While the weather forecast unfortunately isn’t looking favorable for the Graceland West Neighborhood Fest, our annual festival and most of its offerings including the Big Star taco truck is on as planned. We’ll have coverage from the rain throughout the event as needed. Your participation from 3-7pm, today, September 11th, is appreciated and helps support Graceland West’s initiatives throughout the year ahead. Hope you can join!

If you’ve been following us on facebook or instagram you’ve seen a few photos from GWCAfests of the past… This year we’ll make some new memories…Sunday, 9/12 from 1-5 pm on the 4100 block of Greenview. More info on Facebook here.

When Graceland West Community Association (GWCA) was just getting started, it was decided that an annual block party would provide a venue for fund raising and a chance for neighbors to meet and talk (“fun raising” ).

Early block parties were pot lucks and our neighbor, DJ Gil Munoz would bring out his gear & provide music. That first year it was decided to have a chili contest – and then they added all of them to the pot luck meal.

As years went on, different people tried different things:

• A group of Dads grilled burgers & brats
• A neighbor and her family members made awesome tacos right there in the street
• We held a talent contest & discovered some amazing talents in our neighbors (choir members, dancers, kazoo bands, rock bands & more)
• Neighborhood teens performed (a few have gone on to careers as musicians, some just do it nights & weekends)
• People sponsored acts like the Jesse White Tumblers, the Roberto Clemente High School Steel Drum Band & a rising new singer LisaB
• For many years, the party kicked off with a pet parade. Everyone dressed up and costumed & ribboned their pets: dogs, cats, bunnies and even fish (in a bowl in a wagon). One man even brought a pet python!
• We’ve had the Lake View High School cheerleaders, jazz band & percussionists perform for us
• We’ve done rummage sales, silent auctions & live auctions to help fund the organization
• Fortune telling by Madame Sonia
• Chair massages
• We’ve tried Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, one year we even did an afternoon party for kids & an evening party for adults only (parents hired babysitters, showered & changed and came back to party with the adults)
• We’ve moved it around the neighborhood, every couple of years on a new street ! Then for years we did it on Warner by Warner Park & Gardens
• We’ve had bounce houses, pony rides, petting zoos, dunk tanks and arcade games to amuse the children
• One of our neighbors, Liz Thomas, painted bean bag & ring toss boards for us to use. And then freshened them up ten years later.
• One year, using a dog run & a cowboy hat, the Sheriff made his first appearance. For one ticket he would arrest anyone you pointed out to him. Then they had to serve a 15 minute sentence in “jail” or, since this is Chicago, for 2 tickets they could purchase an immediate release (hey, it’s all for the good of the organization).

This year we’ll make some new memories…Today, Sunday, 9/12 from 1-5 pm on the 4100 block of Greenview. More info on Facebook here.

Tim McGonegle will be re-creating his role as Sheriff, with some assistance from his Grandson, Dawson. So there’s a new Sheriff in town!

Next year the block party could try something new that you suggest. Let us know what would get you to come next year and whether you could help to turn your idea in to reality at next year’s celebration

Magic by Randy at Sunday’s block party GWCAfest

For more than 30 years Randy Bernstein has been delighting children & adults with has own brand of stand up comedy and magic. He has been a perennial favorite at our block parties and we are delighted he will be performing this year at GWCAfest, Sunday, 9/12 at 4 pm in the 4100 block of Greenview. His nuanced performances keep the little ones engaged & adults laughing at his double entendres. Our children eagerly volunteer to “help” Randy perform his tricks. And even up close, sometimes don’t know how the trick worked.

Randy hasn’t been sitting home idle during this pandemic – he created a series of virtual magic show & classes so that children could still enjoy his unique brand of comedy magic.

For more information or to hire Randy for your next event:
www.MagicByRandy.com

(Note:  there is a Groupon available for his virtual sessions)

Want to help? Call or text Barbara Sullivan at 773-727-3419. We need volunteers for 2 hour shifts from 1-3 or 3-5

We need treats for our bake sale table. Drop off individually wrapped treats, or bring a whole pan. Please wear a mask when baking.

Most importantly: Come, bring family & friends & enjoy the afternoon!

Next Sunday, 9/12 from 1-5 pm
4100 block of Greenview

Want to help?  Call or text Barbara Sullivan at 773-727-3419. We need volunteers for 2 hour shifts from 1-3 or 3-5

We need treats for our bake sale table. Drop off individually wrapped treats, or bring a whole pan. Please wear a mask when baking.

Most importantly: Come, bring family & friends & enjoy the afternoon!

Live music will be provided by solo artist MUSIC BY LISA B

Lisa lives in Madison, WI, but has been traveling down to Chicago to play at our block party nearly every year since she first performed at GWCAfest in 2001. She has been a frequent supporter of Graceland West Communiy Association and we are lucky to have her come down to help us each year.

Lisa has a successful career as a solo artist, as well as keyboard & vocals for Rachelle & the Red Hot Ramblers. She also is a proud member of V05 – a dance band that will really get you moving!

For more information about Lisa, check out her website at
www.MeetLisaB.com

Our 41st annual GWCAfest (neighborhood block party) will be held:

Next Sunday, 9/12
from 1-5 pm
4100 block of Greenview

Come buy a beer or pop, or a glass of wine and enjoy the weather, the music & kick back and stay awhile. An opportunity to meet new neighbors (many new ones since our last block party) and a chance to reconnect with those you already know.

This year will be a bit simpler than in past years. Due to pandemic, we are not allowed to have a bounce house – but plenty of other things happening!

Live music by Lisa B all afternoon
Sheriff will be on duty from 1-3
The infamous “Silly String Battles” ever hour beginning at 1:30
Magic by Randy at 4

In order to offset costs there will be a charge for drinks (soft drinks, water, beer & wine), food, baked goods & children’s games. Cash or Venmo (and we are working on setting up credit card capability).

We are asking everyone to wear a mask and to maintain social distancing. Hand sanitizer & antiseptic wipes will be available

Don’t miss this opportunity to interact with your neighbors!

Stay safe!