The Biggest Object Nobody Asked For

Hello!

Just a quick note from us at Soup & Thread to say … did you see us on Colbert this week?!?!

We know: WHAT? But in the August 15 “Community Calendar” segment of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert and guest Sean Hayes singled out Soup & Thread as a local event of … note … happening during this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. We had nothing to do with it, and have to assume some intern was charged with rounding up the dumbest community events they could find and well, there we were. And, OK yes, they mercilessly mocked our call for volunteers to “help construct and decorate the world’s largest soup-themed tablecloth” as “the biggest object nobody asked for” but it’s all good!

Because you know what? The number of you who have shown up this summer at our events in the parks and at Sundays on State prove that, actually, it is something people are asking for. All summer long, you’ve joined us to sit and sew for a few minutes or an hour. You’ve shown up and asked “what are you doing?” And when we say “we’re creating the world’s largest soup-themed tablecloth” you take it in stride, sit down, and start sewing. It’s been a great opportunity to build some gentle and yes, ridiculous, community across the city. And as any good comedian can tell you, the world is a lot better when it gets a little silly.

We hope you can come out and join us at one of our remaining events this summer!

• Wednesday, August 21: 4-6 pm before the Opera-Matic performance at Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave. in Oakland
• Saturday, September 14: 2-3 pm before Three Clowns Enjoying a Picnic at Unity Park, 2636 N. Kimball in Logan Square

In October we’ll be hosting a Soup & Thread sewing bee as part of the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival in North Lawndale, inside a sukkah that we’re designing for the Douglas Park Library. And then we’ll move back inside for another series of bees at community spaces all across town. Stay tuned for more on this and for the return of Soup & Bread the first Wednesday in November at the Hideout. And if you want to experience Soup & Thread’s full moment in the media spotlight, just watch the clip above!

Soup & Thread is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with 100 local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans. For more information, please visit www.nightoutintheparks.com.

Follow us on Instagram: @soupbreadchi and @soup_and_thread.