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Manifest Urban Arts Festival - The Artsy Side

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on May 11, 2006 6:46PM

manifestpark.jpgNow in its fifth year, Columbia College’s Manifest Urban Arts Festival has grown larger than most of us could ever have imagined. Then again, it's run by arts students. Their imaginations are larger than most. We’re sure someone’s done a study to prove it.

Manifest is an arts festival good enough to rival any summer street fair and a graduation party large enough to make students from more conventional schools jealous. We’ve already told you about the spectacular free concerts in Grant Park. To get an idea of the rest of the fest, Manifest's website includes a video trailer and full event schedule. Here are a few highlights:

BFA & MFA Exhibitions, 11am – 7pm @ Galleries throughout the Columbia campus
They’ve worked all year to produce their paintings/video/wearable art/architectural schematics/eye-popping photos. Now go show these students some love. Or at least keep your snarky comments to yourself, these are free events after all.

The TICTOC Performance Art Series, 9am – 8pm
More than 20 mind-bending sessions allowing us to, among other things, feed MFA students, hear intimate bedtime stories, draw President Bush, shred and eat paper, and witness anonymous wedding ceremonies.

MFA Photography ‘Bonus Tracks’, noon – 7pm @ Hothouse, 31 E Balbo
Student photos presented in a dense ‘salon style’ up and around the gallery walls, a refreshing alternative to the celebrity-driven portion of the art world.

Marketing Improv, 1 – 3pm @ 525 S State
Aspiring actors present follies and triumphs from the marketing world. For the marketing folk, a preview of future work. For the acting folk, a preview of the industry jobs they’re most likely to land.

An Afternoon with Film Critic Richard Roeper, 4 – 6pm @ 33 E Congress
Ever wonder how this dude got to be co-host of one of the most respected movie programs on television? Now you can find out.

Spectacle Fortuna, 7 – 7:45pm, starting at Harrison & Wabash
A festive, aesthetically-pleasing parade through South Loop streets, followed by…

The Blessing, 7:45 – 8pm @ 11th & Michigan
Graduating seniors gather in Grant Park for one last bit of artsy hazing: getting smashed on the head with confetti-stuffed painted eggs.

Image via Manifest