Festival: Actors, artists part of first-time event

Popular jam band Crooked Moon will headline Lake County's first Mariposa Festival Saturday, June 26, along with other artists, including Untitled, Phil McCarthy, Bam Bam and the Gigolos, Nick Amhaus and Chicago Mike's InterGalactic Brother & Sisterhood of Big Eyed Beans.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along County Street in downtown Waukegan.

"Like the butterfly for which it's named, the Mariposa Festival promises to give residents a reason to pause and celebrate the beauty of our surroundings," says Elizabeth Stearns, assistant director of community services at the Waukegan Public Library.

"Held outdoors by beautiful Lake Michigan, this festival presents a tribute to nature, the local arts and our rich cultural heritage here in Lake County."

Crooked Moon will lead off the festival at 11 a.m. Featuring the soulful voice of Scott Grant, the band plays a creative mix of original rock and Americana tunes, along with covers from favorite artists.

Mike Beck of Chicago Mike's InterGalactic Brother & Sisterhood of Big Eyed Beans has produced several original CDs and recently finished a European tour. He'll take the stage at 1 p.m., along with guitarist Mitch Lewis from Toronto.

Another featured group, Untitled, unites the voices of six different musicians for a one-of-a-kind sound, blending hip-hop, soul, funk, rock and reggae.

Storyteller Megan Wells is also scheduled to perform. As the artistic director of the Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, Wells has spooked Lake County audiences for years with her uncanny conjuring of creepy villains like Dracula and Mr. Dark.

For the Mariposa Festival, Wells plans a lighter program for listeners of all ages, featuring butterfly tales from around the world.

Twenty-five artisans and other vendors from around Lake County will present their wares, from oil paintings to pottery, handmade jewelry to photography. Among the artists will be Neil Estrick, owner of the Neil Estrick Gallery in Grayslake, who will display his original wheel-thrown platters, dinnerware, handmade planters and other kiln creations.

Aspiring thespians, dancers and theater goers will have the opportunity to perform in and observe many live performances, which will incorporate dance and theater stages for children and adults.

Rhythm Academy, a downtown Waukegan dance studio, will offer free classes and live performances featuring a variety of dance styles, including ballet, Latin dance, belly dancing, hip-hop, African dance and others. The academy will throw an "Open Dance Down" with host Lydia Miller at 2:30 p.m., and its Championship Dance Team is scheduled to perform "House Arrest 2" at 3 p.m.

The festival also will feature several booths dedicated to environmental exhibits from sponsors such as Friends of Ryerson Woods, WRD Environmental and Green Town Gardens. Yielding the bounty of a communitywide effort, the Green Town Gardens were developed by local volunteer groups to help teach kids about ecology, conservation and sustainability.

Schools, churches and youth clubs help maintain the gardens at various sites around Waukegan.

Chef Melissa Ritter will offer free cooking demos featuring fresh herbs and vegetables grown at the Green Town Gardens. Owner of Heartland Flavors, Ritter is an accomplished "green chef" featured on radio programs like WCPT "GreenSense."

With plenty of free crafts, youngsters will stay entertained creating their own butterfly wings, illustrating with sidewalk chalk, getting their faces painted and participating in games.

The Waukegan Public Library will offer a free prize to kids who sign up for the Summer Reading Club, and another prize for anyone who applies for a new library card. Staff from the children's department also will teach kids how to create a living planter to hang in their window.

For details, call Mitch Siegel at (847) 623-2041, ext. 231.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>

<p class="News">What: Lake County's first Mariposa Festival</p>

<p class="News">When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26</p>

<p class="News">Where: Along County Street in downtown Waukegan</p>

<p class="News">Admission: Free</p>

<p class="News">More info: (847) 623-2041, ext. 231 or waukeganpl.org</p>