Living Chicago
Mila K. Marshall, Ph.D. Staff Writer
Arts Event Sandbox Symphony in Dire Straits
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very year, Lional “Brother El” Freeman, a Chicago-based composer, educator, and creative, eagerly prepares to apply for one of the many coveted Chicago Park District permits for his event, Sandbox Symphony. The event is an outdoor celebration of accessible art, a gallery space without the walls. “I had to be one of the first ten applications submitted," Freeman said, "I was ready and have been working on securing Oakwood Beach/41st St. Beach - 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive since November." The inspiring event happens every year, typically drawing a crowd of more than 500 people, as well as dozens of vendors, artists, and creatives. This year would have marked year nine. However, a new fee surprised Freeman and his team, forcing them to cancel the event. “It’s erasure,” Freeman said, who sees events, festivals, and Black enterprises being pushed out of Chicago's public spaces. “It isn’t just us. We aren’t alone in this. The Silver Room Block Party, Hyde Park Summerfest, and African Festival of the Arts—it’s expensive for everyone,” he continued. The Chicago Park District permit process is meant to be fairly straightforward. Event producers and community members must fill out a series of applications and pay deposits to secure locations for their specific dates and times. Freeman estimates that permit fees typically total around $1,000. He was shocked when the invoice for 2024 arrived in his inbox with an additional line item of $40,000 for a beach impact fee. “I scanned the application again and couldn’t find any mention of this new fee. It was around March or April when I found out, and that’s when I began conversations with the permitting department to let them know our event is in alignment with the Park District’s mission,” he said. Guests attend for free, and the beach remains accessible to the general public. “It’s not to say the Park District is all bad because we work closely with the natural areas team, who helps us set up and even source reclaimed materials from other parks,” Freeman said. The additional and unexpected cost pushed Sandbox Symphony to cancel this year’s event, leaving the intergenerational community surrounding Oakwood without a free cultural lakefront experience. In response to the outrageous fee, Freeman began a public campaign on social media using the hashtag #SaveSandboxSymphony, along with an online petition inviting the public to send an email to Parks Superintendent Rosa Escareño, which has garnered 178 signatures to date. “We rent golf carts to help our elders access the space more easily. We even hire and work with teens from Dyett [High School] to produce the event on the day of. Every year, we offer things like fitness classes, meditation, electronic music, movement, and even sand art,” he said. Sandbox Symphony was both immersive and sustainable, a stark contrast to other large festivals around the city that limit access and require additional security. “We are a nonprofit, and everyone is welcome. But what impact are we actually having?” he wonders. There is no mention of a new “beach impact fee” on
August 14 - August 20, 2024
the Chicago Park District website. Freeman says he still has not received a clear explanation of what the fee is for and why Sandbox Symphony is required to pay it. “Last week, I went to the walkthrough. I don’t know why I even kept the appointment. But as I was walking the Chicago Park District representatives through the setup and logistics, they told me that this year they are going to waive the $40,000 fee. But this was two days before the event was supposed to happen. I had canceled all contracts, and we couldn’t put this together in 48 hours,” he said. Freeman believes there needs to be more of a partnership between the Chicago Park District and Black enterprises that seek to operate in public parks and beaches. “It’s become cost-prohibitive, and it feels like Chicago doesn’t want us here," he said. "They complain there’s nothing for the youth, and when there is, we can’t afford to execute it. Our people deserve to be able to use these spaces and, yes, make money, but not all of us are in it for profit. I hope to see Sandbox Symphony on the budget and funded by the city." Freeman expressed gratitude for the support of Alderman Lamont Robinson (4th Ward), who connected him with Park District commissioners. Al-
though to no avail thus far, Freeman plans to continue fighting to bring Sandbox Symphony back to Oakwood Beach and possibly requesting that the waiver be applied to the 2025 event. “I want it to stay here because the community wants it right here,” he said.
O’Hare Wins ‘Favorite Airport Dining’ Award for Fifth Year Running -
CNW Staff Report -
O’Hare International Airport continues to set the bar high in the world of airport amenities, having clinched the coveted title of “Favorite Airport Dining” at the 10th annual Trazees Awards. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the airport has secured top honors in this competitive category. Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee will accept the award on behalf of O’Hare, a testament to the airport's unwavering dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience for travelers. “This Trazee Travel award reaffirms O’Hare's commitment to providing a first-class experience for busy travelers,” said Commissioner Rhee. “We are honored that Trazee’s readers recognize the exceptional culinary options and amenities that O’Hare offers to travelers of all ages, reflecting the worldclass standards of our city.” The Trazees, presented annually by Trazee Travel—a publication catering to readers aged 25-40
and the sister publication of Global Traveler—are determined by votes from the publication’s readers across various categories. O’Hare’s continued success in this category underscores its standing as a top destination for quality airport dining. In addition to this prestigious accolade, O’Hare has garnered several other travel industry honors over the past year, including: - Best Airport in North America by Global Traveler - Top Ranking for U.S. Domestic Megahub Flight Connectivity in the OAG Megahubs 2023 Index - The Capital Award (Terminal 5 Extension) by the American Institute of Architects The past year has been one of significant growth and development for O’Hare. Noteworthy updates include the opening of new culinary and retail concessions, the groundbreaking of the $300 million ElevateT3 renovation project at Terminal 3, and the unveiling of architectural renderings for the future Satellite Concourse 1. Terminal 5, in particular, has become a vibrant hub for new culinary and retail options, recently welcoming acclaimed local establishments such as Bar Siena and The Hampton Social. As O’Hare International Airport continues to evolve and elevate its offerings, this latest award serves as a reminder of its dedication to enhancing the travel experience and maintaining its status as a premier global gateway.
Chicago News Weekly
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