‘Shakespeare in the Parks’ event planned at Wilson Park
by BRIAN NADIG
The fifth annual "Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks" series and recent garage burglaries were discussed at the June 28 meeting of the Gladstone Park Neighborhood Association.
Free performances of William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night," a romantic comedy about a young girl who is separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck, will be performed at 19 locations in the city between July 14 and Aug. 14. The Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier Theater presents the performances.
"This is our largest community engagement programming we do every year," said the show’s audience development consultant Tony Vega. "It’s a 75-minute performance, and it’s family friendly."
The only Far Northwest Side performance will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Wilson Park, 4630 N. Milwaukee Ave. About 2,000 people attended performances last year at the park, Vega said.
Community organizations are allowed to raise funds by selling food at the performances if they make arrangements in advance, Vega said. More information can be obtained by contacting Vega at 312-667-4978 or avega@chicagoshakes.com.
It also was reported that the 16th (Jefferson Park) Police District has issued a community alert following a series of garage break-ins that have occurred since June 8, including an incident in Gladstone Park in the 6300 block of West Haft Street.
Additional burglaries have been reported in the 5500 block of West Pensacola Avenue, the 4300 block of North Marmora Avenue, the 5100 block of West Patterson Avenue, the 5400 block of West Giddings Street and the 3900 block of North Natchez Avenue.
Entry to the garages was gained through an unlocked door or by either kicking or prying open an overhead or side door, according to police said. Construction tools, bicycles, air compressors and a snow blower were among the items reported stolen.
The year-old association is collecting membership dues, which are $20 person. Anyone can join the association, but only members who live in the group’s membership area are allowed to vote in the election of board members and on other matters, association president Joe DiCiaula said.
Those interested in joining the group are asked to contact association treasurer Michelle Kerr at friendsofgladstonepark@yahoo.com.
Kerr said that dues also can be paid at the group’s monthly meetings, which usually are held at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of month at the Rosedale Park fieldhouse, 6312 W. Rosedale Ave. Updates on location of meetings are posted on the association’s Facebook page.
Also at the meeting, it was reported that plans have been made to open a day care center at 5612 N. Milwaukee Ave., in a vacant building that previously was occupied by the Siegel’s Discount Department Store.
DiCiaula said that association members helped clean up of Chopin Plaza traffic island at Milwaukee and Elston avenues before the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual Flag Day ceremony. He said that the association has asked a local Boy Scout troop to help maintain the traffic island, which features trees, bushes and benches.
It also was announced that the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual "Jeff Fest" arts and music festival Friday through Sunday, July 29 to 31, at Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long Ave. Music headliners include the 1980s tribute band Sixteen Candles and Journey Unauthorized.
The association also will have a booth at the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce’s "Throwback Music Fest" the weekend of Sept. 9 to 11 on Milwaukee Avenue between Elston Avenue and Peterson Avenue. Headliners include Sixteen Candles and the Buckinghams.
