Chicago Cultural Mile to host Endless Summer Stroll

CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, September 21^st the Chicago Cultural Mile Association will mark the last day of summer by hosting its inaugural Endless Summer Stroll on the Chicago Cultural Mile.  The event will feature musicians and family activities throughout the day at the base of the Plant Green Ideas Sculptural Head art installations that dot south Michigan Avenue.  A highlight of the day will be the Endless Summer Karaoke Contest in Grant Park.  The Chicago Cultural Mile is Michigan Avenue from the river south to Roosevelt Road and extends east to the lake.  

"We are excited to bring a mixture of fun and culture to the Chicago Cultural Mile," according to J.R. Davis, Chairman and President of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association.  "It is our hope that the Endless Summer Stroll becomes an annual event where residents and visitors alike can say farewell to summer in Chicago with style," he added.  

"Visitors to the Endless Summer Stroll can immerse themselves in Chicago's musical melting pot with a variety of performers including jazz and blues musicians; an operatic duo and classical string musicians; classic rock performers; a wind ensemble; as well as a Middle Eastern music ensemble, Caribbean steel drums, and other ethnic musicians," said Sharene Shariatzadeh, Executive Director of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association.  "We are particularly excited about performances by the classic rock trio Acoustic Road Trip, the latin group Grupo Cha Cha, bluegrass performers Sugarcreek Road, Gaudete Brass classical brass quintet, and the folk group The Howl," she said.

Additionally, face painters, caricature and balloon artists, magicians and jugglers will be on hand to entertain children of all ages and contribute to the festive atmosphere.  "All this entertainment can be found at the base of the fifteen Plant Green Ideas Sculptural Head installations found on the Chicago Cultural Mile," according to Pamella Capitanini, co-founder, Plant Green Ideas and marketing manager of the Italian Village Restaurants.

The Endless Summer Stroll will also feature a karaoke contest to be held at the foot of the Logan Statue in Grant Park at Michigan Ave. & 9^th Street.  Participants will perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges with winners being announced every hour from 3:00pm until 7:00pm.   "We are extremely fortunate to have a who's who of Chicago's cultural, media, business and social scene serving as our guest judges.  We encourage singers of all ages to join us and compete for prizes that include gift certificates from The Italian Village, Abt Electronics and other Chicago businesses. Visitors are encouraged to picnic on the lawn as well as sample a variety of teas, courtesy of Argo Tea," Capitanini concluded. 

Sponsors of the Chicago Cultural Mile Endless Summer Stroll include: Argo Tea, Pamella and Alfredo Capitanini, The Italian Village Restaurants, Mars Candy Corporation, Plant Green Ideas and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

For more information on the Chicago Cultural Mile Association and the Chicago Cultural Mile Endless Summer Stroll, visit chicagoculturalmile.org.

Contact:
John Pastuovic
312-925-9092 (cell)

SOURCE Chicago Cultural Mile Association