PILSEN — A new arts and craft-beer-tasting event highlighting 10 local breweries and 15 local artists is coming to Pilsen this week.
Pilsen’s Economic Development Strategies Corporation will host the inaugural Pilsen Arts & Craft Beer Tasting at Mural Park, 1911 S. Sangamon St., from noon- 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The event, one of the attractions of the 17th annual Pilsen Open Studios art walk, will feature live music and craft-beer tasting from 5-11 p.m. Sunday.
The artwork of prominent Pilsen artists will be showcased during the exhibit. Salvador Vega, Victor M. Montañez, Alma Dominguez, Laurel N. K. Waldo, Hector Gonzalez, Alfonso “Piloto” Nieves, Adriana Rivera and Zitlali Yunuhem are among the artists participating in the event.
“Public art and murals have strengthened, enhanced and invigorated the Pilsen neighborhood as well as served as an economic engine boosting the local economy,” said Alex Esparza, the organization’s executive director.
“This form of public expression has given Pilsen a sense of identity making it unique and one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in Chicago,” Esparza said.
Alulu Brewery & Pub, Cerveza Somosmonos, Casa Humilde Cervecería, Revolution Brewery, Blue Island Brewery, 18th Street Brewery, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria and Lo Rez Brewing are among the breweries serving up craft beer during the event.
General admission tickets for the craft beer tasting start at $25. The general admission ticket comes with a commemorative 6-ounce sampling glass. VIP tickets, which includes a sampling glass and t-shirt, start at $40.
Part of the proceeds will help create a new mural in the neighborhood each year, said Jaime Garza, events manager Economic Development Strategies Corporation.
A call for artists will go out in January 2020 with a goal of creating a new mural next summer, the organization said.
In addition to craft beers and live music, attendees will have a chance to buy foor from local eateries and food trucks.
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