Chicago Deaprtment of Cultural Affairs & Special Events news & events  
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MAY 2018

 

Featured Events
Chicago Riverwalk










Chicago House Muaic Festival










May 18-20
Chicago River, Lake Shore Dr. to Lake St.
The City of Chicago will preview and kick off summer programming along the Chicago Riverwalk - one of the city's most beloved outdoor attractions - during a three-day public celebration on Friday, May 18 - Sunday, May 20. Activities include walking tours led by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Fishing at the Jetty led by the Chicago Park District - and a pyrotechnic display on the LaSalle Street, Clark Street, Dearborn Street and State Street bridges. For details and the full schedule, visit chicagoriverwalk.us.

May 24-26
Chicago Cultural Center
May 26
Millennium Park
Chicago House Music Festival now features three stages of DJs and live music at Millennium Park, including Louie Vega and Elements of Life band, Joe Smooth, Chez Damier, Ron Trent and Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound). A preview Chicago House Music Conference and Dance Summit takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.); admission is free, and registration is not required. For details and the full schedule, visit chicagohousemusicfestival.us.
 
May Events
Dame Myra Hess Concerts CHA_DePaul Documentary Film Screening SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players
Dame Myra Hess Concerts
May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center
University of Chicago First Friday Lecture Series Chicago Dance Month Juicebox featuring Ida y Vuelta
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center 
Chicago Cultural Center & Garfield Park Conservatory 
 
Presented by
Lifeway Kefir


Vino Louden _Photo by James Fraher_ Chicago Kids and Kites Festival Jazz Ambassadors Concert
Chicago Cultural Center

May 5

Presented by
Country Financial 

Chicago Cultural Center

Nina Chanel Abney_ Royal Flush Maxwell Street Market Chamber Mondays
Through May 6
Chicago Cultural Center

Maxwell Street Market
May 6, 13, 20, 27  
800 S. Desplaines St. 

Presented by
Country Financial 

Chamber Mondays
May 7 & 28
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center Building Tour Gospel Music Professional Development Panel with Sir the Baptist_ Don Jackson and Donald Lawrence Jazz Links Jam Sessions
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Chicago Cultural Center
Muslim Girls and Monsters Chicago City Markets Kick-off Joe Filisko _ Eric Noden
Chicago Cultural Center
May 10
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

Presented by
Country Financial 

Conrad Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago Crossings Screening _ Discussion Preservation Snapshots Lecture Series Young People_s Concerts_ Live Music Now_
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Juicebox featuring Little Miss Ann Omar Coleman WTTW Community Cinema
Chicago Cultural Center & Garfield Park Conservatory 
 
Presented by
Lifeway Kefir


Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St. 
 
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Matthew Skoller University of Chicago Works of the Mind Lecture Series Chicago Blues Festival Preview
May 20
Maxwell Street Market

May 20
Chicago Cultural Center
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago
915 E. 60th St. 
 
Chicago_s Memorial Day Parade International Screenings Program_ REEL MUSIC _52 HZ_ I Love You_ Cleveland Dean_ Recto_Verso _ Duality of a Fragile Ego
State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren
 
Chicago Cultural Center
 
Chicago Cultural Center
 
de-skinned_ duk ju l kim recent work Xavier Toubes_ Descriptions Without a Place. PushMoon4 Scott Stack_ Interior and Exterior
Chicago Cultural Center
Through July 29
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center
Keith Haring_ The Chicago Mural  _Photo by_ Marcelino Y. Fahd_ Bronzeville Echoes_ Faces and Places of Chicago_s African American Music Stand Up for Landmarks_ Protests_ Posters _ Pictures
Keith Haring: The Chicago Mural
Through September 23
Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center
City Gallery on the Historic Water Tower

Featured News
Millennium Park Important Reminder: Updated Security Plan for Millennium Park
New security measures will be implemented this summer to keep park visitors safe during free cultural programming at the #1 attraction in the Midwest. As the summer season kicks off in Millennium Park, some important changes are coming to improve security and the visitor experience at the park. Coinciding with the start of the busy summer season on May 19, Millennium Park will implement a security perimeter and bag check for all concerts and events that take place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Firearms, knives and other weapons will be prohibited to ensure the public's safety.

 

Outside alcohol will be prohibited at the seven Jay Pritzker Pavilion events with the highest attendance:

  • May 26: Chicago House Music Festival
  • June 8-10: Chicago Blues Festival
  • June 24: Chicago Mariachi Festival
  • July 4: Grant Park Music Festival Independence Day Salute
  • August 9: Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me
  • August 13: Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert
  • August 29-September 2: Chicago Jazz Festival

Outside alcohol will be allowed at the other 70 public concerts and programs happening in Millennium Park this summer.

 

Ramsey Lewis City of Chicago Announces 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Jazz Institute of Chicago are pleased to announce an expanded schedule for the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, August 24-September 2 in Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) and at neighborhood venues throughout the city. Headliners include Ramsey Lewis, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Maceo Parker, Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and a Tribute to Willie Pickens. For the complete lineup of performers in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, visit chicagojazzfestival.us. Neighborhood locations will be announced in June.

 

Chicago Blues Festival _Mavis Staples pictured_ Save the Date
June 1-2 - Chicago Gospel Music Festival
June 2-Oct. 1 - Alexis Rockman: The Great Lakes Cycle
June 8-10 - Chicago Blues Festival
June 18-Aug. 16 - Millennium Park Music Series
July 11-15 - Taste of Chicago





Free, Free, Free!
Free Thursday Night Hangs
Free Thursday Night Hangs: Battle It Out-Gender Warriors
Thursday, May 10, 5-8pm
Art Institute of Chicago, Ryan Learning Center, 159 E. Monroe St.
Free Thursday Night Hangs are hosted by Chicago teens and feature live artist performances and experimental programs. Meet artists, get inspired, eat snacks, and talk about art. Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every Thursday evening from 5-8pm. (2018 is the Year of Creative Youth, a citywide celebration of Chicago's creative youth and the mentors who inspire them.)
 
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