Three Tinley Park bands heading to state
The band from Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park is making a repeat visit to the Illinois Super State Concert Band Festival on May 5 and 6 at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
It will be joined there by bands from Tinley Park High School and Central Middle School.
This prestigious event is challenging and extremely selective — in Andrew High School’s Class 2A, only eight bands are chosen statewide.
Bands audition in February by sending in recordings and are notified if they were accepted at the end of March. Andrew had performed at the Illinois Music Education Conference earlier this year and used those concert recordings as its submission for Super State.
It’s Andrew’s fifth time attending Super State since the band’s first appearance in 2015.
“I think students know how to work hard and are humble about their process,” said band director Mark Iwinski. “We treat these opportunities as something that is a privilege and an honor.”
Shepard student to sing anthem
In the history of the choir program at Shepard High
School in Palos Heights, no year has brought more honors than 2022-23.
Late last year choral director Roland Hatcher and his students won selection to perform at a holiday concert of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra And the show choir, NOVA, won more awards, including several championships, during its competitive season.
But if you ask Hatcher, who owns Chicago White Sox season tickets, to name the most enjoyable moments he might pick one from last week. A few months ago he submitted a video of his choir students performing the national anthem to White Sox officials. Someone liked it enough to invite the Astros to perform.
Shoe drive helps charity
The junior physical education leadership class taught by Ree McDonald at Evergreen Park Community High School is teaming up with the nonprofit Christmas Without Cancer to collect gently used and new sneakers.
EPCHS is a drop-off location for the drive until May 6. Sneakers of any brand can be left at the main entrance during school hours. Donations will also be accepted during the home baseball and softball games against Tinley Park High School on May 4.
The shoes will be donated to GotSneakers, a recycling program that raises money for each pair of used shoes, with the goal of keeping sneakers and gym shoes out of landfills and distributing usable shoes to people in need.
Every pair donated as part of the drive will raise money for Christmas Without Cancer, which helps families dealing with cancer by providing gifts and basic necessities.
Learn to attract butterflies
Midlothian Public Library, 14701 Kenton Ave., will present a program on Attracting Butterflies on May 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
A representative of the Forest Preserves of Cook County will teach participants how to turn their gardens into butterfly havens, including what butterflies need to survive, which plants to use and other tips. The program is free, but registration is requested at midlothianlibrary.org or 708-535-2027.
Mai Fest set in Blue Island
The Blue Island Arts Alliance will present the Mai Fest 2023 Arts and Crafts Fair on May 13 from noon-5 p.m. at Blue Island Beer Company, 13357 Old Western Avenue, along Old Western Avenue to Canal Street.
Joe Leamanczyk, head of the Blue Island Arts Alliance, said, Mai Fest is the group’s signature annual event.
“This event showcases works by talented artists and handcrafters,and brings awareness to Blue Island and the great places the city has to offer,” said Leamanczyk.
A planned 100 vendors will set up along the route in storefronts, eateries and on the street. The items offered for sale are all handcrafted, the criteria for being in the show. Goods will include jewelry, fashions, fabric creations, artwork, “monster-themed” items, candles, soaps, skin care products and toys. Food items will include hot sauces, pickles, coffee, chocolates and sweets, and cookies for people — and their dogs.
The BIAA works with the Streetz Artz Alliance, a network of over 300 artists and craftspeople who participate in shows throughout the Chicago area.
Restaurants and pubs along the route will participate in the event.
The event is free, but a donation of $5 is welcome to support the BIAA.
As to weather concerns, severe weather that jeopardizes public safety could cause an alteration to Mai Fest plans, organizers said.