Hello, Friends. RedMoon’s Festival J.O.E. has finally arrived at Belmont Harbor in all its street-art glory and we’re sure you won’t want to miss it.  Yesterday, Mowalla had the pleasure of attending the pre-opening press conference with none other than Major Richard Daley. The Mayor’s visit proved to be an excited one with exploding confetti canons, guest speakers and an impromptu skeletal orchestra serenade. And, while we were certainly impressed with all the ephemera, it was the Mayor’s go-with-the-flow attitude and speech about the importance of artists in Chicago that really touched us.

Daley preached the importance of  art programs city schools, and about the importance of community based art programs in public spaces. His attendance solidified Chicago’s continued support of artistic programs that are free to it’s citizens. Cheers to that! Ticket information for Festival J.O.E. can be found in our previous blog. Pictures of the opening ceremony and some of the amazing performance artists are below.

There are a lot of amazing performances to check out at the festival this weekend including: the world premiere of Last of My Species II: The Perilous Songs of Bibi Merhdad; young indie rockers, Purple Apple; and AmoCoco from the UK’s Architects of Air- which might be the coolest and largest bouncy-castle we’ve ever seen. The festival boasts fun for the entire family and slushies!, so bring out the brood and have a great time in honor of Labor Day. 

Love,

Mowalla Chicago