York HS Announces Fine Arts Week

ELMHURST, IL — York Community High School will be celebrating its annual Fine Arts Week during the week of Feb. 26 to March 1. The district said for over 30 years, Fine Arts Week has recognized the talents of York’s student musicians, dancers, actors, visual artists, singers, orators, poets and unique performance artists.

In addition, several nationally and locally recognized artists and groups representing a wide variety of artistic endeavors host workshops that provide information and inspiration to the students. The district said performances and presentations are scheduled during each class period throughout the week.

This year, York is excited to present Chicago indie rock band, "Varsity," as one of Fine Arts Week’s featured artists. The district said "Varsity" will be performing during period 6 and 7 in the auditorium on Thursday, March 1, and will also be visiting with York student musicians for a Q&A during eighth period.

York will also feature the Chicago experimental jazz band, "The Unknown New," on Wednesday, Feb. 28, during period 7 and 8 in the auditorium. The district said this year’s Fine Arts Week community fundraising event will be held on Feb. 28, at the new Brew Point Workshop located in north Elmhurst at 617 N. York Road. "Modern Vices" will be headlining the event at the Brew Point Workshop and will be performing a live set with the "Disciples of Rage" and "Sleeveless Jacket" (both rock bands consisting of all York students).

This event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be a suggested donation of $5 at the door. Donations will go toward funding for Fine Arts Week 2019.

Fine Arts Week also features a student Talent Show. According to the district, the Talent Show culminates with an evening Fine Arts Week Showcase open to the public on Thursday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in York’s Merle E. Baker Auditorium. Tickets are $10, but admission is free for all District 205 students with a current student ID from York High School or any one of the three middle schools.

Faculty advisor Chris Gemkow, looks forward to this year’s events.

“Fine Arts Week gives York’s students a chance to express their creativity and artistic abilities in ways rarely offered in most classrooms," he said in a release. "One of the best things about Fine Arts Week is that the events are largely planned, promoted, performed, and directed by the students. The entire student body benefits from the student and professional performances scheduled throughout the week.”

Photo provided by District 205, logo designed by junior Maddi Jones.