Ragdale, the historic artists’ residency in Lake Forest, kicks off the sixth annual Ragdale Ring Performance Series on Wednesdays at 7pm – June 13, July 11 and August 15, finishing with an engaging program for all the family on Saturday, September 15 at 4pm. These one-of-a-kind performances, featuring folk and jazz music, puppet theater, and contemporary dance, and are curated by Ragdale resident artists in cooperation with their creative colleagues. All events take place in the 2018 Ragdale Ring, the open-air performance venue on the Ragdale grounds, aptly entitled NOODLE SOUP. The newly designed garden theater by Galo Cañizares and Stephanie Sang Delgado was recently chosen in an international competition for outstanding, young architects. Guests are encouraged to bring their family and friends, a lawn chair, blanket or picnic for these arts-filled outdoor performances. The summer line-up is as follows: Wednesday, June 13, 7pm TRUE AMERICANA Jonas Friddle presents an evening of new songs in the intimate storytelling style that marked the start of his career in 2008. Folk and country sounds of fiddle, banjo, guitar, and dobro blend to accompany stories of a small-town upbringing, a grandfather’s journey through WWII and the final farewell of the circus. The concert will also feature Chicago folk-scene favorites the Sons of the Never Wrong. Known for their songwriting, wit, and tight harmonies, the Sons make every show special. Curated by composer and musician, Jonas Friddle. Wednesday, July 11, 7pm DARK MATTER JAZZ This performance is inspired by the Dark Matter Series presented at Elastic Arts in Logan Square, Chicago which focuses on forward thinking music, performance and art by artists of the African Diaspora. Following a brief piece featuring, Jus Hambone, Sam's Lewis' vintage Black Americana marionette, the evening of jazz will showcase the Dark Matter String Band, led by James Sanders, and music by the internationally renowned jazz percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar. Curated by performer and puppeteer Sam Lewis of Elastic Arts. Wednesday, August 15, 7pm PUPPET PRAIRIE PROMENADE This engaging evening of short-form puppetry pieces features Rough House Theater and Wonder Wagon. Both at the helm of Chicago’s growing puppet theater scene, they create work that captures the heart through the eye. Their shows use puppetry, music, and performance to tell stories that are intimate, unusual and sincere. Curated by Roell Schmidt, Links Hall and Rough House Theater. Saturday, September 15, 4pm DANCE-SCAPE Curator: Kristina Isabelle, dancer/choreographer Environment and architecture merge in this moving exploration of the Ragdale Ring. An interactive movement piece that is inspired by the beauty of Ragdale’s prairie landscape and the dynamic Ring set design. This family friendly program includes long legged stilt dance, live music and students from the Hubbard Street Pre-Professional program. Curated by dancer and choreographer Kristina Isabelle, All events take place at Ragdale, located at 1230 N. Green Bay Road in Lake Forest. Off-site parking and free shuttle service are available at the municipal lot in downtown Lake Forest, on the west side of Oakwood Avenue, just north of Deerpath Road. Drop-off at Ragdale is also possible. Admission is $20/person; $15 Students and seniors, 12 years and under free. Tickets are available through the website at ragdale.org and also at the door. For questions, call 847/234-1063 or email: info@ragdale.org