Things to do this week! (Week of 1/11)

Bored and broke? Here are some cool free & low-cost things to do in the neighborhood this week:

Ongoing

• The final week of Heartland at Smart Museum of Art, a free exhibition of performances, drawings, photography, and installations made "in and in reference to" the American Heartland (5550 S. Greenwood, 773.702.0200 )
• Semi-autobiographical solo exhibition of photographs by Chicago-based artist Anna Shteynshleyger at the Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue, 773.702.8670)
• Bundle up and come 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).
• Check out the 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)
• Catch super cheap quirky/artsy flicks during the week and 2nd run mainstream movies on the weekend at Doc Films. ($5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Tuesday

• Learn to grow your own organic food indoors during at the Winter Gardening and Sprouting Workshop at Swift Hall (12PM-1PM, 1025 East 58th Street)
• Take an hour-long restorative yoga class in beautiful Rockefeller Chapel. Free for students, $5 recommended donation for everyone else (6:45 pm - 7:45PM, 1156 East 59th Street)

Wednesday

• Live music (and delicious traditional Italian fare) Wednesdays at Piccolo Mondo (7-11PM, 1642 E.56th Street 773.643.1106 / 9171)
• Learn and practice Zen meditation at Rockefeller Chapel. (5:00 pm - 6:45PM, 1156 East 59th Street)

Thursday

• zzzz....slow night in Hyde Park...

Friday

• 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]

Saturday

• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge ($10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 8PM-3AM, 5201 S. Harper)
• The Usual Mistakes live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)
  

If you know of something going on in the neighborhood that's not on the list, drop me a line at Mshydepark@gmail.com.