The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to announce the second-annual Lake FX Summit + Expo, the Midwest’s largest FREE convening of artists and creative entrepreneurs, May 13–15. Following 2015’s inaugural event, which drew 10,000 attendees, this year’s event will feature nationally-renowned speakers, including:
-Charles Adler (tech entrepreneur/designer)
-Nick Cave (sculptor/dancer/performance artist)
-Graham Elliot (chef/restaurateur/television personality)
-Rodney Jerkins (producer/composer /musician)
-Ramsey Lewis (composer/pianist/radio personality)
-Maria Pinto (fashion designer/artist/entrepreneur)
-Tanya Saracho (playwright/television writer)
-Regina Taylor (television and film actress/playwright)—and many others

This year’s Lake FX is themed “I’m in!” and asks attendees to immerse themselves in conversations, demonstrations and networking opportunities. More than 100 talks, panels and workshops – on topics ranging from marketing and engagement strategies to legal, financial and space issues – will be presented by industry experts for those working in the culinary, fashion, film and media, music, performing arts, technology and design and visual arts fields, with select programs identified for emerging artists and creatives. Other events include evening music showcases (Friday & Saturday, 7–10 p.m.), an Expo resource fair with exhibitors (Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. & Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.) and a Marketplace (Sunday, 10a.m.–4 p.m.).

New to this year’s program will be opportunities for artists and creative professionals to sign up for branding clinics, legal clinics, portfolio reviews and pop-up performances. Attendees are also welcome to observe the performances and feedback as local musicians audition for several music label A&R executives (auditionees have been pre-selected through an advance screening). The schedule will include live recordings of several popular local podcasts and a “Festival of Chicago Film Fests” screenings.

The Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) will be the Lake FX hub, with additional events taking place at the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State St.) and the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago (230 N. Michigan Ave.). The event is free, and registration will open at lakefxchicago.us in mid-April, once the full schedule is released.

Lake FX Summit + Expo is organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs with the support of Google, McDonald’s All American, iHeart Radio, WGCI, Kiss FM, Chicago Transit Authority, Chciago Sun-Times and Chicago Reader.

For more information, please visit lakefxchicago.us and join the conversation on Facebook (Lake FX Chicago), Twitter (@LakeFXChicago #LakeFX) and Instragram (ChicagoDCASE #LakeFX). To plan your trip to Chicago for the Lake FX Summit + Expo, visit choosechicago.com

**Registration is now open –> www.lakefxchicago.us. Admission is FREE.**

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Tags: Chicago Cultural Center