The free-admission festival presented by Allstate Insurance Company includes performances by hip hop star Tink, OSTON, The Era, Mariachi Herencia de México, CircEsteem, Chicago Public Library YOUmedia and many more
Chicago, IL, 2019-Aug-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is thrilled to announce the lineup for the daylong YAS! Fest presented by Allstate Insurance Company on Saturday, September 21, from 11am to 6pm. Free and open to the public, YAS! Fest – the second annual Youth Arts Showcase – is Chicago’s largest celebration of young artists and youth arts organizations, featuring creative work of musicians, actors, dancers, artists and more throughout Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph Street). Teens and families will explore youth arts programs from across the city and enjoy a showcase of hundreds of outstanding young Chicago artists.
The headliners for the event include hip hop star Tink. Tink released Winter Diary, a mixtape dealing with the highs and lows of high school life and relationships, while still a teen in Chicago. Following critical acclaim, her star is on the rise with a new label and new album Voicemails released this year with the lead single “Bad Side.” Opening for Tink will be artist and songwriter OSTON (Austin Wolfe), who recently released her debut EP Sitting at the Kids Table working with heavyweight songwriter and producer Dino Zisis of Lady Gaga fame. Chicago rapper Lizzie G will emcee, and Jamal Smallz will spin music throughout the day beginning at 2pm. Following festival headliner Tink, the Full Moon Jam will perform at Cloud Gate Plaza as part of the Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residency.
“YAS! Fest provides an incredible opportunity to support the creativity and growth of Chicago’s young artists,” said Commissioner Mark Kelly. “This festival celebrates the talent of thousands of young people and the community of mentors who inspire them.”
Highlights of the day’s programs include the Chicago Park District’s T.I.P. (Teens In The Park) Fest featuring audition winners from across Chicago and a live broadcast with WFMT’s Introductions featuring Latin Grammy Award-nominated ensemble Mariachi Herencia de México and Merit School of Music. In honor of the Year of Chicago Theatre, CircEsteem youth circus performers will pop up at the Great Lawn and youth theatre ensembles will be featured in the YAS! Lounge. Additionally, the day’s schedule includes creative activities across performing, visual, literary and media arts – from youth DJ workshops to radio podcasting to photography to interactive artmaking with Chicago’s many youth and arts agencies. The finale will also include recognition for the 2019 Rising Star Honor Roll, the city’s annual program to recognize teens in the arts.
“When young people believe in themselves and are encouraged to bring their ideas forward, we know they’ll create the kind of society that uplifts us all,” said Kate Nack, Director, Corporate Relations, Allstate Insurance Company. “That’s why Allstate is focused on empowering our next generation of leaders by investing in programs like the arts that help young people build critical social and emotional skills. We care about the future of Chicago and our youth, and are proud to recognize them as problem solvers, change agents and artists.”
Programmed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, YAS! Fest is presented by Allstate Insurance Company with support from the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Sun-Times. For the full lineup and most up-to-date festival schedule, visit millenniumpark.org and follow on Facebook (MillenniumParkChicago), Twitter and Instagram (@Millennium_Park) and Snapchat (#YASfest).
YAS! Fest Schedule
(schedule subject to change)
Chase Promenade South – Live Music and DJs 11am–6pm
Featuring Lizzie G as emcee and Jamal Smallz spinning from 2–6pm
- 11:30am–2pm – Chicago Park District T.I.P. (Teens In The Park) Fest Performances with Art of Culture and sounds by DJ Bman
- 2:30pm – Blues Kids Foundation
- 3pm – BandWith Chicago
- 3:30pm – Guitars Over Guns Organization
- 4pm – Little Kids Rock
- 4:30pm – Finale Opening Program
- 5pm – OSTON
- 5:30pm – Tink
Chase Promenade North – YAS! Lounge 11am–4pm
- 11am – WeJam DJ Academy
- 11:30am – Chicago Youth Shakespeare
- Noon – Chicago Poetry Center
- 12:30pm – WeJam DJ Academy
- 1pm – After School Matters
- 1:30pm – The Second City Teen Ensemble
- 2pm – WeJam DJ Academy
- 2:30pm – Young Chicago Authors
- 3pm – Chicago Public Library YOUmedia Mixtape
- 3:30pm – WeJam DJ Academy
Cloud Gate Plaza–Dance Performances and Activations 11am–4pm
- 11:30am – Dancing with Class
- Noon – M.A.D.D. Rhythms
- 12:30pm – Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Youth Company
- 1pm – Chicago Public Schools Curie Metropolitan High School Dance
- 1:30pm – Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center
- 2:30pm – The Happiness Club
- 3pm – Dance Down featuring The Era Footwork Crew and Open the Circle
Cloud Gate Plaza–Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residency: Full Moon Jam
- 6pm – Full Moon Jam Community Workshop
- 7–9pm – Full Moon Jam Performance
The Great Lawn–Public Art Garden 11am–4pm
- 11am–4pm – Public Art Garden featuring inflatable versions of Alexander Calder’s Flamingo and Jean Dubuffet’s Monument with Standing Beast
- 2pm – Performance by CircEsteem
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- 11am–Noon – WFMT Introductions live broadcast with Mariachi Herencia de México and Merit School of Music
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. For more information, visit chicago.gov/dcase and follow on Facebook (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) and Twitter and Instagram (@ChicagoDCASE).
Contact:
Mary May
mary.may@cityofchicago.org
312.744.0576
Christine Carrino
christine.carrino@cityofchicago.org
312.744.0573
Source: City of Chicago