Carpe Weekend: Music, artwork, a touch of green
By Jason Freeman jfreeman@southtownstar.com May 23, 2012 4:00PM
Unlimited carnival rides are among the many attractions that will be at Irish Fest 2012, which takes place from May 25-28 at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. | File photo
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Updated: June 29, 2012 9:07AM
Ways to wake up your weekend include “Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music” in Oak Forest, the grand opening of Garden Gallery and Studio in Tinley Park, an Oldies Rock ’n’ Roll concert in Mokena and Irish Fest 2012 at Chicago Gaelic Park.
MAY 24
Roots of American music
Acorn Public Library, 15624 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest, will host “Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music” from 7 to 9 p.m. May 24.
Ray Kamalay, a professional musician and lecturer, will discuss the history of slavery, how it changed in the United States, and how American music changed with it.
Kamalay will discuss topics such as the Vatican’s role in the slave trade, racial slavery and the Haitian Revolution while intermittently playing period music.
Registration is required.
Information: (708) 687-3700, acornlibrary.org.
MAY 25
For art’s sake
Garden Gallery and Studio, 17459 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, will host its grand opening from 5 to 9 p.m. May 25.
The gallery features the works of little-known outsider artists as well as works by established community artists.
The grand opening will feature refreshments, live music, a chance to meet local artists and a gallery of artistic works on display.
Income from artwork sold at the gallery benefits both the artists and Garden Center Services, a nonprofit agency that supports persons with developmental disabilities.
Information: (708) 560-4400.
MAY 26
‘Rock ’n’ roll ain’t noise pollution’
Musicians Dave Molinari, Keith Kenston and Glen Ellison will perform music classics during the Oldies Rock ’n’ Roll concert from 1 to 2 p.m. May 26 at Mokena Community Public Library, 11327 W. 195th St.
The program will feature rock standards as well as a discussion on how rock ’n’ roll went beyond a musical style and influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes and language.
The program is free, and registration isn’t required.
Information: (708) 479-9663, mokena.lib.il.us.
MAY 27
I-rish you a merry fest, miss
Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, will host day three of it its four-day annual Irish Fest from 2 to 11 p.m. May 27.
The event will include live music, games of Gaelic football and hurling, dancing performances, theater and storytelling performances, a petting zoo, Irish dogs and ponies, a tearoom, magicians, puppets, jugglers, clowns and unlimited carnival rides.
Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for ages 65 and older and ages 4 to 12, and free for ages 3 and younger.
Information: (708) 687-9323, chicagogaelicpark.org.
