CHICAGO (8/14/24) — End summer on a high note with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s first-of-its-kind Art-See Jamboree on Sunday, August 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Art-See Jamboree is a free child-oriented event that has it all—art, reading, music, giveaways, and more. Guests can enjoy spending the day with loved ones before the annual Sunday in the Park with Lyric event the same evening in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. All of the Art-See Jamboree activities will take place under the event tent located just east of the Pavilion, toward the lake.
Art-See Jamboree offers fun activities for all ages. Starting at 11:30 a.m., storyteller Jasmin Cardenas will present an interpretation of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World by Laurence Anholt at various times throughout the event, including 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Visitors can also enter a raffle to win a copy of the book. These storytelling sessions will give a sneak peek into the upcoming performance tour of the opera based on the book, which is part of Lyric’s Opera in the Neighborhoods program.
Opera in the Neighborhoods, one of Lyric’s longest-running programs, brings live performances of youth-focused operas to schools and neighborhood venues throughout the Chicago area. This fall, the 45-minute opera Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World will explore themes relevant to young audiences. Performed in both English and Spanish, the opera features music by Joe Illick and a libretto by Mark Campbell with Spanish Translation by Arlene Martínez-Vázquez. The story centers on the real-life friendship between Mariana, a young girl in Mexico City, and the renowned artist Frida Kahlo.
For more information on the Opera in the Neighborhoods program and for tickets to public performances, beginning October 12, please visit lyricopera.org/frida.
Aside from storytelling sessions, DJ Jawon will play music and visitors can create art with William Estrada of the Mobile Street Art Cart Project, as well as take home their masterpieces. And, before leaving, visitors can grab an Art-See Jamboree swag bag and other giveaways including goodies from Greater Chicago Food Depository.
“We are thrilled to bring Art-See Jamboree to the community this summer as a fun and engaging way to introduce children and families to the joy of Lyric,” said Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, Director of Civic Engagement. “This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the arts in a playful, hands-on environment, inspiring young audiences to discover and enjoy the world of opera and beyond.”
Following the Art-See Jamboree, guests are invited to attend the dress rehearsal for Sunday in the Park with Lyric, Lyric’s free annual concert later that evening at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Starting at 2:30 p.m., the rehearsal offers a behind-the-scenes look at the final preparations, reflecting the Jamboree's mission to make the arts accessible and engaging for all ages.
To learn more about Art-See Jamboree and Sunday in the Park with Lyric, visit lyricopera.org/millennium.