Art & Garden Street Fair. The fair has been renamed
this year to Artisan Street Fair. (Chronicle file photo)
Homewood is reimagining its annual summer kick-off event with an eye on the arts.
The Homewood Artisan Street Fair, formerly the Spring Art & Garden Fair, will be held on Martin Avenue from Ridge Road to Hickory from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 8, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 9, with an after party on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.
The new version of the fair will put the emphasis back on artists, offering more than 80 different vendors from around the Chicago area and the Midwest. The event is curated by Dodi Wians and Lisa Komorowski, owners of the Homewood boutique, Loulou Belle.
sight during Homewood
street festivals. There will
be plenty of live music at
the 2018 event to get
dancers moving.
Types of vendors available will include candles from Amante Marketplace; bath products by Hannah Bee Honey; ceramics by Cambric Clay; children’s items by Little Threads Boutique; fiber arts by Campfire Cables; fine artworks by DAK INSPIRED; furniture by Gingerdaze; home decor by Side Hustle Print and Press; jewelry by Straight From the Heart Designs; outdoor art by Twisted Pine Wreaths; paper by Nourishing Notes; vintage goods from Wicked Vintage, among many more.
“Our main focus was to find a wide variety of artisans and vendors with the idea of curating a vibrant shopping experience for festival-goers,” said Komorowski. “The response from the artists from around Chicagoland and the Midwest was overwhelmingly positive. We are so pleased to partner with the village in this re-invented street fair in Homewood.”
The fair will also feature live music.
Friday the music begins with Homewood’s own one-man-band, MG Bailey, at 4 p.m. Singer-songwriter and published author Courtney Yasmineh will perform alternative folk songs from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. as part of her U.S. and European tour.
Friday night will close with The Hemispheres from 7 to 9 p.m. performing an eclectic selection of soul/Motown and R&B standards.
Saturday’s musical kick-off off at 10 a.m. will be Homewood’s own award-winning jazz duo, The McDowell Brothers. Making her Homewood debut at 11:30 a.m., Subhi will perform jazz songs in Hindi and Urdu and will be accompanied by Rajiv Halim on alto saxophone, Ivan Taylor on upright bass, William Kurk on piano and Sam Jewell on drums.
From 1 to 3 p.m. The Wandering Boys will perform bluegrass and Americana music. They are known for their rapid picking, clever arrangements and crisp four-part harmonies.
Saturday afternoon’s music will conclude with Homewood favorite Work in Progress performing Americana, folk and blues from 4 to 6 p.m.
The fair’s vendors will close their shops at 6 p.m., but guests can stay for the after-party from 6 to 9 p.m. in the food court area featuring music by Not My Dad and Two Chicks. Attendees can also visit area restaurants and bars, which are offering incentives including signature cocktails, music and entertainment.
The schedule of participating venues will be available during the day at the fair.
The fair will also offer a food court, food trucks and a makerspace tent packed with activities for all ages. The Makerspace on Saturday will feature hands-on activities led by representatives of Chicago Parent Magazine and Homewood businesses The Art Corner, Bottle & Bottega and Loulou Belle.
The Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Hwy, will also host a PopUp Science session called Metal Mania from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Partnering with Gaby Iron & Metal, Governors State University and Homewood Disposal, kids of all ages can drop in for a hands-on exploration of metal. Visitors will have an opportunity to make a wind chime or piece of jewelry out of metal scraps.
Finally, The Cancer Support Center is partnering with Homewood to present Chairs with a Purpose. Adirondack chairs, hand painted by area businesses and residents will be unveiled at the fair. The chairs will be on display in downtown Homewood over the summer and will be auctioned off at the Homewood Block Party on Aug. 18.
“Homewood throws a great party. But we always look for new ways to grow and make our events even more appealing, not just for residents but for the greater Chicago area too,” said Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld. “With more artist vendors and an exciting music lineup, Homewood is going to be a great place to start summer. ”
The event is free and open to the public. There is free parking and bike valet parking compliments of Good Speed Cycle. For more information, call 708-798-3000 or visit www.HomeSweetHomewood.com.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 8
- 4 to 5 p.m. | MG Bailey
- 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. | Courtney Yasmineh
- 7 to 9 p.m. | The Hemispheres
- 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | The McDowell Brothers
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Chicago Parent Magazine in the Makerspace
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Subhi
- Noon to 1:30 p.m. | Bottle & Bottega Canvas Art in the Makerspace
- 1 to 3 p.m.| The Wandering Boys
- 2 to 3:30 p.m | Art Corner paper mosaic in the Makerspace
- 4 to 6 p.m. | Work in Progress
- 4 to 5 p.m. | Loulou Belle teen string art in the Makerspace
- 6 to 9 p.m. | After Party with Not My Dad and Two Chicks
