Guide: Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival
By Lauren Wulf
Where: Logan Square
Milwaukee Avenue
From Kimball to California
Chicago, IL
milwaukeeavenueartsfestival.org
When: July 20- 4PM-11PM
July 21 – 11AM-10PM
July 22- 11AM-10PM
Main Hubs: Art, Performance, Music
Here's a run-down of where the main attractions will be to help navigate your route.
Festival Center at Milwaukee & Logan Blvd
The main stage at Milwaukee and Logan will feature art exhibitions, food trucks, Revolution Beer, Lula Sangria, artisan vendors and more.
Hairpin Arts Center at Milwaukee & Kimball
The Hairpin Arts Center will be located at Milwaukee and Kimball. Here, you'll find performances, visual art, film screenings, DJ dance parties and cocktails by Tito's Handmade Vodka and Revolution Beer.
Cole's Stage at Milwaukee & Belden
At Cole's Stage at Milwaukee and Belden, you'll find the Threadless Make Great Market, live music, the artisan vendor marketplace, Revolution Beer and Lula Sangria.
Cole's Bar
Cole's Bar at 2338 North Milwaukee Avenue will also be host to some 21+ fun, from music to readings.
Featured Art Exhibitions
This year's visual art exhibitions can be found at all the festival hubs: in the Festival center, at the Hairpin Arts Center and at the South end on Belden.
The Festival Center at Milwaukee and Logan features four curated art exhibitions with ceramics, photography, prints and more.
Exhibitions:
1. Spudnik Press
2. Penguin Foot
3. Latitude
4. AnySquared
The Hairpin Arts Center, will feature two visual art exhibitions:
1. Chioke Morais, "Songs for My Father"
2. Unity Park Gallery
Performance Arts
All performances take place at the Hairpin Arts Center. Check out the full schedule, below.
Saturday July 21
11:00 - 11:45 Barrel of Monkeys
12:15 - 1:00 Sway Dance
1:30 - 2:15 Dance Attack! II - Exhibition of amazing choreography and dancers
2:45 - 3:30 Bare Bones Theatre Festival: About Town - A sample of short plays about the neighborhoods of Chicago including Logan Square and Avondale. A festival meant to focus and hone the work of writer, director, and actor. Playwrights include Jenny Rachel Weiner, Christopher Ellis, Michael Brayndick, and more.
4:00 - 6:00 Vaudeville Roars - A modern day variety filled with life, beauty, and all that is good! Nine 10-minute acts of modern day performances
5:15 - 6:00 Vaudeville Roars cont.
Sunday July 22
11:00 - 11:45 After School Matters ART Teens Performance
12:15 - 1:00 Albert Sierra Latin Jazz/Spoken word
1:30 - 2:15 Dance Attack! II - More amazing choreography!
2:45 - 3:30 Bare Bones Theatre Festival: About Town - More of the same great plays!
5:15 - 6:00 Cabaret with Dawn Marie and Dan Stetzel - A cabaret with Dawn Marie, piano player Dan Stetzel, and invited guests
Music Line-Up
This festival is jam packed with musical talent, DJs and shows. Here are a few of the main acts.
Check out the full line-up here!
• Disappears
• The Mutts
• NOMO
• Loyal Divide
• Pinkalicious The Musical (Family-Friendly)
• Chicago Mixtape Showcase
• Yolks
• Rabble Rabble
• The Runnies
• Ruby yo
• Al Scorch
• Weepin Willows
• Live Jazz Presented By Elastic Arts and Chicagomusic.org
• Vocalo DJ Collective After-Party Featuring Trancid with Shazam Bangles
Family-Fun At Noon
Saturday and Sunday, from Noon-5PM the kids can enjoy the Children's Art Circle Activities. You'll find activities for children of all ages, including mask and jewelry making.
There's also family fun on the Main Stage:
Saturday July 21
12:00 - Pinkalicious: The Musical
Sunday July 22
12:00 - Rhythm Revolution
Lauren Wulf, CBS Chicago
Lauren Wulf writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl's Guide Chicago.
