By: Ashmar Mandou

Artists spanning across Chicago neighborhoods will converge downtown for the 10th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween parade, which will be the biggest parade, yet. This family-friendly Halloween celebration will feature spectacular floats, puppets, dancers, and musicians this Saturday, Oct. 19th on State Street. The dazzling production, once included in USA Today’s 10th best Halloween parades in the U.S., not only aims to entertain the large crowds, but also aims to inspire the political and cultural conversation. Arts in the Dark, presented by LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) will celebrate its tenth anniversary bigger and better than ever by honoring “10 Creative Spirits;” -ten esteemed individuals of Chicago’s arts and culture who will be introduced and honored at this year’s parade. Arts in the Dark Co-Founder and Artistic Director Mark Kelly spoke with Lawndale Bilingual Newspaper about the big anniversary and what spectators can expect.

Lawndale Bilingual News: This weekend marks the 10th annual return of Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade which draws thousands of spectators from all over.  Since its conception to now in its 10th year, what have been the moments that resonated with you the most?
Mark Kelly: Our parade groups become more creative and compelling each year. The artistry and energy they bring to the street is amazing.

Lawndale Bilingual News: How would you describe Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade to those who have yet to see it?
Mark Kelly: Expect a wild mix of masks and costumes, spectacle and puppets, fire and circus arts, and exhilarating theater, music, and dance. There are no waving politicians and formulaic floats in our parade, but rather the inspired creativity of arts groups coming from virtually every neighborhood of our city.

Lawndale Bilingual News: This year, the theme is “10 Creative Spirits.”  How did Luma8 decide on this year’s theme?
Mark Kelly: We are thrilled to be honoring ten “Creative Spirits.” They are some of Chicago’s greatest artists and help make Chicago a world-class cultural capital. These creative individuals make the arts shine in our great city. They are:

Dee Alexander – jazz singer extraordinaire; Bril Barrett – tap dancer, Founder, and Artistic Director of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, NEA Heritage Fellow; Sandra Delgado – actor, singer, playwright, arts advocate; Hallie Gordon – an acclaimed advocate for youth theater, former Artistic Producer, and Artistic Director of Steppenwolf youth theater; Gloria Groom – renowned Art Institute curator, recipient of the French Legion of Honor; J. Ivy – three-time GRAMMY Award winner, spoken word artist, musician, producer, arts advocate; Margaret Murphy Webb – jazz vocalist, educator, producer, arts advocate, Founder and Executive Director of the South Side Jazz Coalition, Co-Chair of the Year of Chicago Music initiative; Tyrone Phillips – actor, director, Founder and Artistic Director of Definition Theatre; Tim Samuelson – Chicago’s beloved cultural historian; and Sentrock – an esteemed and prolific Chicago street artist

Lawndale Bilingual News: More than just a parade, Arts in the Dark often features political and cultural messages.  How do you hope this year’s theme moves the conversation around politics and culture forward?
Mark Kelly: We remind our audience that creativity resides in every neighborhood of our city. We move beyond a narrow conception of the arts, often viewed through the prism of large cultural organizations to a view that is more expansive, democratic, and inclusive. Our neighborhoods are brimming with creative vitality and cultural life.

Lawndale Bilingual News: Is there a particular organization you look forward to seeing this weekend?
Mark Kelly: That is one tough question. We have so many outstanding parade groups. With so many wonderful hip-hop dance troupes, a stunning array of Ballet Folklorico groups, so many contingents bringing their spectacle elements, music across the spectrum, and so much creativity coming to the street – how could I possibly pick one group? Our parade, with its 90 organizations and 4,000 performers, creates a huge display of cultural brilliance.
LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts) is an independent not-for-profit that strives to elevate Chicago as a focal point of artistic innovation to enrich the lives of its citizens and create economic impact. For more information visit www.artsinthedark.org , LUMA8.org.

Photo Credit: Silverman Group Chicago