Chicago Cultural Alliance

Holi at Kalapriya
2024-03-23 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Kalapriya welcomes you to celebrate the Indian festival of Colors, Love, and Spring on March 23, 2024 at the Chicago Women’s Park & Garden.
5:00 PM | Doors Open
5:15 PM | Opening Performance Kalapriya Dancers
Food and beverage service commences; Arts and Crafts table opens
5:45 PM | Dance Along! Kalapriya Dancers
6:00 PM | Holi Toss
7:00 PM | Event Ends

Constructing Jathi Choreography with Harini Nilakantan
2024-03-30 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-04-06 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-04-13 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-04-20 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-04-27 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-05-04 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-05-11 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-05-18 13:15 - 14:15 and 8 more dates | Kalapriya Studio, 2101 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, United States
Weekly Saturdays
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Harini Nilakantan is a student of Aacharya Choodamani Guru Smt. Roja
Kannan, and has over two decades of experience in this art form. In this 90-minute class, dancers will learn new choreography – both how to piece together combinations and increase retention with her for advanced
rhythmic patterns or Jathis.
Class focus: execution, technique, creativity, retention

Fresh Legacies: A Conversation with Joel Hall Dance Center
2024-04-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL, 60610, United States
How did the Joel Hall Dancers get their start? What’s their future? How do you keep a Chicago legacy fresh and vibrant – while championing new visions and growth?
Join Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus Joel Hall and Interim Artistic Director William Gill in conversation with Nicole Clarke-Springer, artistic director for Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, at the Newberry Library on Saturday, April 13. Part of the 50th Anniversary events for Joel Hall Dancers & Center, this conversation closes a day of inspiring dance education and the WERKQ that distinguishes Joel Hall Dancers & Center as a dance pioneer in Chicago.
Presented in partnership with the Newberry Library and the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Special thanks to the Chicago Dance History Project.
50th Anniversary events for Joel Hall Dancers & Center are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. We are grateful to them – and all of our supporters. Learn how YOU can help support the next half-century of electrifying Urban Jazz dance.

"Ramé: The Joyful Cooperation of Many
2024-05-11 17:00 - 20:00 | IL
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 5 p.m. UIC School Theatre and Music located at 1044 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60607
$15/general ticket; $0 for children 11 years and younger
Purchase tickets today!
FROG’s Balinese Ensemble (formerly Chicago Balinese Gamelan) performs “Ramé: The Joyful Cooperation of Many”. With guest artists Dewa Ayu Eka Putri and Putu Tangkas And a premiere composition by Ross Lafleur. Musicians’ stunning synchronization and dancers’ beautiful movements paired with rich colorful costumes dominate this dramatic performance created by Artistic Director Claire Fassnacht. Three riveting gamelan styles are showcased: the robust gong kebyar, the playful angklung, and the boisterous baleganjur marching gamelan.

Haitian Heritage Month Konpa Sware
2024-05-16 19:00 - 23:00, 2024-06-20 19:00 - 23:00 | IL
Join the Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC) at its monthly Konpa Sware! The museum is excited to continue this immersive event which includes an evening of Haitian dance and music. Join us at Room43. Food will be available for free and the FIRST 50 GUESTS will recieve 1 FREE DRINK!
FEATURING MUSIC BY: DJ Frantz!
This is a recurring event on the Third Thursday of each month. Keep an eye out for future event registration!
* TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR*

FROG's Javanese Ensemble performs "Innovation through Tradition"
2024-05-18 20:30 - 22:30 | IL
FROG’s Javanese Ensemble performs “Innovation through Tradition”. With guest artists Heni Savitri and Darsono Hadiraharjo.
Constellation’s Links Hall
3111 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 $15/general ticket
Purchase tickets today!
Join an evening of gamelan music centered around the boundless influences of the late Ki Nartsabdho, one of the most influential Javanese gamelan musicians of the last half century. Featured works, selected by Artistic Director Alex Yoffe, are composed by, directly inspired by, or transformed by esteemed Javanese composer Ki Nartosabdho.
You can watch the livestream here.
If you watch the livestream, please support the artists by purchasing a livestream ticket.
Since 1980, Friends of the Gamelan has been Chicago’s premier ensemble that performs traditional Javanese gamelan music. Led by Artistic Director Alex Yoffe, the nonprofit provides quality instruction, performs world-class concerts, and presents engaging workshops with students, families, and gamelan appreciators of all ages and abilities throughout the Chicago area and beyond. In the late 1970s, a group began to meet regularly at the Field Museum to play on the same gamelan instruments from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Eventually the instruments were archived and the ensemble acquired new instruments.
Today’s set of instruments was acquired by FROG in the 2000s. The ensemble has performed at various stages throughout Chicago, including Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and the Old Town School of Folk Music, to name a few.

Rhythms of India: A Beginner's Workshop in Bharatanatyam Dance
2024-05-26 14:00 - 15:00 | 3500 S Morgan Street, 3500 S Morgan St 3F, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Join us for a mesmerizing journey through the graceful world of Bharatanatyam with the talented Dancer Shalaka Kulkarni. In this one-hour beginner workshop, we’ll dive into the intricate beauty of Mudras, exploring how expressive hand gestures can tell a story all on their own. While some of our movements will engage your entire body, we will also have a section to participate while seated. Whether you’re new to dance or seeking to expand your horizons, this workshop promises an engaging and enlightening experience.
About the Instructor
Asian-American, Shalaka Kulkarni is an interdisciplinary dance artist trained in Indian Classical dance who creates experiences that bridge the ancient and contemporary while uplifting marginalized voices. As an actor, filmmaker, dancer and choreographer, she has toured her work in India, US and Europe. In Chicago, she has presented her work at various events, venues and festivals, such as Athenaeum Theatre, Harper College, Chicago Cultural Center, Depaul University, Chopin Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art, Dance Chicago Festivals, High Concept Labs, Loyola University, The Mccormick Center, Lions Club 100th Anniversary, Links Hall, Elastic Arts, Ruth Page Performing Arts, Columbia College Chicago, Newport Theater, Dominican University as well as has created work for numerous independent performers and artists. She is a recipient of various awards for her choreography and dance work.
Kulkarni began training in the Tanjore style of Bharatnatyam as a child in India. After immigrating to the U.S., she continued her training under the international artist Sandhya Desai in Kathak and Mandala Founder and Executive Artistic Director Pranita Nayar. She holds an MFA in interdisciplinary arts and media from Columbia College Chicago, where she worked closely with the dance master Nana Shineflug, one of the pivotal voices from Chicago in American Modern and Contemporary dance style. She is interested in creating and presenting a hybrid movement form that fuses techniques of Bharatnatyam and Kathak with other movement influences, text and technology. More info: www.shalakakulkarni.com
Please note that events may be canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
“AAPI Heritage Month Cultural Festival 2024” is sponsored by Chicago Community Trust.
Accessibility
The Heritage Museum of Asian Art’s Entrance is on West 35th Street. Take the elevator to the third floor and turn right to the Museum Reception Desk. Accessible and standard toilets are located on the same floor. Free parking space is available next to the museum via West 35th Street.
Email at info@heritageasianart.org
Phone at 312-842-8884

An Afternoon of Friendship
2024-06-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Kalapriya Studio, 2101 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, United States
Please join the Kalapriya board and staff on Sunday, June 2 from 3:00-5:00PM for an afternoon of friendship at our downtown Chicago studio. Enjoy Indian classical dance performances, relish Indian street food, and be part of a celebration of unity in diversity with our host Litcy Kurisinkal! To register for the event, please click here or on the button below. Suggested donation of $30.00 online or at the door.

Afro-Peruvian Percussion Workshop with Center for Peruvian Arts
2024-06-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-18 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-21 14:00 - 15:00 | IL
The center of Peruvian Arts in partnership with Chicago Public Library and Culture and Eduation of Chicago city present the next cajon workshop. Have fun and relax with the different rhythms of Afro-Peruvian music, join and Cajonéate to awaken your musical vibration, your emotions and connect with your inner musician!
For ages 3 and up.
How to Attend
Register by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL.
Due to space limitations, please include the total number of children and adults as attendees when you register.
Accessibility
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

12th Annual Juneteenth BBQ & Block Party
2024-06-19 | DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
RSVP for another beautiful day of celebrating our Freedom through a huge Sound Stage, Children’s Activities, Vendors, Food Trucks, citywide libations and flag raising and THE BIGGEST BLACK FAMILY REUNION OF THE YEAR!

Afro-Peruvian Percussion Workshop with Center for Peruvian Arts: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - WOODSON REGIONAL BRANCH
2024-06-21 14:00 - 15:00 | IL
Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM
Location:
Woodson Regional Branch, 9525 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, 60628
Afro-Peruvian Percussion Workshop with Center for Peruvian ArtsThe center of Peruvian Arts in partnership with Chicago Public Library and Culture and Eduation of Chicago city present the next cajon workshopDescriptionHave fun and relax with the different rhythms of Afro-Peruvian music, join and Cajonéate to awaken your musical vibration, your emotions and connect with your inner musician!For ages 3 and up.How to AttendRegister by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL.Due to space limitations, please include the total number of children and adults as attendees when you register.AccessibilityNeed sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.
