Stroll with steampunk-attired folks along the Lincoln Landing, a landscaped promenade between two historic limestone buildings, and gaze upon canvases under creation by artists stationed right there along the banks of the Illinois and Michigan Canal when the Summer Art Series returns to the City of Lockport.
The fourth annual series which focuses on original artists and musicians begins with Old Canal Days June 14 to 18.
The series finale Sept. 23 is the Great Midwestern Ballyhoo and Gala with musicians, contortionists and other performance artists under a big-top tent plus pop-up shopping, costume contests and a high tea.
Throughout the summer, the canal town will host art exhibits, installations and events indoors and out plus an artsy poker night.
Comicopolis, the free comic book convention and largest event ever at White Oak Library District with 1,000 attendees in 2016, expands outdoors this year for more vendors and food trucks.
“People can come out throughout the summer and see artists actually working along the canal, see works by the Artists Guild of Lockport at the Gaylord Building and artists inspired by toys at the Illinois State Museum, meet artists at Comicopolis and also construct their own cityscape to include in one large mural at the library,” said Wendy Streit, fest committee member and past chairperson and wife of Lockport Mayor Steven Streit. “We have more art and more music this year and more vendors for the Makers’ Market, too.”
Some 23 acts will perform Sept. 23.
“To change it up this year it will be bigger scale and not just music,” said fest chair Renee Lang, an avid concertgoer who’s helped friends grow their own music festivals and expanded her father’s band’s suburban bookings. “We’ll have aerial artists and a strong man and fire hoopers and all these different visual experiences in the tent and along the canal.”
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The San Diego, Calif.-based performance artists group Steam Powered Giraffe returns for the Great Midwestern Ballyhoo and Gala while performers new to the Lockport event include Chicagoan Angela Eve and her cohorts with a PG-rated burlesque show, the Chicago gypsy-jazz quintet lePercolateur and the East Coast chamber-folk ensemble Eli August & the Abandoned Buildings.
“Last year people came from 16 states as far away as California,” Streit said, noting 400 tickets were sold for the music fest and 200 for the gala. “It’s a unique draw and people appreciate the music and art.”
Check it out …
Art: Step back into the days of Lincoln Logs, Radio Flyer and TinkerToys at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, located at 201 W. 10th St. on the main floor of the Norton Building.
The exhibit “Toy Box: Inspiration Through Play,” opening June 16 and hosting a reception July 23, combines classic toys from Illinois with works by Illinois artists inspired by toys.
Participating artist Joseph Milosevich will be onsite to discuss his work June 17, when the gallery expands its hours to be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays to Oct. 7.
More artists will participate in poker game night, open to those 21 and older, on July 15.
During select Saturdays throughout the summer, artists will be working along the banks of the canal.
Children in grades 3 to 8 are invited to join the fun with a “Plein Air” class taught by Meghan Manzke, an artist and teacher at St. Joseph’s Grade School in Lockport. Sessions will be offered June 24 and July 8, 15 and 23.
Participants then will have their artwork included along with professional artists in the exhibit “Plein Air 17” opening Oct. 22 at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, the only state museum in the region and the only state museum located in a historic structure.
Call 815-838-7400 or visit www.illinoisstatemuseum.org.
A rocket ship sculpture is located outside the Illinois State Museum while other outdoor installations are located at the White Oak Library and the Lincoln Landing.
At the Gaylord Building, 200 W. 8th St., multi-media works by members of the Artists Guild of Lockport are on display on the third floor. Proceeds from art sales will benefit programming at the Gaylord Building. A reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. June 10.
“Unlocking the Past: From Prison to Vision” is on display on the second floor while the permanent exhibit “Illinois Passage: Connecting the Continent” is located on the first floor.
Call 815-838-9400 or visit gaylordbuilding.org.
Old Canal Days: The annual event has carnival rides, food trucks, entertainment and beer and wine tents.
Hours are 5 to 11:30 p.m. June 14, 4 p.m. to midnight June 16, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. June 17 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 18 near State and 9th streets. Highlights include a parade at 6 p.m. June 16, car show June 17 and a craft fair June 17 and 18.
“To give people more options, we sell affordable wines and hard sodas in the wine tent with lights and tableclothed high-top tables,” said Tina Keller, president of Main Street Lockport.
Call 815-838-3700 or visit oldcanaldays.com.
Limestone Stage: The second annual Canal Days Showcase will be presented by Limestone Stage, a program of the Gaylord Building, at noon and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. June 17 and noon and 3 p.m. June 18.
In addition to the performances of comedic and romantic skits, Limestone Stage will offer “Quarried Away,” improv for attendees, at 3 and 7 p.m. June 17 and 1:30 p.m. June 18.
Admission is free, with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available for purchase at the Gaylord Building’s front desk. Call 630-247-7813.
Comicopolis: The third annual free comic book convention in partnership with Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at White Oak Library District, 121 E. 8th St.
More exhibitors and food than past years will be featured inside and out. Giveaways, costume contests, cosplay, crafts and more will be offered. Guests include Fred Van Lente, a New York Times bestselling writer of comics (“Archer & Armstrong,” “Action Philosophers!,” “Cowboys & Aliens”); comic artist Eddy Newell (DC, Marvel, Moonstone Books); and local writers/artists Jewell Walton Jr., Tom Bacon, Justin Castaneda and Scott Larson.
Call 815-838-0755 or go to comicopolis.org or www.whiteoaklibrary.org
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.Collector Cards Scavenger Hunt: The annual quest for collector cards will be available select days, instead of all summer as in the past.
The original series will be available Aug. 5 during Comicopolis. Visitors can find all 30 cards at participating businesses within walking distance in under an hour.
The 20 cards from the second series in 2016 will be available Sept. 23. Visitors who collect the cards will be entered into a raffle.
An opportunity to meet the artists and writers behind the cards will be offered at a party Oct. 30 at White Oak Library.
The Great Midwestern Ballyhoo and Gala: Steampunk performers and vendors join bands and food trucks from 1 to 11 p.m. Sept. 23 in the south Public Landing parking lot and near the Illinois State Museum.
Tickets are $40 for the music fest under a big-top tent and $125 for the gala, which begins at 5 p.m. at Embers Tap House, 933 S. State St.
Steampunk attire is encouraged, with an LED Photo Cube onsite and a costume contest.
The gala is open to those 21 and older and includes a VIP tent, beer tasting, a meet and greet with Steam Powered Giraffe and a buffet-style dinner.
High Tea: Also on Sept. 23 is the annual High Tea at 11 a.m. at Embers Tap House. The all-ages affair includes tea, foods, music, games and a contest for best-dressed guest with the best hat. Tickets are $35, $20 for children under 11. Reservations are required by Sept. 21.
Discount code for Daily Southtown readers: “southtown5” for a $5 discount on all tickets available through Sept. 23.
Transportation/Parking: Lockport is accessible via Metra’s Heritage Corridor Line. Free parking is available at the Metra station, 13th and State streets, the lots near the Gaylord and Norton buildings and on surrounding streets.
Information: 815-838-0549; summerartseries.com; cityoflockport.net.
Vickie Snow Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.