This Weekend in Hyde Park (2/12-2/14)

It's a busy weekend in Hyde Park, especially if you enjoy art openings and live music! Here's what's going on:

Friday (2/12)

• “Principles in Motion” art exhibition and reception, hosted by University of Chicago Office of Technology and Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center (5PM-7PM, free and open to the public, 6030 S. Ellis Ave., advanced registration recommended)
• Cocktails and Clay (enjoy drinks+dancing+cocktails while you play w/clay!) at the Hyde Part Art Center (8PM-midnight, $15 recommended donation, 5020 S. Cornell)
• Live folk, Zydeco, blues from around the country at the 50th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival (begins at 8PM, see here for ticket info, Mandel Hall 1131 E. 57th St.)
• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge ($10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 8PM-2AM, 5201 S. Harper). [Note--this is not particularly affordable, but it's a Chicago institution & worth checking out at least once]
• Jazz musician Hassan Kahn live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)

Saturday (2/13)

• The Art of Heart, family Valentine's Day Celebration and open house at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, (11:00 AM-3:00 PM, free, 1060 E. 47th St.)
• smArtkids, free story telling and arts and crafts workshop hosted by the Smart Museum at Bessie Coleman Library (10Am-12PM & 2PM-4PM, free, 731 E. 63rd)
  
• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge (8PM-3AM, $10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 5201 S. Harper)
• Live folk, Zydeco, blues from around the country at the 50th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival (begins at 7:30PM, see here for ticket info, Mandel Hall 1131 E. 57th St.)
• The Usual Mistakes live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)
• Sugar and Chocolate spoken word poetry event hosted by the Organization of Black Students (8pm-10PM,Reynolds Club McCormick Lounge, 5706 S. University, contact atalley@uchicago.edu for details)

Sunday (2/14)

• Yoko Noge live at Chant's Valentine's Day Brunch (11PM-3PM, 1509 E. 53rd)
• Second Sunday, free family activities and performances at Hyde Part Art Center (1PM-4PM, free, 5020 S. Cornell)
• Exhibitions Reception--enjoy light refreshments and opening of 6 new art exhibits-- at Hyde Park Art Center (3PM-5PM, free, 5020 S.Cornell)
• Live folk, Zydeco, blues from around the country at the 50th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival (begins at 6PM, see here for ticket info, Mandel Hall 1131 E. 57th St.)

Ongoing

• The Year of Magical Thinking at Court Theater (5535 S. Ellis).
  
• Semi-autobiographical solo exhibition of photographs by Chicago-based artist Anna Shteynshleyger at the Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue, 773.702.8670)
• Gargoyle on My Shoulder exhibition about famous gargoyles in history at theat Rockefeller Chapel (8AM-5PM, 1156 East 59th St.)
• Ice skating on the Midway Plaisance Park Outdoor Ice Rink. Admission is free, skate rentals are $5. Hot chocolate and concessions available (12AM-7PM, east 59th Street at Woodlawn).
• Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919-1920, an exhibition of never-before-seen artifacts from archeologists' post WWI tours of Egypt and Mesopotamia at at the Oriental Institute ($7 suggested donation, 1155 E. 58th)
  
• Twice daily carillon recital at Rockefeller Chapel and then take a free guided tour. Then climb the chapel's 271 steps to get an amazing view of the city. (11:30 AM and 5:30PM, 1156 East 59th Street)
• Doc Films, cheap quirky/artsy flicks during the week and 2nd run mainstream movies on the weekend ($5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)