"Free, Free, Free!" is a new 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.
DCASE is excited to work with our partners to aggregate this information to better serve the public. It is our hope to eliminate barriers to programming by showcasing cultural activities that are downtown and out in the neighborhoods and welcoming residents to participate in these free events and programs across the City.
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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Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are produced by the International Music Foundation and feature solo and ensemble performances of classical music that showcase emerging performers. Held year round on Wednesdays. Enjoy one of the January concerts!
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January 4, 12:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
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 Shuai Wang, piano
January 11, 12:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
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Jonathan Johnson, tenor and Craig Terry, piano
January 18, 12:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
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 Daniel Hsu, piano
January 25, 12:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
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Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Presents The Festival Neighborhood Tour
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The Festival Neighborhood Tour fosters an appreciation of puppetry in every corner of the city by presenting three Festival artists-Schroeder Cherry, Interstate Arts and Magali Chouinard-in six locations. These FREE events invite families to share a full day of activity, or to sample performances and drop in on workshops as they please. Each show runs 40-45 minutes. This event is family friendly. Visit chicagopuppetfest.org for more information.
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January 21, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
January 22, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
January 2, 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm
Garfield Park Conservatory, Jensen Room, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
January 26, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm
Calumet Park, 9801 S. Ave. G
January 27, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm
Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
January 28, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.
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 T(w)O MARIAS from Portmanteau
January 21-22, 12-4pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Dance Studio, 78 E. Washington St.
T(w)O MARIAS
features handcrafted puppets and diorama-like set pieces in a walkthrough, immersive exploration of the ways that loss can shift and change our inner landscapes.
Festival audiences are invited to observe and participate in the development of this new work-in-progress in a drop-in, open studio setting.
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The Jazz Institute of Chicago created the Jazz Links Jam Sessions to provide an environment where student musicians can learn, grow, and connect with their jazz community in front of a live audience. Learn more about who can jam and who should attend the jam sessions!
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January 11,
5:30-7:30pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater, 1st Floor North, 78 E. Washington St.
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WTTW Film Screening & Discussion - Youth Voice and Vision with Free Spirit Media
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January 21, 2-4:30pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North, 78 E. Washington St.
WTTW, in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presents a screening of two films produced with young adult media makers of Free Spirit PRO, a social enterprise of Free Spirit Media, in collaboration with Leadership Greater Chicago and The Peace Exchange. FREE and open to the public, followed by a discussion. Space is limited. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com.
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Chinese New Year Kickoff Celebration
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January 30, 12-1pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
Celebrating its 33rd year, the Chinese Fine Arts Society kicks off the Year of the Rooster with a festive display of Chinese dance, music and martial arts. Enjoy performances by some of Chicago's finest artists and, back by popular demand, a showcase by Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe from Beijing. For more information, visit chinesefinearts.org.
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1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
The Shedd Aquarium has special offers and Illinois Resident Discount Days throughout the year! See what best suits you and your family. Valid I.D. must be presented on site for all offers, unless otherwise specified. Upcoming Illinois Resident Discount Days: January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.
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The DuSable Museum of African American History
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740 E. 56th Place
The DuSable Museum of African American History located in the historic Hyde Park area of Chicago at 740 East 56th Place (57th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue) in Washington Park unites art, history and culture. Admission is FREE to all on each Sunday of the year!
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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 January, but be sure to check out their full event calendar for programming at your local library!
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 Family Movie Fest
January 3, 5-7pm
Kelly, 6151 S. Normal Boulevard
Family, films, and fun are in store at your library this Winter Break! Get out of the house and enjoy some free entertainment at your library. Feel free to bring your own snacks. Movie will be suitable for all ages.
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 Opera On Tap Presents Operatic Book Club: In The Kitchen
January 24, 6-7:30pm
Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.
Opera on Tap Chicago presents its next installment of the Operatic Book Club recital series at the Harold Washington Library. This recital's theme centers around cookbooks and the comfort of the kitchen, and will feature local singers performing adaptations about Gertrude Stein and Julia Child. Part of the One Book, One Chicago program.
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Theatre Y Presents a Play by Glen Berger
January 17, 6-7:30pm
Albany Park, 3401 W. Foster Ave.
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Urban Yarns
January 10, 5-6:30pm
West Chicago Avenue, 4856 W. Chicago Ave.
Ever wanted to learn how to knit or crochet? Already a knitter or crocheter and want to meet other yarn lovers? Looking for a way to have fun and reduce your stress? Join us for our knitting and crochet group!
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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 January, but be sure to check out their
website (or
download the app!) for a full listing of events!
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Winter Flower & Train Show at Lincoln Conservatory
Through January 8
Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr.
The
Lincoln Park Conservatory's Show House turns into a Winter Wonderland. Lanterns with golden-yellow lights and lighted evergreen trees invite visitors into
Lincoln Park Conservatory's Winter Flower and Train Show this season. Several model trains travel amongst garden scale homes and businesses which are accentuated by festive plant arrangements. Admission is free and the Conservatory is open daily from 9-5pm.
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Holiday Flower Show at Garfield Conservatory
Through January 8
Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
The
Garfield Park Conservatory's Show House turns into "Sky Forest", evoking a walk through wintery woods and highlights the towering beauty of the Fraser fir tree. The Show House is transformed into a forest of more than 100 Frasier Fir trees! Admission is free and the Conservatory is open daily from 9am to 5pm and Wednesdays until 8pm.
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