News Briefs: Focus on the Arts this week; local artist’s exhibit; Steep Ravine launch celebration

Highland Park High School’s 29th Focus on the Arts opens on Tuesday, April 1, beginning a three-day celebration of the school’s arts community.

Tickets and more information are available online.

Opening night starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday features a performance from the Focus 2025 Orchestra, which comprises 10 professional musicians teaming with 35 HPHS musicians.

The evening, entitled “The Artist Speaks,” will star Focus guest artists Hugh Panaro and Andréa Burns, conducted by Broadway musical director Jeffrey Saver and directed by HPHS alumnus Michael Unger, who is the artist director of of Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre.

Also joining Tuesday’s performance will be Broadway veterans Kate Loprest and Jay Montgomery, as well as many HPHS student actors, singers and dancers. 

Thursday, April 3, is Art Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free to attend, Art Night will showcase more than 40 professional visual artists and Highland Park High School AP artists. Families and visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to create art together in an interactive setting.

To cap the special three-night program, Dance Night will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, and will welcome Hubbard Street Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, The Grainger School of Joffrey Ballet, and Cerqua Rivera Dance, in addition to HPHS’s Collage student dance company. 

The event is supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Highland Park Community Foundation, the PTO, District 113 Foundation, and individual donors.

To purchase tickets (to Tuesday and Friday) and for more information, visit www.hphsfocus.org.

Painter’s work on display at NS Art League

Local artist Elizabeth McKenna’s solo exhibit, “Love and Psyche,” is ongoing at the North Shore Art League, 620 Pine St. in Winnetka, through April 13.

According to a press release, McKenna’s paintings tap into her passion for poetry, including for poet John Keats. Pieces from the collection, as well as other pieces created by McKenna, are available for purchase at the exhibit.

“I am thrilled to share this new collection with the community,” McKenna said in the release. “This exhibit reflects my personal journey and the themes that continue to inspire my work — love and transformation.

“I’m particularly excited to be presenting at the North Shore Art League, as I’ve lived in Wilmette for over a decade and have long admired the talented artists and works showcased there. I hope visitors will connect with these pieces and relate to the stories they tell.”

Admission to the exhibit is free, and all are welcome during regular gallery hours. For more information about the exhibit or to RSVP for the opening reception, please contact North Shore Art League at (847) 446-2870 or visit https://northshoreartleague.org.

Brewery’s rebranding party set to begin Friday

Steep Ravine Brewing Company is ready to cheers to new beginnings.

The Highland Park business formerly known as Ravinia Brewing will host a series of events for its Grand Re-Branding Weekend Friday-Sunday, April 4-6, at the taproom, 582 Roger Williams Ave.

“We’ve been building toward this moment for a long time,” said Kris Walker, Steep Ravine’s co-founder and managing partner, in a press release. “This launch party is more than a rebrand — it’s a celebration of the people, stories, and community that have made this brewery special for over a decade. We can’t wait to share the new space and the exciting things we’ve been working on.” 

After Steep Ravine opens its Mug Club program on Thursday, April 3, it will host a happy hour from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, and a ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m. with the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. Later that evening, The Westerlees will provide live music in the beer garden (weather permitting).

Live music will continue throughout the day on Saturday, April 5, when Steep Ravine will also have beer tastings and food specials.

A brunch and family activities will take place on Sunday, April 6.

According to the press release, Steep Ravine will debut beers, menu items, branding and more.

The release says, “While the name has changed, the heart of the brewery remains the same.”

“Highland Park has always been our home,” said Jeff Hoobler, co-founder and managing partner, in the release. “This launch party is our way of saying thank you and showing what’s ahead. The new name, and live music in combination with great beers and food — it’s all built on the same passion and people that have made this brewery a staple of the North Shore and Highland Park communities.” 

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