The third ACTIVATE event, those funky, urban celebrations that are just the ticket for performance art/music/visual arts afficionados, takes place from 5-10 p.m. Aug. 1 in the alley adjacent to the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. More than 2,500 persons attended the May event.
Co-Sponsored by the Chicago Loop Alliance and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the alley will be transformed into a “spectacle of sound, art and performance.” Guests who RSVP in advance atwww.LoopChicago.com/ACTIVATE will receive a complimentary drink ticket at the event, with additional wine and beer available for purchase on site.
A special program presented by high school students enrolled in SAIC’s Early College Program will showcase a culmination of their summer fashion projects in a runway show from 4-6 p.m.
According to an official statement, the event will feature visual and performance art, including traditional painting, abstract photography and sculpture as well as kinetic dance, found object installations and material cultures. Participating artists include dance group Synapse Arts, as well as individual artists Michelle Bierbower, Estee Conahef, Evan Conley, RodrigoEcheverria, McKelvie Kuppinger, Candice Latimer, Sarah Rehmer, Alexis Semptner, Scott Footer, Madison Turner, Uncle, Tyler Bergfield, and Samantha Burrot.

ACTIVATE event May 1, 2014. | Image courtesy of James John Jetel for Chicago Loop Alliance | http://jjjetel.com
Additional ACTIVATE events will pop up in the Loop on September 17 and October 16. As usual, the location and specifics will be announced one onth in advance at www.LoopChicago.com/ACTIVATE
The School of the Art institute’s Early College Program takes high school juniors and seniors from across the globe who are on a fine arts track and places them in a college-level course (for college credit) for 3 weeks (July 7 through August 1) each summer.