Looptopia, the first-ever all-night celebration of its kind in the country, will offer something for everyone on May 11-12. Beginning at 5 p.m. on May 11, Chicago's Loop will feature programming that includes music; dance; theatre; comedy; interactive games and performances; film; and visual art.
In the area of music alone, India All Night ( Chicago Cultural Center, 11 p.m.-4 a.m. ) , Funkadesi ( Daley Plaza, 5-5:40 p.m. ) , Opera Idol ( Chase Tower Auditorium, 11:15 p.m.-1:15 a.m. ) and the Windy City String Ensemble ( First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple, 8:30-9 p.m. ) are just a few of almost 30 acts that will be featured.
Visual art entries will include a collaborative mural at Harold Washington College that attendees can add their own touch to ( 5 p.m.-5 a.m. ) , and the Cezanne to Picasso exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago ( 5 p.m.-12 a.m. ) . It will be the last night for the latter display.
Theater aficionados will also be able to choose from a plethora of activities, including a performance by the improv troupe Chemically Imbalanced ( Chase Tower Auditorium, 9-9:45 p.m. ) ; live music and spoken word at Uptown Poetry ( The Plaza Chase Tower, 8-8:40 p.m. ) and the debut of Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays ( Goodman Theater, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. ) .
Among other stand-out activities are a DePaul stage combat demonstration ( One South Dearborn, 5:45-6:15 p.m. ) ; Midnight Yoga ( Chicago Cultural Center, 11 p.m.-12 a.m. ) ; The Sci-Fi B-Movie Marathon ( Chicago Cultural Center, 2-6 a.m. ) ; and, of course, Club Looptopia, complete with everything from belly-dancer performances to a Ping Pong Pod ( the 7th floor of Macy's, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. ) .
However, one of the highlights of Looptopia will be the 'Miss Looptopia Launch Party and Beauty Pageant,' an official kick-off event taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N. Michigan, 6-8 p.m.
'Miss Looptopia is a cocktail party with an improvised, interactive beauty pageant theme,' said Kevin Boyer of Third Coast Marketing, producer of the event. 'Imagine Second City Improv meets Tony & Tina's Wedding meets a drag Miss America and you'll have a good idea of the mayhem that is sure to ensue.'
Attendees will mingle with the likes of Miss South Loop and Miss Lower Wacker Drive while comedian Jessica Halem and writer/performer Frank DeCaro will serve as pageant officials.
Of course, after everything, people can take part in a sunrise celebration that will feature a breakfast, exercise classes and music.
For more info, see www.looptopia.com .
