Park Forest, Schools

Celebrate Lady Day on Her 102nd Birthday at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park


Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday – William P. Gottlieb, Library of Congress (Photo: supplied)

University Park, IL—(ENEWSPF)–March 31, 2017: The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University presents significant large-scale public art, inspiring visitors to experience art and nature in new and unexpected ways. In a day full of activities on April 7, park Director Geoff Bates takes a new look at Mark diSuvero’s celebrated sculpture Yes! For Lady Day through the eyes of another Lady Day, the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, on what would be her 102nd birthday.

Happy Birthday Billie! is part of the Chicago Southland’s “Let Them Eat Jazz” Festival. This jazz centennial celebration is presented by the Southland Arts, Municipalities, and Business Alliance (SAMBA), a regional collaboration of arts and businesses, and has been designed to showcase the power of the arts to drive people to the Southland region.

What could jazz icon Billie Holiday have in common with Mark diSuvero’s architectural sculpture, aside from her nickname Lady Day? Both Holiday and diSuvero are known for being pioneers; diSuvero for his manipulation of steel, and Holiday for her manipulation of phrase and tempo.

From a guided walk in the park to film screenings, expert talks, and birthday cake, the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will celebrate the career and influence of Billie Holiday and utilize  diSuvero’s monumental sculpture, Yes! For Lady Day, as the centerpiece of this jazz-inspired birthday celebration on Lady Day’s 102nd birthday.

Yes! To Lady Day at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
Yes! To Lady Day at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. (SUPPLIED)
Cupcake/Sculpture: Geoffrey Bates (Photo: supplied)

Celebrate both icons in a full schedule of events:

10:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Introductory Walk to Yes! For Lady Day

A walk out to the sculpture Yes! For Lady Day, led by NMSP Director Geoff Bates

11:15 – 11:45 a.m.: Preview screening – Searching for Lady Day: A Portrait in Steel (Engbretson Hall)

Documentary video interview with sculptor Mark diSuvero produced by the NMSP and GSU’s Digital Learning and Media Design Department.

11:45 – Noon: Q&A with Director and Producer Geoff Bates

Noon – 12:30 p.m.: Happy Birthday Billie!

Birthday cake in the Hall of Governors!

12:30 – 2:15 p.m.: Film screening: Lady Sings the Blues (Engbretson Hall)

Diana Ross stars in this 1972 biography of Billie Holiday.

2:15 – 2:35 p.m.: Q & A about Lady Sings the Blues with Suzanne Patterson

Suzanne Patterson, Community Education Coordinator for GSU’s The Knowledge Exchange and film expert will discuss the film with audience members.

3 p.m.: Sculpture for a New Town – Presentation by Amanda Douberly, Ph.D.

Dr. Douberly is an instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and will deliver her illustrated power point presentation on the on the significance of Yes! For Lady Day in the development of the Village of Park Forest South (now University Park).

3:45 – 4:15 p.m. Capstone Walk to Yes! For Lady Day

NMSP Director Geoff Bates and Amanda Douberly will walk to the sculpture for a final look at the end of the day.

These activities are free and open to the public.

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park showcases thirty-two master works of contemporary sculpture, juxtaposed against the natural Illinois prairie on the campus of Governors State University. The park is open year-round to visitors, dawn until dusk, free of charge. Visitors may augment their park experience with a new audio tour by downloading the Otocast app at http://otocast.com/index.html.

To RSVP for the April 7 activities, call 708-534-3084. For more information, visit us online here.

Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, Il 60484. For Best GPS directions, please use Governors State University only. Parking is free.

For a complete schedule of jazz-inspired events, visit http://CSJazzFestival.org. The Chicago Southland’s “Let Them Eat Jazz” Festival is supported by BMO Harris Bank, Standard Bank & Trust, and Providence Bank.

Source: http://govst.edu


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