Project Tap Root (2014)

Green Scene Chicago’s PROJECT TAPROOT is a dynamic cross-pollination of organic gardening and multidisciplinary arts explorations. This free family-friendly series is offered on six consecutive Saturdays during Chicago’s summer growing season in the Uptown neighborhood where the poverty rate is 25%. Each 3-hour session takes place outdoors at Winthrop Harmony Arts Garden and starts with a basic horticultural lesson followed by entertainment from one of Uptown’s youth-based performance groups. The companies scheduled to perform include: Green Scene’s Summer Stock teens presenting theater, Chicago Symphonic Winds brass ensemble, Kings of Da Culture rap, Uptown Upcycle arts workshop, Momentum Sensorium modern dance, Alternative’s Youth spoken word, T J Gypsy Swing, Joel Hall Dancers youth company, and Mazehual native drumming and dance. My intent is present the garden lesson each Saturday and to curate the series by “tapping the roots” of the vibrant Uptown neighborhood and the young artists and directors that contribute to its unique verve and arts culture. Those invited to attend the series include neighborhood families, friends and families of the young performers, and the constituents of the eight community-based organizations that garden and tend beds at the Winthrop Harmony Arts Garden. Those CBOs are: Green Scene Chicago, McCutcheon Elementary School, Mid-America Senior Care Center, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Uplift Community High School, Uptown Ministries, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Vietnamese Association, and the 48th Ward Offices.

Additional Websites: https://vimeo.com/114483198