Second Annual Chicago Theater Memorial Bike Ride Honors the Memory of Chicago Artists on 9/10/16

12-Mile Lakeshore Event Benefits The Actor’s Fund and The Chicago Emergency Aid Fund
- Benefit at Four Moon on July 25; Sponsorships Sought Now -

WHAT: The Second Annual Chicago Theater Memorial Bike Ride: Love Hard, a 501(c)(3) organization, will benefit The Actor’s Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment (www.actorsfund.org). The Ride is also initiating an Emergency Aid Fund to ease the financial burden of Chicago artists suddenly faced with the death of a loved one. As we commemorate those who have passed, we also help their loved ones on the difficult road ahead.

This year, the Ride celebrates the lives and contributions of President and CEO of the eta Creative Arts Foundation Abena Joan Brown, actor Dennis Kelly, indefatigable Chicago theater supporter and Northbrook periodontist Dr. Harlan Haimes, and Chicago’s first Cultural Affairs Commissioner Lois Weisberg.

The ride is currently seeking sponsorships, which includes logo placement on t-shirts and the website, with theaters and businesses as well as donations from those unable to make the ride – info at http://chicagotheatermemorialbikeride.weebly.com/donate.html.

WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2016. Ceremony at 10 a.m.; ride heats at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. There will also be an on-site potluck barbeque celebration at 12 noon.

The Ride will host a benefit at Four Moon Tavern, 1847 W. Roscoe in Chicago, on Monday, July 25, 2016, 7-9 p.m., where a portion of food and drink sales will be donated to the memorial, and raffle tickets will be sold for prizes including theater tickets and other items.

GOAL: The 2016 fundraising goal is $20,000, aiming for up to 400 riders. Last year’s inaugural Ride raised almost $11,000 with 156 riders. "We also saw the families and loved ones struggling,” said event organizer Carmen Roman. “In response to that need, we have also established the Chicago Emergency Aid Fund. We will also do on-line drives where needed and the Fund will cover all administrative costs. On September 10, we will begin with a simple opening ceremony, and a lovely ride, followed by a potluck barbeque. Join to ride, or simply donate to honor and celebrate those who have come before us who encourage us, with the beauty of their spirits, to be the best we can be as artists and as human beings."

The ride was initiated and named by actor Joe Foust, husband of Molly Glynn, a Chicago actor and mother of two who was struck by a falling tree during a storm and died in September 2014. The same week that Glynn died, six other members of the Chicago theatre community also passed away. Twenty-six people in all were honored at the first Chicago Theatre Memorial Bike Ride in 2015, including Megan Betti, Daryl Blalock, Mark Bolan, Woody Bolar, Molly Campbell, Jason Chin, William Clifford, Eric Eatherly, Molly Glynn, Matthew Gunnels, Joel Lambie, Roy Leonard, Margaret Lewis, Frank Mahon, Erin Myers, Trinity Murdock, Julia Neary, PJ Paparelli, Sheldon Patinkin, Andrew Patner, Nana Shineflug, Russ Tutterow, John Walski, Sati Word, Brenton Wright, and Bernie Yvon.

WHERE: The 12-mile bike ride will start at Chicago’s Rainbow Beach Park at 79th Street and Lake Michigan, and will continue up the Lakeshore Bike Path to the southern tip of Burnham Park, where riders will turn around and ride back to the starting point.

REGISTER/ http://chicagotheatermemorialbikeride.weebly.com

DONATE: Suggested minimum ride donation is $25
Donations of any amount are encouraged even if not participating in the bike ride

GETTING Using the CTA with a bike: THERE: www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/brochures/13sw005_Bike_and_Ride_Brochure_July_29.pdf

COMMITTEE DIRECTORS: Organizers: Carmen Roman, Sharon Wilson Miller
Sponsorship and Fundraising: Sharon Wilson Miller
Consultants: Lauri Dahl, Cecilie D. Keenan
Bike Ride Coordinator: Janice Pytel, Tamara McDonough
Volunteer Coordinator: Kathy Lunsky
Family Liaisons: Kate Buddeke, Heather Meyers
Food Committee: James Leaming
Social Media: Timothy Hendrickson
Web Design: Vance Smith
Media Relations: Karin McKie
Graphic Design: Bruce Phillips
Bike Mechanic: Courtney O’Neill