Large mobile contraption spotted in Wicker Park...What is it? -- Red Moon

Red Moon Contraption rolls down Wicker Park Ave.

If you are hip to the performing culture in Chicago and you see a large mobile contraption rolling down the street or crossing large expanses of grass accompanied by lots of performers, you probably know that you are about to have a Red Moon experience. While sometimes mind boggling, it will be an experience that  catches your attention, engages your curiosity, causes you to gasp and/or brings forth a laugh or at least a smile.

Wheel problem slows down performance

This wonderful whacky theater group's gorilla performance did not disappoint throngs of people filling the streets and sidewalks in Wicker Park Saturday evening. The ensemble of men (women too!) and machine appeared around Leavitt and Milwaukee mid eveing. Then it journeyed to Damen then to the Park.

As they were making the turn on to Wicker Park Ave. their uniquely configured vehicle experienced a bit of a wheel problem. Even their mechanical efforts were a performance. The crowd was intrigued enough to stick around for  close to an hour as they made repairs. Baiting the onlookers with promises of surprises and a very valuable prize, time seemed to pass quickly.

Raffle tickets distributed via intriguing head gear

The driver, also the announcer, of "the contraption" was accompanied by music reminiscent of the big top as he barked his patter. After arriving at the basketball court, the crowd was further intrigued by the raising of the contraption's gramophone like cone shaped horn.

Contraption cone rises

As some of the Red Moon team tended to all the contraption's mechanicals another group made promises of great wonders to the ever increasing audience while others distributed tickets torn from rolls of raffle tickets suspended from weird, clever devices attached to helmets securely strapped to their heads.

Winner revel in their victory

Then the big moment ...the drawing of two raffle winners who were to reap their rewards from within the large box, lowered from the contraption. The lid is removed and the box sides are lowered revealing... a table for two!

The Diva with the help of Red Moon technology lights up the area

Served a multi course dinner with wine in warp speed, the two male winners received much adulation from the crowd. Then it was time for the entertainment! The Diva! She was raised on her platform high above the contraption and crowd.

Her rich operatically trained voice pierced the heavy night air. Flames erupted along the edge of the contraption, dancing higher as her voice climbed the scale and the vibrato increased. It was enthralling! It was Red Moon!

Up close with the Diva