Sure, you’ve seen some ho-hum signs on the “L” touting this Looptopia thing. But what is it? And what’s all the fuss about? Well, start thinking big — really big.
Looptopia is America’s first “white night”-style bash, modeled after all-night spectacles in Paris (Nuit Blanche), Rome (La Notte Bianca), Madrid (La Noche en Blanco) and other cultural capitals around the world. The party kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday and rages past dawn with more than 125 performances at 35 Loop venues. Looptopia’s producers, the Chicago Loop Alliance, expect more than 100,000 people to attend the juiced-up block bash; nearly all events, exhibits and performances are free.
So where to start? What to do? Before you pound the pavement in search of a cultural awakening, take stock of our top party picks, ranging from dance to drag to yoga to that tried-and-true Chicago favorite, UFOs.
Up all night
A sampling of events and exhibits running throughout the night>>Grab a brush and get to work on a collaborative mural at Harold Washington College, open from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Supplies provided. 30 E. Lake St.
– Swing by the Art Institute of Chicago’s North Garden for a peek at a special Garden of Eden-inspired installation. Score snacks from Whole Foods while there. 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. 111 S. Michigan Ave.
– Dance till dawn with TangoChicago. Classes and demos from 6:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. 408 S. Michigan Ave.
– Catch one of MFchicago’s video installations around the Loop, including Kim Alpert’s work “Commute” (1 S. Dearborn St.) and a group work at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.).
5 p.m. Beat it
Local dance group Brickheadz kicks the night into high gear with an explosive, 30-minute, don’t-try-this-at-home set featuring break dancing, acrobatics and a DJ. 1. S. Dearborn St.
5 p.m. Break a sweat
Don’t miss the six-hour dance party (5-11 p.m.) that performance collective MFchicago is throwing at the Sullivan Dock (formerly the Carson Pirie Scott store). DJ Paul Johnson headlines with VJs Big Mini and 3PhaZe. Also, see audio-video act Brobot, techno act Monologic, DJ Adonis with VJ Video Janitor, Shudder Inc, hip-hop duo Jagoff, 0+1=everything and more. State and Madison Streets.
5 p.m. Take a peek
Been waiting for a chance to recreate Ben Stiller’s role in “Night at the Museum”? Here it is: The Art Institute of Chicago is open until midnight to showcase the final night of the “Cezanne to Picasso” exhibit. General museum admission is free; $18 for “Cezanne” exhibit. 111 S. Michigan Ave.
6 p.m. Drink up
Sip Looptinis from a cash bar and fawn over local drag queens — including Miss Millennium Park, Miss Block 37, Miss Lower Wacker Drive and (our favorite) Miss Underground Pedway — vying for the title of Miss Looptopia. Includes a drawing for Gwen Stefani and Stevie Nicks concert tickets, plus a Looptopia “survival pack” with an event map and schedule, CDs, a specialty drink coupon and more. Crowning ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N. Michigan Ave.
6:45 p.m. Crack up
Looking to hook up with a cute artsy type? Don’t miss Monika Ekks’ 30-minute comedy, “Who Gets the Privilege of Disappointing Me Next?” The show blends poetry, stand-up and romantic ponderings on the subject of finding love. The Plaza at Chase Tower, Dearborn and Monroe Streets.
8 p.m. Moon ’em
You’ve made a spectacle of yourself on a Friday night before, but this week you can leave it to the pros. See signature mechanicals from Redmoon Theater, including the “rat wheel,” elaborate costumes and more, till 11 p.m. 1. S. Dearborn St.
8 p.m. Rock out
Bobby Conn leads the pack of indie rockers playing sets at Daley Plaza. The Ponys (8:45 p.m.) and the self-proclaimed “astounding circus punk marching band” Mucca Pazza (9:45 p.m.) keep things rocking till 10:15 p.m. 50 W. Washington St.
9 p.m. Get in tune
Turkish clarinet player Selim Sesler makes his Chicago debut with his orchestra for a performance of traditional Turkish wedding songs. Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
10 p.m. Cut it short
Goodman Theatre stages 11 shorts from acclaimed playwright Suzan-Lori Park’s “365 Days/365 Plays” series. The twist? They’re performed in not-so-typical places inside Theater District mainstay the Goodman Theatre, including the main lobby, grand staircase and second-floor lounge Club Mezz. Cash bar. 170 N. Dearborn St.
10 p.m. Kick back
Latin American ensemble Los Guitarristas kick off four hours of music in a makeshift jazz lounge inside the swanky Chicago Theatre lobby. The DePaul Jazz Trio (11 p.m.), Transport (midnight) and Rachel Charson Quintet (1 a.m.) also perform. Cash bar. 175 N. State St.
11 p.m. Stretch it out
Hey, night owl, time to give your wings a stretch: Bloom Yoga Studio leads a late-night session with live music. Millennium Room, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
1:15 a.m. Lap it up
Canada-based electronic artist Shaw-Han Liem, a.k.a. I Am Robot and Proud, delivers a melodic set using laptops and other electronic musicmakers. Check out his sound: myspace.com/iamrobotandproud. Claudia Cassidy Theater, 78 E. Washington St.
2 a.m. Space out
UFOs have landed, and the Loop is under attack. Red Bull overdose? Never. It’s the Insomniacs Attack the Loop! film program. Take in screenings of “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers” (2 a.m.), “It Came from Outer Space” (3:30 a.m.) and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (4:50 a.m.). Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
3 a.m. Chill out
Rest your eyes and ears with classical Indian music by Nishat Khan, Nitin Mitta and Emmanuel Masongsong, playing sitar, tabla and tampura. Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
4:30 a.m. Flash it
Grab a flashlight and take an early-morning tour of the Cultural Center’s hidden corners with Chicago’s cultural historian Tim Samuelson. Randolph Street lobby, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
5 a.m. Rise and shine
A sunrise celebration at Millennium Park Promenade brings Looptopia to a close. Highlights: the Rhythmunity Drum Trio (5 a.m.), yoga (5:30 a.m.), breakfast (5:30 a.m.) and a performance by the First United Methodist Choir (6:30 a.m.). For especially perky types: Equinox leads an hourlong cardio session (7 a.m.). Psst … we’ll be en route to the nearest 7 a.m. bar (Old Timer’s Restaurant and Lounge, 75 E. Lake St. 312-332-3561).
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
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Get in the Loop
Party coordinates: Wacker Drive to Congress Parkway and Dearborn Street to Lake Michigan, roughly
Transportation: Shuttles run between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. (see map for pickup points and routes)
Maps and programs: Available at seven info booths throughout the Loop (or follow the guide on the right); also, look for volunteers stocked with maps and programs walking around the perimeter of the entire event
Don’t bring: Alcoholic drinks, bicycles, chairs, coolers, sleeping bags, tables and other picnic gear, and dogs (sorry, Fido!)
Rain plan: Hey, a little rain never hurt anyone … the show goes on!
More info: looptopia.com
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