Arts venues in Lake County — from globally known Ravinia in Highland Park, to professionally produced stage plays at Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan, to a variety of spots for poetry readings or art exhibits — are plentiful.
Many people know about places to see an art exhibit, hear a concert or catch a movie, but John Carlson, the senior director of community engagement at Visit Lake County, said there are many more opportunities unknown to the same individuals.
Carlson is part of a group of people who spent 18 months developing a website — ArtsLink North (https://artslinknorth.com/) — where people can learn about scores of venues, the events they offer and buy tickets if it is a show, concert or another event requiring an admission charge.
“We want to elevate the arts-and-culture niche and promote it in Lake County,” he said. “There are dozens and dozens of resources and organizations, and now we have one resource that puts them all together.”
ArtsLink North launched its website in early June for residents of Lake County and visitors to the area, giving them an opportunity for one-stop shopping for a wide variety of artistic and cultural events from Highland Park to Antioch, and Waukegan to Barrington.
At the top of the website are eight headings — theatre and dance, music, film, visual art, literary, museum, family and festivals. A click on one of the headings, like theatre and music, shows “Hairspray” at the PM&L Theatre in Antioch through June 22.
A click on any of the events gives more detailed information, as well as the opportunity to buy tickets. A participant is able to click on an event, learn more about the artist and click their way to the venue’s website to purchase tickets.
Joanna Rolek, the executive director of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce and the chair of the board of ArtsLink North, said the website helps visitors learn about events in the area and county residents find entertainment without the expense of going to Chicago.
“This is a place for the promotion and connection of the community to arts and culture,” Rolek said. “It’s a way for everyone in the community (and beyond) to participate. They can see what they want to do and then do it. We have 52 organizations and hope to get more.”
While topics like music, film, museums and festivals are self-explanatory, Carlson said the opportunities are wide-ranging. Visual art is found in museums, private galleries and other places. The Waukegan Public Library has periodic art exhibits.
“They are any handcrafted items which can be displayed in a gallery or museum,” Carlson said. “Literary events can be poetry readings, book signings or author fairs.”
Members of ArtsLink North — Rolek said there are 56 so far and more are sought — put the events on the website themselves. Carlson said the venues enter the events, but they are reviewed by website personnel and an executive committee before they go live.
For the rest of the week, there are 10 events listed, including “Hairspray” on Friday and Saturday. Comedian Tom Cotter performs Saturday at The Lighthouse at the American Place casino in Waukegan.
A showing of “Fall Guy” will be at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest Friday, and “Silver Screen Society” shows at the Wayfarer Theater in Highland Park Saturday.
There are two art exhibits taking place. Future Voyagers is on display at Brushwood Center in Riverwoods through July 6, while the Artists on the Bluff art show takes place Saturday and Sunday in Lake Bluff.
For individuals with a literary bent, they can participate in the Mystery Book Group on Thursday at the Lake Forest Library and listen to a poetry reading by James Lowell Howell at Highland Park Poetry’s monthly gathering Saturday at the Wayfarer Theater. There is an open mic.
The Lake Bluff History Museum is hosting a Hysteri-cal Trivia Hunt Saturday, and the Bitter Jester music festival continues through Saturday in Highland Park.
