Gotta Dance!

Still don’t have your moves down for this summer’s slew of weddings and concerts in the park? Your husband has been nagging you to take salsa lessons so the two of you can really heat things up on Saturday night? (Okay, this last one may have been more dream sequence than dance sequence.)

The North Shore wants you to get your groove on, and offers many opportunities for you to do just that. In private or public – you choose.

Ballroom Chicago offers basic and intermediate Rumba classes at Highland Park’s Lodge Hall. Bring a partner or fly solo as part of the process is learning to dance with different partners. You’ll learn what it means to be a good partner – whether a leader or follower.

Take your salsa from mild to spicy at Center for Creative Dance in Wilmette. This Latin fusion dance has become hugely popular with all ages, is tons of fun to do and is amazing exercise.

Giordano Dance School offers both multiple style dance and fitness classes for age two through adult. Private wedding dance and bridal party lessons will most certainly (hopefully?) turn the groom and best man into Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Once you start learning your moves, you’re going to be looking for places to show them off. The North Shore offers several opportunities this summer to get moving.

Downtown Evanston sponsors “It’s Thursday, Let’s Dance” a six-week live band dance series from July 16 – August 20. The evening kicks off with a free dance lesson at 6:30 and then the band performs from 7:30 to 9:00. Each week features a unique sound and dance style, with musical genres including samba, big band, blues/R&B and Zydeco. Grab your partner and get out on the only outdoor dance floor north of Chicago.

Already underway, Glenview’s “Bearfoot in the Park” free outdoor concert series entertains from 7 to 8:30 on Wednesdays, culminating in their August 5th concert featuring Jose Valdez and The Mambo All Starts. Enjoy salsa, meringue, cumbia, cha-cha and boleros, a cross section of all the Latin Rhythms. When in doubt, just keep an ear on the percussionist and move to the beat.

And don’t forget Uncle Dave and Aunt Sally’s 50th wedding anniversary party in August. If ever there were a time to show what you got... gotta dance!

Ballroom Chicago
Lodge Hall, 1799 Green Bay Road, Highland Park
847.757.2227
www.ballroomchicago.com

Center of Creative Dance
1209 Wilmette, Wilmette
847.256.6886
www.centerofcreativedance.com

Giordano Dance School
614 Davis St., Evanston
847.866-9442
www.giordanodance.org

It’s Thursday, Let’s Dance!
909 Davis St. Plaza (Church at Maple), Evanston
847.866.6319
www.evmark.org

Bearfoot in the Park
Jackman Park Gazebo, Lehigh and Prairie, Glenview
847.724.5670
www.glenviewparks.org


Laura Folkl

Art Under Glass

Artist: David Gista

Time to make some lemonade out of lemons...

And, in Evanston, the hope is to turn an unfortunate economic situation into an opportunity for local art to flourish and reach new audiences.

In a joint project between The Arts & Business Committee of the Evanston Arts Council and Evmark, the organization that manages and markets downtown Evanston, Art Under Glass showcases the work of local artists, and brings life and energy to unoccupied retail spaces. Media will be diverse including photography, sculpture, glass and canvas works.
"We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the work of our artists and, at the same time, enhance the appearance of our business community. This is a perfect example of how the Evanston businesses and artists can support one another, which is the goal of our committee,” said Penny Rotheiser, Arts & Business Committee Co-Chair.

The first phase of artwork will be installed the second week of June, in the 1600 block of Orrington, thanks to the enthusiastic approval of building owners Farnsworth-Hill and building manager Jim Nash. The goal is to expand the project to other sections of downtown Evanston on an ongoing basis, fusing disjointed blocks of an otherwise vital district.

The artist lineup includes Carlo Lo Cascio, David Gista, Lisa Harris, and Judy Koon from the Evanston Art Center; Wren Campbell, Ted Harris and Erin Mooney from Open Studio Project; Lena Freireich, Doniece Malia-Wall, and Valerie Schiff.

Filling vacant storefronts with everything from art to retail goods is not a new concept on the North Shore. Highland Park has several windows in vacant storefronts downtown that display artwork and others that feature clothing and goods sold by neighboring businesses. The visual energy is appealing to shoppers and makes an otherwise empty space a more attractive option to a potential leaser.

"This project will enrich the experience of residents and visitors alike, and expose everyone to the great talent in our midst," commented Carolyn Dellutri, Executive Director of Evmark.

Mayor Tisdahl and project organizers will kick off Art Under Glass at an opening reception in the lobby of 708 Church Street in Evanston at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, June 17th. The participating artists will offer a short tour of the windows featuring their art. The public is welcome.


Laura Folkl