Culture
City of Chicago Honors the Five Most Remarkable Artists and Art Institutions at the Inaugural Fifth Star Awards in Millennium Park
By SeeBrown · 9/18/2014
Fifth Star Awards Chicago
September 17, 2014 in Millennium Park
Downtown Chicago, IL (60601)
The most remarkable artists and art institutions in Chicago were honored at the first Fifth Star Awards in a beautiful celebration on September 17 in Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The five honorees were Lou Conte, Richard Hunt, Ramsey Lewis, Lois Weisberg, and The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.
Through musical performances and speeches, each honoree and organization was celebrated for their artistic impact on Chicago's culture. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy by fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists, and for-profit arts businesses across all 77 neighborhoods.
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events commissioner Michelle T. Boone welcomed the public to the free 2-hour event from 7pm-9pm. Chicagoans filled nearly all 4,000 seats in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. NBC 5 News Today co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin introduced speakers.
First honoree Lou Conte was celebrated through a dance performance by Hubbard Street Dance Company, where he has been Artistic Director for the past 23 years. Conte was recognized for building Hubbard Street Dance Company's repertoire to include commissioned works by world renowned choreographers such as Twyla Tharp and Israeli choreographer Ohad Naarin.
Most Chicagoans have experienced the work and creativity of Lois Weisberg, the mastermind behind such events as The Taste of Chicago, The Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the memorable street sculptures of cows on parade displayed on the streets of downtown Chicago.
Grammy-winning jazz composer, pianist, radio personality Ramsey Lewis is a lifetime resident-musician at Ravinia Festival. His music and compositions have been the soundtrack for numerous jazz events. At the Fifth Star Awards, Chicago's Kurt Elling performed "In the Crowd" and Ravinia Festival Director Welz Kauffman and 17-year-old Whitney Young High School pianist Alexis Lanier performed "Ramsey Lewis Medley."
Dr. Carol Adams, president & CEO of The DuSable Museum of African American History, introduced Fifth Star Honoree, Richard Hunt, a scultptor whose metallic sculptures are seen throughout the city, including at the The DuSable Museum of African American History.
Celebrating its 125th anniversary, The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University has been the premiere venue for music concerts including Israeli musician Idan Raichel Confer and dance performances such as Alvin Ailey. In the community, the theatre, built by architect Sullivan, is a historic breathtaking venue to experience cultural event.
Watch #BVNews video from the honoree Rod Dixon honoring The Auditorium Theatre with his emotional performance of classical song "Somewhere," accompanied by the Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble.
The Fifth Star Awards is named after the iconic Chicago flag that has four stars and the quest to embrace the creativity that exists in the fictional fifth star of the city. The program describes the awards as "The Fifth Star Awards honors artists who throughout their lives and careers here in Chicago have embodied that quest."
"To see us put in the same class as a Ramsey Lewis, or Richard Hunt, or Lois Weisberg just means so very much to us, " said Brett Batterson, Executive Director of The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University.
These honorees have left a bright impact on Chicago. They have fostered creativity and brought events that often are free and open to the public. Their forward-thinking ideas and creativity are an impactful Fifth Star on Chicago.
Rod Dixon spoke to BreakingVoices about how honored he felt to have performed at the closing of the Fifth Star Awards to honor The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University.