Chicago All Stars Director David Cherry and National Director ofYouth Programs Pam Lewis with young performers and their familiesafter the first-ever Chicago All Stars Talent Show.

The fall season is already off to an exciting start at the newest location in the All Stars community: All Stars Chicago!  David Cherry, a longtime grassroots organizer and director of the Chicago All Stars, has been hitting the streets, inviting the young people of Chicago’s South Side to perform, volunteer and spread the word about the talent show; over 100 young people responded.  In September, All Stars director of youth programs Pam Lewis traveled in from New York to help David and the young people kick off their first talent show cycle.

The first round of auditions were held September 8 at the Wabash YMCA and September 15 at the South Side YMCA.  Young people and their parents traveled by train, bus, and car from the South Side and West Side to get there.  Both auditions featured high-energy performances from a variety of acts, including rappers, dancers, vocalists, poets, and a violinist.  After each audition, the performers participated in workshops where they had the opportunity to interact with other young people and adults.  All of the acts then came together for the first-ever Chicago All Stars Talent Show at the South Side YMCA on September 29.

The young people of Chicago have not been the only ones to respond – our supporters in the business community have together raised $100,000 in start-up funds necessary to get this project off the ground. On September 10th, these business leaders came together with young people, community leaders, parents and volunteers to celebrate the launch of this exciting new partnership at a kick-off cocktail party at the Sears Tower, hosted by Latham & Watkins.  

After this strong start, the development of the Chicago All Stars is continuing quickly!  There will be another round of auditions and workshops at the South Side YMCA on November 3, to be followed by a talent show on November 17.  For more information about All Stars Chicago, or to get involved as a performer, volunteer, or supporter, email David Cherry at dcherry@allstars.org or call 773-624-2848.