HUMBOLDT PARK — A chorus of lullabies will greet visitors at Humboldt Park proper as the second annual Moon on the Lagoon community sing-along visits the park's lake Friday and Saturday.
Moving visual arts advocates Opera-Matic are bringing their unique brand of public celebration to the lagoon May 9 and 10. Previously, the group has lit up streets around the city with light, movement and sound; in Humboldt Park members will focus their efforts on a community nighttime sing-along.
“One of the things we’re really excited about is honoring Chicago parks by bringing elements that let people see the space in new ways and see each other in new ways,” said Robin Cline, director of experience design for Opera-Matic.
Last years’s celebration included a giant inflatable moon on the lake as about 700 people joined in over two days. This year, the project will feature three “lullaby stations” set up around the lagoon for the 300 visitors that are expected to gather. Each visitor will be given a flashlight after sundown in a coordinated effort to light up the lake during the mass serenade.
Some lullabies sung at the event will be familiar to many visitors, according to Cline, but others will be unfamiliar, for an added sense of magic and mystery.
“People have used the word magical a lot" to describe Moon on the Lagoon, Cline said. “We need, as a community, to get re-enchanted with ourselves and re-enchanted with the places we see all the time.”
A special astronomical viewing will be presented by members of the Adler Planetarium along with events planned in conjunction with several community organizations such as Association House, Humboldt Park Advisory Council, Humboldt Park Montessori and West Town Bike, Cline said.
The surreal experience will be “a magical re-enchantment with every day life,” she added.
The celebration will begin at 7 p.m. with the “lights and lullaby sing-along” scheduled until 8:15 p.m. A nighttime orbit around the lagoon will culminate at the boathouse veranda at 8:45 p.m. with a group serenade capping of the night at 9 p.m.
