Gorton Community Center’s fourth annual Block Party drew more than 400 people for food, balloon art, dancing and classical music performances and a screening of a Spider Man movie.
The early evening program Sept. 14 in the Lake Forest center’s parking lot provided a sampling of programming, ranging from dancing, music and art to cooking, Tai Chi and a heavy dose of cinema viewing and appreciation.
Jamie Hall, program emcee and firector of Film at Gorton, said, “We really wanted to showcase what’s happening at Gorton, with all the tables, the non-profits, the programming classes. It’s everything that happens throughout the year and it’s represented at the block party.”
New this year were Spider Man “passport” books, encouraging participants to visit all of the vendor tables to have their passports “stamped.” The passports were redeemable for prizes.
Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra was represented by five volunteer musicians, from Lake Forest High School. Their exhibit gave guests a chance to play conductor by standing on a small, wood platform and wielding a baton.
William Regan, 12, appeared delighted at his chance to direct. Matt Regan said his son attends The Cove School in Northbrook.
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“Will is a performer at school. He does theater, dance, singing, anything he can do. When he saw the musicians, he jumped right in (to direct),” Matt Regan said. “But Will loves Spider Man, so that was the real draw for us.”
LoMastro Performing Arts Academy students did several dance numbers, including “Shake Your Groove Thing” by the younger ensemble dancers, and as a finale, “Fosse.”
LoMastro teacher Alli Riley said about 40 students performed.
“Some kids come in and take one dance class a week and other dancers are at the studio five and six days a week and spend a lot of time training. Those are the ones who do it all the way through high school,” Riley said.
Denys Bucksten is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.