The Chicago Traveler

Looptopia, the annual dusk-till-dawn artistic and cultural celebration, lights up the downtown area again this Friday, May 2. This all-night festivity features 300 artists in 100 venues for 14 hours. More than 100,000 people attended last year. Locals, tourists, students, families, artists, musicians'Looptopia invites and entertains them all.

Just to give you an idea, here's what you can expect to find:

• Over 50 groups and soloists offering everything from jazz to electronica to pop to classical.
• 20 performers show off their moves in ballet, bellydancing, tap, salsa, fire dancing, and more.
• Acrobats, circus performers, shadow puppets, experimental artists, and a preview of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Chicago was selected on April 14, 2007, to internationally represent the United States for the bid for the 2016 Games.)
• More than 25 theatrical performances.
• Photography, sculptures, paintings, and videos from 30+ visual artists.
• Poetry readings and children's stories.
• Plenty of family-friendly opportunities to keep the little ones happy.
• Video games, square dancing, board games, Hide & Go Seek, psychic/magic sessions, meditation service, art workshops, acting lessons, and a game show all allow participants to interact with artists and each other.

The event is FREE to attend, but wristbands will be required after midnight for late-night venues, due to capacity restrictions. Wristbands will be available at information booths throughout the area. Several restaurants and bars will be offering special deals in honor of the event, and the Palmer House Hilton, the Official Hotel of Looptopia, will be offering special room rates this weekend. (Just enter 'LOO' in the group/convention code field.) For a downloadable version of a map featuring venues, booth locations, restaurants, bars, and public restrooms, click here. An hourly schedule of events can be found here. Pre-printed maps and schedules can be found at all Chicago Harris Bank locations, Walgreens stores in the Loop, and all Looptopia information booths.

With everything that is going on, you better make time for a nap. You'll want to stay up all night to enjoy this downtown party.

For complete information and details, check http://www.looptopia.com/

Photo credit: Looptopia Press Kit