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Free Free Free Chicago Arts _ Events
OCTOBER 2019
"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!

Year of Chicago Theatre
Year of Chicago Theatre
Year of Chicago Theatre
2019, Citywide
 
The City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres have designated 2019 as the Year of Chicago Theatre. 
 
This citywide, year-long focus on theatre is the first of its kind in the U.S. The initiative will include theatre performances - including improv, dance, opera, puppetry and more - and special events for the public at hundreds of cultural venues, theaters, parks and neighborhood locations throughout the city. 
 
Millennium Park Campus  
...And Other Such Stories
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Thursday, September 19, 2019 - Sunday, January 5, 2020
Chicago Cultural Center, Building Wide, 78 E. Washington St. 
 
See exhibitions, performances, films and talks at the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial and explore how architecture shapes our communities, cities and environment. The main exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center is free and open to the public from September 19, 2019 through January 5, 2020.

 

As the largest exhibition of contemporary art, architecture, and design in North America, the third edition of the Biennial features over 80 contributors from more than 20 countries. More than 40 sites and 100 organizations across Chicago will partner with the Biennial, serving as host venues and producing independent exhibitions and programs throughout the neighborhoods. For more information, visit chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.

 
2019 Year of Chicago Theatre
Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residencies: The Book of Peace by Collaboraction Theatre Company
Friday, October 4, 6:30pm and Saturday, October 5, 2:30pm & 6:30pm
Millennium Park, Cloud Gate Plaza, 201 E. Randolph St.  
 
Collaboraction presents a collection from its 2019 Peacebook Festival and other performances, including original theatre, dance and spoken word about peace, created by Chicagoans from across the city and utilizing lights and video projections of Amanda Williams' Color(ed) Theory photographs, moderated conversations, DJs and special guests. Collaboraction incites social change through original devised theatre and community engagement that cultivate knowledge, dialogue and action around Chicago's most critical social issues.
 
The Year of Chicago Theatre
Millennium Park Summer Theatre Residencies: Still/Here: Manifestos for Joy and Survival by Free Street Theater
Thursday, October 10, 6:30pm; Friday, October 11, 6:30pm; Saturday, October 12, 4:30pm
Millennium Park, Cloud Gate Plaza, 201 E. Randolph St. 
 
Created by a multi-racial, multi-generational ensemble representative of Chicago's diversity, this performance is an interactive and exuberant celebration of the city, inviting the audience to consider what the past tell us about the future of Chicago and to imagine the Chicago that could be - five years from now, fifty years from now, even five hundred years from now. Celebrating its 50th season, Free Street Theater has been at the forefront of the movement to create affordable, inclusive and innovative theater in communities across Chicago using public performance as a tool to challenge Chicago's racial and economic segregation.
 
Juicebox
Juicebox
First and Third Fridays & Saturdays, 11-11:45am
Chicago Cultural Center & Garfield Park Conservatory 
 
With engaging music and dance in a kid-friendly setting, the FREE admission Juicebox programs are geared toward the stroller set and enjoyable for the whole family. Children will experience a diverse range of artistic and educational presentations, with hosts regularly inviting youngsters to move, dance and interact with performers. Visit the website for a full list of performances.
 
Parades
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 19, 6pm
State St. moving South from Lake Street to Van Buren St.
 
Arts in the Dark is a magical nighttime parade that draws together world-renowned institutions and celebrated Chicago organizations like the Chicago History Museum and The Second City, important programs like After School Matters and aspiring artists in every field. It is a magical evening parade that delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances that will are exceptionally dramatic set on historic State Street!
 
Chicago Park District 
Dyeing Fabric with Garden Plants at Skinner
Dyeing Fabric with Garden Plants at Skinner
Thursday, October 3, 5:30-7pm
Skinner (Mark) Park, 1331 W. Adams St. 
 
In this hands-on and family-friendly workshop, participants will practice various techniques for manipulating fabric to create beautiful patterns when dyed. We'll then learn how plants found in a typical Midwestern garden can be used to create an array of subtle dye colors. Fabric and dye will be provided. Registration required, please contact [email protected] to reserve a spot.
   
Chicago Park District
Ecstatic Dance at Northerly Island
Saturday, October 19, 1-5pm
Northerly Island Park, 1521 S. Linn White Dr.
 
Ecstatic Dance is an extraordinary social dance gathering and practice, where people dance and move in any way they want, and feel free to be themselves. It is a sober dance party with no phone and talking policy within the dance floor limits.
   
 
 
Hallow-palooza at Indian Boundary
Hallow-palooza at Indian Boundary
Saturday, October 26, 2-4pm
Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.
 
Join us for scare free thrill fest! This family-friendly day will feature music/dancing, no-scare haunting, trick n treating opportunities, costume parade and contest and tons of fun.
   
 
 
 
 
Chicago Public Library 
Art_ Movies and Performances
Make Pixel Art
Wednesday, October 2, 4-5pm
Woodson Regional, 9525 S. Halsted St.
 
Create 2D and digital art projects based on the 8 bit format of early video games. Recommended for children in 5th - 8th grade.
   
Chicago Public Library YouMedia
Open Recording Studio
Monday, October 14, 3-8pm
Legler Regional, 115 S. Pulaski Rd.
 
Open recording studio hours are from 3pm-8pm. Support from a YOUmedia studio specialist is available.
 
   
 
 
Art_ Movies and Performances
Do it Yourself Hansel and Gretel: Create the Fairy Tale Operetta
Saturday, October 26, 2-3:30pm
Blackstone, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave.
 
Come participate in creating the wonderful musical version of the children's fairy tale Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck.  
 
You can read, sing or act. Everyone can have a part to play. For ages 6 and up. All ages can enjoy watching the production.
   
Museums
Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
Illinois Resident Discount Days: October 7-9 and 14-16
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr. - South Loop/Museum Campus
 
Countless galaxies, unfathomable distances, exploding stars, diamond planets, black holes, there's no way around it, space is freaking awesome! Come learn more at the Adler Planetarium during our Illinois Resident Discount Days-where Illinois residents receive FREE Musem Entry to the museum. Museum Entry provides access to all exhibitions and experiences (excluding the historic Atwood Sphere Experience and sky shows.*)
 
Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
Illinois Resident Discount Days: Tuesdays from 2-9pm
1601 N. Clark St. - Lincoln Park
 
CHM's mission-to share Chicago's stories, serving as a hub of scholarship and learning, inspiration, and civic engagement-is the foundation of the Museum's programs and events, exhibitions, educational initiatives, publications, and collecting activities that touch the lives of all Chicagoans and help them make meaningful and personal connections to history.  
 
Children under 12 years old and Illinois residents under 18 years old are always free. Illinois residents of all ages are offered free admission every Tuesday from 2pm to 9pm (excluding January 1, January 8, December 24 and December 31).
 
City Seal _ DCASE logo