As restrictions are lifted, the arts and culture sector in Illinois recognizes that continuing to get audiences and communities vaccinated is important for safely returning to in-person arts activities. Artists in 24 regions across Illinois are creating more than 72 pro-vaccination projects this Summer because vaccines are widely available.
Aurora has come together to be host to a festival for the project entitled, Back the Vax.
“Saturday, July 31, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., we’re drawing our community together with local music, art, and culture,” said Jenn Evans, director of public art. “A mobile vaccine clinic will be on-site and, because art makes life more colorful, we’ll have a confetti cannon to shoot off whenever someone gets a shot.”
Entertainment promoter Jalen “Too Tall” Woodson of WeVibe2VIbe is excited to bring hip-hop, soul, gospel, and rap musicians to a wider audience within Aurora. George “Chicano” Gutierrez of Chicano’s Times is similarly looking forward to promoting Aurora’s Latino culture with DJs, Spanish rap, traditional Mexican music, and a low-rider show.
Javi Terrazas, longtime ArtBar curator, will be producing a collection of community art in a free publication available at the festival entitled, Vax-Zine. In addition to the stage entertainment in Water Street Square, the festival will include artist booths, live painting, food trucks, health information, and a mobile vaccine clinic. Water Street Square is across from City Hall, on Water Street between Downer Place and Benton Street. Parking will be available in the lot across Benton Street.
Getting vaccinated this Summer is especially important to the creative sector. Even as the State entered into Phase 5 June 11, lifting restrictions on restaurants and businesses, many cultural centers and venues remain closed and are still dealing with capacity-limits and project decreased revenue due to continued social-distancing requirements.
These projects are made possible by a collaboration between Arts Alliance Illinois and City of Aurora Public Art.
Participating regions include: Aurora, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, DuPage County, East St. Louis, Elgin, Evanston, Galena, Galesburg, Joliet, Lake County, Mattoon, McHenry County, Oak Park, Peoria, Quad Cities, Quincy, Rockford, South East Suburban Chicago (Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing), South Suburban Chicago, and Springfield.
—Aurora Public Art