CHICAGO: LUMA8, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Chicago Park District and Presenting Sponsor, the Blommer Chocolate Company, is pleased to announce Arts in the Dark - an UPSIDE DOWN Halloween Parade. This festive and enchanting Halloween drive-through experience will take place along Russell Drive in Washington Park on Saturday, Oct. 31 from noon — 3 p.m.. Now in its sixth year, Arts in the Dark will once again showcase the creativity of Chicago's diverse cultural community and activate Halloween as the "artist's holiday."
The annual event is produced by LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts), a nonprofit dedicated to elevating Chicago as a focal point of artistic innovation to enrich the lives of its citizens and create economic impact. According to Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, "Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our city continues to find new and creative ways to support our artists and celebrate beloved traditions like Halloween. Groups like LUMA8 are what make Chicago the cultural capital that it is, and I commend the many sponsors and partners behind Arts in the Dark, all of whom have gone the extra mile to make this most extraordinary of years special for us all."
Sharene Shariatzadeh, President and CEO of LUMA8, is delighted that Arts in the Dark will be featured as the Grand Finale of "Halloweek" — a city program created to help Chicagoans "celebrate safely" this Halloween. "The LUMA8 team is proud to produce Arts in the Dark for the sixth year — and we are particularly excited to showcase Chicago's diverse creative community in a completely different way and in a completely different environment," Shariatzadeh says. "Adapting the parade model to suit the necessary restrictions on public events was made possible thanks to the generosity of time and resources of our partners and sponsors. This year, instead of standing on a crowded sidewalk watching the parade go by, dozens of enchanting parade contingents will be stationed at intervals along a tree-lined street. Spectators will drive through the route, enjoying the spectacles from the safety of their vehicles."
The vision for Arts in the Dark was created by Mark Kelly, Chicago's Commissioner of DCASE, and according to Commissioner Kelly, this year Arts in the Dark is even more important than ever. "Cultural organizations and artists are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, so taking a moment to remember and celebrate the critical role the creative community plays in elevating our quality of life is a necessity."
Arts in the Dark will take place in Washington Park from 12pm — 3pm, and will feature dozens of artistic groups from Chicago Children's Theatre and Cirques Experiences to the South Shore Drill Team. Large scale puppets, prop spinners, musicians and dancers will entertain the passing procession - and each car will be treated to a goody bag from Blommer Chocolate Company as well as "Roald Dahl's The Witches," an at home movie event, now available exclusively on HBO Max.
This is a family-friendly event. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit www.artsinthedark.org .
Sponsors/Partners:
Arts in the Dark is presented by Blommer Chocolate Company and is produced by LUMA8 in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Park District.
Major Sponsors:
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
Harris Theatre of Music and Dance
"Roald Dahl's The Witches," an at home movie event, now available exclusively on HBO Max.
Other Partners:
The Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Bulls
The Chicago White Sox
About LUMA8
LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) is an independent not-for-profit dedicated to creating conversations about Chicago that are heard around the world. This is achieved through unique cultural events and experiences, often using light and scale as tools, and by developing innovative ways to amplify the effect of existing arts initiatives. It coordinates the work of public agencies, arts organizations and artists to elevate the cultural life of the city, attract visitors, and ultimately generate economic impact.
About the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
About the Chicago Park District
The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District's more than 8,700 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, two world-class conservatories, 15 cultural centers, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.
