Don’t Miss an Unforgettable, One-Time-Only Performance!

For the second year in a row, join Lyric Unlimited for a special, one-time-only event: Community Created Performances: Stories and Songs of Chicago! As part of the groundbreaking Chicago Voices initiative, groups of Chicagoans were invited to share the untold stories of their communities through the Community Created Performances program. After a competitive application process, followed by more than 10,000 online public votes, three finalist groups won the opportunity to bring their stories to life through an original music theater work: Blu Rhythm Collective, Kuumba Lynx, and YOLO Boomers.

The finalist groups began a 15-week creative process this summer to develop their stories and create the scripts and songs for their works. Now, the groups will perform their final pieces in a fully staged, free public performance featuring all three original works entitled Stories and Songs of Chicago at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E Randolph, Chicago) on September 10 at 2pm.

Although the performance is free, tickets must be reserved. Walk-up tickets will also be available the day of the show on a first-come, first-served basis at the theater’s box office. Please note the performances may contain strong adult language.

Learn more about each of the groups' final performances below:

Four young dancers face an opportunity of a lifetime when a legendary choreographer returns to Chicago. But to succeed they must choose to carry their passion beyond the studio and into the streets of a city riddled with crime, violence and poverty. The Blu Rhythm Collective ensemble finds a way forward from tragedy through artistry in song, drama and movement. 

When a family emergency calls away one of their rising stars, the Kuumba Lynx ensemble must push their talents in song, rap, dance, art and poetry to get the show back on track. We’re giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse of young urban artists working together to turn political activism and creative passion into an unforgettable live theatrical experience.

For this eclectic group of older Chicagoans, the day ahead is full of possibility. We follow the YOLO Boomers through a series of vignettes – searching for love, new creative experiences and opportunities to make a difference. Between marching in the streets and tweets, leather jackets, bike rides, selfies, and finding new community, these boomers share a secret: there’s no one way to embrace your golden years in the 21st century. 

To read more about the creative process to bring the three finalists’ stories to life, visit the Community Created Performances blog and follow along with Chicago Voices on Facebook and Instagram at @ChicagoVoices.