Navy Pier Presents Robust Lineup of Talented Local Youth at Second Annual Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate

South Shore Drill Team Photo by: James Richards IV
South Shore Drill Team Photo by: James Richards IV

Navy Pier Presents Robust Lineup of Talented Local Youth at Second Annual Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate

Free, Pier-wide program on July 11 & 12 will feature a diverse range of musical and dance performances at Chicago’s iconic lakefront destination

Navy Pier is showcasing Chicago’s young talent in the arts for the second year in a row with its Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate on Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12. This two-day celebration of the city’s gifted performing artists will highlight a variety of dance and music styles, including blues, classical, rock, jazz and more. The free festival is open to the public and will include multiple performances at various stages and spaces at the Pier, including the Wave Wall Performance Platform and the City and Lake Stages in Polk Bros Park.

On Friday, July 12, the event will offer appearances by two other free Navy Pier arts and cultural summer programs: Wiggleworms, a live children’s music series presented in partnership with Old Town School of Folk Music, and Water Colors, a live jazz music series co-curated by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique performance from students of the NextGenJazz Emerging Artists Project. Both programs encourage learning, creativity and passion for music for Chicago’s youth.

New to the program this year to further support the advancement of emerging creators and artists, Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate will be covered by FSM News on The Road, Free Spirit Media’s media arts training and teen-produced news show. The advanced, seven-week journalism and film program offers high school students the opportunity to gain skills in camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing and photography. FSM News is based at two media labs in the city’s West and South sides.

Please see below for the full Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate schedule:

Thursday, July 11 - 1 – 1:40 p.m., South Shore Drill Team, South Dock & Wave Wall Platform

1:40 – 1:45 p.m.Opening Ceremony Wave Wall Platform

1:45 – 3:30 p.m. , Blue Kids Camp Wave Wall Platform

2 – 2:30 p.m., Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble, City Stage in Polk Bros Park

2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Joshua August Mhoon, City Stage in Polk Bros Park

4 – 4:30 p.m., Guitars over Guns, Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park

4 – 5:30 p.m., Blue Kids Camp, Wave Wall Platform

6 – 7:30 p.m., Open The Circle, Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park

Friday, July 12, 10 –

11:45 a.m. , Wiggleworms, Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park,

12 - 1 p.m., Forward Momentum ,City Stage in Polk Bros Park

1 – 1:30 p.m., The Happiness Club, Wave Wall Platform

1:30 – 2:15 p.m., Hubbard Street Dance, City Stage in Polk Bros Park

2 – 2:45 p.m., School of Rock Chicago, Wave Wall Platform

3 – 3:45 p.m.,Puerto Rican Arts Alliance,City Stage in Polk Bros Park

4 – 4:30 p.m., Bollywood Groove,Wave Wall Platform

5 – 5:30 p.m., CICS Wrightwood School,City Stage in Polk Bros Park

6 – 8:30 p.m., NextGenJazz: Jazz Institute of Chicago , Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park

Please note that all programs are subject to change. While attending Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the many other Pier-wide experiences in dining, retail, boats and other activities and attractions.

Fresh Fest! Presented by Allstate is part of the Pier’s ongoing commitment to offer guests free, one-of-a kind arts and cultural programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities and guests across the city and globe. For more information, visit www.navypier.org.

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