"Free, Free, Free!" is an e-newsletter and website that provides a monthly curated list of free programs, events and activities happening throughout the city in our libraries, museums, cultural centers and parks. We encourage you to express your culture through the arts and take advantage of the many opportunities the City of Chicago provides you to engage, create and participate!
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Rahm Emanuel
Mayor
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Mark Kelly
Commissioner |
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Chicago Riverwalk Summer Kick-Off Celebration
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Saturday, May 20, 9am-9pm
Chicago Riverwalk
The City of Chicago will kick off summer programming along the Chicago Riverwalk during a day-long celebration on Saturday, May 20, 9am-9pm. The celebration offers a preview of the summer programming that will be offered along the riverfront through October. For a full schedule of events visit www.chicagoriverwalk.us.
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19th Chicago Kids and Kites Festival
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Saturday, May 6, 10am-4pm
Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park, W. Montrose Drive (Lake Shore Drive, btwn. Montrose & Wilson Aves.)
Presenting Sponsor
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Chicago House Music Celebration
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Saturday, May 27, 2-9pm
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Throughout the day,
DJs and live performances will showcase the various sounds and styles of house music, the musical form born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally.
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Chicago Blues Festival Presents: Blues Month
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Monday, May 8 & 15, 12pm
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Randolph Square, 1st Floor North
Monday, May 22 & Tuesday, June 5, 6pm
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North
In anticipation of the
34th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, June 9-11 in Millennium Park, enjoy performances by blues musicians, special film screenings of historical blues documentaries and more.
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Chicago's Memorial Day Parade
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Saturday, May 27
Wreath Laying Ceremony begins at 11am; Parade begins at 12pm
State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren
Chicago's Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Visit the website for more details on the event and parade route.
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Lurie Garden in Millennium Park
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Silk Road Rising
PERFORMANCE: Soundtrack of Joy
Thursday, May 25, 3-6pm
Miro Plaza, 77 W. Washington St.
Silk Road Rising, in partnership with First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, activates the public plaza by the iconic sculpture by Joan MirĂ³. With a program called "Soundtrack of Joy," the music disrupts people to stop, look around at the beautiful environment and engage with others enjoying the performance.
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Art Institute of Chicago
TALK/TOUR: Public Art and the Art Institute of Chicago
Friday, May 5, 12pm
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Meet in Griffin Court
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Presented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel,
Night Out in the Parks brings over 1,000 cultural events to neighborhood parks each year. Chicagoans and visitors alike, enjoy the breadth of world-class events in every one of the city's 77 community areas. Here are a few programming highlights happening in May, but be sure to check out their
website (or
download the app!) for a full listing of events!
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Chicago Children's Choir Concert at Indian Boundary Music
Wednesday, May 10, 6-7pm
Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.
Join us for an
evening in the park! The nationally acclaimed Chicago Children's Choir will perform a free concert to the community.
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Chicago Home Theater Festival at Garfield Conservatory
Tuesday, May 16, 6-10pm
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago Home Theater Festival (CHTF) invites strangers into each other's homes to experience transformative art and build intentional community across lines of difference. Imagine the parks as your home!
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Nature Dance Out at Burnham Dance
Sunday, May 21, 9am-12pm
Burnham Park, 5491 S. Shore Drive
Physically and intellectually learn about urban ecosystems and sense how humans are analogous to the way nature is working. Urban ecologist Nance Klehm and dance artist Ayako Kato guide you through a
nature walk and improvisational movement activities. Three different snacks and tea from foraged wild ingredients created by Klehm will be offered.
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Since first opening our doors in 1873,
Chicago Public Library has served all Chicagoans with free and open places to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed. The libraries are that special third place-beyond home and work-where people come to improve their lives, nourish their intellect or savor entertainment. Their 80 locations host a variety of free events ranging from performances, arts and crafts, writing and poetry, continuing education and more. Here are a few stand-out events happening in May, but be sure to check out their full event calendar for programming at your local library!
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 Ode to Englewood: Artist Talk with Tonika Johnson and Tara Betts
Saturday, May 13, 2-3pm
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.
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Window Into Japan
Thursday, May 4, 10:30-11:30am
Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch, 1701 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Presented by Japan Information Center,
Window Into Japan provides an introduction to Japanese culture through hands on activities and presentations.
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ZAP! with Brookfield Zoo
Saturday, May 13, 1-2:30pm
West Belmont Branch, 3104 N. Narragansett Ave.
ZAP! is a free monthly program for families with children ages 3 to 12. Families receive a special passport that is stamped each time they attend a ZAP! program. With three or more stamps they are invited to participate in Brookfield Zoo field trips on ZAP! Family Days.
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"Made in Chicago": Natya Dance Theatre
Wednesday, May 31, 12:15-1:15pm
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.
The critically-acclaimed Indian dance company, featuring dancers Prathyaya Ramesh, Asha Rowland, and Laxmi Siva, performs "Rasa - The Essence of Emotion," choreographed by Natya's Founder and Artistic Director, Hema Rajagopalan. We thank Natya's Managing Director, Dana Horst Sullivan, for her assistance. Learn about Natya Dance Theatre at their website, natya.com.
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Live On The Lake!
Opens Friday, May 26
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of live music along the lakefront as Navy Pier hosts a free concert series at its popular Miller Lite Beer Garden every Wednesday through Sunday, starting May 26. On Wednesdays, swing and sway to the soothing blues music, courtesy of Buddy Guy's. On Thursdays, learn to dance to different genres of music at Pier Dance. Fridays and Saturdays will feature various live music each week, and Sundays are for the sweet sounds of Old Town. For more information or the full schedule, visit
www.navypier.com.
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