BY ANDREA MILLS COMMUNITY EDITOR amills@svnmail.com
Music and a breeze from Lake Michigan will work together to weave summer magic at the Great Performers of Illinois Festival Aug. 10-12 in Chicago.
Taking place downtown at Millennium Park, the festival consists of 50 performers from all over Illinois, who will entertain at the perfect price - no charge.
It's not just about hearing bands play and sing though. It's about pop, rock, jazz and folk music, along with family-friendly entertainment like square dancing, storytelling and other children's activities - all on multiple stages.
If you get hungry, look for regional food stands and wines from state vineyards.
Opening the performances at the festival will be the band, Shoes, at 5 p.m. Aug. 10 in Wrigley Square. Shoes originated in Zion and was part of the power pop movement of the 1970s. One of their popular albums was "Black Vinyl Shoes" from 1977.
The festival hours range from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 10, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 12. The finale act is Mavis Staples, of Chicago, who is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, known for her soul and gospel music. She will perform at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Don't tie yourself to the main stages. Wander through the park, as some of the music takes place on the walkways. Also, keep an eye out for the Family Fun Tent, which has performances for children and hands-on activities presented by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.
Other special things to watch for are square dancing lessons on Aug. 10, regional tourism booths throughout the weekend, and on Aug. 11 and 12, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator will be there to entertain.
Millennium Park, itself, is worth a look. It's on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets and covers 24 1/2 acres devoted to music, art, architecture and landscape designing. For example, the Crown Fountain offers a unique experience. This structure actually is two 50-foot glass block towers and a reflecting pool. The unusual aspect of the fountain is its videos of the faces of Chicago people. Add to that the flow of real water appearing to come out of the people's mouths and it's not your ordinary water feature. It can be found at Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street and was created by a Spanish artist, Jaume Piensa.
Another spot to see is Lurie Garden, which consists of 2 1/2 acres. Those discovering this spot will find a lighted 15-foot-high shoulder hedge. It shelters the perennial garden. There's also a footbridge to add to the charm. Free guided tours of the garden are offered. On Aug. 12, the tours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You'll see grasses, trees, flowers and shrubs.
The park also has Cloud Gate at AT&T Plaza, created by British artist Anish Kapoor. Smooth and silver, it reflects the city skyline and the sky above. Weighing in at 110 tons, it has a 12-foot-high arch, which visitors can walk through.
Also fascinating is the BP Bridge, which links Millennium Park to Daley Bicentennial Plaza on the east. The bridge is 925 feet long and winds around like a country lane. Safe from traffic, the walkway provides good views of the city, the lake and Grant Park.
To become acclimated to the park, one of your first stops should be the Millennium Park Welcome Center at 201 E. Randolph St., in the Northwest Exelon Pavilion. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m daily. You also can rent a self-guided audio tour in the Chicago Cultural Center Shop, on the first floor, at 78 E. Washington St. The tour can be downloaded free for a MP3 player from the Millennium Park Web site, www.millenniumpark.org.
Whether you visit Millennium Park during the festival or at a quieter time, it offers the great outdoors surrounded by big city. You can leave your vehicle at one of two parking garages beneath the park and get out and explore.
If you go ...
What: Great Performers of Illinois Festival.
When: Aug. 10-12. Opening show is 5 p.m. on Aug. 10.
Where: Millennium Park, downtown Chicago.
Cost: Free.
For information: Call (877) 2424-2246, toll-free or visit www.greatperformersofillinois.com.
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