York Community High School celebrates Fine Arts Week Feb. 28-March 4

Posted February 27, 2022 10:00 pm

Submitted by York Community High School

As part of York High School's Fine Arts Week, The Microphones will present "Microphones in 2020" at the school on Wednesday, March 2. Courtesy of York Community High School

York Community High School in Elmhurst is celebrating its annual Fine Arts Week Feb. 28-March 4.

For over 30 years, Fine Arts Week has recognized the talents of York's student musicians, dancers, actors, visual artists, singers, poets, and unique performance artists. In addition, several nationally and locally recognized artists and groups representing a wide variety of artistic expression host workshops that provide information and inspiration to the students.

One of the more popular events during Fine Arts Week is "York Live" which features a variety of student performances.

York Live culminates with an evening performance, which is open to the public, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, in the new venue, Elmhurst Hall, 119 N. York Road.

Tickets are $10 at the door, but admission is free for all Elmhurst Unit District 205 students with a current student ID.

All of the revenue from the ticket sales for the Fine Arts Week Showcase provide funding for the following year's Fine Arts Week.

Performances and presentations are scheduled during each class period throughout the week.

On Tuesday, March 1, Bonelang, the Chicago-based alternative duo, will be featured as part of Fine Arts Week. Courtesy of York Community High School

• On Tuesday, March 1, Bonelang, the Chicago-based alternative duo, will perform. In the live setting, they're accompanied by keyboardist Andrew Lawrence and drummer Zack Marks. Matt and Samy have been making music together for 17 years and have released two albums, an EP, and 13 singles under the Bonelang moniker since 2015. Go to Bonelang's YouTube channel to check out a live performance at Lincoln Hall.

Also featured on Tuesday will be Bonzo Squad, an instrumental ensemble with a focus on creating music that sets the bar higher in terms of eclecticism and musicianship. The group consists of Bonzo himself, born Corbin Andrick, who plays the flute and the saxophones. Completing the line up are Andrew Lawrence (keys and synths), Andrew Vogt bass, as well as Zack Marks sitting behind the drum kit. The band released their very first, self-titled album back in 2017. This release earned a coveted 4-star rating from Downbeat Magazine, as well as appearing on Spotify's popular "The State of Jazz" playlist. Go to Sofar Sounds YouTube channel to check out their live performance in Chicago.

Bonzo Squad, an instrumental ensemble, will bring their eclectic music to York High School's Fine Arts Week on Tuesday, March 1. Courtesy of York Community High School

• On Wednesday, March 2, The Microphones will perform "Microphones in 2020." Phil Elverum resurrects the moniker The Microphones on his latest release called "Microphones in 2020," a 45-minute song about many things, including art making, self-mythologizing, and what it means to bear witness to one's own existence and transformations. Go to P.W. Elverum & Son YouTube channel to listen to the full song.

Tatum Langley, a York High grad, returns to the Elmhurst school for Fine Arts Week. Courtesy of York Community High School

• On Thursday, March 3, Elmhurst native and York High grad Tatum Langley returns. She is a recent graduate of Ball State University's BFA Musical Theatre program, and is also an active jazz vocalist, arts & crafts extraordinaire, and plant mom all rolled into one spunky little body. She grew up in Elmhurst, and graduated from York High School where she was a finalist in the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards in 2016 and 2017. She has assembled a band of all-star York grads to back her up on stage featuring Ben Pavlik, Will McGing and Mason Lampa.

• On Friday, March 4, it will be Rafael Blanco, a contemporary artist from Alicante, Spain, fascinated with identity, human expression, and diversity and inclusion as a main focus in his work. Trained as a classical studio painter, Blanco has been, since 2014, transitioning to public art, especially to large scale murals.

On Friday, March 4, contemporary artist Rafael Blanco will talk about his transition to public art, especially to large scale murals. Courtesy of York Community High School

Faculty coordinator Chris Gemkow, along with a student committee, have been working since early September to recruit outside talent, design original artwork for posters and T-shirts, and schedule the logistics for a week's worth of presentations and entertainment.

Fine Arts Week gives York's students a chance to express their creativity and artistic abilities in ways rarely offered in most classrooms. One of the best things about Fine Arts Week is that the events are largely planned, promoted, performed, and directed by the students. The entire student body benefits from the student and professional performances scheduled throughout the week.

A former member of the FAW student committee adds, "Fine Arts Week seems to invoke a kind of increased awareness of others in the student body. You'd be hard pressed to find another York community event that connects with almost every single student at York the way that Fine Arts Week does."

Learn more about Fine Arts Week at york.elmhurst205.org.

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