Chicago Cultural Alliance

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance: Studio Arts Program
2026-01-17 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-01-24 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-01-31 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-02-07 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-02-14 10:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | IL
El Rinconcito is a free open art space for creative expression for people ages 12-25. You can meet people like you who are interested in arts, painting, drawing, printmaking, and others. El Riconcito provides a safe and welcoming studio for art making. An artist and a counselor in the studio can guide you in creative experiences, but you can opt to do your own artwork.
Join us! We provide the art supplies, and you bring your creativity.

Constructing Jathi Choreography with Harini Nilakantan
2026-01-17 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-01-24 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-01-31 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-02-07 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-02-14 13:15 - 14:15 | 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

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.

Neighborhood Nights
2026-01-22 19:00 - 23:00 | IL
Date:
Start
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Time:
Location:
Location
DANK Haus, 6th Floor Skyline Lounge

enjoy a beverage with a spectacular EXPERIENCE in our haus
A perfect place to meet your neighbors and socialize! All proceeds support the DANK Haus Museum
WHEN
Each 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month from 7-11 PM.
Location
Winter months – Brauhaus Room (2nd floor)
Summer/Fall months – Skyline Lounge/Terrace (6th floor)
Subject to change. Be sure to check elevator signs when arriving!

Kino, Kaffee und Kuchen
2026-01-24 10:30, 2026-01-31 10:30, 2026-02-07 10:30, 2026-02-14 10:30, 2026-02-21 10:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Date:
Start
Saturday, January 06, 2024
Time:
Location:
Location
DANK Haus Room 206, 2nd Floor

KINO, KAFFEE UND KUCHEN
Saturdays at the DANK Haus in Room 206
10:30 – 11:00 AM | Kaffee und Kuchen
11:00 – 12:00 PM | Vorfilm
12:00 PM | Feature Film Begins

Join us each Saturday at the DANK Haus in Fall, Winter, and Spring for Kaffee, Kuchen, und Kino. Each week guests will choose the film they want to watch
DANK Members: $5 | Non-Members: $7

American Prophets: Religion & Rhetoric in the Early Woman’s Rights Movement
2026-01-27 18:00 - 19:00 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
American Prophets: Religion & Rhetoric in the Early Woman’s Rights Movement

Scholars Lisa Marie Gring-Pemble and Martha Watson join us online to discuss their book Your Daughters Will Prophesy: Religion and Rhetoric in the Nineteenth-Century Woman’s Movement. Their work explores how nineteenth-century women used the Bible to claim their voice on the moral questions of their day.
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 Your Daughters Will Prophesy:
Caught between their identity as Christians and social norms that silenced them, American women used scripture to claim moral and then rhetorical agency. They reinterpreted familiar biblical passages, recovered previously ignored stories about women, and contested passages used to circumscribe women’s activities. By strategically adopting a rhetorical posture of dissent, these women became prophetic voices in American society.
In Your Daughters Will Prophesy, Lisa Marie Gring-Pemble and Martha Watson analyze the argumentative resources four women—Jarena Lee, Sarah Moore Grimké, Lucretia Coffin Mott, and Frances Willard—used to counter gendered restrictions and gain access to platform and pulpit, catalyzing what became known as the woman’s movement.
Praise for Your Daughters Will Prophesy:
“In this well-written and accessible book, Lisa Marie Gring-Pemble and Martha Watson reveal how four of the most influential nineteenth-century US women wrestled with scripture and the Christian tradition to justify their public speaking and activism.” —Kristy Maddux, University of Maryland, author of Practicing Citizenship: Women’s Rhetoric at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
“Most people—inside and outside of academia—would not consider the possibility that activists might look to scripture to make the case for women’s rights. Your Daughters Will Prophesy counters this assumption with a detailed history of the ways in which nineteenth-century female reformers used the Bible as a rhetorical resource.” —Patricia Davis, Northeastern University, author of Laying Claim: African American Cultural Memory and Southern Identity
About the authors:
LISA MARIE GRING-PEMBLE is an associate professor at George Mason University. She is author of Grim Fairy Tales: The Rhetorical Construction of American Welfare Policy, and her writing has appeared in journals, including the Quarterly Journal of Speech and Rhetoric and Public Affairs.
MARTHA WATSON is author and editor of several books, including Lives of Their Own: Rhetorical Dimensions in Autobiographies of Women Activists. She is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

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).

Black History Month
2026-02-01 - 2026-03-01 | IL

Uncork Romania – Premier Wine Tasting
2026-02-06 07:00 - 21:00 | ROCO Chicago, 5406 N. KEDZIE AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for a relaxed and social evening celebrating Romanian premium wines, featuring selections from Crama DeMatei and Crama Caii de la Letea. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply curious to discover Romanian wines beyond the familiar, this evening is designed to be approachable, informative, and enjoyable.

The exhibition “The Dear Road”
2026-02-06 07:00 - 21:30 | Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W. Superior St., Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The exhibition “The Dear Road” explores the symbolic meaning of roads as metaphors for life’s journey — from childhood to adulthood, through joy, struggle, love, and discovery. Among all life’s paths, the road home stands as the most sacred, representing warmth, belonging, and love. Today, for Ukrainians, this symbolism takes on a deeper resonance as they fight for the ultimate road — the path to peace, freedom, and the preservation of their homeland. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on their own life journeys, the roads that have shaped them, and the ones that lead them home.
The exhibition will be presented by Krystyna Berehovska, director of the ZENYK ART GALLERY ( Lviv, Ukraine ) and curator of this exhibit.

Date: February 6, Friday at 7:00 pmLocation: UNM, 2249 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60612

Teezeit | Tea Tasting 101
2026-02-07 15:00 - 17:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Slow down and savor the art of tea at Teezeit – Tea Tasting 101, an introductory tea experience hosted in partnership with the Chicago Tea House.
Set in the Skyline Lounge, this guided tasting invites you to explore the rich history of tea, from cultivation and processing to the diverse types enjoyed around the world. Guests will be led through a curated tasting of four distinct teas, learning how origin, technique, and tradition shape each cup.
The afternoon concludes with cake, offering the perfect pairing to round out this cozy and informative experience.

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.

Neighborhood Nights
2026-02-12 19:00 - 23:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States

Haitian Heritage Month Konpa Sware
2026-02-19 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*

3rd Fridays Free Admission Museum Night
2026-02-20 17:00 - 20:00 | Heritage Museum of Asian Art, 3500 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Free Admission Museum Nights take place every third Friday of each month from 5 pm to 8 pm! The tour will start at 6 PM on time. All tours depart from the reception desk, and please be sure to arrive on time. The event offers wine and appetizers.
This Friday at 7-7:40 PM, our Resident Artist 2024 – Irene Hsiao will perform at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art as part of the project If The Sky Could Dream.
About the Tour –
Learn about Asian Art in the Heritage Museum of Asian Art with a guided hour-long tour around the gallery. Museum-trained interns and volunteers will give a talk on selected artworks. Each word is packed with fascinating insights, information, and stories. During this participatory experience, you’ll connect with works from across the collection and get a close look at highlighting artworks. Visitors of all ages are welcome.
Please note tours may be canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
About the project –
IF THE SKY COULD DREAM focuses on the Chinese dragon as a powerful being that fosters harmony. This creature is emblematic of China as well as a mythological being for many Asian and Western cultures and thus evokes a sense of mysticism, and intrigue in many communities. Representing the Chinese Dragon as a water deity, the installation series will feature images and projections of the weather and local bodies of water in Chicago.
If The Sky Could Dream is supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
About Irene Hsiao
Irene Hsiao creates performances in conversation with visual art in museums, galleries, and public spaces, a practice that includes site-specific interaction with visual artworks and experimental engagement with artists, institutions, and the public. Find out more through our website.
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.
If you have any programming questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with info@heritageasianart.org or 312-842-8884.

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!

Stammtisch Open Haus, Every 3rd Friday
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
