Arts & Entertainment News
Hard work is underway at McKinley Park as Chicago Park District staff and the volunteers of the McKinley Park Advisory Council both prep for a new season of events and attend to many formerly neglected areas of the park's operations and facilities. The council meeting on Monday, May 13, brought out council officers, neighbors and new McKinley Park Supervisor Briana Soria for an update on projects and planning for the summer season.
The McKinley Park Farmers Market is officially on, with the minimum number of vendors signed up for the season, said prospective market manager Stef Funk. The first Farmers Market is set for Sunday, June 2, at the William McKinley memorial in the northwest corner of the park. It will run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through September 2019.
Read more: Park Improvements, Farmers Market Plans Unveiled at Council Meeting
Kristoffer's Cakes, the new sweets shop at 1735 W. 35th St., continues to wow foodies across the Chicago area with signature tres leches cakes and other treats. The latest media luminary to make the pilgrimage is Steve Dolinsky, also known as the "Hungry Hound" for ABC7 WLS-TV, who recently featured Kristoffer's in a writeup and broadcast video report.
Dolinsky focused on Kristoffer's signature chocoflan cake and also highlighted the history of the business. In addition to the leading video segment and live report, an "extra course" video delves deeper into Kristoffer's array of baked goods.
The McKinley Park Advisory Council announced a range of ways local residents can get involved in leading and supporting McKinley Park at the council meeting on Monday, January 14. Elections for council officers will take place at the McKinley Park Advisory Council meeting on Monday, March 11, and candidates are welcome to run for the council offices of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, said current council President Veronica O'Malley.
Another significant avenue for park engagement and leadership comes through the McKinley Park Community Steward volunteer opportunity, a formal Chicago Park District position that offers free training in park and species management, plus a leadership role in the new designated natural area on the east end of McKinley Park. "This would be very exciting for someone interested in ecology," said longtime council member Dayna Calderon.
Read more: McKinley Park Advisory Council Preps 2019 Programs, Officer Elections
Beni Cwiakala, an honor roll student at Namaste Charter School and the winner of the sixth season of the MasterChef Junior televised cooking contest, received a special surprise from Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah at a school assembly on Tuesday, June 26. To honor Cwiakala's achievement, Mah presented her with HR 1159, an Illinois House resolution that details Cwiakala's accomplishments and provides congratulations and well-wishes for future endeavors.
Cwiakala has said she plans to use the $100,000 she won in the contest to fund organizations focusing on child nutrition and to set up a food truck that will show kids how to cook healthy food. As previously reported here, she has been a cooking fan all her life and plans to continue to be engaged with the culinary arts.
Cwiakala was a fifth grader at Namaste at the time of the competition, and has continued to attend the school while residing with her family in the nearby Pilsen neighborhood.
Read more: State of Illinois Resolution Lauds Masterchef Junior Winner Beni Cwiakala
McKinley Park's Make Music Chicago festival, set to kick off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, will bring dozens of local musicians together to perform and share their talents with the neighborhood. Performances range from intimate, personal musical experiences — like one-on-one piano introductions from Kirsten Daulton or the harmonica workshop with David Kachalon — to live blues, a stunning horn concerto and a house music dance shakedown with DJ Purple (also known as The Duke of House).
Festival organizer and McKinley Park Advisory Council member Dayna Calderon said there are still opportunities to volunteer at the festival. “We appreciate the help of the community," she said. "The only way to continue these events is with the participation and support of our neighbors." Those interested in volunteering can show up in front of the field house starting at 4 p.m. to help with setup, and also send email to dayna@daynacalderon.com.
Read more: Local Musicians to Shine at Make Music Chicago in McKinley Park
