Hall
- Music by ILUMINADA, My Boy Elroy and Doc Pearson
- Live mural painting by Ashley Blocker
- Gallery art by Abbey Denlinger, Andrea Garces, Brandin Hurley, Doc Pearson, Sara Alexandra Peláez and Looney Stein
- Video installation by Looney Stein
- Interactive wall installation by Patchy Projects
- Animations by George Berlin and Looney Stein
- “Produce Your Ambiance,” an interactive improv, sound and light installation by SONIDOS, with sound design by TH Nordberg
- Light installation by SONIDOS
- An aura photography installation
- Stage design by SONIDOS
- Face painting by Michelle Mink
- Stage lighting design and technician by Biolume Productions
- Audio by Sound Investment
"As someone who strives to create stimulating, illuminating and soul shifting experiences and environments, I decided to shed light on the facets of production (light, sound, scenic), as they play a critical role in creating and altering an ambiance,” said Andrea Garces, founder and lead conceptor of SONIDOS. “This representation will stimulate and illuminate creativity and technical knowledge of how these production facets can create a more impactful theatrical experience. We will be sure to stimulate your senses with illuminated, creative beauty as you walk away with a new appreciation and knowledge of what it takes to produce your ambiance."
This is the sixth annual ACTIVATE season, and the theme in 2019 is “ACTIVATE: Backstage.” The series aligns with the City of Chicago’s Year of Chicago Theatre and celebrates the role theater has played in the Loop’s success. In addition to the kind of art installations ACTIVATE attendees have come to expect, the events this season include even more pop-up performances, audience participation and stagecraft than ever before.
“Our sixth annual ACTIVATE season has been a huge success so far, with more than 10,000 RSVPs for June and July alone,” said Michael Edwards, president and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “We’re excited for thousand more people to experience the remaining events of the summer. Tying the Year of Chicago Theatre into our season has been a lot of fun for our staff and our curators. Theatre is such an important part of what makes the Loop a vibrant destination, so we’re happy to pay homage with our ACTIVATE events this year.”
ACTIVATE sponsors include: Presenting Sponsor The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Street Saviors CH Distillery, Clif Bar, Lagunitas, Lyft and White Claw; Pop-Up Partners PNC Bank and Topo Chico; Alley Cats Blake’s Seed Based, Blick Art Materials and Green Thumb Industries; and Media Sponsor Time Out Chicago.
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, making the 2019 season its sixth annual. Over the past five seasons, ACTIVATE has generated $2.7 million in estimated economic impact to Loop businesses, with nearly $400,000 in 2018 alone. More than 73,000 people have attended ACTIVATE over the course of the series. Through CLA’s “Linger Longer” program, coupon books featuring exclusive offers and promotions from member businesses are given to ACTIVATE attendees to drive economic development. For more information, please visit www.loopchicago.com/activate.
About Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance’s (CLA) mission is to create, manage and promote high-performing urban experiences, attracting people and investment to the Loop. 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 www.loopchicago.com.
About the Curators
SONIDOS is a creative production agency and collective that creates stimulating experiences and content to evolve and transcend one’s senses and essence.
/so-ni-dos/: meaning “sounds” in Spanish, is not purely heard; it is an immersive, deeply-rooted feeling. Whether it be ethereal, beat-infused hip-hop or transcending frequencies; sound is a way to escape, express, inspire and heal your mind, body and soul with transmitted vibrations.
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