Pivot Arts launches its third annual celebration of innovative performance events throughout Chicago’s Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. The Pivot Arts Festival, happening from May 28 through June 7, serves to bring audiences together for unique performance events. This year the festival’s focus highlights the intersection between the performing arts and science.
The ten-day Festival will feature live music, theater, dance, puppetry, discussions, wine tastings, workshops, children’s performances and more. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Community!,” is focused on bringing diverse neighbors together through the arts.
The Festival will also include a first-time Community Parade on Saturday, May 30 at 1 pm, kicking off at Granville near Kenmore and culminating in performances at Loyola University’s St. Ignatius Plaza. Community groups, artists, and school groups parade down Kenmore with giant puppets, and end the parade with a celebration in Loyola’s St. Ignatius Plaza. Following the parade, enjoy a full afternoon of entertainment in the plaza including a headline performance by Grammy-nominated rocker Justin Roberts.
Festival Events
Performances are split into various categories, including Dance, Theatre, Events, Celebrations, Kids, Film, Live Music, and Discussions. There are many events to choose from, including but not limited to: events by BAATHHAUS, Edgewater Workbench, Lucky Plush Productions, The Neo-Futurists, Circesteem, Lifeline Theatre, Merry Music Makers, and more. Visit the Festival website for more details, additional events and activities, venue locations, and prices.
Festival Special Events and Performances Line-Up
May 28
May 29
May 30
- Lifeline Theatre presents The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
- Pivot Arts presents “Celebrate Community!” Parade
- Stage 773 presents BRI-KO
- Lucky Plush Productions presents The Queue
May 31
- Lifeline Theatre presents The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
- Stage 773 presents BRI-KO
- Lucky Plush Productions presents The Queue
June 1
- Memory Bank Installation (presented by Pivot Arts through June 14)
- Performance and Community Engagement
June 3
June 4
June 5
June 6
June 7
Pivot Arts is a home for innovative music, theater and dance on Chicago’s far north side. We develop new work and present performances throughout the year culminating in a large-scale, multi-arts festival. Our vision is that of a vibrant community where unique collaborations between artists, businesses and organizations lead to the support and creation of innovative performance events.
Pivot Arts began as a “Fable Festival” of live music, puppetry, new plays and performances in unique spaces throughout Edgewater, Andersonville and Uptown in May of 2012. The festival served a need for more arts programming in the community that was both accessible and high in quality. Pivot Arts was formed in September 2012 as a pivot point, or central hub, that could connect innovative arts activity in these neighborhoods. We support multidisciplinary artists through our incubator program and foster the creation of imaginative performances. Our vision is to grow to become a multi-arts center that hosts innovative and exciting performing arts events.
