Chicago Cultural Alliance

Constructing Jathi Choreography with Harini Nilakantan
2026-07-18 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-07-11 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-07-04 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-06-27 13:15 - 14:15, 2026-06-20 13:15 - 14:15 (America/Chicago) | 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

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance: Studio Arts Program
2026-07-18 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-11 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-04 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-27 10:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-20 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.

Kino, Kaffee und Kuchen
2026-07-18 10:30, 2026-07-11 10:30, 2026-07-04 10:30, 2026-06-27 10:30, 2026-06-20 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

Stammtisch Open Haus, Every 3rd Friday
2026-07-17 19:30 - 2026-07-18 00:00, 2026-06-19 19:30 - 2026-06-20 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

3rd Fridays Free Admission Museum Night
2026-07-17 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-19 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.

Haitian Heritage Month Konpa Sware
2026-07-16 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*

4th Annual Mela
2026-07-11 12:00 - 20:00 | Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens, 1801 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL, 60616, United States
Kalapriya’s annual Mela is back! Join us for a fantastic day of fun with South Asian music, dance, food, and crafts! Experience incredible performances by local, national, and international musicians and dancers, taste some authentic food, enjoy arts and crafts, shop at local retail vendors, and wear some body art from henna artists!
We are excited to welcome the following vendors to this year’s Mela:
Siri Indian Restaurant
Itlu Catering
Kashmir Kupcakes
Maa Ke Masale
Kaira Kollection
Spicy Raksha
Legacy Matrix Financials
Riwaaz Jewels
Decor Marigold

Neighborhood Nights
2026-07-09 19:00 - 23:00 | DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
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!

Get Lit: The Great American Heist
2026-07-08 17:00 - 19:30 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join your fellow investigators for a mystery 250 years in the making! A special artifact from the museum’s pop-up Declarations exhibit has been stolen and it’s up to you to find it. Work solo or team up with fellow sleuths to decipher clues, interrogate your fellow Americans, and piece together the truth behind this crime of patriotic passion.
While you investigate, enjoy beer, wine, and the night’s specialty cocktail, The Amendment, a whiskey and brandy-based drink that will have you waving Old Glory! Non-alcoholic version are also available.
The night will kick off promptly at 5:00pm with a reading of the Declaration of Independence as part of Sharing the Spirit of America: A Statewide & National Reading of the Declaration of Independence, with people in communities across America taking part.
Costumes are encouraged! Think powdered wigs, waistcoats, breeches, or your boldest red, white, and blue look. Grab your friends, make your declaration, and join us for a night of literary mischief!
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.

This is 21+ event. Attendees must show a valid photo ID at the door to enter.

Summer Writing Institute for Teachers
2026-07-07 10:00 - 16:00 | American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join us for a professional development session co-presented by Teach Tank. This professional development session will include brand-new creative writing exercises designed to spark stimulating conversations with a focus on making new connections and learning from one another.
If you have attended any of our previous writing institutes, this workshop is an entirely new session that will ignite your passion for writing and get you excited to get in front of the classroom again. Just like remixing a song, we want to help shake up your curriculum for a fresh way to connect with students.
You’ll engage with materials from the museum’s latest temporary exhibit, American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, the museum’s largest special exhibit and program series to date. You’ll learn how to better integrate the museum’s many online resources, remixing them within your own writing curriculum. In fact, you’re encouraged to bring your curriculum with you to swap ideas with your peers and make notes on how to refresh it!
This is a day for educators to feel seen, heard, and valued. What challenges are you facing as an educator in 2026? Chances are good you’re not alone. Is AI the enemy, or is it not enough classroom time to devote to writing instruction? We’ll talk about ways to integrate writing instruction in your classroom and share ideas to strengthen everyone’s curriculum and instruction.
Lunch will be provided. Please inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions during the checkout process.
Illinois Teachers will earn 6 CPDUs. If you are a teacher at a CIS partner school and would like to attend, please reach out to your CIS specialist for more details.
For any questions, reach out to the AWM Education Team at education@americanwritersmuseum.org.

¡Tocamos! A Mexican & American Picture Book and Artisanal Collaboration
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Join us for a talk with bilingual children’s book author Cynthia Weill as she discusses her latest publication, ¡Tocamos!, and the inspiration behind its creation.
This event is free, but registration is required.
Cynthia Weill is a renowned author of many award-winning bilingual children’s books in English and Spanish. These books for young children, known as the First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art series (Cinco Puntos Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Publishers), utilize hand-crafted figures made by artisans from the state of Oaxaca in México. Beginning in 2003, Cynthia began collaborating with artisans to create lively and colorful figures made of papier-mâché, wood, ceramics, and totomoxtle (woven palm). These anthropomorphic and human figures are then photographed and incorporated into her bilingual children’s books, including her latest publication ¡Tocamos!. Cynthia will talk about the process of developing these books and about the deep friendships she has developed with her collaborators, like the artist Avelino Pérez. Pérez’ whimsical and artistically refined pieces illustrate ¡Tocamos!, and now form part of the growing Mexican folk art collection at the Field Museum.
After Cynthia’s talk, guests can enjoy seeing the many works of Oaxacan folk art from renowned artisans such as Martín Melchor, Maximino Santiago García, Agustín Cruz Tinoco, Jesús Canseco Zárate, and many more.
This event will take place in Ward Hall, on the lower level near the Field Museum’s west entrance. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Please note that while this event is free, it does not include general admission to the Field Museum, which can be purchased separately.

Neighborhood Nights
2026-06-25 19:00 - 23:00 | IL

Through Her Lens: Caribbean Image Makers
2026-06-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, 3000 N Elbridge Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618, United States
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) is pleased to present Through Her Lens: Caribbean Image Makers, a group exhibition featuring six lens-based artists whose work explores Caribbean identity, migration, memory, and belonging across diasporic spaces. The exhibition is on view through July 25, 2026.
Bringing together artists working across documentary, ethnographic, conceptual, and research-based photography, Through Her Lens centers women image-makers whose practices expand photography beyond documentation into a form of witnessing, care, and cultural record-keeping. The exhibition highlights how photography operates as a visual archive of movement, ritual, survival, and cultural continuity across the Caribbean and its global diasporas.
Featured artists include Sonia Báez-Hernández, Lisa DuBois, Brenda Lee Hernández Díaz, Qurissy, Alexandra Majerus, and Tameshia Glass. Their work spans multiple geographies—including Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Cuba, and beyond—reflecting the Caribbean as both a region and a network of lived diasporic experiences.
Sonia Báez-Hernández’s interdisciplinary practice examines migration, illness, and the body as a political and poetic site. Lisa DuBois documents ritual and cultural expression within Black diasporic communities, emphasizing photography’s capacity to witness spiritual and communal life. Brenda Lee Hernández Díaz explores introspection and transformation through documentary and conceptual approaches. Qurissy’s work centers Afro–Puerto Rican lineage and the stateside experience through image and oral narrative. Alexandra Majerus interrogates representation, tourism, and postcolonial identity within Caribbean landscapes. Tameshia Glass presents documentary portraits of Chicago residents, positioning the city as a diasporic space shaped by migration and memory.
Together, these artists offer layered perspectives on Caribbean identity in contemporary contexts, examining how culture is held, transmitted, and reshaped across borders and generations. The exhibition foregrounds photography as a relational practice—connecting photographer and subject, homeland and diaspora, personal narrative and collective history.
Curated by Jorge Félix, Director of Exhibitions & Collections at PRAA, Through Her Lens reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to community-based curatorial practice and diasporic cultural preservation. The exhibition complements PRAA’s broader archive initiatives, including El Archivo Project, which documents the histories and contributions of Puerto Rican communities in Chicago and the Midwest.
The exhibition is FREE Admission and open to the public Tue to Fri: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and by appointment on Saturdays or during non-gallery hours. To schedule visits during non-gallery hours, email Jorge Felix at jorge@praachicago.org. Guests will have the opportunity to meet participating artists and learn more about the exhibition’s themes and related programming.
About the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance is a multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Puerto Rican and Caribbean arts and culture through exhibitions, performances, education, and community-based archival initiatives. Through its Exhibitions & Collections Program and El Archivo Project, PRAA documents and shares the cultural histories of Puerto Rican and Caribbean communities in Chicago and the Midwest.
Media Contact: Jorge Félix Director, Exhibitions & Collections Program Puerto Rican Arts Alliance jorge@praachicago.org | +1 (773)620-8608
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