HUMBOLDT PARK — Opera-Matic is continuing its serenade of Chicago's parks this weekend with a stop in Humboldt Park to celebrate a local boxer's life.
Saturday's event, "A Joyful Passage," will be held at one of the neighborhood's smaller parks, Simons Park.
The "small park serenade" will celebrate Simons Park's treasures including the late great professional boxing champ Johnny "Hurricane" Heard.
Heard died earlier this year.
Heard, during the last 20 years of his life, was the boxing coach for the Humboldt Park Region of the Chicago Park District, specifically at Simons Park's field house.
"We discovered there was this local hero we really didn't know about," said Lily Emerson, a producer and theatrical eyeball with Opera-Matic.
Opera-Matic is honoring Heard with a serenade that will include hurricane sculptures, gigantic punching bags, slow motion boxing animations and a shadow boxing ring to play in.
"He was coaching boxing and serving as a mentor for several of the mentors there including some of the boxers who eventually went on to become coaches and teachers through the program themselves," Emerson said.
Attendees will also be able to create their own "ode to the park" with musicians to serenade the park.
Visitors will also be able to create handmade paper flowers to decorate the park.
The event will end with a giant sing-a-long serenade to Heard, the park and everyone who is there.
The decision to host a serenade in the small park comes in major contrast to one held in May in Humboldt Park that included some art on the lagoons.
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"It's so tiny, likely the exact opposite of Humboldt Park," Emerson said. "Simons Park is like a little pocket park. It's been really fun exploring the hidden treasures."
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