The Great Fire: a traveling truck show

Since we weren’t able to get together in July to select our grantee for the month, we have two grants to give away in August! So without further ado, we’re pleased to announce the first of our two winners: The Great Fire: a traveling truck show.

The Traveling Truck Show is a community event that will tour Chicago this October. Reviving the form of early American traveling shows and referencing Chicago neighborhood histories after the Great Fire, the multidisciplinary performers playfully spin a tale that engages audiences with storytelling, music, comedy, multimedia dioramas, and magic.

The overarching storyline is inspired by historical characters and memories from each neighborhood, including vignettes about Ignaz Schwinn, August Spies, Riverview Park, and the changing street-scape of West Town. In addition to the scripted parts, the core creative team consisting of Kayce Bayer, Chris Lin, Rebecca Schoenecker, Patrick Holbrook, Ryan B. Richey, Josh Converse, Young Cho, and Jenn Wilson will be supported by a variety of local performers: a rhythm and revival musical duo, a throat singer, a classical tenor, a wandering accordion clown, a bellydancer and her snakecharmer, a fire breather, and a magical mind bender. Sideshows will include fire poi, tarot readings from a custom deck of cards, an old-fashioned photo booth manned by the bee-bearded lady, and more!

Shows will be held every Saturday in October.

October 6: Logan Square: on the Illinois Centennial Monument
October 13: Roscoe/North Center: Clark Park Playlots
October 20: Ukrainian Village/West Town: TBA (potentially Esperanza Community Services)
October 27: Pilsen: Growing Station Community Garden

Before the tour, the creative team is working with each site to connect with the area, spread the word about the project, and involve the community in-the-making. The organizers participated in the Milwaukee Ave Arts Fest in July with a “Make Your Own History” booth. In Pilsen, they have planned community days in the garden. For Roscoe/North Center, they are collecting memories of Riverview Amusement Park to use in an animation.

For more information visit http://travelingtruckshow.org