This Weekend in Hyde Park....

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? No need to travel out of Hyde Park! Here's what's going on in the neighborhood:

Friday (5/14)

• Hyde Park Garden Fair at Hyde Park Shopping Center (55th St. & Lake Park) 9AM-6PM.
  
• A Single Man (2009) at Doc Films (1212 East 59th) 7PM, 9PM, & 11PM. $5 admission.
• Revel in the Rhythm, Rhythmic Bodies in Motion's Annual Spring Showcase at Mandel Hall (1131 East 57th) 7-9PM, $10 at the door ($7 if purchased in advance).
  
• Live Improv Show: Montezuma, Eat Your Heart Out, Off-Off Campus’ Spring Revue at University Theater (5706 South University Ave) 9PM, $4 admission.
  
• Cocktails and Clay at Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell) 8PM-midnight. Free general admission. Live DJ, dancing, drink specials, and clay making workshops in a cool gallery setting.
• Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Court Theater (5535 S. Ellis) 8PM, Purchase tickets here.
• Hasan Khan live at Chant (1509 E. 53rd) 9:30PM-12:30PM, no cover, 18% gratuity added to all tabs.
  

Saturday (5/15)

• Hyde Park Garden Fair at Hyde Park Shopping Center (55th St. & Lake Park) 9AM-4PM.
• Live dance performances "En Falda Roja" by Silvita Diaz and "Auto Body" by Elena at the Opportunity Shop (1530 E 53rd) 7:30PM, free admission
• Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Court Theater (5535 S. Ellis) 8PM, Purchase tickets here.
• T'Chaka Abdiraxman-Issa live at Chant (1509 E. 53rd) 9:30PM-12:30PM. No cover, 18% gratuity added to all tabs.
• Summer Breeze Music Festival, with live performances by Nas, Damian Marley, and Dirty Projectors at Hutchinson Courtyard (5706 S. University) 5Pm-11PM, must have UChicago ID to purchase tickets. $20(students)/$25(faculty) at the door.

Sunday (5/16)

• Passport to Jazz with Eric Schneider’s Hot Dixieland Quartet at the Oriental Institute (1155 E. 58th St). 2PM. Free Admission.
• Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Court Theater (5535 S. Ellis) 2:30PM and 7:30PM, Purchase tickets here.
• Koku live at Chant's Sunday Brunch (1509 E. 53rd) 12PM-3PM. No cover, 18% gratuity added to all tabs.
  
  

Things to do this weekend! March 6 & 7

Hi folks! So I confess, I completely flaked on putting together this weekend's "Things to Do." Since I already missed last night and most of today, here's a short list of some cool things going on in Hyde Park this weekend:

Saturday (March 6)

• Notes to Nonself Concert and Puppet Show, Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell Ave.) Begins at 7pm. Donations suggested. For more info call (773) 324-5520
• DJ Born live at Chant After Dark (1509 E. 53rd) Begins at 9:30PM. No cover, but 18% gratuity added to all tabs..
• Paranormal Activity at Doc Films (Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida B. Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th) Showings at 7PM and 9PM. $5 general admission.

Sunday (March 7)

• Free admission to Dusable Museum of African American History (740 E. 56th) Open 12PM-5PM, free general admission all day.
  
• Lecture by architect David Swan: "The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond and Pond & Pond Work in Hyde Park" followed by walking tour of Pond & Pond buildings in Hyde Park. Hyde Park Historical Society (5529 S Lake Park) Lecture begins at 1PM, walking tour at 2PM, free.
• Passport to Jazz with Reginald Robinson, Oriental Institute (1155 E. 58th) 2PM-4PM. No cover.
• Paranormal Activity at Doc Films (Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida B. Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th) Showing at 1PM. $5 general admission.
• New Moon at at Doc Films (Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida B. Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th) Showing at 3:15. $5 General Admission

Things to Do This Weekend in Hyde Park (2/26-2/28)

No plans yet for the weekend? Here's a list of goings-on in Hyde Park and nearby. If you know of a cool event that's not on the list, post it as a comment!

Friday, February 26

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

Saturday, February 27

• Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) presents its annual “Jubilation” performance at DuSable Museum of African American History (740 E 56th Pl.) 8PM, $30 general admission
• South Shore Opera Company of Chicago presents its Annual Salute to Black History Month at South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore Dr.) 5:30 p.m., free admission
  
• Ester Hana live at Chant (1509 E. 53rd) 9:30PM -12:30AM, No cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs
• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge (5201 S. Harper) 8PM-3AM, $10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum

Sunday, February 28

• Kerry Leung live at at Chant's Sunday Brunch (1509 E. 53rd) 12PM-3PM
• Opening reception of Matt Saunders' Parallel Plot Exhibition at Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue) 4PM-7PM, free admission.

Ongoing

• Contemporary art exhibitions at Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue, 773.702.8670)
• Permanent art collection and rotating special exhibitions at Smart Museum of Art (5550 S. Greenwood Ave.)
• Art classes, exhibitions, and community events at Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell)
  
• 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)

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)

Things to do this Week(end)

Check out my (a bit belated....) weekly list of fun things to do in the neighborhood this week. As always, if you know of any events and activities in, near, or relating to Hyde Park this week that are not on the list, let me know!

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)

Thursday

• Doc Films: Rio Grande (1950). (7PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Friday

• Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are (2009) Doc Films. (6:45PM, 9PM, 11:15PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)
• 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]
• Sarah Marie Young live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)

Saturday

• Printmaking Workshop & Artist Talk w/ Jonathan Green at Little Black Pearl, (12:30 PM, free, 1060 E. 47th St.) [Thanks to @hydeparktrish for the tip!]
  
• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge (8PM-3AM, $10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 5201 S. Harper)
• DJ Born live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)
• The Informant! (2009) at Doc Films. (7PM & 9:15PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Sunday

• Superbowl party at Park 52 (kick-off at 4PM, no cover charge but reservations required, 5201 S. Harper. Email dawn@park52chicago.com to reserve a spot,)
  
• Peter Lerner live at Chant's Sunday Brunch (12PM-3PM, 1509 E. 53rd)
• Where the Wild Things Are (2009) Doc Films. (1PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)
• The Informant! (2009) at Doc Films. (3:30PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

This week in Hyde Park....Week of 1/24

Here's your weekly list of fun things to do this week in Hyde Park:

Ongoing

• Attend The Year of Magical Thinking at Court Theater (5535 S. Ellis).
  
• Visit the semi-autobiographical solo exhibition of photographs by Chicago-based artist Anna Shteynshleyger at the Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue, 773.702.8670)
• Learn all about famous gargoyles at the Gargoyle on My Shoulder exhibition at Rockefeller Chapel (8AM-5PM, 1156 East 59th St.)
• 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).
• View never-before-seen artifacts from archeologists' post WWI tours of Egypt and Mesopotamia at Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919-1920 at the Oriental Institute ($7 suggested donation, 1155 E. 58th)
  
• 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)

Monday

• Watch "creepy and atmospheric thriller" Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) at Doc Films. (7PM $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Tuesday

• Drop in for 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)
• Stop in for Poetry Slam night at Checkerboard Lounge ($10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 7:30PM-"until", 5201 S. Harper).
  

Wednesday

• Catch sci-fi flick The Fly (1986) at Doc Films. (7PM & 9PM $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)
• Live music (and yummy 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

• Catch She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) at Doc Films. (7PM $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Friday

• Catch the Coen's brother's A Serious Man (2009) at Doc Films. (6:45PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)
• Hear 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]
• Drop in for drinks and live music at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)

Saturday

• Hear live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge ($10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 8PM-3AM, 5201 S. Harper)
• Drop in for drinks, appetizers, and live music at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)
• Watch post-apocalyptic film The Road (2009) at Doc Films. (7PM & 9:30PM, $5 general admission, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall 1212 East 59th Street)

Sunday

• Enjoy all-you-can-eat Asian-inspired brunch while you listen to live jazz at Chant's Sunday Brunch (starting at 11AM, 1509 E. 53rd)

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

[And FYI, I just changed the comment settings on the blog, so now you can leave a comment w/out having to be signed into a google account. Would love to hear from you!]

Things to do this week in Hyde Park! (Week of 1/17)

Ongoing

• Visit the semi-autobiographical solo exhibition of photographs by Chicago-based artist Anna Shteynshleyger at the Renaissance Society (5811 S. Ellis Avenue, 773.702.8670)
• Learn all about famous gargoyles at the Gargoyle on My Shoulder exhibition at Rockefeller Chapel (8AM-5PM, 1156 East 59th St.)
• 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).
• View never-before-seen artifacts from archeologists' post WWI tours of Egypt and Mesopotamia at Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919-1920 at the Oriental Institute ($7 suggested donation, 1155 E. 58th)
  
• 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)

Sunday

• Attend the free Concert: Global Voices Performing Arts Series: Music of Turkey (6PM-9PM, International House, 1414 East 59th Street)

Monday

• Take in theatrical performances, story-telling, films, and other MLK tributes at the DuSable Museum's all day Martin Luther King Day Celebration (Adults $8/Children $5, 10AM-6PM, 740 E. 56th)
  

Tuesday

• 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]
• Jeff Chan live at Chant (no cover, 18% gratuity on all tabs, 9:30 PM-12:30AM, 1509 E. 53rd)

Saturday

• Try food from around the world at the International Food Festival , UChicago's version of the Taste of Chicago (free & open to the public, 6PM-10PM, Ida Noyes Hall 1212 E. 59th)
  
• Live blues at the Checkerboard Lounge ($10 cover, $5 for students+2 drink minimum, 8PM-3AM, 5201 S. Harper)
• The Chicago Legends Blues 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, send me a comment or drop me a line at Mshydepark@gmail.com.

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.