Mayor Rahm Emanuel News

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMNA) announced today that it intends to join Chicago's vibrant cultural arts scene by locating on the city's Museum Campus.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMNA) today announced its intention to become a member of Chicago's vibrant cultural arts scene by locating on the city's Museum Campus. LMNA will be a gathering place to experience narrative art and the evolution of the visual image - from illustration to cinema to digital arts.

People throughout the United States have voted for the works of American art they most want to see installed in Art Everywhere US, the initiative that will transform billboards, bus shelters, subway platforms, airport dioramas, movie theaters and more into a free, open-air art gallery across the country. The top three vote-getters are in the Art Institute of Chicago's permanent collection: Edward Hopper's Nighthawks (1942), Mary Cassatt's The Child's Bath (1893) and Grant Wood's American Gothic (1930) took first, second and third. All three are currently on display at the Art Institute.

The second annual Arts Alliance Illinois benefit luncheon, 'Voices of a Creative State,' welcomed more than 400 artists, creatives and civic + corporate leaders to the Palmer House Hilton,Monday, June 2, 2014. Highlights of the luncheon included a special keynote address by MacArthur "Genius" and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney and the presentation of Arts Alliance Illinois' "Citizen Advocate" Award to Richard and Susan Kiphart in recognition of their vision and civic leadership in providing heightened visibility to the value of the arts. The event raised more than $275,000 to help the organization promote widespread support for the arts throughout the state.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) celebrates the enduring vitality of Chicago's Shakespeare with GALA 2014 on Monday, June 16 at its home on Navy Pier.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, one of the world's premier dance organizations, together with event chair Richard L. Rodesand Meg Siegler Callahan, chair of Hubbard Street's board of directors, hosted the Season 36 Spotlight Ball on Monday, May 19 at theFairmont Chicago Millennium Park.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, one of the world's premier dance organizations, together with event chair Richard L. Rodes and Meg Siegler Callahan, chair of Hubbard Street's board of directors, hosted the Season 36 Spotlight Ball on Monday, May 19 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. Scroll down for photos from the event!

United Airlines, Chicago's hometown carrier, today begins the city's first-ever flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, with summer-season service through Oct. 5, 2014.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), Don Welsh, President and CEO of Choose Chicago, and Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, to announce that the James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 4, 2015. This will be the first year the prestigious JBF Restaurant and Chef Awards Gala will be held outside of New York City.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and Boeing partner to present the annual citywide summer tradition, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. This summer, 26 performances of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream travel to 18 neighborhood parks across Chicago, FREE FOR ALL, July 18-August 17, 2014. From Hamilton Park and Garfield Park Conservatory to the South Shore Cultural Center and Gage Park, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks activates communities and breaks down barriers to arts participation, giving Chicagoans direct access to their City's cultural treasures. In its third year, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks returns to 18 communities, truly establishing the program as a Chicago summer tradition and deepening relationships with neighbors, community leaders and local businesses.

Tickets for the 8th annual Chicago Dancing Festival, the free Festival at venues across downtown Chicago, will become available to the general public July 8 and 9. Co-produced by internationally renowned choreographer and native Chicagoan Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the 2014 Chicago Dancing Festival features top ballet, modern and hip-hop companies from Chicago and across the country, set to take place August 20 - 23.

The Chicago Dancing Festival (CDF), co-produced by renowned choreographer and Chicago native Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, returns for its 8th season of free dance performances and events, August 20 - 23, 2014, featuring top ballet, modern and hip-hop dancers from Chicago and across the country.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) along with Chicago's civic and cultural leaders celebrate William Shakespeare's 450th Birthday with the premiere of 'Our City, Our Shakespeare,' a documentary exploring Shakespeare's enduring presence in Chicago, featuring Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Art Institute of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, among others. Produced by Emmy award-winning HMS Media, the program premieres May 1 at 8:00 p.m. on WTTW Channel 11. Shakespeare's 450th birthday on April 23 begins the internationally recognized Shakespeare Quadricentennial Celebration through 2016, marking 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy since his death in 1616. On this occasion, Chicago's cultural community heralds the prolific poet and playwright's lasting impact on our lives-through our everyday speech and in cultural institutions, schools and neighborhoods across the city.

Discovery Channel announced today that Chicago is the destination for Nik Wallenda's next live event, SKYSCRAPER LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA. Wallenda, known as 'The King of the High Wire,' will attempt to tightrope walk across the iconic Chicago skyline

Fueled by live wow moments, #1 hits and breakout new series, Discovery Channel, with 11 series that averaged more than two million Total Viewers (P2+) each and SKYWIRE LIVE WITH NIK WALLENDA, the #1 LIVE event on cable, again landed in cable's Top 10 for Persons 25-54 in 2013.

The recount of the Stonewall Riots, 'Hit the Wall,' originally produced by The Inconvenience, will return to Chicago with the majority of its original ensemble cast and artistic team in a triumphant remount presented by the Chicago Commercial Collective, running April 22 to June 29 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue. Tickets ($20 - $55) are on sale now. The press performance will be Wednesday, April 30, at 8 p.m.

Actualizing results from an ongoing partnership with Executive Service Corps (ESC) of Chicago, the Beverly Arts Center (BAC) hosted a press briefing on Thursday, September 26 to announce plans for the nonprofit's financial revitalization. This announcement demonstrates a return to financial stability and BAC's ongoing commitment to vital visual and performing arts for residents of southwest Chicago, a goal of the city's new arts & culture implementation plan for 'strengthening arts in the community,' according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE kicks off season four with a brand-new cast of food truck hopefuls, who hit the road for the longest route in series history.

THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE kicks off season four with a brand-new cast of food truck hopefuls, who hit the road for the longest route in series history.

Arts Alliance Illinois will host its inaugural benefit luncheon, Voices of a Creative State, Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The luncheon will feature a presentation by world-renowned cellist and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant Yo-Yo Ma about the powerful role that the arts can and should play in the civic life of Illinois.