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HIGHLAND PARK – Highland Park High School students, staff and community members are gearing up for the 25th Celebration of Focus on the Arts, the school’s renowned 3-day and 4-night festival of the arts. With more than 250 workshops, performances and lectures in all genres of art, Focus aims to increase the appreciation and understanding of the arts and arts professionals.
The 2015 event will kick off with Focus Night at the Movies, a tribute to the power of film that showcases the work of student filmmakers. Taking place on Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in the HPHS Auditorium, Movie Night features short films that have been conceived, directed and produced by HPHS students. Movie Night is free and open to the public.
Opening Night, a spectacular evening of Jazz featuring Chicago’s own Ramsey Lewis, and the HPHS Chamber Orchestra, Chorale and Jazz Ensemble, will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event and is currently sold out.
The next Focus event, Art Night, is free and open to the public. Showcasing an eclectic selection of professional artists, Art Night offers students and community members the opportunity to interact with artists, observe demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities geared toward all ages. Talented HPHS visual arts students will also present their work. Some exciting additions to this year’s Art Night include performance painting by Robin Ann Meyer, digital projection art by Michelle Graves, bodypainting by Allison Halver, and a demonstration of lathe work by the Chicago Woodturners. Art Night will be held on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
On Thursday, April 16 at 7 pm, Dance Night will showcase Chicago Repertory Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street 2 and Thodos Dance Chicago along with HPHS’s Collage dance troupe. Dance Night is a ticketed event, with a limited number of seats still available.
The lineup for student workshops is equally exciting. Workshops take place during the school days of April 15-17. Students will have the opportunity to attend and participate in drama, music and dance performances, interactive activities in the visual arts, creative writing and architecture, and discussions with media personalities and social justice activists.
The student finale, featuring Redmoon Theater, is another highlight of Focus. Prior to the performance, Redmoon will collaborate with HPHS students through artist in residency programs for percussionists, DJs and members of the technical theater crew. These efforts will culminate in a spectacular performance featuring the Drum Crane Tower, a 28 foot tall musical performance platform with a swinging arm that will be suspended high above the heads of audience members. The finale will be on Friday, April 17 at 2:20 p.m. The event is free of charge but space is limited.
“We are thrilled to present the 25th Celebration of Focus on the Arts,” says Focus Coordinator Jody Weinberg. “Our team of student, parent and staff volunteers has been working for many months to bring in many outstanding workshops and events. It is wonderful to see the excitement and enthusiasm created when artists, students and the community come together for Focus.”
– Submitted by Highland Park High School