Chicago Cultural Alliance

Constructing Jathi Choreography with Harini Nilakantan
2025-09-27 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-10-04 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-10-11 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-10-18 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-10-25 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-11-01 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-11-08 13:15 - 14:15, 2025-11-15 13:15 - 14:15 (America/Chicago) and 14 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

DANK Haus Oktoberfest Celebration
2025-09-27 18:30 - 23:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Prost! Celebrate Oktoberfest at the DANK Haus on Friday, September 27th, from 6:30–11:30 PM with an indoor festival straight out of Munich! Our historic Marunde Ballroom on the 5th floor will be transformed with biergarten-style tables, traditional festival décor, and our signature vintage bar pouring imported German Bier like Spaten Oktoberfest and Würzburger, alongside other authentic German brews on tap.
Feast on German classics—Thüringer, Bratwurst, Leberkäse, potato salad, sauerkraut, pretzels, and Landjäger—while enjoying live entertainment, including the Alpine Thunder band, Schuhplattler dancers, and the mesmerizing Alphorn Duo!
Test your strength in our famous Stein Holding Contest, dance the night away, and come dressed in your finest Dirndl or Lederhosen.
We appreciate your RSVP, with special packages available when you reserve your spot. Don’t miss the Oktoberfest of the season at the DANK Haus!

The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide.
2025-10-03 19:00 - 21:30 | NEIU Auditorium
The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide premiered on April 19, 2025 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and was mounted again June 6 and 7 at the Middlesex Community College Academic Arts Center. This full-length multi-media dance/theatre production is created to observe the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Khmer Rouge Genocide and to honor its survivors, the resilience of the Cambodian spirit, and to celebrate how Khmer arts has been and continues to be transmitted from generation to generation. It is an adaptation of The Rebirth of Apsara, a Hewlett 50 Arts Commission that premiered at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center in Rohnert Park, CA on February 1, 2024. Through a story created by Rob and Charya Burt, the production investigates the relationship between art and war exploring how Cambodian arts and in particular Apsaras, fabled female celestial beings, have embodied the essence of Cambodian culture from ancient mythology to its post genocide resurrection. Mirroring her own life’s journey as an artist to explore the impact Apsara has had on both Khmer civilization and Cambodian artists of today, Charya Burt sets her re-imagined classical dance gestures to music by renowned Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung and traditional Khmer pin-peat all tied together by a soundscape performed live by Marimba Lumina virtuoso Joel Davel and an engaging video backdrop designed by Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh. The text is written by Cambodian-American theatre artist Kalean Ung with additional text by Charya Burt developed to make this adaptation of the original more personal. Joining lead performer Charya Burt is dancer/soloist Chakravartin Sokhomsan, dancer Hannah Chea, and community dancers from the Cambodian Classical Dance Tep Nimmit Dance Troupe.
When: Friday, October 3rd, 2025, 7PM – 9:30PM (Doors open at 6:15PM)
Where: NEIU Auditorium (arrive at 3679 W Brynmawr Ave or Parking Lot D to enter)
Tickets can be purchased at our Eventbrite page: https://rebirthofapsara2025.eventbrite.com
Here is a short video from their performance in Lowell, MA earlier this year: https://vimeo.com/1108886894?share=copy

Haitian Heritage Month Konpa Sware
2025-10-16 19:00 - 23:00, 2025-11-20 19:00 - 23:00, 2025-12-18 19:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-15 19:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-19 19:00 - 23:00
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*

Karaoke Abend Stammtisch
2026-02-20 19:00 - 23:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us at the DANK Haus for a lively Karaoke Abend Stammtisch—where your favorite German Schlager meets classic English hits! Whether you’re channeling your inner Helene Fischer or belting out Bon Jovi, this is your moment to shine.
Our Stammtisch tradition is all about community, conversation, and Gemütlichkeit—now with a fun karaoke twist! Come for the music, stay for the good vibes, and connect with fellow language lovers and singers.
Whether you’re a karaoke pro or just want to cheer on your friends, everyone’s welcome. Let’s make some noise—auf Deutsch or in English!
