Chicago Cultural Alliance

New Architecture in a New World
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join us for a conversation with international architects as they reflect on the amazing breadth of contemporary architecture in the Americas and the pronounced impact of the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) on diverse stakeholders and communities of practice.
Inspired by the exhibition, The Prize is the Beginning, on view at the Chicago Architecture Center through late October, this discussion will reveal what sets MCHAP apart from other established awards programs.
The program will survey prize-winning and finalist projects as they relate to several broad themes:

Doing More With Less
Working with What We Have
Generosity
Agents of Change
Learning from Each Other

Our panelists bring strong ties to the awards, as past honorees or jurors. Hear unique insights from Stanley Allen, FAIA, Founder of Stan Allen Architect, Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the School of Architecture, Princeton University; Sol Camacho, Founder and Director of Sao Paolo- and Mexico City- based RADDAR; Juan Carlos Bamba Vicente, Founder of Madrid-based BAMBA Studio, Partner with Natura Futura, and Professor at FAD-UCSG, Ecuador; and Michael Maltzan, FAIA, Founder of Los Angeles-based Michael Maltzan Architecture. MCHAP Director Dirk Denison, FAIA, Professor, IIT College of Architecture and Founder of Dirk Denison Architects, will moderate the conversation.
Ticket holders are invited to enjoy a pre-program reception in CAC’s Usher Lambe Gallery with light bites and refreshments from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The program begins promptly at 6 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. This program is presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Stammtisch Open Haus, Every 3rd Friday
2025-09-19 19:30 - 2025-09-20 00:00, 2025-10-17 19:30 - 2025-10-18 00:00, 2025-11-21 19:30 - 2025-11-22 00:00, 2025-12-19 19:30 - 2025-12-20 00:00, 2026-01-16 19:30 - 2026-01-17 00:00, 2026-02-20 19:30 - 2026-02-21 00:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Feiern Sie mit uns! Our monthly Open Haus Stammtisch is a great way to meet new friends and enjoy a little Gemütlichkeit over some delicious German food and drink!
Theme TBD
Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Free parking at 5/3 Bank after 6:00 PM located at Western and Gunnison

Introduction to Jade Lecture by Jun Wan
2025-09-20 14:00 - 15:00 | 3500 S Morgan Street, 3500 S Morgan St 3F, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
This lecture, Introduction of Jade, provides an insightful overview of the cultural, historical, and material significance of jade, particularly in Chinese civilization.

What are the differences between jade and gem?

The history of ancient Chinese jade

Why is jade so valuable?

The most valuable kind of jade

About the Instructor:
​​Jun Wan graduated from the Department of Geology of Peking University, majoring in Rock and Mineralogy. During her tenure as Director of the Jewellery Department at Guardian International Auction Co. Ltd, she established the first domestic jewelry and jadeite auction in China. Afterward, she established the first professional jadeite club in mainland China, held jadeite lectures and courses for many years, and served as an appraisal expert on CCTV’s “Treasure Appraisal” program. Currently, for the Art Institute of Chicago (Art Institute of Chicago), jade research guest consultant.
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.

All About Oktoberfest! | Oktoberfest History Presentation
2025-09-25 19:00 - 20:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Did you know the world’s largest folk festival started as a royal wedding celebration? Every year, Munich’s Oktoberfest draws million of visitors from across the globe, and its traditions have crossed the Atlantic, becoming a beloved part of American culture.
Join us for an insightful and entertaining presentation as we explore the rich history, unique traditions, and the global impact of Oktoberfest–from its roots in Munich to the vibrant celebrations here in Chicago. Whether you’re a longtime festgoer or just curious to learn more, this interactive talk will leave you with a new appreciation for one of the world’s most iconic festivals!

CAC Designing Futures Gala
2025-09-30 18:30 - 21:00 | Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Join the CAC at the Epiphany Center for the Arts on the edge of the West Loop. Proceeds from the event will benefit CAC’s learning and public engagement programs. Single tickets and sponsor tables available!
The setting for this year’s event is the Epiphany Center for the Arts, a converted historic Church that has been preserved and adapted into an iconic cultural hub ‘For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events’. Guests will enjoy a memorable evening that includes a sit-down dinner in this stunning space.
5:30–6:30 p.m. VIP Reception
6:30–7:30 p.m. General Reception
7:30–9:00 p.m. Seated Dinner and Awards Program
For sponsorship opportunities or single tickets, please visit our OneCause page.
The evening will feature:
Presentation of the Civic Champion Award to Curt R. Bailey, President of Related Midwest
Presentation of the Lynn Osmond Award
Presentation of the inaugural Lori Healey Rising Leader Award to Maya Bird-Murphy, Founder & Executive Director of Mobile Makers
An exclusive VIP reception in the Chase House featuring live music

Daughters of Anacaona: A Groundbreaking Art Exhibition Celebrating Feminine Strength, Resilience, and Integrity
2025-10-09 - 2025-12-12 | Alliance Française de Chicago, 54 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
The Alliance Française de Chicago, in partnership with Partners In Health, proudly announces the opening of Daughters of Anacaona. This groundbreaking art exhibition in celebration of feminine strength and integrity will be on display in the Alliance’s Eleanor Wood Prince Salon.
This compelling exhibition invites audiences to reflect on the legacy of Anacaona, the legendary Taíno cacica (chief), poet, and composer whose resistance and sacrifice symbolize the strength and dignity of Caribbean women across history. Curated by three dynamic exhibiting women artists from the Haitian diaspora—Chantal Bethel, Véronique De Mesmaeker, and Persida Louison—this exhibition is a convergence of ancestral memory, historical truth, and contemporary creative expression. Their work spans mixed media, acrylic, fiber, ceramics, and poetry. A special grand opening will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 9 at AF-Chicago in River North. The program will feature a moderated conversation with the artists led by Chantal Bethel and a presentation by Partners In Health, as well as light refreshments, drinks, and cultural exchange.
$10 Suggested Donation

"Chicago Homes" Book Launch
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Celebrate the launch of “Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture,” the definitive guide to Chicago’s unique housing styles.
Co-authors Carla Bruni and Phil Thompson will share entertaining and illuminating stories of why our homes and neighborhoods look the way they do during the celebration of their book launch. This beautifully illustrated book is for Chicagoans and visitors alike, anyone who’s ever wondered how to spot a Foursquare, or where to find pre-Fire Italianate homes, or how two World’s Fairs revolutionized the way Chicagoans live. It chronicles the emergence of vernacular styles from the mid-1800s through the Second World War. Combining their decades of experience in historic preservation and illustration, Bruni and Thompson have created an evergreen resource for those with an interest in Chicago history and architecture.
Ticket holders are invited to enjoy light bites and refreshments from 5-6 p.m. outside the Lecture Hall. The program begins at 6 p.m. Following the talk, the authors will sign copies of their book, available for purchase at the CAC Design Store in person or online.

Horror Writing and Religion – An American Prophets Program
2025-10-10 18:30 - 19:30 | University of Chicago Divinity School, 1025 E 58th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Join us for a panel discussion about religion, spirituality, and horror writing!
Leading writers of horror and suspense discuss their use of religion in their work, from magic and voodoo in Tananarive Due’s The Good House, to historical cults in Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country. What frightens us so deeply about religion, and how do different kinds of writing explore the topic? This discussion will be moderated by author Juan Martinez.
This program takes place at the University of Chicago Divinity School, 1025 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637. Books will be available for purchase and the authors will sign them following the program.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s forthcoming special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, opening November 2025. American Prophets is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

About the authors:
TANANARIVE DUE is an award-winning author who teaches Black Horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA. A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include The Reformatory (winner of a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Chautauqua Prize, Bram Stoker Award, Shirley Jackson Award, World Fantasy Award, and a New York Times Notable Book), The Wishing Pool and Other Stories, Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights.
She was an executive producer on Shudder’s groundbreaking documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. She and her husband/collaborator, Steven Barnes, wrote “A Small Town” for Season 2 of Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone on Paramount Plus, and two segments of Shudder’s anthology film Horror Noire. They also co-wrote their Black Horror graphic novel The Keeper, illustrated by Marco Finnegan. Due and Barnes co-host a podcast, “Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!” She and her husband live with their son, Jason.
JUAN MARTINEZ is a writer and an associate professor of English at Northwestern University. He is the author of the horror novel Extended Stay (University of Arizona Press / Camino del Sol, 2023) and of the story collection Best Worst American (Small Beer Press, 2017). He is also the fiction editor for Jackleg Press. Juan lives with his family near Chicago.

From Ancient Oracles to Modern Mystics: Mystische Frauen
2025-10-23 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us this Hallows’ Eve season as we explore the myst of German women whose spiritual visions transcended the limits of reason. From ancient prophetesses and medieval visionaries to latter-day stigmatists, these women offer us glimpses beyond the boundaries of human perception–reminding us that the world we see may not be all that exists.
Don’t miss this evening of history, mystery, and storytelling!
Can’t make it to the in-person event? Mike Haas will be hosting an online version here the following Thursday, October 30, from 7-9 PM CT.

From Ancient Oracles to Modern Mystics: Mystische Frauen
2025-10-23 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
From Ancient Oracles to Modern Mystics: Mystische Frauen
Presented by Mike Haas
Join us this Hallows’ Eve season as we explore the myst of German women whose spiritual visions transcended the limits of reason. From ancient prophetesses and medieval visionaries to latter-day stigmatists, these women offer us glimpses beyond the boundaries of human perception–reminding us that the world we see may not be all that exists.
Don’t miss this evening of history, mystery, and storytelling!
Can’t make it to the in-person event? Mike Haas will be hosting an online version here the following Thursday, October 30, from 7-9 PM CT.

Paul Marushka's book presentation
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60612, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Paul Marushka, a proud Ukrainian American and accomplished business leader as founder, CEO and president of Chicago-based Sphera, a sustainability and operational risk software company, will present insights from his book, Sustainable Success: How Businesses Win as a Force for Good, during a special 30-minute session at the Ukrainian National Museum on October 24.
This presentation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Marushka as he explores how organizations can leverage sustainability to drive meaningful change, foster resilience, and create long-term value. Drawing from his extensive experience in leadership and data-driven transformation, he will share strategic frameworks and real-world examples that have shaped his approach.
Attendees will also gain insight into Marushka’s personal journey as the son of Ukrainian immigrants and the cultural influences that inform his work, making this session especially relevant for professionals, students and community members interested in leadership, innovation and the role of heritage in shaping impactful business practices.
Join Paul at the Ukrainian National Museum to engage in an inspiring conversation that bridges tradition and transformation.

From Biergärten to Breweries: The Cultural History of Beer from Germany to Chicago
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Raise a glass to history! Join us for an evening that blends scholarship, storytelling, and steins as we trace the rich cultural history of beer and brewing from its roots in Germany to its vibrant evolution in Chicago.
Northwestern University professor Robert Ryder will lead us on a fascinating journey through centuries of brewing tradition — from medieval monasteries and Bavarian beer halls to Chicago’s historic brewing giants and modern craft beer renaissance. Along the way, you’ll discover how German immigrants shaped Chicago’s beer culture and why beer has remained a cornerstone of community life on both sides of the Atlantic.
After the talk, enjoy a tasting experience featuring brews from beloved local breweries Dovetail and Seipp, alongside traditional German beers on tap at the DANK Haus. Compare old-world classics with new-world innovations, learn about unique brewing techniques, and savor the shared heritage in every sip.
Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, history lover, or just looking for a fun and flavorful night out, this event is sure to be a perfect pairing. Prost!

American Prophets: Religion in the Lands that Became America (IN PERSON)
2025-11-10 18:00 - 19:00 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Scholar Thomas A. Tweed visits the American Writers Museum to discuss his new book Religion in the Lands that Became America. A sweeping retelling of American religious history, Tweed shows how religion has enhanced and hindered human flourishing from the Ice Age to the Information Age. Tweed is joined in conversation by fellow Indigenous Studies scholar John N. Low. Books will be available for purchase and Tweed will sign them following the program.
This is an in person program at the American Writers Museum. This program will also be livestreamed, and you can register for the link to the online broadcast here.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s forthcoming special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, opening November 2025. American Prophets is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

Architect Talk: Pascale Sablan
2025-11-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Don’t miss this powerful evening with trailblazing New York architect, activist, and author Pascale Sablan, named one of the most influential voices in design today.
Pascale will dive into how equity, sustainability and community can reshape our cities, sharing inspiring stories from her advocacy and practice. She will also shed light on some of the visionary practitioners from around the globe featured in her new book, GREATNESS: Diverse Designers of Architecture. The book celebrates those transforming the built environment through bold, creative design. Following her talk, Pascale will be joined in conversation by Chicago architect Danielle Tillman.
Come early at 5:00 p.m. for light bites and refreshments and stick around after the program for a book signing with Pascale. GREATNESS is available for purchase in person or online at the CAC Design Store.
This program is presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Trivia Night! Stammtisch
2025-11-21 19:30 - 23:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for a lively evening of German and American trivia with Herr Rex! Put your knowledge to the test, uncover fun facts, and see how much you really know about both sides of the Atlantic. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just looking for a good time, this night is for you.
Grab your friends, make new connections, and enjoy a friendly competition full of surprises and laughs. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The German Imprint on our American Christmas
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
The German Imprint on our American Christmas | Presented by Mike Haas
Christmas — or Weihnachten — is Germany’s most beloved holiday, and America’s too! What many Americans don’t realize is just how deeply German immigrants have shaped the way we celebrate the season.
From the Christmas tree to Santa Claus, from mistletoe and gingerbread houses to Nutcrackers and Advent calendars, so many of our favorite traditions have German origins. Even our cherished Christmas music from Handel’s Messiah to O Tannenbaum to Silent Night carries the spirit of that heritage. And who could forget A Charlie Brown Christmas or the joyful Christmas markets that now brighten towns across the United States?
Join us for an insightful and festive presentation exploring the stories behind these beloved traditions. Whether you come to learn, share, or simply celebrate, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the German influence on America’s most cherished holiday.

Stand-up Comedy
2025-12-19 20:00 - 21:30 | ROCO Chicago, 5406 N. KEDZIE AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for an unforgettable night of sharp wit, fearless humor, and brilliantly absurd storytelling as Dragoș, one of Europe’s most dynamic comedic voices, comes to ROCO Chicago for a special one-night-only show.
Recognized as one of the pioneers of the English-language comedy scene in Europe, Dragoș is a Romanian-born comedian whose bold crowd work, dry observational humor, and darkly hilarious commentary on modern life have earned him a devoted global following.
After the success of his three hit stand-up specials — Hungry Hungry Dragon, Best Case Scenario, and The Schengen Special — Dragoș now brings his newest hour, Source of Sadness, to Chicago. This show is a razor-sharp, introspective, and wildly funny deep dive into the strange realities of today’s world.

Spieleabend | Game Night Stammtisch Open Haus
2026-01-16 19:00 - 23:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Our January Open Haus will be the best game night in town! Did you know that Germans invented the jigsaw puzzle and board games? Bring your friends and your competitive spirit and celebrate Germany with a night of German food, drink, games, and Gemütlichkeit! We’ll have games of all types for all ages – board games, card games, foosball, and more!
Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Religion and Journalism in Chicago with Mary Ann Ahern (IN PERSON)
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:00 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join us for a conversation with Emmy Award-winning journalist Mary Ann Ahern of Chicago’s NBC 5 about covering religion, writing about Chicago’s Pope, and shaping the public’s perception and practice of faith.
Mary Ann Ahern joined NBC 5 News in March 1989 and was named the station’s Political Reporter in 2006. Most recently, Ahern was front-and-center at the Vatican for NBC 5 Chicago’s extensive on-site coverage of one of the year’s biggest international stories when Chicago native, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became Pope Leo XIV. For her standout work at the Vatican, Ahern earned a pair 2025 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards.
This is an in person program at the American Writers Museum. This program will also be livestreamed, and you can register for the link to the online broadcast here.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, a powerful new exhibit that takes you on the ultimate exploration through spirituality and storytelling. American Prophets is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

The World of the Brothers Grimm | In-Person Presentation
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
If at its core Kultur can be defined as what a people choose to pass on to their children, the folklore of the Brothers Grimm might be said to represent a rich tapestry of the German people’s distinct, cultural memory.
This in-person presentation will explore the times in which this folklore was first collected and published. As the Grimms were part and parcel of the Romanticist movement of the early 19th century, their interpretations of the tales they collected might be seen not only as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism but also in support of an early nationalist movement seeking to promote a “German” consciousness based on the authentic voices of a common folk bound together by language and and tradition.
Join us then as we take a closer look at the historical and cultural context behind the enchanted folklore of the Brothers Grimm.

The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde (ONLINE)
2026-01-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us online for a discussion with Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad about her new book The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. Black, queer, feminist, Buddhist: The Fire Inside casts a fresh new light on the radical literary legacies of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde.
This is an online-only program with the American Writers Museum.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, a powerful new exhibit that takes you on the ultimate exploration through spirituality and storytelling. American Prophets is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

More about The Fire Inside:
The Fire Inside explores the writings of Audre Lorde and James Baldwin through a Dharmic lens, revealing for the first time how two of America’s greatest literary voices reflect—and expand—Buddhism’s most timeless truths toward justice and liberation.
Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad dives deeply into a dharma of liberation as lived by Baldwin and Lorde, offering timely lessons to help us each meet this moment. She explores the writers’ enduring legacies to show that liberation depends not only on organizing and mass movements, but the generative power of inner well-being, authenticity, art, and embodiment. Each chapter shares how looking inward is the way forward, examining Baldwin and Lorde through key Buddhist principles.
This book offers space for emerging conversations within spiritual communities—ones that don’t shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths; that center—and celebrate—Black, queer, radical thought; and that embrace the ways our inner lives, creative fire, sensuality, and expressions of love can ignite and sustain revolutionary liberation.
Praise for The Fire Inside:
“I have followed and admired Rima Vesely-Flad’s work for years. She is tapping resources that all of us can access for greater hope and change.” —MICHELLE ALEXANDER, author of The New Jim Crow
“This groundbreaking work is a gift of love reminding us of how Black liberation struggle, like the dharma itself, has always been about everyone getting free.” —LAMA ROD OWENS, author of Love and Rage and The New Saints
“This is a read not to miss… I find my own embers of wellness, justice, and harmony stoked with her joy of expression from the heart and mind on behalf of us all.” —LARRY WARD, Buddhist teacher, author, and cofounder of The Lotus Institute
“This book is a fire that both illuminates and refines, a call to engage with the truth of our times while drawing strength from ancestral wisdom.” —RUTH KING, author of Mindful of Race
About the author:
DR. RIMA VESELY-FLAD is the Visiting Professor of Buddhism and Black Studies at Union Theological Seminary. She is the author of Black Buddhists and the Black Radical Tradition: The Practice of Stillness in the Movement for Liberation (NYU Press, 2022) and Racial Purity and Dangerous Bodies: Moral Pollution, Black Lives, and the Struggle for Justice (Fortress Press, 2017).

Get Lit: Rom Com Night
2026-02-10 17:30 - 19:30 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Celebrate all things charming, hilarious, and heart-fluttering at Get Lit: Rom-Com Night as we bring the world of romantic comedies to life.

Test your knowledge of rom-com films in our Meet Cute Trivia Challenge.
Meet with our friends from the Last Chapter Book Shop, Chicago’s first & only romance bookstore.
Unwrap your next read at the Blind Date with a Book station.
Design your own tote bag with your favorite rom-com quotes and drawings.
Get a custom poem from our friends at Poems While You Wait inspired by your favorite stories of love.
Enjoy beer, wine, and the night’s specialty cocktail, THE FIRST KISS. Non-alcoholic options are available as well.

Whether you’re coming with a partner, your best friends, or treating yourself to a cozy night out, this joyful evening promises nostalgia, laughter, and plenty of classic rom-com sparkle.

This is 21+ event. Attendees must show a valid photo ID at the door to enter.
Get Lit is your way to enjoy evenings in the Loop. Meet friends and fellow book nerds for an early evening treat. Each month, the AWM serves drinks, games, special experiences, and fun activities to get you lit! Funds raised at this event go towards the AWM’s Write In Youth Education Program, which serves middle and high school students from under-resourced schools. See our other upcoming GET LIT events here.

Meet the Beatles in Hamburg | In-Person Presentation
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us in reliving the “Hamburg Days” of three working class lads from Liverpool, who spent many a “hard days night” in seedy night clubs all along the notorious Reeperbahn between 1960 and 1962, playing American rock ‘n roll to some of the toughest crowds in all of Europe.
John Lennon once remarked, “I may have been raised in Liverpool, but I grew up in Hamburg.” Sentiments also attested by bandmates Paul and George.
An experience which made them as a band before returning to England and a recording contract. In time, setting off a global revolution not only in music and fashion but in raising a “peace and love” consciousness the world over.
It was the Beatles who would significantly influence the decade known as the “Sixties”, and it all began in Hamburg–where they also met another Liverpudlian named Ringo!

Concert | The 3 B's: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms
2026-03-08 15:00 - 17:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Andrew Schultze & Svetlana Belsky present the 3Bs Concert, featuring selections from J.S. Bach’s Peasant Cantata, Beethoven’s Adelaide, and songs from Brahms’ Opuses 48 & 49. This thoughtfully curated program highlights the expressive depth and musical evolution of three iconic composers, blending lyrical storytelling, romantic emotion, and timeless artistry in an intimate recital experience.
Following the concert a light reception of cake, tea and coffee will be offered and you will have the opportunity to purchase Mr. Schultze’s and Ms. Belsky’s CD.
