In light of the City of Chicago's recent announcement to issue no special events permits through Labor Day 2020, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) has officially canceled the postponement of Midsommarfest previously rescheduled for the weekend of Aug. 21-23.
Instead, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is taking the Midsommarfest experience online for a virtual event and fundraiser Friday, June 12, to celebrate the weekend in which the 55th annual outdoor Midsommarfest.
"Andersonville at Home: A Midsommarfest Experience & Fundraiser" will stream on ACC's Facebook page live with a pre-show at 6 p.m. and the main event beginning at 7 p.m.
Event organizers hope to engage the community in a fun night of Midsommarfest-themed entertainment while raising funds to support ACC and the operations necessary to continue to service the business community in the months to come.
The main Andersonville at Home program will welcome host Molly Callinan of the local band Catfight and will feature performances from bands who frequent Midsommarfest each year. Along with Catfight, performers who have signed on so far include Dancing Queen: An #ABBASalute, Tears Dry on Their Own, Lynne Jordan, The Oh Yeahs, Laura Doherty, Molehill and Mel Senese.
Andersonville businesses will also take part with a performance by Gus Giordano Dance School; trivia by Stewpendous Productions; and video tributes from Rattleback Records, Women and Children First, Swedish American Museum, Be Yoga Andersonville and more.
Guests can RSVP in advance to Andersonville at Home: A Midsommarfest Experience via the ACC Facebook event. Donations for the event will be collected through Venmo to the ACC at username @AvilleChamber. While donations are non-tax deductible, all donors will be supplied with a written receipt.
More information about programming and business collaborations will be announced in the coming weeks at Andersonville.org/midsommarfest .
