Friday, July 14, Bastille Day:
CARLETON THE MIME was one of the first street performers in Chicago. His debut was at the Chess Pavilion near Oak Street Beach in the summer of 1972. Soon after he began retail promotions for art galleries on Clark Street, Marshall Fields and Chas. A Steven's. His first stage was at Kingston Mines when it was on Lincoln Ave. long before it became Strictly Blues. He taught at the Body Politic and St. Nicholas theaters prior to organizing the Chicago Mime Theater. Carleton established the first Mime Week in Chicago, with a proclamation from the then Mayor Jane Byrne. He was instrumental in the street skating fad with promotions for Lincoln Park Roller Works. Carleton still performs with the original Chicago skates he rented to do the promotions in 1973.
Carleton was selected to represent the United States at the "Shanghai International Pantomime Festival" in China. He is in a class of World Mime Performers and is the first American Mime to perform in China. In addition to a live mime and music concert tour, his mime & music ensemble appeared in four TV programs, viewed by over 200 million Chinese. Carleton also delivered a special letter of good will, as a representative of the City of Chicago, to the mayor of Shanghai from Mayor Richard M.Daley.
His signature character of Roving Mime in a White Tux and Roller Skates probably holds the record for skating through most festivals, hotels, museums and shopping malls in the Chicago land area. The Art Institute, The Field Museum and the Shed Aquarium included. He performed in concert and roving on Michigan Ave. at the first Taste of Chicago, at Navy Pier at the first ChicagoFest, the first State Street Festival, the inauguration of the Chicago Cultural Center and the early days of King Richard's Faire.
A master of silent storytelling, Carleton performs a stage concert with live music, and audience participation. The music accents the mood and the movement of the mime. It heightens the impact of the performance and creates a total audio-visual experience. The music, created with brilliant timing and versatility, is written and performed by Joseph Krowka. The music is improvised with a mixture of rock and roll, jazz and what might be best as described as cartoon accents. The show is not your traditional silent mime. It is loud, funny and outrageously entertaining. This innovative ensemble has performed throughout the United States, in Asia, Mexico and Europe. The primary objective of Carleton the Mime is to convey the emotional and intellectual messages of contemporary America.
Saturday, July 15, Mexican Night:
Mexican Dance Ensemble is a non for profit organization founded on the principles of equality and freedom of expression. MDE is committed to bettering our community through art education.
The company's main objectives are to keep our young people away from idleness and non-productive activities, offer a Mexican performing platform for emerging artists, and expand the importance and value of the arts and the artist community. The repertoire focuses on the preservation of our Mexican traditions.
Sunday, July 16, Italian Night:
Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC) is a multi-ethnic group of people of all ages who enjoy the dances and music from countries around the world. The participants regard "Dancing As A Second Language".
Since 1987, EDC (a not-for-profit organization) has promoted the enjoyment, sharing, understanding and preservation of the dance and music heritage of Chicago's many ethnic groups as well as the heritage of traditional American dance and music.
Monday, July 17, Bavarian Night:
The Bridges Brass duo of Judy Bridges on trumpet and Jerry on accordion plays all the best German music and polkas: everything from the Beer Barrel Polka to Liechensteiner polka, Too Fat polka, Helena polka as well as great German waltzes and marches. The duo dresses in authentic Drindl (women's German dress). Judy Bridges has performed at some of the biggest Oktoberfests in IL and the Wisconsin Dells.
Tuesday, July 18, Greek Night:
The mission of the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society is to perpetuate the rich history and traditions of Greek folk dances, songs, and music. Orpheus fulfills its mission by educating its members and audiences through dance and music performances, workshops, lectures and publications.
Orpheus' repertoire includes a wide variety of mainland and island dances, and its members perform in authentic costumes which are representative of these regions.
The Orpheus Adult Group is comprised of young adults from the Chicagoland area. The group has performed at numerous cultural and civic functions throughout Chicago, the Midwest and Greece.
Among its highlights, Orpheus performed and participated in the 51st Pan-Macedonian Convention in Thessaloniki, Greece (voted the 1997 Cultural Capital of Europe) and the First Annual Celebration of Greek Artists Abroad in Athens at the Odeon of Herodus Atticus Theater at the foot of the Acropolis. Additionally, Orpheus had the distinction of representing Greece by performing in the 1994 World Cup opening ceremonies at Soldier Field in Chicago in front of 65,000 fans, including U.S. President Clinton and an estimated worldwide television audience of over 1 billion!
Wednesday, July 19, Polish Night:
The Northwest Center Traditional Polish Folk Dancers of Chicago, Illinois, was founded in 1984 under the artistic direction of Celina Roznowska, an internationally known Polish choreographer and her daughter Anna Krysinski.
Today, the Northwest Center Traditional Polish Folk Dancers consists of 150 young singers and dancers, ages 3 to 18. The Center's artistic repertoire includes melodies, songs, and dances from all regions of Poland: North and South, East and West as well as Polish national dances.
In the last 20 years of activity, the children and youth have actively participated in the cultural and social life of the Polish and American society. Perhaps the most advanced and recognized Center’s ensembles lead by Cecylia Roznowski are "Polonia" and "Little Polonia". These two groups are formed by children, 8 and up.
The "Polonia" and "Little Polonia" have performed for Polish premier Tadeusz Mazowiecki, president and Nobel Peace Prize awarded Lech Walesa, and primate of Poland Cardinal Joseph Glemp. In 1996, the "Polonia" ensemble took part in the festival of Polish Folk Dance in Milwaukee and Winnipeg; also in 1997 in Canada and Florida. In July 1998, we were privileged to perform for His Holiness, Pope Paul John II in Castle Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence in the Vatican. It was an unforgettable experience for the members of the ensemble to perform for the Holy Father a second time during his historical visit to the Holy Land in March 2000. In the summer of 2002 they performed at the CIOFF Festival in I-LAN, Taiwan. In July of 2003, the group performed at the International Children’s Folk Festival in Poland. Last summer they attended the 14th annual Festival of Nations in Hungary and it was a great success.
The ensemble has also performed at numerous events in the Chicagoland area. In 1998, we performed at the Taste of Chicago and Polish Fest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Each October, they perform at the Annual Polish American Heritage Month Performance at Northeastern University. Other performances include: Peace Day at Peace School International Association for World Peace, Copernicus Celebration at Adler Planetarium, Beginning of New Millennium Celebration at the Chicago Historical Society, Taste of Polonia, Winter Wonderland Festi val at Navy Pier, National Conference of the Early Childhood Educators at McCormick Place, Unity Day Celebration at O’Hare Airport, Passport to the World at Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, the St. Joseph’s Day Celebration at the Governor of Illinois’ Mansion in Springfield or the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.
Thursday, July 20, Israeli Night:
Klezmer is a Yiddish word for a folk musician. It refers to traditional Jewish dance melodies from Eastern Europe. The lost art of the klezmer has been revived over the past three decades as part of the World Music movement. Traditionally played at weddings and other celebrations, klezmer music has now become part of the performance arts repertoire and includes songs of the Yiddish theater in addition to folk music.
As Jewish immigrants came to America, they brought this style with them. They adapted it to American tastes and instrumentation. The result was an organic fusion of everything from Russian dances, Chassidic drinking songs and Hungarian gypsy bravado blended with Dixieland, early jazz and swing and even a Yiddishe Rhumba! Because of this, a klezmer concert is a true variety show.
The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band has been one of the Midwest's premiere Klezmer Bands for over twenty years. Performing both for public concerts in the U.S. and worldwide, Maxwell Street has been central to the revival of traditional Jewish music in the Midwest. It is one of the true Klezmer "Big Bands," recalling the rich, jazzy sounds of the Swing Era.
Friday, July 21, Irish Night:
The Mayer School of Irish Dance began in 1980. Since then the school has expanded into 3 states and classes are held every day of the week. Mary Mayer-McHugh started dance lessons in 1970 with the Dennehy School of Irish Dancing. During her dancing career, Mary advanced to the championship level by 1972. She started teaching in 1980 with her brother John and became certified with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha in 1982.
Mary is also an Irish Music champion tinwhistle player. Many years were spent in Ireland as a teenager competing for world titles and playing music with the best of traditional musicians. Mary has also taught many children how to play the tinwhistle before she became too busy with the dance school. One of the best students she ever had was a girl named Kathleen Keane who is a world renowned musician playing with groups such as the Drovers and Gaelic Storm.
Paul Mayer began Irish dancing at 6 years old under the direction of his older sister and brother, John and Mary Mayer. He is an 8-time Mid-America Regional Champion. He has won the North American Championship twice. Paul competed at the World Championships three times – his best finish was 12th in 1992.
Paul’s professional career includes numerous television appearances. His most notable big screen moment includes dancing with Jennifer Jason Leigh in the movie Road to Perdition. Paul trained Jennifer, as well as several other actors and actresses, to dance for the movie.
Saturday, July 22, Asian Night:
Dragon dancers!!