'2nd Fridays' continues on iconic avenue

A program to draw more visitors to a less-traveled section of Chicago's iconic Michigan Avenue is continuing into autumn, officials said Thursday.

The Chicago Cultural Mile Association has sought to promote the stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River south to Roosevelt Road by offering free or discounted entertainment. The more heralded, tonier part of the avenue runs north of the river.

The initiative is focused on the second Friday of every month when inducements are offered to draw people south. The next series of events for the program, dubbed "2nd Fridays," are set for Sept. 12

The initiative was launched in May and ran through the summer. In a statement, the executive director of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association, Sharene Shariatzadeh (shah-REEN' shah-ree-ah-ZAH'-day), said the program has helped bring "a new energy on the Chicago Cultural Mile."

Among the inducements on offer to draw people to the southern stretch of Michigan Avenue on Friday is a free party at Hostelling International, a youth hostel just off Michigan Avenue.