GOLD COAST — Gold Coast residents don’t have to head down to Grant Park or Millennium Park for summer fun: starting this month, the Washington Square Park Advisory Council will begin hosting a summer series of events for residents to enjoy in Washington Square Park.
From June through early September, the council will host activities that are free and open to the public, including live musical performances and children’s theater. The events are organized with the help of the Newberry Library, the Chicago Park District, Rush Hour Concerts, the Fourth Presbyterian Church and other sponsors.
Elaine Cohen Rubin, chair of the council’s programming committee, said she’s witnessed the park’s ups and downs over the years, and the series is part of the council’s overall effort to keep the park "up" for its neighbors. In the past, the only programming the park had was the Bughouse Square Debates, a debate series hosted by the Newberry Library, so the council formed the programming committee to create more events for park patrons.
“Our wish is to make the park a more enjoyable place to come, to bring families, to bring children, to interact and to utilize the park to the fullest,” Rubin said. “Our goal is to really keep the park a first-class park that people want to come to.”
Here are the listings of the events:
Make Music Chicago will come to Washington Square Park June 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. along with other sites across the city. Performances include a jazz set by Evan Cauble-Johnson and a finale by the Windy City Winds.
Pianos in the Parks begins June 21. Following the Make Music Chicago concert series, a piano will be publicly available in Washington Square Park and other parks across Chicago until Aug. 1 as part of the Piano in the Parks program.
“Hamlet House: Great Outdoor Adventure” on June 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet Hamlet the big fluffy dog and his best friend, Flip. Embark on epic adventures as they create interactive stories in the Park. Other free, children-friendly activities include walk-around magician, face painter, balloon twister, and Good Humor ice cream. In case of rain, event will be held in Capital One Café, 21 E. Chestnut St. from 12–2 p.m.
The Summer Music Series will feature performances by various folk, indie and pop artists including the Pots and Pans Community Steelband, Chaz Hearne and Alex Gilewicz and more on July 7 and 21; Aug. 4 and 18; Sept. 1 and 15.
For more information, visit the Washington Square Park Advisory Council's page.
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