See art and music in action at Friday show
Are you looking for a unique, local event to enjoy with family and friends? Have you ever been downtown to the Art Institute of Chicago or to a gallery opening?
No need to travel far from home for a cultural evening. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park at the Historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake hosts a monthly art show called First Friday that is the perfect, local event.
The public is welcome at the upcoming showcase from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4. Admission is free.
First Fridays also include complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Donations are appreciated to help cover the costs of the art show, as Lakeside is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
In addition to showcasing local and regional artists, these monthly events are designed to showcase the beautiful property and encourage the community to explore the arts.
The donations at First Friday support the organization's mission to protect and preserve the historic Dole Mansion and Arts Park for generations to come and be a creative cultural arts center offering programs, events, and concerts for the community to enjoy.
The April 4 exhibit is titled "Art & Music in Action," which features more than 15 artists, diverse mediums and live music.
"The arts come alive at April 4 First Friday," said Siobhan Cottone, Lakeside¹s executive director. The April art event is a showcase of all the resident partner artists/musicians who rent creative studio space at Lakeside.
"The community might not realize what Lakeside is all about and this art show is a perfect open house experience to learn more about Lakeside and to experience art," Cottone said.
The exhibit will display visual mediums, such as: acrylic, watercolor, photography, origami, jewelry, pastels, graphic illustration, and more.
The artists will also have live demos of how they create their work. The April 4 event also includes free, live performances in the Dole Mansion and in "the Listening Room." Guests can learn more about upcoming art classes for all ages, music lessons, photography businesses, and upcoming concerts or events, such as Hip Hop Explosion and Lakeside Fest.
"If you haven't experienced the state-of-the-art music venue that is located in the garden level of Lakeside known as 'the Listening Room,' then this is your time to experience it," said House Manager, Roger Reupert.
This intimate venue features a Steinway piano, professional production, and state-of-the-art lights that help make concerts, comedy nights, and other events to the community possible.
Additionally, guests that attend the April 4 show are encouraged to explore the entire property, including vacant studios, to see where music lessons, art lessons, and the creative process takes place. Children can enjoy various activities during the First Friday, such as coloring and origami making. Guests will be greeted with an interactive map to guide them through the artistic and musical experiences at Lakeside for the night. For more information on the April 4 First Friday and other events at Lakeside, visit www.LakesideLegacy.org. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park is at 401 Country Club Road in Crystal Lake.