1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Angela Sullivan
P: (708) 420.3817
E-mail: alsullivan@mail.lipscomb.edu
Children’s outreach duo, “The Play Café” begins
partnership with Chicago Public Schools
Public schools designating time to the appreciation of music, art and storytelling
Chicago, IL – (September 4, 2015) – The Play Café, a start-up that focuses on cultivating customized
programs for private children’s parties, is partnering with Chicago Public Schools to promote the
importance of creativity.
Parent-Teacher Associations at CPS schools decided to announce a fundraising initiative called “This is
Our Now” at their citywide meeting last year. “This is Our Now” is intended to fund programs for
children in various budget-neglected areas: theatre and drama, music, art, library reading programs and
many others were discussed.
The Play Café’s partnership with CPS is one of the first projects fully funded by “This is Our Now.” The
Play Café program integrates original music by the Dennisons (Creators of The Play Café) with open-
ended questions and the opportunity for children to use their imagination to create a story. “The most
influential element that we’re bringing to the table…is the recognition of creativity that is already
instilled in kids,” Linda Dennison says, “and we design our program in order to draw that out.”
The Dennisons agreed that “This is Our Now” was the boost public schools needed to cultivate a well-
rounded curriculum that would provide for each child’s needs at the one place they could always count
on—school. The Play Café will be focusing on each school on a weekly basis; however, they will return
to the schools at various points throughout the year to check on creative projects. “This is Our Now”
executives are grateful to each school in the CPS districts for encouraging student innovation and
displaying their support through assemblies and glass cases showcasing student work.
Linda Dennison, co-founder of The Play Café with her husband Brad Dennison, has been in the creative
writing field for over ten years; Brad put out his first solo album, “Bad Starts and Broken Hearts,” in
early 2013 and now performs all over Chicago with an up-and-coming blues band, Jack Butlers Jones.
More information about The Play Café can be found at: theplaycafechicago.com or by calling (708) 408-
7496.
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