Human Fireflies: Coming Soon To A Street Near You

photo of "beat street bum rush" by Daisy Ortiz

Well, not actual human fireflies. Not that we know what those look like. But we digress. Anyway, if today or Monday you happen to see a bunch of people dancing in the streets of Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village or Downtown in some kind of purposeful and seemingly organized fashion, you’ll likely have caught the latest installment of the summer is for fireflies, a series of movement and music pieces performed in public spaces.

Why would anyone do this, you ask? According to the fireflies’ website:

Because we love Chicago. Because dancing is often more fun than peeling potatoes. Because the imagination sometimes needs a nudge to get out of bed. Because little graceful stunts are wonderful. Because public space ought to be used for public good. Because a song can maybe save your life. Because we think the cityscape could use a little shining. Because the Summer is for Fireflies.

Maybe we’re just giddy because it’s the weekend, but that makes us happy.

The piece for this weekend, entitled “they came from a space-age electro future,” promises demonstrations of dance moves from the future, performed by space travelers, obviously. If you want a taste of what you’re in for, check out photos from May’s piece “beat street bum rush.” The fireflies will be flitting around today between 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. and Monday between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Their schedule is available here, but don’t expect them to be right on time - when’s the last time you saw a firefly wearing a watch? (Rimshot!)