"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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Year of Creative Youth
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Presented by
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ChiTeen Lit Fest
Chicago Public Library
Party: Friday, April 13, 6-10pm; Harold Washington Library, 401 S. Plymouth Ct.
Festival: Saturday, April 14, 10am-6:30pm; Columbia College Chicago, 623 S. Wabash Ave.
ChiTeen Lit Fest aims to provide a safe and creative space for young adults to unlock and discover their unique voice through literary arts. ChiTeen Lit Fest seeks to bring together young people from across Chicago and celebrate their talents as they express themselves through exceptional and honest art.
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CineYouth Festival
Cinema/Chicago
Friday, April 20, 5:30-9pm; Saturday, April 21, 4:30-9:30pm; Sunday, April 22, 10am-7pm Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Held annually in Chicago, CineYouth is a three-day festival celebrating and fostering the creativity of filmmakers 22 years old and younger by screening officially selected work and encouraging their creative endeavors by presenting a filmmaking workshop, discussions and panels.
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Presenting Sponsor
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Second Sundays Year of Creative Youth Performance
Featuring Bandwith Chicago
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Sunday, April 8, 1-2:15pm Maxwell Street Market, 800 S. Desplaines St.
The Maxwell Street Market is a Chicago tradition of bargains and bargaining with an international flavor. The market offers an eclectic mix of merchandise-from tools to tires, plus fresh produce, furniture, clothing, rare finds and collectibles-and some of the best Mexican and Latin street food in Chicago. This is a free and open event to all.
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Xavier Toubes: Descriptions Without a Place
February 3 - July 29 Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue Galleries, 1st Floor South, 78 E. Washington St.
The exhibition of sculptural ceramics presents work with sensuous possibilities. The deft handling of material and skillful glaze technique is created by the palms but executed at the back of the mind. The "fluttering inventions" mingle experience with emotions, touching on the real, aware of the historical moment but un-consumed by it. The objects are fluid, electrical, absurd, theatrical and existential...with wild lone beauty.
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Chicago Dance Month
March 23-May 18, March 27, April 30, 4:30-6pm Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
See Chicago Dance presents a robust Chicago Dance Month, showcasing the city's diverse opportunities to enjoy professional dance. Performances will be held at the Cultural Center and at venues throughout the city.
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Arte Diseño Xicágo
March 23 - August 19
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
Arte Diseño Xicágo (Art Design Chicago) examines the early artistic involvement and influence of Mexican immigrants and artists in Chicago. The exhibition includes artwork, photographs and objects that concentrate on the years between the World's Columbian Exposition (1893) and the Civil Rights Era of the 1970s. Admission to the museum is free to all.
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Free Thursday Night Hangs
Thursday, April 19, 5-8pm The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
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.
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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 April, but be sure to check out their
website (or
download the app!) for a full listing of events!
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Community Bonfire
Wednesday, April 4, 5:30-7:30pm
Bosley Playground Park, 3044 S. Bonfield St.
The
Community Bonfire Series invites community members to experience their park by firelight. Spend the evening in the park roasting marshmallows, learning about wildlife and getting to know your neighbors. We'll provide the marshmallows, but please feel welcome to bring any other ingredients you'd like to add. Join us within the first 15 minutes of the event for a brief lesson on campfire building as we get things going.
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Canvas Painting Event at Harrison
Thursday, April 12, 10am-12pm
Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St.
Participants will learn basic techniques including a variety of brush strokes and working in different media to create unique works of art!
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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.
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Teen Hip-Hop and Poetry
Wednesday, April 4, 4:30-6:30pm
Sherman Park Branch, 5440 S. Racine Ave.
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LEGO Club
Wednesday, April 11, 4-5pm
Conrad Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave.
Build what you design or try optional design challenges based on real life engineering. Work on your own or with others. LEGO® bricks provided. The LEGO Club is recommended for kids ages 6 & up. No registration is required but space is limited to the first 15 participants.
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Family Science Night
Monday, April 23, 6-7:30pm
Toman Branch, 2708 S. Pulaski Rd.
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Spring into Action
Tuesday, April 3, 7-8pm
Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Get fit this year with free yoga and motion fitness classes at Navy Pier led by some of Chicago's best fitness instructors. Throughout 2018, come to Navy Pier to get your heart pumping, strengthen your body, lower your stress, and keep your mind and spirit energized. Join us Tuesday mornings for high-intensity body conditioning Circuit training sessions from 7-8am and Thursdays for strength building, Cardio Yoga from 7-8am at the City Stage in Polk Bros Park. Vist the website for the full schedule.
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