State Street Turns Into a Free Two-Stage Arts Festival Saturday

Chicago Loop Alliance closes State Street to traffic between Madison Street and Jackson Boulevard on Saturday, October 17, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for the first Loop Arts Fest. The main stage opens with Broadway in Chicago performing from Jekyll & Hyde, then turns to student musicians from Harold Washington College, Roosevelt University and DePaul University. Salsa and cumbia from Carpacho y Su Super Combo lead up to 5:00 PM, when soul singer Simone Green takes the main stage as the festival headliner.

The second stage leans toward movement. Twenty Joffrey Ballet students open it at 12:00 PM with contemporary pieces, followed by Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Bharatanatyam from Kalapriya and the Hiplet NEXT program from Chicago Multicultural Dance Center. At 2:00 PM, Second City Outlaws teach the crowd a few easy line dances, and at 4:00 PM Ballet Chicago pairs Nutcracker excerpts with a mini ballet lesson that audiences can join. Appalachian clogging from Cloggin' Craze and a World Fashion runway fill the final stretch.

Admission costs nothing, and organizers ask visitors to RSVP in advance. The main entry point sits at State and Madison, and the closed blocks run south to Jackson, a short walk from the Art Institute of Chicago, which adds Spanish and English gallery tours plus hands-on family art activities during the day. The street rules stay relaxed, with leashed dogs, strollers, bicycles, lawn chairs and blankets all welcome, along with outside food and non-alcoholic drinks. Outside alcohol, weapons and vehicles are not allowed.