2024 Breakin' It Down Conference: Rooted in Purpose
2024-10-25 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, 60612
Since 2003, Breakin’ It Down (BID), a fiscal sponsorship project of Mujeres Latinas en Accion, has striven to advance racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising, The Breakin’ It Down Conference provides equitable access to relevant programming and engages diverse professionals, community volunteers, grassroots activists, and other stakeholders who serve under-recognized communities in the Chicago area in a day of thoughtful discourse.
This important event’s interactive agenda focuses on key challenges in the field, encouraging professional excellence, promoting professional opportunity through networking and collaboration, and exploring best practices and different sustainability strategies. Participants leave with an increased understanding of a substantive range of pertinent issues and an increased ability to be agents of change in our field.

Art for Health
2024-10-25 18:00 - 22:00 | Venue West, 221 N Paulina, Chicago, 60612
Looking for a fun night out in Chicago while supporting a great cause? Community Empowerment is a Chicago-based global health nonprofit organization that provides essential medical and surgical services to our partner communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Join us for a celebratory fundraising event that brings together art, music, food, and community! See art works and installations from Marek Hosek, Sebastian Kowalski, Hague Williams, All Star Press, John Bannon, and Paul Lukes. Throughout the night, enjoy live screen printing, new photo works, functional art, raffle prizes and more! Learn about our accomplishments and the sustainable impact of our work.
Proceeds from the Art for Health Benefit directly support medical and surgical services for underserved communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Your support and generosity fuels our mission, ensuring we can continue to connect and strengthen communities.

First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 1427 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
2024-10-25 19:00 - 20:30 | First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 1427 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
Cellist phenom Santiago Cañon Valencia, winner of the Tchaikovsky and Queen Elisabeth Competitions, and Janos Starker Awardee debuts in Evanston with the Steinway Artist Victor Santiago Asunción, founder and artistic director of the Evanston Chamber Music Society.

Recital and Lecture featuring works of exiled Jewish composer Richard Stöhr
2024-10-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Reba Place Church, 620 Madison St, Evanston, 60202
FREE ADMISSION
Richard Stöhr (1874–1967) was a prolific and highly respected Viennese composer, author and teacher. His output includes seven symphonies, two operas, choral music, lieder, numerous chamber works and solo piano music, as well as half a dozen widely used textbooks. During his 50-year career as a teacher, his students included Herbert von Karajan, Erich Leinsdorf, Rudolf Serkin, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein and Marlene Dietrich.
Stöhr was exiled from Austria by the Nazis in 1938. After moving to the US, he taught courses at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, the University of Cincinnati, and lastly at St. Michael’s College in Burlington, VT.
Stefan Koch and Robert Conway are the first musicians to perform this cello/piano music in the US, and the first to perform it anywhere since 1938. The composer’s grandson Dan Stohr is a long-time resident and attorney in Chicago, and Dan’s mother Vera Gitlin Stoehr was a member of Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston for over 40 years until her death in 2023.
The musical program consists of four Fantasy Pieces and a Cello Sonata, a total of 60 minutes of music. A PowerPoint program on the composer’s life is also part of the presentation.
Stefan Koch is a member of the Lansing and Jackson Symphonies in Michigan and Principal Cellist of the Utah Festival Opera in the summer, as well as a frequent guest performer with the Grand Rapids, Toledo, Kalamazoo Symphonies, among others. Robert Conway is Professor of Piano at Wayne St. University and Orchestral Pianist with the Detroit Symphony.

Exhibition Closing Reception | Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream
2024-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Please join us on Friday, October 25 from 7-9 PM for an evening with the curator and artists at the closing reception of our exhibition “Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream.”
This exhibition features profiles on German, Austrian, and German American women who left their mark on the world. Paired with original artwork created by local women artists, this exhibit tells the stories of these amazing “Power Frauen.”
“Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to Dream” will be on display from August 9 – September 20 in the DANK Treffpunkt. Thank you to the artists: Vero Rose Smith, Victoria Pater, Elaine Luther, Sara Roberts, Sunny Gandy, Danielle Anson, Cam Best, Erin McNamara, Deniana Clemente, Marvi Sayon, Jill Liebhaber, Carolyn Boudreau, Bethany Cordero, Adeline Sides, B. Quinn, and Karina Wang.

Bluebird Arts Presents Dinner with Friends by Donald Margulies
2024-10-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-10-26 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-10-31 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-11-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-11-02 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-11-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Theater Wit, 1229 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657
Bluebird Arts kicks off its sixth season with Donald Margulies’ Dinner with Friends at Theater Wit. The show runs from Saturday, October 19, to Saturday, November 23, 2024. Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm.
Dinner with Friends is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that delves into the complexities of intimacy in friendships and marriages. It centers on two couples—Gabe and Karen, and their longtime friends Tom and Beth—whose relationships are tested when Tom and Beth announce their divorce. The drama explores themes of love, loyalty, and the evolving dynamics of human connections through recollections and emotional revelations.

Kino, Kaffee und Kuchen
2024-10-26 10:30, 2024-11-02 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

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance: Studio Arts Program
2024-10-26 10:30 - 14:30, 2024-11-02 10:30 - 14:30 | 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.

Traditional Storytelling and Skull Mosaics
2024-10-26 11:00 - 13:00 | Trickster Cultural Center, 190 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60193, United States
Join us on decorating with natural elements for a beautiful Day of the Dead design for your altar and enjoy some seasonal storytelling. This event is free and all are welcome.

FREE Guided Tours at the National Hellenic Museum
2024-10-26 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-11-02 11:00 - 15:00 | National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
Join us for our FREE, limited-time offer guided tours every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These one-hour tours offer a comprehensive journey through the museum’s rich exhibitions and artifacts.

Constructing Jathi Choreography with Harini Nilakantan
2024-10-26 13:15 - 14:15, 2024-11-02 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

Friedrich Rau Workshop & Concert: Lass uns ein bisschen swingen!
2024-10-26 17:30 - 21:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
We are excited to present an incredibly unique event with Friedrich Rau, singer and songwriter from Leipzig, Germany. Together with his team — Tim Ludwig (guitar and songwriting) and Sebastian Stahl (drums and sampling) — he will not only perform an unforgettable concert but also offer an exciting workshop.
Part 1: Workshop
In the workshop, Friedrich and his band will work with participants on a special song that they have written specifically for this tour. The goal is for participants to actively participate in the concert following the workshop. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn, practice, and ultimately perform with the artists!
With Friedrich Rau, participants will rehearse the chorus of the song written especially for the tour and work on refining their German pronunciation. Friedrich will share his experience as a singer and musical performer, providing participants with valuable tips and tricks to improve their vocal skills. If time allows, Friedrich will also teach the mini-choreography for the song “Mädchen auf dem Trampolin.” (30 min.)
With Tim Ludwig, participants will get a glimpse into the life of a songwriter, receive some beginner tips, and even contribute their own lines to the song. Tim, the creative head of the band, will share his passion for melodies and vivid lyrics, helping participants discover their own songwriting skills. (30 min.)
With Sebastian Stahl, participants get to work with the iOS app Note and desktop application Ableton Live and create their own first beats on the go and gather sounds from their surroundings. The goal is to enrich the Community Tour Song with some beats created by the participants. (30 min.)
Part 2: Concert
Friedrich Rau is known for his unique style of “electric swing” which fuses contemporary pop music with swing tunes often associated with the golden twenties.concert is a fantastic opportunity for German learners and music lovers to experience his and his band’s dynamic and international musical presence and his “electric” interpretation of “swing” music as well as his team’s unique contributions to a three-part, multi-dimensional workshop.

Meetup with Easy German
2024-10-27 16:00 - 19:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for a fun and engaging Meetup with Easy German! Whether you are a German Language Learner, a German, or just simply interested in the German language and culture, this event is perfect for you.
Was ist Easy German?
Easy German is a popular language learning platform based in Berlin that creates educational content to help people learn German in an accessible and enjoyable way. They produce videos, podcasts, and other resources that focus on real-life conversations, cultural insights, and everyday language use. Their approach emphasizes practical vocabulary and phrases, making it easier for learners to understand and use German in daily situations.
What to expect?

Interactive Activities: Engage in language games, conversation practice, and cultural discussions led by the Easy German facilitators.

Networking: Meet fellow German learners, native speakers, the Easy German team as well as the Dankhaus team in a relaxed and friendly environment.

No prior knowledge of German is required. Come ready to learn, have fun, and make new friends. We look forward to seeing you there!

Trick-or-Treating at Museum of Illusions Chicago
2024-10-28 10:00 - 2024-10-31 21:00 | Museum of Illusions Chicago, 25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL, 60602
Experience the mystery of illusions this Halloween at the Museum of Illusions Chicago. While MOI is known for its tricks, it also wants to treat guests. Kids can get a head start on trick-or-treating at the Museum during regular operating hours, and don’t forget the tricks! Fan-favorite illusions like Head on a Plate, Ames Room, the Vortex Tunnel, and more will have guests wondering what’s real and what’s not. It’s the perfect destination for families looking to treat their kids to some tricks that aren’t too scary during this fright-filled season.

Artecito Virtual
2024-10-31 18:00 - 19:00 | Online Event
Artecito es un proyecto criado por OPEN Center for the Arts y Lincoln Park Zoo para explorar diferentes temas de la naturaleza y conservación del medio ambiente a través de las artes

Kurt Weill Circus by Anne Fromm (Lyon) Part of the Cabaret Connexion 2024 Concert Festival
2024-10-31 19:30 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for the opening night of the Cabaret Connexion Concert Festival. Experience KURT WEILL CIRCUS by Anne Fromm (Lyon). Opening with WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Paulus the Cabarat Geek (London), and a bevy of Parisian chanteuses hosted by Claudia Hommel (Chicago). Meet us in the Brauhaus! Halloween costumes encouraged!
Cats & witches, circus & clowns, songs spun in French, German and English for the Chicago Paris Cabaret Connexion. Meet us in the Brauhaus!
Call 773-509-9360 or visit cabaretconnexion.org/rsvp for more

Classic German Cooking by Luisa Weiss: Cooking Demonstration & Book Launch
2024-11-01 19:00 - 21:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for a special culinary evening celebrating the launch of Classic German Cooking by acclaimed food writer Luisa Weiss, author of Classic German Baking and My Berlin Kitchen.
On Friday, Nov 1, Luisa Weiss will guide us through a live cooking demonstration, bringing the cozy, comforting flavors of German and Austrian home cooking to life. Afterward, Luisa will be joined by Chicago food writer and blogger Tim Mazurek, creator of Lottie + Doof, for a lively discussion and book launch celebration.
Discover the humble charm of classic German cuisine, renowned for its ability to comfort, nourish, and bring joy to any table. During the cooking demonstration, Luisa will show you how to prepare beloved traditional dishes such as Maultaschen (dumplings with meat and spinach) and Apfelküchle (apple fritters), while sharing personal stories and the rich history behind these timeless recipes.
After the demonstration, Tim Mazurek will join Luisa for an exclusive discussion about her latest cookbook, Classic German Cooking, launched just three days prior to our event. Together, they will talk about the inspiration behind the book, its collection of over 100 essential recipes, and the enduring influence of German and Austrian culinary traditions. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, engage in the conversation, and take home your own signed copy of the book.

Papel Picado y Flores
2024-11-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Trickster Cultural Center, 190 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60193, United States
Join us and learn how to make papel picado, a traditional Mexican decorative craft, and flowers to decorate an ofrenda (altar). This event is free and all are welcome.

Artecito Virtual Coyote
2024-11-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Online Event
Coyotes are mammals of the Canidae family. The same family as domestic dogs!
Join us as we explore more about Coyotes with our friends at Lincoln Park Zoo!
https://bit.ly/ArtecitoVirtual
🎨
Los Coyotes son mamíferos de la familia canidae ¡La misma familia de los perros domésticos!
¡Únase a nosotros mientras exploramos más sobre la Coyotes con nuestros amigos del Lincoln Park Zoo!
https://bit.ly/ArtecitoVirtual
🎨
What is Virtual Artecito?
Artecito is a free online workshop in Spanish developed by OPEN Center for the Arts and Lincoln Park Zoo that uses the arts to engage families with nature in ways that resonate with local holidays, culture, and wildlife. With a related art activity, workshops highlight wildlife and nature to encourage children and families to think about nature and their relationship to it in creative ways.
🎨
¿Qué es Artecito Virtual?
Artecito es un taller gratuito en español bimensual gratuito en linea desarrollado por OPEN Center for the Arts y Lincoln Park Zoo que utiliza las artes para involucrar a las familias con la naturaleza de maneras que resuenan con las festividades locales, la cultura y la vida silvestre. Con una actividad artística relacionada, los talleres destacan la vida silvestre y la naturaleza para alentar a los niños y las familias a pensar sobre la naturaleza y su relación con ella de manera creativa.

Kulturküche Cooking Class | Brezeln: German Pretzels
2024-11-08 18:30 - 20:30 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
We are hosting 3 pretzel making classes this fall. Why? We LOVE pretzels! These pretzel-making classes will be offered in-person. We will host up to 25 students in our industrial kitchen at the DANK Haus. These 25 students will get hands on training from Reinhard Richter, our resident Pretzel Meister, and take home their homemade pretzels at the end of the class.
We have 3 classes to choose from. All students will get the recipe and be able to communicate directly with our chef.

LEGO® & LIBATIONS
2024-11-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Big Star Wicker Park, 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, 60622
Who says LEGO are just for kids? Join the CAC team at Big Star’s Wicker Park location for a hands-on workshop and enjoy an interactive evening of creativity, design, and fun. Bring a friend or make new ones!
Learn about the design process while tackling a LEGO build challenge—perfect for first-timers and seasoned builders. Bring a friend, grab a drink, and enjoy a hands-on workshop where you’ll think like a designer and bring your unique creation to life.
All LEGO materials will be provided.
Your workshop registration includes one draft beer ticket and a pass for a future visit to the CAC.
