1. It’s only 13.1 miles

Whether you’re new to running or testing the waters for a full marathon, a half marathon is a doable, yet impressive distance.

2. You support youth media and self-expression

Team Street-Level raises awareness and funds for our free media arts programs. We’ll provide guidance and a personal fundraising page to help you achieve your fundraising goal.

3. Registration is FREE

Sign up through Street-Level’s easy registration system, and we’ll cover your entry fees.

4. Meet fun people (who are probably new to running, too)

Street-Level organizes monthly team training runs to keep your motivation up, as well as a post-race party to reward your hard work.

5. Swag

Team members receive a limited-edition Street-Level shirt, tote, and water bottle.

6. Guilt-free shopping

No need to justify those new kicks.

7. Guilt-free carbs

Power up for your training runs and burn about 100 calories for every mile you go.

8. Your own paparazzi

Street-Level youth and staff will document race day from start to finish. All Team members receive a complimentary DVD of the experience.

9. Explore Chicago

Long runs through great neighborhoods, group runs along the lake: see the city from street level for the next 123 days.

10. Take back the pavement

During the race, you get to run ON Lake Shore Drive.

11. Good karma

Help support the creative and personal development of 1,000 youth each year.

12. “It feels good!”

– Tamairis Dixon, Noble High School junior, Street-Level All-Star, and sometime-runner

13. Baby, we were born to run!

Just wanted to share that our music production instructor Jon Alvin (who taught The Hero Mixtape class this spring) just received the 2012 Excellence in Outstanding Leadership Award from The School of The Art Institute (SAIC). The award was for $1000 and was open to all undergraduate and graduate students. SAIC is ranked number #2 nationally for their undergraduate and graduate Fine Arts program. Award recipients had to go through a competitive nomination and evaluation process. We are so proud of Jon. He’s deserves such nice accolades. Next time you seem him, give a pat on the back!

Plus, wish him happy birthday, along with Marc and Manwah — who all share birthdays this month! Holla!

She’s fresh off a first-place finish at the Express Yourself! High School Design Competition and sat down to talk with us about her experiences at Street-Level, how she came to be an artist, and her big plans for the future. Listen up!

"Brave Youth Voices"

"Natural Disasters"

"Metra"

"Touch"

"Express Yourself"

"Mosaic"

From Kartemquin Films, the documentary follows three “violence interrupters” who have left their own violent pasts behind to bring positive change to Chicago communities by working with CeaseFire, a nonprofit that uses a public health model to curb the spread of violence.

After the screening, film-goers had the chance to hear from Zak Piper, Co-Producer & Sound Recordist of The Interrupters & Director of Production for Kartemquin Films, and Ricardo “Cobe” Williams, one of the featured Interrupters and a National CeaseFire Trainer.

Youth asked questions ranging from production to community response to political action. We learned that it took one year and 350 hours of footage to produce the 2-hour film (the first cut was over four hours long!). We heard Cobe describe how he maintained his credibility with the community even with a film crew following him around. We also learned that crowd-favorite Flamo is now pursuing stand-up comedy.

On exiting the event, one youth proclaimed that she had never seen a film like that before. Another commented on the Interrupters model, saying that, just as violence spreads, so too will the cure.

Did you see the film? What did you think?

Congratulations, Alexis, Alvin, Arani, Horacio, Savion, and Vanessa! And big props to their teachers and mentors, James and Asha.

Want to help send these talented youth to our nation’s capital? Come out to our fundraiser Wednesday, April 11 at Mad River Chicago (ages 21+) or donate to our Crowdrise campaign!

Free 4all tonight!

On this celebratory day of James birthday we are getting ready for our Free 4all Friday! Chris just setup the mics using the panels at our new studio !!! This made my cry, we are geeked! Tonight’s show will be from 5:30pm-8:30pm featuring a special youth group from Pilsen called Jarochicanos: Son Jarocho/Afro-Mexican rhythms. Everyone is welcome !