Join us for the kick-off to the Arts Retreat Weekend, and the larger ArtRageous arts celebration.  Join us for wine tasting, a sampling of delicious appetizers, and an eclectic selection of silent auction items. Learn more about the 100+ activities that are a part of ArtRageous! Oak Park.  Enjoy the live entertainment of a diverse array of Oak Park’s talented residents.

Entertainment

6-6:30 PM - African & Caribbean Dance - Join one of Oak Park’s favorite artists – Vickie Casanova - for a free lesson & then get moving! Dancers, drummers, teachers and kids of all ages will love trying new steps and dancing to the exciting live rhythms of The BUSA Family & friends!

6:30-7 PM - Master Drummer Atiba Jali - Hear a demonstration of just a few of the African Percussion Instruments in Atiba Jali’s collection.  Experience the talking drum, calimba, dun-dun, rainstick…and try one of these authentic instruments for yourself! Then, join Atiba, Vickie, BUSA & Friends for an Open Drum Circle at 6:45 PM.

7-7:30 PM - Nutty Nutcracker - See excerpts from INTUIT’s (237 Harrison) upcoming Nutty Nutcracker featuring dances loosely based on the traditional Nutcracker.  Selected dances are “Chocolate” (Spanish), “Coffee” (Arabian), “Waltz of the Flower Children” and a Sugar Plum dancing out of control.

7:30-8 PM - The Harrison Street Ukulele Players - Hum along with the Arts District’s own GiGi Wong-Monaco (Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium, 329B Harrison) and Oak Park’s favorite ukulele group!

8-8:30 PM - Confectioner’s Affliction - Enjoy the acoustic rock tunes of Cheryl Lynn Tomblin on acoustic guitar and vocal, Matt Hendricks on acoustic lead guitar and Bill Kavanaugh on fretless bass guitar.

8:30-9 PM - Recapitulation - Be entertained by “dramalicious” musical improv. Recap performs short-form, long-form improv, but always with a musical flare!  Brought to you by Open Door Repertory Company.

9-9:20 PM - Ruth Leitman of Ruthless Films - See excerpts and trailers from a selection of her films, including “Lipstick & Dynamite,” her theatrically released, SHOWTIME documentary about the golden gals of wrestling from the ‘50’s, and the spontaneous raw and hilarious “Wildwood, NJ.” Also enjoy two music videos: the girl band Ultrababyfat, “Twist” and The Redwalls “Game of Love,” winner of Best Music Video at this year’s Midwest Film Festival.

9:20-10 PM - The Harmonia Quartet - Close the evening with the soothing sounds of classical music.  Elizabeth Rexford (violin), Melody Turner (violin), Peggy Schott (viola) and Valerie Meineke (cello) met as members of the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, and found they loved making music together.