Entertainment
The Village of Skokie has a rich cultural heritage, and is home to many different festivals and organizations that promote artistic endeavors each year. From performing arts, such as dance and theatre, to fine art sculptures, there are many ways to experience the arts in the village.
Skokie is well-known for the modern, award-winning North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Home to the Skokie Valley Community Orchestra, Centre East Theatre and the Northlight Theatre, this 68,000-square-foot venue has welcomed a wide variety of performing artists over the years. Northlight Theatre became the resident company in 1997, and is one of the premier theatre companies in the area, while Centre East’s state-of-the-art theatre has drawn some big names, including Twyla Tharp and Kathy Griffin.
Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1995 and has met with critical acclaim, as well as enthusiastic audiences. Made up of a core group of musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and helmed by the renowned Maestro Alan Heatherington, this orchestra truly lives up to its mission of artistic excellence. Music selections are extremely varied and have included offerings from Mozart to Prokofiev. Arvs Viva regularly performs at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, while also visiting various destinations as part of its outstanding outreach programming.
Both Ars Viva and Heatherington have garnered top awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. Ars Viva was named Orchestra of the Year in 2003, and Heatherington was named Chicago Tribune’s Chicagoan of the Year in 2004 and the Illinois Council of Orchestras’ Conductor of the Year in 2005.
The Skokie Theatre Music Foundation is an interesting organization that has its roots in helping young musicians to better understand the business aspects of their careers. The Foundation holds free seminars for musicians in the area where experts give valuable information on subjects such as marketing, copyright, contracts and networking. The Foundation also has done seminars at a variety of educational facilities, including Northern Illinois University, Harold Washington University and the University of Minnesota, among others. In addition, it has worked with school districts in the area on a number of different music-related programs.
In 2004, the Foundation acquired the landmark Skokie Theatre, an art deco-style structure built in 1912. The theatre had witnessed years of neglect and ultimately was placed on the market. The Foundation jumped at the opportunity to reinstate this historically significant building to its original grandeur. After an investment of $1.5 million and the dedication of countless hours of volunteer workers, the 140-seat Skokie Theatre reopened. This building now serves as the Foundation’s home, as well as an important performance facility in the area.
Although it does not fit neatly into any particular category, the Skokie Festival of Cultures has become a major event in the area, drawing more than 300,000 visitors and 32 diverse cultures to the celebration. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, elements including ethnic folk music, dance, games, arts and crafts and food are just some of the reasons for the event’s popularity. Many different cultures are represented at the festival, including Japanese, Armenian, Israeli and Norwegian, just to name a few.
Also celebrating 20 years in 2010 is the much-anticipated North Shore Festival of Art at Westfield Old Orchard, which draws a large crowd each year as juried artists come from all over the country to showcase their work. Many different media are represented at the summer festival, including painting, photography, fiber art and jewelry. Local restaurants provide food, and exceptional entertainment and a variety of activities occur throughout the weekend.
The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park has been an artistic landmark in the area since 1988. This amazing outdoor display stretches over two miles along McCormick Boulevard, and is home to more than 60 intriguing sculptures. Take in the sights and wander the grounds 365 days a year—there is no cost to enter. A printable, self-guided tour of the park and a family guide are available at www.sculpturepark.org.
Skokie places a high value on art and culture. Between the annual festivals and all of the different performance venues, there is always something interesting to see in the village. d
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