by Jacob Singer
Collaboraction’s 7th Annual Carnaval filled two floors of a loft space somewhere along the back streets of Chicago’s West Town. The centerpiece of the party was a knock-out dance tournament where all contestants dressed like a character from James Kennedy’s book The Order of Odd-Fish. The battles took place in what looked like one of those Buckyball jungle-gyms that kids play on in city parks. The rule was neither competitor could touch the other. Both would dance and the judges declared the winner.
The party continued upstairs where there was an art gallery full of pieces created by kids of all ages. Each was an interpretation of a scene from Kennedy’s novel. Also, there was an open dance floor, a weather balloon with images from the dance competition being projected against it, and a small redbrick room full of jungle-like vegetation. This year’s Carnaval sparked the imagination of all and proved again that they are the epicenter of hip theatre in Chicago. If this is a foreshadowing of the upcoming Sketchbook, I can’t wait.
great post as usual!