Des Arts returns to Des Plaines Library October 11, 12 with Music, Dance, Theatre, Art and More
Des Arts, a celebration of the arts in Des Plaines presented by the Arts Council, return to the Des Plaines Public Library Friday October 11 and Saturday October 12. A full-line up of performances and activities is available at des-arts.org.
Des-Arts festivities include:
* an opening reception with a selection of standards from the Great American Songbook performed by the vocal/piano duo of Joan and Tom Kuersten.
* an exhibition and art contest for local artists in adult, teen and youth categories.
* a historical look at the Footlighters Theatre Company in Des Plaines by the Des Plaines History Center.
* Picture Your Art; bring digital pictures of your art to the Des Plaines Memory table and Digital Services librarians will post them on the site while you wait.
* mural painting on the front window of the library planned by Rhonda Popko of the Des Plaines Art Guild.
* a sneak peek at Etude the Musical that premieres on October 16 at the historic Des Plaines Theatre. This original musical tells the tale of a legendary musician who lived 150 years ago in France. His life and accidental death are shrouded in mystery - perhaps because he did not die...he survives to this day as a vampire.
* classical guitar by Chris Linenberger.
* The Sound of Musicals, a walk down Broadway and 42nd Street with the Northwest Choral Society performing showstoppers from some of musical theater's greatest hits.
* Nostalgic music from the strolling Chordmasters Barbershop Quartet
* Opera arias and Broadway songs from Main Street Opera and Main Street Cabaret
* a short performance by the Big Noise Theater Company
* Pattisongs, old-time songs using the mountain banjo and the parlor guitar with singer/musician Patti Ecker
* contemporary, jazz and tap dance with Artistry in Motion dancers. A dance lesson follows the performance.
* Main Street Opera and Main Street Cabaret will perform a collection of Opera arias and Broadway songs - reflecting on the many diverse and famous sopranos of today and yester-year.
* Dance students from AMA School of Dance & Music will perform three dance styles: hip hop, tap and ballet. Between the dance routines, enjoy two piano solos by music students.
* Storytelling by Renee Ekman, scratchboard drawing and Mexican tin art with artist and teacher Russ Horvath, fairy houses with Christy Piszkiewicz, art mirrors with Ed Dougal and more!
Des Arts is supported by the Journal & Topics. For event times and locations, visit des-arts.org or call 847-376-2789. Des Plaines Public Library is located at 1501 Ellinwood Street in Des Plaines, visit dppl.org for directions.
The Des Plaines Arts Council was founded in 1997 to promote involvement and appreciation of the arts. It is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization which operates as an umbrella group for many community arts organizations and events including the Summer Concert Series in Lake Park, the Community Mural Project, Lake/Winter Wonderland, Family Fest and The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce After Hours program.
The Arts Council has made a special effort to encourage young people to pursue their creative talents by awarding scholarships. Each year the Council provides $3000 in scholarships to students from 4th grade through High School, and since 1997 has given over $45,000 in arts scholarships.
The Arts Council also publishes and distributes the Des Plaines Arts Calendar three times a year. This publication serves as an unique source of information for all arts events in the community including programs hosted by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Art Guild, the Des Plaines Camera Club, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Des Plaines Park District, the Des Plaines Public Library, the Des Plaines Garden Club, the Des Plaines History Center, the Des Plaines Senior Center, the Fine Arts Departments of Maine East and Maine West, the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Oakton Community College and many more arts providers and supporters.