Patrick Curran – Clef Notes Chicagoland Journal for the Arts

Jackson Park and its Latest Date with History

May 28, 2021July 22, 2021 Patrick Curran Jackson Park, Obama Presidential Library

Over the course of the next few months, local and national media attention will soon be directed towards Chicago’s historic Jackson Park as groundbreaking ceremonies are set to begin in September 2021 on the historic Barack Obama Presidential Library and Center. After a tumultuous year battling the COVID-19 pandemic and culminating in the historic election of President Joseph Robinet Biden, the selection of Chicago’s own Jackson Park to honor the nation’s first African-American president (Chicago’s own native son) keenly underscores the intractable connections of the south side community haven to Chicago’s own history and that of the nation. Just as Jackson Park served as the symbolic platform for the promotion of nineteenth century “American ideals” as host to the 1892 Columbian World’s Exposition, so too will it promote in the halls of the new presidential library the more inclusive multi-cultural ideals of twenty first century America most poignantly represented in the life and legacy of America’s 45th president.

Arts

Logan Center Gallery to Exhibit Images by Photographer K. Kofi Moyo

January 28, 2021January 31, 2021 Patrick Curran

The Logan Center Exhibitions at the University of Chicago will present K. Kofi Moyo and FESTAC ’77: The Activation of a Black Archive, in partnership with the Richard and Mary L. Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry.

General News

Audubon Volunteers Track How Local Birds are Responding to Climate Change

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 Patrick Curran

This winter, through February 15, Audubon volunteers across the Great Lakes region are tallying vulnerable bird species as part of Climate Watch, Audubon’s twice annual community science program that explores how North American birds are responding to climate change.

Arts Theater

New Philharmonic to Present “A Night of Broadway and Opera”

January 23, 2021January 23, 2021 Patrick Curran Kirk Muspratt, McAninch Arts Center, New Philharmonic

New Philharmonic, the professional orchestra in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), opens 2021 with “A Night of Broadway

Architecture Art

Wrightwood 659 Collaborator Jonathon David Katz Awarded Prestigious Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant

January 23, 2021January 23, 2021 Patrick Curran Andrew Mellon Foundation Grant, Jonathan Katz, Wriightwood 659

Wrightwood 659 recently congratulated its friend, curator, and collaborator, Jonathan David Katz on the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s announcement of a $5M award for the proposal Dispossessions in the Americas: The Extraction of Bodies, Land, and Heritage from La Conquista to the Present.

Ballet Dance

Joffrey Ballet to Present First Performance Since Start of the Pandemic

January 23, 2021January 23, 2021 Patrick Curran Ashley Wheater, Bolero, Joffrey Ballet

The Joffrey Ballet recently announced the world premiere of Boléro, its first performance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Named after the acclaimed orchestral piece by composer Maurice Ravel and choreographed by Joffrey Company Artist Yoshihisa Arai, the performance will be streamed in one free performance on February 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. on the Joffrey’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheJoffreyBallet.

Museums

Shedd Aquarium Plans to Safely Reopen to the Public on January 27

January 23, 2021January 23, 2021 Patrick Curran COVID-19, Shedd Aquarium

Following the announcement from Governor Pritzker on January 18 concerning Chicago’s shift to Tier 2 COVID-19 mitigation standards, Shedd Aquarium announced that it is prepared to safely reopen to its members on Wednesday, January 27. Members will enjoy three full days of exclusive access before the aquarium reopens to the general public on Saturday, January 30.