Free America Festival (Obviously) at Raven Theatre

Many of the best comedians, musicians, and entertainers in Chicago will be converging on The Raven Theater, 6157 North Clark, taking over their mainstage and parking lot from noon – 3 pm, to pay tribute (not really) to Dear Leader the current occupant of The White House. Admission is free. There is a request for a donation of a diaper (adult or child) or a non-perishable food item.

Mainstage headliners are Patti Vasquez (comedian), Michael Kent (magician), and The Famous Brothers (Will Clinger, Darren Stephens, Rick Vamos - music). It will also feature Ric Walker (comedian), Natasha Samreny (comedian/storyteller), Stephanie Douglass (comedian/storyteller), Kao Ra Zen (spoken word/rap), The Improviachis (improvised music), Mari DeOleo (clown), Antonio Rodriguez (singer), Jon Fletcher (comedian), Scott Levy (comedian), and Joe Janes (comedian and host). Other special guests are likely to stop by.

The parking lot will feature games, music, speakers, and information tables from organizations like the ACLU, Sierra Club-Illinois Chapter, Life Is Work, Operation Swing State, One North Side, Gemmes for Femmes, and 40th Ward Dems. There will also be free Reiki sessions and the 5411 Empanadas Food Truck.

F.A.F.(O.) is being organized by Andrea J Dymond (Chicago theatre director), Joe Janes (playwright/comedian), and Maggie O’Keefe (40th Ward Committeeperson).

We are artists. We fight by building community, speaking truth to power, and making inappropriate farting sounds.