Logan Square Arts Center opens with a great lineup of performance and art!

So, we know we have mentioned the new Arts Center a LOT, but let's face it, we are extremely excited to have a new centralized location for arts programming in Logan Square.  The building is still getting its finishing touches and yet there is already a great lineup of performances, art openings and fundraisers.  Much of that is due to the work of local organizations like Voice of the City, Elastic Arts and the Logan Square Chamber of Arts. And because of them, the fall lineup of arts events is steadily taking off!

"Dance Attack" at Logan Square Arts Center, during the
Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival,
photo © Ryan Singer

First up, don't miss Come Together, the inaugural art exhibition at the Arts Center. Come Together features the works of several artists including Seth Apter, John Bannon, Katarzyna Bietak, Mary Ellen Couteau, Alicia Forestall-Boehm, Celia Greiner, Bridgette Guerzon-Mills, Ignacio Montano Amie Sell, Jen Worden and Michael Young.  The exhibit features everything from sculpture to installations and collaborative pieces. The opening reception was last Saturday, but don't worry if you missed it because you can see the show Wed.-Thurs., noon-3PM or Fri.-Sun., noon-5PM! 

Coya Paz,
writer/developer for "The Americans"
photo © Jazmin Corona

In addition to the art exhibit, there is a play we are particularly excited about: The Americans.  Voice of the City, together with writer/developer Coya Paz, is presenting this intriguing performance about what it means to be American. The Americans is based on improvised conversations with over 100 people and is a look at a national culture built on the importance of individual freedoms--and what those freedoms mean to everyone, how those freedoms are seemingly denied or prejudiced and how our relationship to "America" is often quite complicated.  Topics such as what these freedoms mean to immigrants and what contradictions  we experience as Americans are explored through the interviews. All of this is being developed by Coya Paz, who feels that "what makes this contradiction feel particularly American is that the denial of freedom (including due process) feels like a betrayal of what could be: the fundamental promises of the United States...The cynic (and historian) in me thinks that these promises have never really been fulfilled, certainly not for everyone. But the optimist in me still has hope for their potential." And Paz is not only working on this play--she is also the founder of the all-Latina Chicago theater company Teatro Luna and of Proyecto Latino, a multi-media project that amplifies the success and impact of Latinas in our community.  To keep up with all the great work she is doing, check out her blog here.

The Americans was created with Halcyon Theatre as part of the DCA THEATER INCUBATOR SERIES, a program designed to support the creation of new work by emerging theater companies.  The opening reception is Fri., Sept. 30 at 6PM with a FREE performance at 7 PM, and an after-party at 8:30 PM. Performances continue Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2; and Friday and Saturday, October 7 & 8.  All performances are at 7 PM.

And lastly, though this event isn't happening at the arts center, we wanted to mention that Elastic Arts is once again presenting their Intersections series this Sat., Sept. 17 at 9PM at the space at 2830 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor, above Friendship Chinese. This performance will be featuring clarinets, saxophone and electronics by Jeff Chan, Douglas R. Ewart, Guillermo Gregorio and Tatsu Aoki.  Intersections is a monthly series presented in colaboration with Asian Improv aRts and AACM.  Tickets are $12 and Elastic Arts is BYOB, so bring a bottle and enjoy a night out with some great music.  Look for more music programming from Elastic coming up at the Arts Center in the next few months. 

The new Arts Center- Logan Square/Avondale is located at the intersection of Milwaukee, Kimball and Diversey Avenues on the second floor of the newly restored Hairpin Lofts building. 

--Brooke Herbert