Soundwalk = excursion where the main purpose is listening to the environment. A perfect event to host or join for World Listening Day (July 18).
Hello, friends in the Midwest. If you are in Chicago this week (June 23-25) the go-to events are the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks Soundwalks. For all ages – admission free. Become a citizen scientist. and explore the relationship we have with the sounds that surround us in this guided slow adventure. The initiative is a welcome collaboration among World Listening Project (@World_Listening) Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (@MidwestSocAE) and Chicago Parks District (@ChicagoParks)
Thursday, June 23, 6-7:00 pm, with Amanda Gutierrez (Spanish/English), in partnership with ElevArte in Dvorak Park. Meet at Field House
Friday, June 24, 7-9:00 pm, Singing Insect Monitoring Soundwalk with Eric Leonardson and Carl Strang at North Park Village Nature Center. Meet at Lodge. Limited openings.
Saturday, June 25, 4:00-5:00 pm, with Norman W. Long in Washington Park/Bynum Island, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Meet at Field House
Background
A Soundwalk is…
• For everyone’s enjoyment and learning
• Any walk “whose main purpose is listening to the environment. It is exposing our ears to every sound around us no matter where we are.”
• Environmental sounds are not just “noise” but “information” telling us what’s happening
• Each soundwalk lasts less than one hour
A Soundscape is…
• Every sound in your landscape, wherever you are
• Always changing, no sound is ever the same
• Not always noticed and often ignored
• A natural resource
• A design made in sound
To kick off the discussion
- Are there maps of upcoming soundwalks around the world?
- Are there any recordings of previous Chicago soundwalks?
- What should we know about this year’s World Listening Day (July 18)?
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