Free public events highlight Black artists and organizations.
Next month, the nonprofit African American Arts Alliance of Chicago presents its Black Arts Month programming, a series of free public events highlighting Black artists from across Chicago, Monday evenings at 7 p.m. from October 9 through October 23, 2023. Advance registration is required for all events, and is free with a suggested donation of $15, at www.aaaachicago.org.
Public programs for Black Arts Month will be held across the city, celebrating and featuring Black artists across artistic disciplines during each event in a series of performances and presentations:
Monday, October 9 from 7-9 p.m.
Black Arts Month Kick-off and North Side Convening at Black Ensemble Theater
4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago
Featured artists: Black Ensemble Theater and Red Clay Dance Company
Monday, October 16 from 7-9 p.m.
Black Arts Month South Side Convening at Retreat at Currency Exchange
305 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago
Hosted by Melissa Duprey
An evening celebrating Black storytelling across genres through digital media with a panel discussion facilitated by Troy Pryor and a post-event celebration featuring DJ Rae Chardonnay
Featured artists: Growing Concerns Poetry Collective, Congo Square Theatre, LaTaryion Perry/Missed Turn Productions and Lo Williams
Monday, October 23 from 7-9 p.m.
Black Arts Month West Side Convening at Muse Coffee Studio
747 S. Western Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by Melissa Duprey
An evening celebrating Black storytelling through theater, poetry, film, and dance and a post-event celebration featuring DJ Rae Chardonnay
Featured artists: Perceptions Theatre, Enneréssa LaNette Davis, McKenzie Chinn, Jamal “Litebulb” Oliver
Registration for new individual, organizational, and affiliate memberships is now open, and all new members who register by October 31, 2023, will receive 15% off their Alliance membership fee. More information, including member benefits, is available at www.aaaachicago.org.
Founded in 1997 by a group of Chicago's leading African American artists and arts organizations, the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Black excellence within the performing, visual, literary, technical and design art forms. The Alliance has worked to increase interaction, communication and collaboration within the Black arts community to promote the continuing development of organizations and individual artists, as well as highlighting their accomplishments through its annual Black Excellence Awards. For more information, visit www.aaaachicago.org.
Videos