AUSTIN — Timothy Jackson sat in the audience cheering as performer after performer took to the stage at Collaboraction and the Chicago Park District's Let Hope Rise Variety Show at Austin Town Hall.
The 30-year-old from the Near West Side was inspired by the message of hope that the show brought to the West Side neighborhood.
"This is the best part of the community," Jackson said. "It's about valuing the talents that are hidden or overshadowed by violence in our community."
"This is here is how we build up our community," Jackson said.
Jackson was among more than 60 people who attended Saturday's variety show at 5601 W. Lake St. The event was meant not only to bring community members together to create a dialog on violence, but also inspire hope and change.
Since February, Collaboraction has been bringing performers every second Saturday of the month to Chicago's South, West and North sides with performances centered on a message of increasing peace, love and hope.
"This event is about making art on critical social issues plaguing Chicago," said Genevieve Fowler, community outreach coordinator for Collaboration. "We want to create a space where we as artists, as brothers and sisters, and as community members can really have a dialog to stop the violence."
Ahead of the show, the event offered a free community meal provided by Connie's Pizza, and artistic and educational workshops, followed by a town hall forum to discuss violence and possible solutions.
"At the end of the day, we want to bring the community together and incite change," Fowler said.
Carolyn Adams, 48, whose daughter was performing at the event, was delighted by the show.
"This is all very positive for children in the community," Adams said. "It's a good message, and a good place for them to share their talents and do what they love."
Spoken word artist Latilya White, 28, was thankful to impart her words of hope to the audience.
"It feels wonderful that my voice is part of this movement," White said. "It's important that we come together and build each other up, [rather] then tear each other down through violence."
On July 11, the Let Hope Rise variety show will have its last performance at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.
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