Every Brilliant Thing at Writers Theatre

Every Brilliant Thing at Writers Theatre

Open Captioning!!

Use promo code: WTOC2425 for $30.00 tickets! If you run into any problems with this promo code, please call the box office at 847-242-6000 or send an email at boxoffice@writerstheatre.org.

THIS PERFORMANCE IS GENERAL ADMISSION!

“1. Ice Cream. 2. Water fights. 3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV.” This is how a six-year-old child begins a list of all the things that make life wonderful. They’re making the list for their mother, who suffers from depression. As life goes on, and the challenges faced morph from childhood to adulthood, the list continues to grow and take on a life of its own. By shining a hilarious and compassionate light on life’s small abundant joys, this big-hearted play—told in gentle collaboration with the audience—is a loving tribute to resilience and the lengths we will go to for those we love.

 

 

 

 

 

Martin O’Brien Lecture

Martin O’Brien Lecture

Visiting Artist Program

Presented in partnership with SAIC’s Wellness Center.

This event will be live captioned by Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services. The auditorium is wheelchair accessible and hearing assisted devices are available. For additional access requests, visit saic.edu/access.

Join us for a lecture by artist Martin O’Brien followed by an audience Q & A.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Explore the Visiting Artists Program homepage for visitor information, recordings of past events, and more.

Martin O’Brien is an artist and zombie. He works across performance, writing, and video art. O’Brien has cystic fibrosis and all of his work and writing draws upon this experience. His work uses long durational actions, short speculative texts, critical rants, and performance processes in order to explore death and dying, what it means to be born with a life-shortening disease, and the philosophical implications of living longer than expected. He has shown work throughout the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada and is well known for his solo performances and collaborations with the legendary LA artist and dominatrix Sheree Rose. His most recent works were at Tate Britain in 2020 and the ICA London in 2021, and he was Writer in Residence at Whitechapel Gallery in 2023. He is the winner of the Philip Leverhulme Prize for Visual and Performing Arts 2022. In 2018, the book Survival of the Sickest: The Art of Martin O’Brien was published by Live Art Development Agency. His work has been featured on BBC radio and Sky Arts television and as a double-page spread in The Guardian. He is currently senior lecturer in Live Art at Queen Mary University of London.

Every Brilliant Thing at Writers Theatre

ASL Performance!!

Use promo code: WTASL2425 for $30.00 tickets! If you run into any problems with this promo code, please call the box office at 847-242-6000 or send an email at boxoffice@writerstheatre.org.

THIS PERFORMANCE IS GENERAL ADMISSION!

“1. Ice Cream. 2. Water fights. 3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV.” This is how a six-year-old child begins a list of all the things that make life wonderful. They’re making the list for their mother, who suffers from depression. As life goes on, and the challenges faced morph from childhood to adulthood, the list continues to grow and take on a life of its own. By shining a hilarious and compassionate light on life’s small abundant joys, this big-hearted play—told in gentle collaboration with the audience—is a loving tribute to resilience and the lengths we will go to for those we love.

 

 

 

Patti Smith and Lynn Goldsmith: Before Easter After at University of Chicago

Legendary celebrity and rock-n-roll photographer, Lynn Goldsmith has captured the biggest stars with her skilled lens. She’s chronicled the careers of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, and her longtime friend and collaborator, Patti Smith. A Chicago Humanities favorite, Patti Smith is one of America’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters and a beloved photographer and poet. Reserve your copy of Goldsmith’s deeply personal visual book about Smith, Before Easter After, and become a lucky fly on the wall with your ticket to witness this chat between two icons of music and photography, as well as an exclusive performance.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/patti-smith-lynn-goldsmith/

Hoop Dreams at 30 at University of Chicago

Hoop Dreams was famously called “the great American documentary” by Roger Ebert. It’s also, of course, a quintessentially Chicago film. Hoop Dreams turns 30 this year, its story of two young Chicagoans (Arthur Agee and William Gates) trying to become professional basketball players as resonant as ever. Arthur and William, along with director/producer Steve James and director of photography/producer Peter Gilbert, join Chicago Humanities and Kartemquin Films to look back at the film that changed their lives while reflecting on what has — and hasn’t changed — for young men and women chasing their dreams on the basketball courts of Chicago.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/hoop-dreams-30th-anniversary/

A Talk on Dance and Movement with Kyle Abraham at University of Chicago

As part of our fall festival examination of movement, we explore the primal human expression of physical movement and the artistic and cultural foundations of dance with leading choreographer Kyle Abraham. With his company, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, he creates a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history and features the rich tapestry of Black and Queer stories. Hear the inspiring insights of Abraham, who has been commissioned to create works for premiere dance companies like Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/kyle-abraham/

Christopher Cox on Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn at University of Chicago

Former fifth-ranking leader in the US House of Representatives, chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and senior associate counsel to President George W. Bush, Christopher Cox leads a discussion on President Woodrow Wilson’s profound and disturbing influence in the fights for women’s voting rights and racial justice, accentuating the importance of historical awareness for contemporary social discourse. Wilson’s decades of opposition to the 19th Amendment, his segregation of the federal workforce, and his sympathy for Jim Crow laws have deeply influenced the course of American history. Obtain a fresh perspective on the enigmatic 28th president and explore how Wilson’s complex legacy in racial equality and women’s suffrage continue to impact America today.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/christopher-cox/

Anne Curzan: Says Who? at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Language is constantly changing. Linguist and veteran English professor Anne Curzan is here to help us decipher its “rules.” Written with lively humor and humanity, Curzan’s newest book Says Who? is a pragmatic and accessible key that reveals how our choices about language can be a powerful force for equity and personal expression. Join Chicago Humanities as Curzan shows us how we can care about language precision, clarity, and inclusion all at the same time. Curzan makes nerding out about language fun — for both proud grammar sticklers and self-conscious writers alike. A book signing will follow this program.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/anne-curzan/

Tegan and Sara on Junior High and Crushes at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Tegan and Sara are indie-pop royalty, twin sisters, and bestselling authors of a young adult graphic novel duology. Crush, the second book in this autobiographically-inspired series, explores the teenage world of crushes, crushing it, and being crushed by life — all wrapped in a queer lens. Join Chicago Humanities in conversation with Tegan and Sara as they talk about their popular book series and iconic musical careers.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/tegan-and-sara/

Movement and Collaboration: Claudia Rankine in Conversation with Shamel Pitts at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Join us as we experience poet and Yale professor Claudia Rankine and choreographer Shamel Pitts in conversation and performance. Rankine is not only the New York Times bestseller of Citizen: An American Lyric, but a MacArthur Fellow, playwright, and author of the newly released Dont Let Me Be Lonely. She brings her unique perspective on race and racism in America to Chicago Humanities and joins Pitts for a dynamic discussion.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/claudia-rankine/

Writing on Eggshells: Political Comedy Cracked Up At Northwestern University

What’s it like to write for the most popular late-night comedy shows in America when the news already feels like a satire of itself? Second City’s Kelly Leonard sits down with Chicago-bred talent who have written for the hottest shows in late night: Ali Barthwell (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver), Peter Grosz (The Colbert Report, Late Night with Seth Meyers), and John Lutz (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Saturday Night Live). They will discuss the power of creating comedy in a time of social and cultural crisis.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/political-comedy-writing-panel/

Michelangelo Sabatino: The Edith Farnsworth House at Northwestern University

The Edith Farnsworth House, one of the most famous residences in modern architectural history, was legendary long before it could be widely accessed. Michelangelo Sabatino brings to life the house’s original design by Mies van der Rohe and discusses periods of neglect, flooding, and new ownership by Lord Peter Palumbo in his latest book, The Edith Farnsworth House: Architecture, Preservation, Culture. Now publicly accessible and celebrating 20 years of being owned and administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Sabatino joins Thomas Leslie to discuss this icon of modern architecture, featuring a reading of Edith Farnsworth’s memoir.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/michelangelo-sabatino/

John Green and Rebecca Makkai in Conversation at Northwestern University

John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, The Anthropocene Reviewed) and Rebecca Makkai (The Great Believers, I Have Some Questions for You) are two of our most beloved contemporary writers. They’re also long-time admirers of each other’s work. For the first time, the two best-selling authors will come together to discuss their books and their lives. They’ll also share why they chose to write fiction in the first place and the role that novels can—and can’t—play in today’s short-attention-span world.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/john-green-rebecca-makkai/

Barry Sonnenfeld: Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time—True Stories From a Career in Hollywood at Northwestern University

The legendary director of Men in Black, Get Shorty, and The Addams Family dishes out a delectable mix of insights and true tales that escalate from outrageous to unbelievable in his new memoir, Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time. From battling with studio executives and producers to bad-script-solving on set to coaxing actors into finding the right light and talking faster, Sonnenfeld will provide an entertaining masterclass in how to make commercial art in the face of constant human foible. You’ll never see Hollywood the same way again. A book signing will follow this program.

Open captions, ASL interpretation and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/barry-sonnenfeld/

Joan Baez: When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Immerse yourself in the lyrical world of legendary artist and activist, Joan Baez. Sharing decades of personal poetry for the first time publicly, join us to discover how Baez has weaved her verse with experiences, activism, and her musical legacy. Bask in the inspiring stories of her childhood and poetic reflections on fellow friends and icons like Judy Collins, Jimi Hendrix, and her complex relationship with Bob Dylan. You will cherish this discussion and celebration of one of America’s most beloved voices exploring the power of her words beyond music. A book signing will follow this program.

Open captions and ALDs will be provided.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/baez/

Calm Waters at Shedd Aquarium

Calm Waters is an exclusive event for guests with disabilities and Veterans to explore Shedd Aquarium’s exhibits and experiences in a comfortable and accepting environment. Modifications for this event will include limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration.

Modifications for Calm Waters Include:

Limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration
A sensory friendly app
A low-sensory animal spotlight with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
An animal encounter opportunity
Complimentary 4D Experiences during the event
Family members and companions are welcome.

https://www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/accessibility/calm-waters

Talk | Politics of Poetics: Heid E. Erdrich and Andrea Carlson at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Politics of Poetics is a series of readings and workshops that highlights influential contemporary poets whose practices traverse the political through writing, teaching, and activism. This fall, poet Heid E. Erdrich reads new work and selections from her award-winning book of poetry, Little Big Bully (2020) and Curator of Ephemera at the New Museum of Archaic Media (2017). Following the reading, Erdrich is joined in conversation with artist Andrea Carlson, whose work provides the cover art for Little Big Bully, and is the current artist in our Chicago Works series.

Prior to the talk, Erdrich gives an intimate poetry workshop at the Center for Native Futures. Registration for the workshop is required; tickets are available through the Center for Native Futures.

ASL interpretation and English CART captioning are provided for the talk.

https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/talk-and-workshop-politics-of-poetics-heid-e-erdrich-and-andrea-carlson/

LEROY AND LUCY at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Two lost souls meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in the Mississippi of it all. They laugh, they flirt, they make sweet music. Together, they conjure a familiar sound from long ago, one of wondrous deals and dangerous aspirations. In this sultry world premiere inspired by the myth of musician Robert Johnson, the Delta Blues fills the air, and every strum has the chance to change your life.

Leroy and Lucy will be performed in Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater.

Accessibility: Assistive Listening Devices, Open Captions

https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets–events/seasons-/2024-25/leroy-and-lucy/

LEROY AND LUCY at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Two lost souls meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in the Mississippi of it all. They laugh, they flirt, they make sweet music. Together, they conjure a familiar sound from long ago, one of wondrous deals and dangerous aspirations. In this sultry world premiere inspired by the myth of musician Robert Johnson, the Delta Blues fills the air, and every strum has the chance to change your life.

Accessibility: Assistive Listening Devices, Open Captions

https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets–events/seasons-/2024-25/leroy-and-lucy/

Becky Nurse of Salem at Theater Wit

The Midwest premiere of Becky Nurse of Salem, a new dark comedy by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Polly Noonan, promises to bewitch Chicago audiences as the opening production of Shattered Globe Theatre’s 34th season.

Gaze into any crystal ball and it’s clear, Shattered Globe’s Becky Nurse of Salem is sure to cast a spell on Chicago audiences during the fall theater season. Previews start date October 4. Press opening is Thursday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. Becky Nurse of Salem runs through November 16 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Tickets are $10-$52, and on sale now. Purchase tickets online at SGTheatre.org, call the Theater Wit box office, (773) 975-8150, or purchase in person at Theater Wit.

Meet Becky Nurse, an outspoken, quick-witted tour guide at the Salem Museum of Witchcraft, where she’s straining to navigate life in post-Obama America. As a descendant of Rebecca Nurse, who was executed for witchcraft in 1692, Becky questions whether things have truly changed for women. As her struggles grow, she turns to a local witch for help. One spell leads to another, spiraling Becky’s life into chaos. In today’s “lock her up” era, this darkly comic play delves into a woman grappling with her family’s past while finding her own voice.

Access: Theater Wit is wheelchair accessible, and all patrons with disability needs are invited to purchase $20 access tickets with the code “ACCESS20” at Theater Wit’s checkout page. Please email boxoffice@theaterwit.org to ensure we can reserve the right seat for your access needs. Please do not use this code if you do not require these services. Go to SGTheatre.org and see the Accessible Ticketing info to find out about our Waived Ticket Program.

Assisted Listening Devices are available for all performances.

Open Captions will be provided at the 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, November 10.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at Writers Theatre!

ASL performance of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at Writers Theatre!

$30.00 Tickets! Promo Code: ASLNatasha
(Please enter code before selecting seat. If you run into any issues please give the box office a call at 847-242-6000)

“There’s a war going on somewhere out there, and Andrey isn’t here.” Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. But when she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, family friend Pierre must push through his existential crisis to help Natasha pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. Based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel War and Peace, this innovative musical spectacle took Broadway by storm with its “electropop opera” score, earning 12 Tony Award nominations. Katie Spelman and Matt Deitchman, the inspired creative team behind WT’s hit production of Once, reunite to bring this modern spin on a literary classic to Chicago for the first time.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Accessibility: open captions, ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices

https://www.writerstheatre.org/natasha-pierre-and-the-great-comet-of-1812

“Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller: HBO’s Somebody Somewhere” at Chop Shop

Expect unfiltered stories and insights as these two friends and collaborators take the stage to discuss their rise in New York’s alt-cabaret and improv comedy scene to starring roles in HBO’s Peabody Award-winning, critically acclaimed comedy series, Somebody Somewhere. After a short screening of the Season 3 premiere episode, Everett and Hiller will share behind-the-scenes stories from the new season and career anecdotes with the witty charm for which the series is known. Don’t miss this opportunity to see these larger-than-life personalities and stars up close and personal in an intimate, no-holds-barred discussion.

Accessibility includes wheelchair accessibility and assistive listening devices.

https://chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bridget-everett-jeff-hiller/

Randy Rainbow’s Low-Hanging Fruit: Pressing Issues From My Gay Agenda at Harris Theater

The New York Times bestselling author and adored comedian Randy Rainbow has a few things on his mind that he wants to talk about in his newest essay collection, Low-Hanging Fruit. As a savvy social commentator who is keenly attuned to the public discourse, Randy’s unfailing intuition tells him that the perspective everyone in America is clamoring for is that of a privileged white male complaining about a bunch of stuff. So join Chicago Humanities as Randy tackles the most pressing issues facing the U.S., from dancing TikTok grandmas to Elon Musk, the GOP, and Donald Jessica Trump.

Accessibility includes wheelchair accessibility, open captioning and assistive listening devices.

https://chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/randy-rainbow/

Malcolm Gladwell: Revenge of the Tipping Point at Ramova Theatre

It has been twenty-five years since publication of bestseller, The Tipping Point. Let’s join Malcolm Gladwell as he reveals a fresh reframing of his groundbreaking first book in a startling new light. Hear the always provocative Gladwell revisit the phenomenon of social epidemics and the ways in which we have learned to tinker with and shape the spread of ideas, viruses, and trends—sometimes with great success, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion skating on the double-edged sword of viral phenomena in our world.

This event will have Open Captions and ALDs onsite.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/malcolm-gladwell/

Chicago Humanities: UIC Day Festival

Spend the day with us at UIC Forum! Check out the event link to see the full festival lineup. Please note that ticket prices and accessibility offerings vary by event; visit our event pages or call our box office for specific details.

 

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/?sort=venue&view=day&fromDate=2024-10-05

Kate McKinnon: Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Join us for a thrilling evening with two-time Emmy Award-winning comedian Kate McKinnon as she unveils her debut novel and a new series for quirky tweens and young adult readers aged 8-12, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science. The former SNL cast member, no stranger to creating wonderfully wild characters, digs into her creative process and how her childhood love of adventure and the natural world inspired this years-in-the-making imaginative literary expression. Don’t miss this uproarious opportunity to witness Kate’s hilarious intersection of maniacal genius and proper etiquette!

This event will have open captions and ALDs onsite.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/kate-mckinnon/

Abra Berens and Greta Johnsen: From Seed to Market to Plate at Chop Shop

Join Abra Berens in conversation with Greta Johnsen for delicious insights into innovative recipes with simple and sustainable ingredients. With a background in Midwestern farming, the celebrated author and chef shares her farm-to-table approach with tips for the climate and your own kitchen. Walk away with a packet of seasonal recipes and inspiration to start conversations around your own table!

This event will have ALDs onsite at the Box Office.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/abra-berens-x-greta-johnsen/

 

Jesmyn Ward: Let Us Descend at Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture

Acclaimed author Jesmyn Ward is a MacArthur Genius Grant winner and the first woman and Black American to win the National Book Award for Fiction twice. Join moderator Natalie Moore for an evening with this literary powerhouse as she dives into her latest novel, Let Us Descend. Set in the antebellum South during the early 1800s, the story describes a haunting journey of a young slave girl from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans. Landing on Oprah’s Book Club and several best book of 2023 lists, Ward’s lyrical prose and unflinching narrative confront the brutal realities of enslavement. Join a rigorous discussion on Ward’s contribution to the African American literary canon.

Accessibility: Assistive Listening Devices, Open Captions, Audio Description

https://chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/jesmyn-ward/

Millennium Park Summer Music Series – Corinne Bailey Rae and Terrace Martin with James Fauntleroy

Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of music from established and emerging artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Corinne Bailey Rae
English singer/songwriter/musician Corinne Bailey Rae shot to stardom with her self- titled #1 U.K. debut album in 2006, featuring the global hits “Put Your Records On” and “Like A Star.” Over the course of her career she has released four critically acclaimed studio albums—Corinne Bailey Rae, The Sea, The Heart Speaks in Whispers, and Black Rainbows—and earned two Grammy Awards, two MOBOS, and has been nominated for multiple awards including the BRIT Awards, Mercury Music Prize and BET Awards. Her work for film and television includes the theme to Stan Lee’s Lucky Man (SKY1), “The Scientist” for Universal Pictures’ Fifty Shades Darker opening title and soundtrack which charted globally, and in 2020 her song “New to Me” was performed in the film The High Note by Tracee Ellis Ross. Bailey Rae has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, KING, Paul McCartney, Kele Okereke, Eric Benet, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Questlove, Salaam Rami, RZA, Tyler The Creator, Paul Weller, Richard Hawley, Stevie Wonder, Tracey Thorn, Pharrell, Logic, Mick Jenkins and many more.

Terrace Martin
A five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist from LA’s Crenshaw District, Terrace Martin is renowned as one of the world’s leading jazz musicians AND hip-hop producers. This singular standing is captured on his countless influential collaborations including Kendrick Lamar (good kid, M.A.A.D. city & To Pimp a Butterfly), Stevie Wonder, Travis Scott, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock, and Leon Bridges’ “Sweeter” (performed at the DNC). From his own acclaimed releases like the protest anthem “PIG FEET”, and his GRAMMY-nominated, star studded album, DRONES (featuring Kendrick, YG, Leon Bridges, Cordae, and more) to the GRAMMY-nominated Dinner Party (The musical supergroup of Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington and 9th Wonder), and his most recent single “Chucks (feat. Channel Tres)”. Among the most versatile creatives in a generation, Terrace’s path is leading him in parallel with the greats like Quincy Jones or Dr. Dre, while also launching his vibrant, progressive, genre-crossing record label record label Sounds of Crenshaw.

This event includes ASL interpretation, wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, audio description, digital programs, and large print programs.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html

Millennium Park Summer Music Series -Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain with Rakesh Chaurasia

Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of music from established and emerging artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Béla Fleck
Few musicians in any category seem as uncategorizable as Béla Fleck. After initially making his mark with the progressive bluegrass group New Grass Revival, Fleck proceeded to take his instrument, as New York Times critic Jon Pareles noted, “to some very unlikely places.” He formed the Flecktones, a groundbreaking group whose repertoire ranged from fusion to Bach; the group celebrates its 46th anniversary this year. In addition, he has played jazz with Chick Corea, American roots with his partner, banjoist Abigail Washburn, written concertos for banjo and orchestra, and created a documentary film and album, Throw Down Your Heart, that examined the banjo’s African roots. Along the way, he has won 18 Grammys across 10 categories.

Zakir Hussain
The pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso of our time, Zakir Hussain is appreciated as one of the world’s most esteemed and influential musicians, one whose mastery of his percussion instrument has taken it to a new level, transcending cultures and national borders. A child prodigy, accompanying India’s greatest musicians and dancers from his early years, and touring internationally while still in his teens, Zakir has been at the helm of many genre-defying collaborations including Shakti, Remember Shakti, Masters of Percussion, Diga, Tabla Beat Science, CrossCurrents, Sangam and Grammy-award winners Planet Drum and Global Drum Project. A revered composer and educator, Zakir is the recipient of countless honors, most recently the 2022 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, the 2022 Aga Khan Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, and in January, 2023, the title of Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.

Edgar Meyer
Aptly described by The New Yorker as “the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument,” double bassist and composer Edgar Meyer is at home in a broad spectrum of musical styles. A MacArthur Fellow and Avery Fisher Prize winner, he is eminently at home within classical music, both performing traditional works and also his significant catalog of original solo, chamber, and orchestral pieces. His 30-year relationship with Yo-Yo Ma has yielded seven recordings together, and his upcoming projects include a duo recording with jazz bassist Christian McBride and a recording of all four of his concertos with the Knights and the Scottish Ensemble, produced by Chis Thile.

Rakesh Chaurasia
Like Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia comes from Indian classical music royalty. His uncle, Pandit Hariprasad Chaursia, is widely considered the greatest bansuri player in India, and Rakesh — who started playing at age five — is deemed his most brilliant student. Not only has he mastered the techniques of Indian classical music, he has developed additional techniques allowing him to venture into other styles of playing, particularly with his crossover band Rakesh and Friends. A composer as well as flautist, he has written and performed on numerous Indian movie soundtracks, and in 2007 was awarded the Indian Music Academy Award.

This event includes ASL interpretation, wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, captioning, open captioning, digital programs, and large print programs.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park9.html

Millennium Park Film Series: Wonka at Jay Pritzker Pavilion

This summer, DCASE is pleased to present the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, presented by Pluto TV, on Tuesdays from July 16 through August 20. Films start at 6:30pm (with the exception of the double feature starting at 6pm). All films are open caption. Gates open at 5pm.

Guests may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or lounge on the Great Lawn as crowd-pleasing movies are presented on the state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen. Address for Paratransit is 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601. For more information about accessibility at Millennium Park visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park1.html.

In partnership with the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), each screening will also showcase one of the many independent film festivals that are a part of Chicago’s vibrant film community.

August 13 – Wonka
(116 minutes, PG)

Highlighting the 40th anniversary of Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

Starring Timothée Chalamet, this 2023 musical fantasy film tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, a character in the 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, depicting his early days as an innovative chocolatier.

This event includes wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, accessible seating, open captioning, and large print programs.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park7.html

Millennium Park Film Series: Barbie at Jay Pritzker Pavilion

This summer, DCASE is pleased to present the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, presented by Pluto TV, on Tuesdays from July 16 through August 20. Films start at 6:30pm (with the exception of the double feature starting at 6pm). All films are open caption. Gates open at 5pm.

Guests may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or lounge on the Great Lawn as crowd-pleasing movies are presented on the state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen. Address for Paratransit is 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601. For more information about accessibility at Millennium Park visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park1.html.

In partnership with the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), each screening will also showcase one of the many independent film festivals that are a part of Chicago’s vibrant film community.

July 30 – Barbie
(114 minutes, PG-13)

Highlighting the one-year anniversary the launch of Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals

Nominated for eight Academy Awards, Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

This event includes wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, accessible seating, open captioning, and large print programs.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park7.html

Millennium Park Film Series: Coco at Jay Pritzker Pavilion

This summer, DCASE is pleased to present the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, presented by Pluto TV, on Tuesdays from July 16 through August 20. Films start at 6:30pm (with the exception of the double feature starting at 6pm). All films are open caption. Gates open at 5pm.

Guests may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or lounge on the Great Lawn as crowd-pleasing movies are presented on the state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen. Address for Paratransit is 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601. For more information about accessibility at Millennium Park visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park1.html.

In partnership with the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals (CAFF), each screening will also showcase one of the many independent film festivals that are a part of Chicago’s vibrant film community.

July 23 – Coco
(105 minutes, PG) (Played in English audio with Spanish subtitles)

Highlighting the 40th anniversary of Chicago Latino Film Festival

From Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

This event includes wheelchair accessibility, assistive listening devices, accessible seating, open captioning, Spanish captioning, and large print programs.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park7.html

An Oral History of Alice Coltrane at MCA

Vocalist Michelle Coltrane, daughter of Alice Coltrane, and harpist Brandee Younger come together for An Oral History of Alice Coltrane. Part conversation, part performance, the event features oral histories and biographical stories of Alice Coltrane interwoven with performances and demonstrations from Brandee Younger, bringing the stories to life.

Through creative works and masterful performances, Alice Coltrane’s pioneering practice has changed the music world. She grew up playing music in her Baptist church, and by the 1950s established herself as a proficient bebop pianist in the Detroit scene. She met John Coltrane in 1963 and was his primary musical collaborator until his death in 1967. Prolific in her creation, Alice’s innovative style incorporated both gospel and jazz, leading to iconic works like Journey in Satchidananda (one of Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums). Once a profound musician, beloved spiritual leader, and pragmatic businesswoman, Alice Coltrane is now remembered as deeply giving human, known for her emphasis on charity work, education, and spiritual guidance.

MCA Music Talks pair powerhouse musicians with artists, activists, writers, and thinkers to take on big ideas in art and culture. These intimate evenings of performance and conversation reveal art world anecdotes, shared ideas, and creative inspirations.

This program is organized by Laura Paige Kyber, Assistant Curator of Performance, in partnership with The John & Alice Coltrane Home.

English CART Captioning and ASL are provided.

https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/music-talk-an-oral-history-of-alice-coltrane/

The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, the renowned composer/librettist team, tell the story of Claire, who is driven nearly mad by an unending, low-frequency hum that she hears. In desperation, she joins a community organization, “The Listeners,” formed to discover the origin of the noise and destroy it. The group becomes frighteningly cult-like, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences.

Audio Description and Sound Shirts will be available.

Touch tour will begin at 12:00pm before the performance at 2:00pm.

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/the-listeners/

The Marriage of Figaro at Lyric Opera of Chicago

In the setting of Count Almaviva’s castle, his servants, Figaro and Susanna, conspire to get the better of their willful employer, joined by his long-suffering wife, the Countess. Also on hand is opera’s most lovable pageboy, Cherubino.

Audio Description will be available at this performance and a touch tour will begin at 12:00pm before the performance at 2:00pm.

Sound shirt will also be available at this performance.

For more information go to lyricopera.org.

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/the-marriage-of-figaro/

Rigoletto at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Rigoletto, tragically obsessed with avenging his daughter Gilda’s dishonor. The score’s highlights are unforgettable, from Rigoletto’s hair-raising denunciation of the Duke of Mantua’s courtiers, “Cortigiani,” to the immoral, philandering Duke’s “La donna è mobile,” to Gilda’s ecstatic “Caro nome.”

Audio Description & Sound Shirts are available at the performance – more information at lyricopera.org.

Touch tour will begin at 12:00pm before the event at 2:00pm.

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/rigoletto/

 

Blue at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Co-produced by Lyric, The Glimmerglass Festival, and Washington National Opera, the opera presents the moving story of ​​a Black middle-class family in Harlem whose hopes and dreams for their teenage son are shattered when he is shot by a white police officer.

Audio Description will be available and a touch tour will begin at 12:00pm before the event at 2:00pm.

Sound Shirt will also be offered on this date.

Please visit lyricopera.org for further information.

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/blue/

The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, the renowned composer/librettist team, tell the story of Claire, who is driven nearly mad by an unending, low-frequency hum that she hears. In desperation, she joins a community organization, “The Listeners,” formed to discover the origin of the noise and destroy it. The group becomes frighteningly cult-like, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences.

This performance will have both ASL and Sound Shirts, please visit lyricopera.org for more information.

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/the-listeners/

Fidelio at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Leonore, who disguises herself as a young man in order to work in the prison, hoping to rescue her husband.

Accessibility: SoundShirt, audio description, and touch tour.

Touch tour starting at 12:00pm before the performance at 2:00pm

https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2024-25/fidelio/

Victor Wong Showcase at Second City

A showcase of The Second City’s Victor Wong Fellows. The Victor Wong Fellowship is an intensive program at The Second City that mentors & trains talented Asian / Asian American identifying artists.

 

Accessibility: ASL Interpreted, assistive listening devices, and wheelchair accessbile.

https://secondcityus.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FTP000000Gh932AC

Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music at Writers Theatre

Days after the February 1848 revolution, Fryderyk Chopin is teaching a piano lesson in Paris. Set in the Polish pianist-composer’s intimate salon, Chopin shares with his students secrets about the piano and secrets about himself—as well as playing some of his most beautiful and enduring compositions. In a tour de force performance, virtuoso actor/pianist Hershey Felder brings to life the romantic story and music of the man once called the “Poet of the Piano.”

 

https://www.writerstheatre.org/hershey-felder-s-chopin-in-paris

Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin – A Play with Music at Writers Theatre

Days after the February 1848 revolution, Fryderyk Chopin is teaching a piano lesson in Paris. Set in the Polish pianist-composer’s intimate salon, Chopin shares with his students secrets about the piano and secrets about himself—as well as playing some of his most beautiful and enduring compositions. In a tour de force performance, virtuoso actor/pianist Hershey Felder brings to life the romantic story and music of the man once called the “Poet of the Piano.”

Accessibility

Opened Captioning available on Thursday, April 25th, 2024. Assistive listening devices, wheelchair accessible, and ASL interpretation available upon request.  For information about scheduling an ASL Interpreter for your performance, contact boxoffice@writerstheatre.org or 847-242-6000. We ask for at least 2 weeks prior to scheduled performances in order to prepare ASL interpreters.

https://www.writerstheatre.org/hershey-felder-s-chopin-in-paris

Michael Ondaatje: Memory and the Act of Looking Back at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

Michael Ondaatje is one of the most influential writers of his generation. He won the Booker Prize for his successful 1992 novel The English Patient, which was made into the nine-time Academy Award-winning film, including for Best Picture. Critically respected for testing the limits of the genre of poetry with playful experimentation, Ondaatje makes a long-awaited return to the medium with his latest A Year of Last Things, an exploration of memory, history, and the act of looking back. At Chicago Humanities, Ondaatje presents a reading and then sits down with Srikanth Reddy, Professor of English at the University of Chicago, for a conversation about his sometimes witty, or moving, but always brilliant poetry.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/michael-ondaantje/

The Verge AI Sessions: Art Creator or Thief? at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

What guardrails do artists need in a new age of artificial intelligence? As artists voice concerns about AI replacing their work or using their creative intellectual property to train AI models without proper consent or compensation, lawmakers are beginning to take notice. The essence of this debate — what artists seek and how regulations should adapt — often remains overshadowed by broader discussions on copyright law and regulation. Join The Verge AI reporter Emilia David as she leads Chicago Humanities through a crucial and timely conversation with one of the plaintiffs in the ongoing Andersen v. Stability AI case, Kelly McKernan, on the current legal challenges working through the courts and the impact of generative AI systems on the art world.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/verge-ai-art/

The Verge AI Sessions: AI and Humans at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The proliferation of artificial intelligence tools has created a flood of AI-generated content online, much of it spammy, inaccurate, or even abusive. In her coverage, The Verge reporter Mia Sato documents how generative AI is being used to accelerate the production of junk online and entrench existing disparities around art and labor. She’ll offer primers on how to spot this kind of AI-generated content — but is there another way forward to harness AI?

Artists and technologists are exploring fascinating ways to use AI that probe creative limitations and cut at the very question of what “human-made” can look like. Join The Verge journalist Mia Sato and pioneering artists and thinkers in the field to examine where AI-powered content appears today, and how automated tools could be used in the future.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/verge-ai-human/

Caro Murphy: Interactive Experience Design at Illinois Tech – Hermann Hall

Cultural historian and video gaming specialist, Dr. Carly Kocurek from Illinois Tech Lewis College of Science and Letters moderates a discussion with game and interactive experience designer Caro Murphy. Caro is leading the vanguard in the emerging field and art form of interactive, experiential, and live-action game design. Caro has produced award-winning work as the Immersive Experience Director for Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser exhibit. Serving as a game adjudicator for the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Caro is also the Founder and CEO of the Boston Festival of Indie Games. They are a Visiting Associate Professor at Northeastern University in Boston and create immersive theater experiences as Chief Creative Officer of Incantrix Productions.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/caro-murphy/

Miranda July: A Woman’s Quest for Freedom at Illinois Tech – Hermann Hall

Renowned multi-hyphenated artist and Chicago Humanities favorite, Miranda July has gained a cult following throughout her award-winning career as a filmmaker (Me and You and Everyone We Know, Kajillionaire), author (No One Belongs Here More Than You), and visual artist. Her perfect comic timing, unabashed curiosity about human intimacy, and palpable delight in pushing boundaries shine in her latest novel, All Fours: A Novel. Part absurd entertainment, part tender reinvention of the sexual, romantic, and domestic life, the story follows one woman’s quest for a new kind of freedom in her drive cross-country from LA to NY. One of the most inspiring creative artists of our time, July and author Jessamine Chan comes to Chicago Humanities for an afternoon on storytelling, creativity and finding a new life.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/july/

Ali Velshi: Small Acts of Courage Endure at Illinois Tech – Hermann Hall

Over a century ago, MSNBC host Ali Velshi’s great-grandfather sent his son to live at Gandhi’s ashram in South Africa. That tough decision forever changed his family story. Velshi’s grandfather became focused on public service, social justice and the equality of all people. These beliefs evolved through generations as his family escaped apartheid, emigrated to Kenya and ultimately settled in Canada and the United States. In Velshi’s most recent book, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy, he explores his family legacy and takes notes from social justice warriors Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide to how small actions of those who fought for democracy and freedom have profound political impacts. Chicago Humanities welcomes the famed author as he explores 125 years of family history and how social justice is a living, breathing experience―a way of life more than an ideology.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ali-velshi/

Ruha Benjamin: How Imagination Can Build a Better World at Illinois Tech – Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship

A Professor of African American studies at Princeton University, Ruha Benjamin brings a unique and interdisciplinary perspective to social justice and technology. In her latest work, Imagination: A Manifesto, Benjamin argues that imagination gives us the power to challenge systems of oppression, such as hierarchies created by racism, sexism, and classism. She highlights educators, artists, and activists reflecting new ideas to challenge these worldly problems. Join the famed thinker for a conversation on how imagination can create a world where everyone can thrive.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ruha-benjamin/

James Spooner: Black Punk Now at Ramova Theatre

Award-winning graphic novelist James Spooner comes to Chicago Humanities for a chat on punk, comics and Black Identity. Spooner is a leader in the Black punk community. His works include the seminal documentary Afro-Punk (2003), creation of the Afro Punk Festival, and a graphic memoir, The High Desert. In this book, Spooner shares his experience being Black in small-town California and finding salvation in punk music, winning the American Library Association Alex Award and the Cartoonist Studio Prize. The artist and activist returns as an editor for his latest book, Black Punk Now. This anthology shares the voices and stories from the Black punk community. It is filled with contemporary nonfiction, fiction, illustrations and comics that collectively describe punk today and give punks—especially the Black ones—a wider frame of reference.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/spooner/

Bakari Sellers: Moving Forward from The Race Reckoning at Ramova Theatre

Former South Carolina State Representative and CNN Political Analyst Bakari Sellers passionately asked live on-air the question that many Black Americans had in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020: “We have black children. I have a 15-year-old daughter. I mean, what do I tell her?” Four years later, Sellers has an answer to the question he raised on CNN. Discover his answers as Chicago Humanities grapples with this difficult question and learns about Barkari’s journey for personal and public policy solutions that impact Black families across the country. Sellers examines the inequalities in healthcare and education, and policing gaps, drawing from discussions with key thinkers like Rev. William Barber and attorney Ben Crump. Using these legends as jumping off points, Sellers deftly expands on his powerfully persuasive New York Times bestseller My Vanishing Country and latest book, The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bakari-sellers/

The Swans of Harlem: Reclaiming the History of Black Ballet at Francis W. Parker School

The legendary “Swans of Harlem” ballerinas take the stage with Brandis Friedman (co-anchor, WTTW Chicago Tonight / host, Black Voices) and author Karen Valby to reclaim and lift up the trailblazing contributions to the dance world by these Black artists whose stories have been marginalized, devalued and forgotten by history. Stay after the chat for a live dance performance tribute to the Swans by the Chicago-based dance company Move Me Soul.

At the height of the Civil Rights Era, Lydia Abarca was a star prima ballerina leading international performances for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the first Black ballerina with a ballet company to grace the cover of Dance Magazine. Abarca formed an unbreakable bond with fellow pioneering dancers, including Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells. At a time of intense racial and gender inequality, these remarkable women performed for the Queen of England, at the White House and beyond. Decades later, however, their story was still missing from history. This groundbreaking group of friends reunite at Chicago Humanities to discuss Valby’s new book, The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History. Their enthralling saga celebrates resilient Black women, the enduring power of female friendship, and reveals the hidden history of Black ballet, kept secret for far too long.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/swans-harlem/

Eddie Glaude Jr.: We Are the Leaders at Francis W. Parker School

Renowned Princeton University professor and New York Times best-selling author Eddie Glaude Jr. is one of the world’s most prominent scholars of African American Studies. Through the iconic interpretations of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Ella Baker, Glaude Jr. urges fellow Black Americans to focus on personal growth and individual empowerment to reshape our democracy. At Chicago Humanities, Glaude Jr. combines his reflections from We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For with insights from legendary writers Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Dewey, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison. Led in conversation by Chicago natives and co-hosts of the Pushkin podcast Some of My Best Friends Are, Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Ben Austen, Glaude makes a passionate call for a stronger democracy through grassroots movements, not a hopeful reliance on political figures.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/eddie-glaude-jr/

Frank Bruni: An Age of Grievance at Chicago History Museum

Frank Bruni, renowned New York Times columnist, guides Chicago Humanities on an incisive exploration of our cultural obsession with grievance that has permeated both political spectrums. Grievance dominates our unpredictable political landscape as all sides label disappointment or dissent as personal injury, fueling blame and rage. In his latest work, The Age of Grievance, Bruni acknowledges the historical importance of grievance, yet questions the contemporary fusion of authentic and fabricated grievances. Through vivid political, cultural and personal examples, Bruni and Interfaith America Founder and President Eboo Patel confront the roots and consequences of our polarized society, offering crucial insights and a roadmap toward restoring civic unity.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/frank-bruni/

A Portrait of Redefined History through Photography at Chicago History Museum

MacArthur Fellow and Professor of Photography at Columbia College in Chicago, Dawoud Bey, is one of the most celebrated photographers in American history. Fellow photography colleague Kelli Connell is an artist who investigates sexuality, gender, identity, and the relationship between photographer and subject. Natasha Egan, Executive Director at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, moderates a discussion for Chicago Humanities on re-engaging with and reimagining history through photography. Both Bey (Elegy) and Connell (Pictures for Charis) draw on references from their latest books that span their recent work and present how photos help us reconsider our perceptions of history.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/history-photography/

Jon Meacham: The Call to Serve at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham is a New York Times bestselling author of a long list of acclaimed presidential biographies. He presents Chicago Humanities with his latest work, The Call of Serve: The Life of An American President, George Herbert Walker Bush: A Visual Biography. In this recounting, gleaned from a lifetime of Bush family scrapbooks, Meacham curates a balanced personal view into an American president and man who was more than politics. With over 450 never-before-published photos and intimate memories to reference from his visually stunning book, Meacham frames the forty-first president’s vision of leadership as a service to his country.

Judith Butler: Who’s Afraid of Gender? at Music Box Theatre

Judith Butler’s groundbreaking work, and their theory of gender performativity, has had a vast influence on contemporary scholarship in feminism and gender studies. In Butler’s latest work, Who’s Afraid of Gender?, they tackle the global rise of right-wing movements that seek to nullify reproductive justice, undermine protections against sexual and gender violence and strip trans and queer people of their rights. Butler draws upon an array of approaches to gender to expose how authoritarian and fascist politics rely on a frightening phantasm of gender. Chicago Humanities welcomes this iconic thought leader for a timely discussion that offers rigorous analysis, hope, freedom and solidarity in confronting the reactionary politics that seek to intensify marginalization and inequality.

Accessibility: Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair Accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/judith-butler/

Justice Stephen Breyer at Francis W. Parker School

Honorably serving for twenty-eight years as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer challenges the textualist philosophy of the court’s supermajority with insightful analysis and arguments for a more nuanced view of Constitutional interpretation. Emphasizing the consequential impacts of major legal decisions, Breyer upends the prevailing textualism approach as outlined in his book Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism. Former Justice Breyer and CNN senior Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic connect with Chicago Humanities to expand on his views for a flexible, evolving Constitution. Breyer asserts that pivotal cases like Dobbs and Bruen were incorrectly decided. They underscore the importance of considering the intent and repercussions of legal statutes and offer a compelling case for a more balanced interpretation of law.

Accessibility: ASL Interpreted, Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, and Wheelchair accessible.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/breyer-biskupic/

Play For All at Chicago Children’s Museum

Chicago Children’s Museum’s Play for All initiative creates a community where play and learning connect for visitors of all abilities. Play for All invites children and families with disabilities to come and experience CCM’s inclusive, multisensory exhibits and programs.

The museum will open at 10 a.m. for pre-registered children and families with disabilities and CCM members before opening to the public at 11 a.m. The first 250 children and families with disabilities who register will receive FREE admission! Pre-registration is required for free admission.

Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible, Accessible & All-Gender Restrooms, Sound-reducing Headphones, Open Captions, Assistive Listening Devices, Quiet Spaces.

https://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/play-for-all

Billy Elliot: The Musical at Paramount Theatre

There will be two certified sign interpreters to interpret all dialogue and lyrics at the Paramount Theatre on March 22nd, 2024 for Billy Elliot: The Musical.
See the show for $30 each. Purchase online using instructions below, or email mariew@paramountarts.com.

Click the performance you wish to purchase:
Enter promo code: ASLPARAMOUNT
Click on the ASL Interpreted Section
Select your seats and click PROMO $30
Add to order and proceed through checkout
You must enter promo code to unlock ASL Interpreted section and special $30 price.

Accessibility: ASL Interpreted.

https://paramountaurora.com/visit/#accessibility

A Year with Frog and Toad at Chicago Children’s Theatre

Children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in the Tony-nominated musical A Year With Frog And Toad, based on his popular children’s book that follows two best friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and grumpy, but lovable Toad – through four fun-filled seasons.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD was originally presented on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner, Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman. The play had its world Premiere at The Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ACCESS Weekend |Sat, April 27th (9:30am: Sensory Friendly, 11:30am: ASL & Open Captions) and Sun, April 28th (9:30am: Sensory Friendly, 11:30am: Audio Description & Touch Tour – must confirm attendance two weeks prior to performance)

A Year with Frog & Toad

 

Kathleen Hanna at Illinois Tech

A trailblazing feminist icon, Kathleen Hanna changed the punk scene in the 90’s with her bands, Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. This rebel girl is back with her electric, searing memoir that takes us into her tumultuous childhood, her early years on the scene, and her connections with other music icons like Kurt Cobain, Joan Jett, and the Beastie Boys. Join Chicago Humanities with Women & Children First, Chicago’s feminist bookstore since 1979, for an evening with the music legend who shares how both the hard and the joyful times fuel her revolutionary art and music.

This event will have Assistive Listening Devices and Open Captions.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/kathleen-hanna/

Joy-Ann Reid at First United Methodist Church

Joy-Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut and best-selling author, chronicles the lives of civil rights icons Medgar and Myrlie Evers. Myrlie Louise Beasley met Medgar Evers in college, forging an instant connection that culminated in marriage a year later, prompting her to leave school to prioritize their growing family. Medgar, an NAACP field secretary, alongside Myrlie, focused their energy on fighting against segregation and discrimination. Despite relentless threats and Medgar’s assassination in 1963, Myrlie carried on their work, writing about Medgar’s activism and assuming a leadership role in the NAACP. Join Reid in conversation with veteran reporter April Ryan (MSNBC, The Grio) at Chicago Humanities as they discuss these towering figures in the civil rights movement, their relationship, and the crucial groundwork they laid for Black Americans, which still reverberates to this day.

This event will have Assistive Listening Devices and Open Captions.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/joy-ann-reid/

Kara Swisher: A Tech Love Story at First United Methodist Church

Award-winning journalist Kara Swisher has been sharing her witty, scathing take on the tech industry’s disruptive force for decades. Chicago Humanities hosts Kara as she intertwines tales of innovation and the complex power transformation of Silicon Valley, while highlighting its perilous position as a global power hub, and urging thoughtful action. Covering the 1990s digital explosion, Swisher’s relentless reporting exposed Silicon Valley truths, prompting CEOs to joke about her eavesdropping skills. In her latest work, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, her continued coverage of tech history and influential interviews with industry titans reveal the ambition and downfall of giants and her views on new powerful AI tools changing the world. Despite chronicling the damage, Swisher remains optimistic about tech’s potential to help solve problems and not just create them.

This event will have Assistive Listening Devices and Open Captions.

https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/kara-swisher/

Shirley: Preview Screening and Conversation at The Davis Theater

It’s Chicago Humanities movie night at the historic Davis Theater with a special preview screening of the Netflix drama film Shirley, followed by a conversation with the film’s rising star Christina Jackson.

Oscar-winning actor Regina King stars as political icon Shirley Chisholm in the film Shirley, written and directed by fellow Oscar winner, John Ridley (12 Years a Slave). The film celebrates the story of the first Black congresswoman and political icon, Shirley Chisholm, and her 1972 trailblazing run for president of the U.S. King’s transformative portrayal of Chisholm is complemented by a star-studded ensemble including Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Terrence Howard. The film releases globally on Netflix Friday, March 22nd.

Movie Screening: 6:30-8:30 pm

Conversation with Christina Jackson 8:30-9:30 pm

The Band’s Visit- Open Caption Performance at Writers Theatre

In a small Israeli desert town where every day feels the same, a lost bus arrives carrying an Egyptian Police Band. With no hotel and no buses until morning, the musicians are taken in for the night by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, these misplaced musicians bring everyone together in the way that only music can. Winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Band’s Visit is a beautifully intimate show, perfectly suited for the Nichols Theatre, about the unifying power of music.

Accessibility: open captions, assistive listening devices

https://www.writerstheatre.org/BandsVisit

Play For All Adaptive Sports Event with DARE2TRI at Chicago Children’s Museum

Calling ALL champions to Chicago Children’s Museum! Participate in event activities, including roller sled hockey, handcycling, wheelchair racing, bocce, Judo, group exercises, and See & Touch Prosthetics display. All of our inclusive, multisensory museum exhibits and programs will also be available during Play For All.

The first 500 children and families with disabilities who register will receive free admission.

The museum opens at 10 am for Play For All guests and members exclusively and at 11 am to the general public.

Accessibility: assistive listening devices, quiet spaces, wheelchair accessible

https://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/play-for-all

Talk | Sowing Change with Erika Allen and Linda Goode Bryant at Museum of Contemporary Art

Sowing Change: Creativity and Food Sovereignty is a collaboration between the MCA and the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB 5). This program brings together artists Erika Allen, founder of Urban Growers Collective in Chicago, and Linda Goode Bryant, founder of the pathbreaking gallery, Just Above Midtown (1976-1984) and Project EATS in New York City. Allen and Goode Bryant will discuss how the arts—and tending to the imagination—have guided their visionary leadership in transforming urban space as sites for food sovereignty and collective change.

The conversation will be moderated by Emily Mello, Senior Director of Learning, Education, and Public Programs at the MCA.

ASL and CART captioning are available.

https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/talk-sowing-change-with-erika-allen-linda-goode-bryant/

Live Arts | Muslim Writers Collective: Intersectionality at Museum of Contemporary Art

A grassroots initiative promoting storytelling, creativity, and the arts, the Muslim Writers Collective will focus this iteration of its programming on themes drawn from the MCA exhibition Faith Ringgold: American People. This storytelling event will center itself around hearing life experiences from Muslim American and Muslim-adjacent perspectives.

CART Captioning is available on personal devices.

https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/live-arts-mwc-mca/

Talk | Helen Molesworth and Madeleine Grynsztejn at Museum of Contemporary Art

Over the past three decades, writer, curator, and podcaster Helen Molesworth’s singular voice and lively curatorial vision has established her as one of the most dynamic and influential voices in the art world.

At this inspiring event, MCA Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn will join Molesworth on stage for a conversation about her new book Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art.

Signed books are now available for pre-order at the MCA Store.

Accessibility: Spanish translation, ASL, and CART captioning

https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/talk-helen-molesworth-and-madeleine-grynsztejn/

POTUS at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

It’s just another (omg, wtf, lmfao) day at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. When a White House PR nightmare spins into a legit sh*tshow, seven brilliant and beleaguered women must risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive is a bawdy and irreverent look at sex, politics and the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world. Who knew that global crisis is always just a four-letter word away.

ASL Storybook of “Red: A Crayon’s Story” at Oak Park Public Library

Experience Red: A Crayon’s Story like you never have before! This storybook video features Deaf American Sign Language master signer Crom Saunders signing the words to the animated book, with music and sound effects bringing the story to life. Then we’ll watch and play along with fun interactive games conducted by students and teachers from the Indiana School for the Deaf.

Crom will visit in person and play theater games with the kids after the video. This event will have a live interpreter.

Best for kids in preschool and elementary school and their family and friends.

 

More information at https://oakpark.librarycalendar.com/event/asl-storybook-red-crayons-story

Eurydice at Writers Theatre

Eurydice is a play about newlywed and newly dead Eurydice arrives in the underworld without memories or language where she struggles to recover her humanity with the aid of the father she lost years ago. When Orpheus arrives to rescue her, Eurydice must choose between staying with her father or escaping with her husband—between life and death. Pulitzer & Tony nominated North Shore native Sarah Ruhl infuses the ancient myth with humor, poetry, hope & sneaky surprises as this classic heroine finds her voice.

Run time: 1 hour and 20 minutes, no intermission

Accessibility: Assistive Listening Devices, Open Captions, Digital Document, Wheelchair Accessible

https://www.writerstheatre.org/eurydice

 

Farah Jasmine Griffin on Book Bans and Black Literature at Venue SIX10

Join leading intellectual Farah Jasmine Griffin (Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature and In Search of a Beautiful Freedom) to talk about why book bans so often target Black literature. Griffin discusses the censorship of Black authors like Toni Morrison and the effort to preserve and share Black stories. This renowned author and Columbia University professor is joined by WBEZ Race, Class and Communities Reporter Natalie Moore for a chat about Black literature and our complex American history.

A book signing will follow this program

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/farah-jasmine-griffin/

Language Models and AI: A Guide for the Perplexed at Columbia College Chicago – Student Center

Over the past year, language models have entered the popular consciousness as new apps like ChatGPT attract hundreds of millions of users. Bold claims have been made about the capabilities and future impact of such products. Researchers in the field of natural language processing (the scholarly field in which language models originated) have been somewhat taken aback by these developments; language models have been around for decades. Noah Smith, an expert in natural language processing, takes to the Chicago Humanities stage for a presentation that aims to demystify generative artificial intelligence with a focus on language models. By introducing historical context and a few key concepts and foundational ideas, he aims to narrow the gap between scientific and popular understanding of language models while avoiding the hype.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/language-ai/

Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk at Francis W. Parker School

Prepare to be dazzled by the transformative power of design with the Emmy-nominated host of Queer Eye, Bobby Berk. Why does the color of a room change how you feel? How can you decide what to get rid of or repurpose? And how can your home boost your mood? Berk’s new book, Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good For The Mind, shows us how the power of exceptional design can ignite joy, elevate our mental wellbeing, and optimize our lives. With practical tips and inspiring anecdotes, Berk sits down with Asad Syrkett, editor in chief of Elle Decor, to share invaluable insights on how to unlock the true potential of your home to create your personal sanctuary of serenity and a happier, more fulfilling life.

To meet and get a photo with Bobby after the event, add “Signed Book + Photo Opportunity” to your cart. Limited number of tickets available.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bobby-berk/

Chefs Anna Voloshyna and Rick Bayless Celebrate Ukrainian Cuisine at Newberry Library

Budmo!, meaning “cheers!” in Ukrainian, is the first cookbook presented by Ukrainian-born, California-based chef, blogger, and culinary instructor Anna Voloshyna. Celebrating classic Eastern European recipes with a modern, creative twist with bright flavors, Voloshyna presents vibrant ingredients that represent the rich culture and tradition of the people of Ukraine. Join Anna as she sits down with Chicago Humanities favorite award-winning chef Rick Bayless for a conversation on the food of her homeland and the unifying power of cuisine.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/voloshyna-bayless/

Airplane! Behind-the-Scenes of a Comedy Classic at Fourth Presbyterian Church

When the film debuted in July of 1980, Airplane! had a budget of only $3.5 million, and yet it went on to earn nearly $200 million, gathering a rabid fan-base, inspiring countless comedians, and providing perhaps the most quotable lines of any comedy in cinematic history. In their new book, Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! , ZAZ (filmmakers David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams) share hilarious trivia and never-before-heard anecdotes about the creation of this classic movie. At Chicago Humanities, Mark Bazar of WTTW’s The Interview Show sits down with writer/director David Zucker (and a special zoom appearance from his brother and fellow Airplane! filmmaker Jerry) for a night of laughter and nostalgia, as we dive into clips, images, and stories from behind-the-scenes of this legendary comedic gem. For a special keepsake, books pre-signed by all three filmmakers will be available for purchase.

This event will have asl interpretation, open captions, and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/airplane/

Erika Sánchez at Fourth Presbyterian Church

A Cicero native, Erika Sánchez grew up in a Mexican American household and is a self-described pariah, misfit, and a foul-mouthed, melancholic rabble-rouser. She returns to the literary world with her witty, raunchy, insightful, unapologetic honest memoir, Crying in the Bathroom. She covers everything from white feminism to debilitating depression, and finding a life rich with ideas and self-awareness. Join the Chicagoland native for a night of laughter, comedy, and personal self-reflection that feels like talking for hours with your best friend.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/erika-sanchez/

Colonial Looting, Museums, and Restitution at Newberry Library

Throughout history, museums and other cultural institutions have too often acquired their artifacts through conquest, imperialism and colonization. Today, these institutions are re-evaluating this “colonial looting” and facing increasing calls to return these artifacts to their rightful owners, aiming to rectify historical injustices and foster cultural healing. Join Chicago Humanities for a presentation on these stolen artifacts and the importance of returning cultural items to their rightful homes with Patty Gerstenblith, Director of DePaul University’s Center for Art, Museums and Cultural Heritage Law. Following her presentation, Gerstenblith will be joined by esteemed experts Victoria Reed, Curator for Provenance at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Shannon O’Loughlin from the Association of American Indian Affairs, and Dr. Helen Robbins, Repatriation Director at the Field Museum for a conversation about the ethical, legal, and cultural challenges and opportunities museums face when restoring cultural heritage.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/colonial-looting/

A Conversation with Teju Cole at Fourth Presbyterian Church

What constitutes a meaningful life in a violent world? Join celebrated author and essayist Teju Cole (Open City) as he considers this question through his most recent work of fiction, Tremor. This poetic exploration continues Cole’s masterful examination of colonial atrocities, casual racism, and “history’s own brutality.” Don’t miss this Chicago Humanities experience with one of the most vibrant voices on today’s literary scene.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/conversation-teju-cole/

The Science & Morality of Climate Change at Newberry Library

Academy Award-winning movie Don’t Look Up and the big-budget streamer Extrapolations tell us that humanity is incapable of addressing climate change, even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. But is that true? Are human beings incapable of changing our ways to help the planet? Join astronomer and physicist Marcelo Gleiser (The Dawn of a Mindful Universe), climate scientist Michael Mann (Our Fragile Moment), and award-winning Chicago journalist Monica Eng for a thought-provoking discussion about why we need a new Enlightenment to forge a sustainable future for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with influential voices who are shaping the discourse around climate change.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/morality-climate-change/

SANCTUARY CITY at Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Newark, NJ. Post-9/11. Two teenagers, brought to America as children, now face an unlikely foe: unexpected, unreciprocated love. Their friendship is no longer enough (for one of them) and their adopted country doesn’t love them back. Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok brings light to the sacrifices made by DREAMers, lovers and life-long friends in the heart-stirring and hopeful Sanctuary City—a story that fractures and transcends—crossing boundaries, borders and genres in search of a place to call home.

Sanctuary City will be the first Steppenwolf production that includes both a full membership series run, as well as a full run of student matinees as a part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults series, providing a synergistic opportunity to cultivate more intergenerational audiences.

Audio-Described and Touch Tour:
Sunday, October 8 at 3pm 
(1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)

Open-Captioned Public Performances:
Thursday, October 12 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 21 at 3pm

ASL-Interpreted Public Performance:
Friday, October 13 at 7:30pm

Relaxed/Sensory Friendly Public Performance:
Saturday, October 28th at 3pm

ASL-Interpreted Student Matinee:
Friday, November 3 at 10am

Spanish Language-Captioned:
Saturday, November 4 at 3pm

https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets–events/seasons-/202324/sanctuary-city/

Rachel Maddow in Conversation with Kathleen Belew at UIC Forum

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow returns to Chicago Humanities to expose the shocking truth behind subversive attempts to undermine democracy and the inspiring tales of those who rose to challenge the insurrectionists. Inspired by the research for her #1 Apple podcast, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra, Maddow’s latest book PREQUEL: An American Fight Against Fascism tells the World War II story of a committed group of public servants and courageous private citizens thwarting the far-right’s attempts to align our nation with the Nazis. Join Maddow as she sits down with historian, author and Northwestern University professor Kathleen Belew to explore the rise of this wild strain of American authoritarianism, the profoundly relevant insights about America today that can be drawn from its history, and her take on our own unprecedented times.

This event will have open captions, audio description, asl interpretation and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/rachel-maddow/

Fox News’ Bret Baier on George Washington at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Fox News Channel’s Chief Political Correspondent and New York Times bestselling author, Bret Baier comes to Chicago Humanities to talk about his groundbreaking new biography of America’s first president. In To Rescue the Constitution: George Washington and the Fragile American Experiment, Baier explores Washington’s remarkable decision to come out of retirement to preside over the Constitutional Convention and sacrifice himself to save the country. At Chicago Humanities, Baier sits down with Chicago Tonight’s Paris Schutz for a conversation about our country’s gritty past and the extraordinary divisions of early America that shed new light on the divisions and conflicts still haunting us today.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bret-baier/

Bob and Erin Odenkirk in Conversation with Peter Sagal at Northwestern University

Naperville native and award-winning actor and comedian Bob Odenkirk has teamed up with his talented daughter, illustrator Erin Odenkirk, as they share original poems Bob wrote with his children when they were young, as well as dozens of new ones–beautifully brought to life by Erin’s whimsical drawings. Join Chicago Humanities for a hilarious and heartwarming night of laughter and nostalgia as this father-daughter duo sits down with the host of Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me! Peter Sagal to take us on a journey through Bob’s legendary career, how his daughter felt about her father’s comedy and life in Hollywood and the imaginative and playful pages of Zilot and other Important Rhymes.

A book signing follows this program.

This event will have assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bob-and-erin-odenkirk/

Poverty in America with Matthew Desmond at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Why does the United States, one of the richest countries on earth, allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit citizens to live and die on the streets, and continue to pay poverty wages? Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond uses vivid storytelling and rigorous research to delve into the heart of wealth inequality in America and to call on all of us to become poverty abolitionists, ushering in a new age of shared prosperity. Join Chicago Humanities to learn about Desmond’s startlingly original and ambitious case for creating a more equitable society.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/matthew-desmond/

NFTs and Art at Block Museum of Art

Since the NFT (Non-fungible tokens) exploded into the art world a few years ago, artists, collectors, arts professionals, art lovers, and museumgoers are still trying to understand what NFTs are and what they mean for the future. Author, Amy Whitaker, takes readers through the origins of NFTs, the connection to the history of artmaking and art collecting, and their potential to change the art world. Join the writer, artist, and researcher for a conversation on the age of digital records and how we build collaborative and equitable structures for the future.

This event will have assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/nft-art/

Comedian Sarah Cooper at Ryan Center for Music

Comedian Sarah Cooper rocketed to fame during the pandemic with her lip-synched videos of Donald Trump’s speeches. Her face, his voice–it was social media magic. In her hilarious and honest debut memoir, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation, Cooper tells witty and heartfelt tales of growing up as the youngest in a Jamaican family, disastrously using the internet as a marriage counselor, and overcoming a lifetime of oppressive perfectionism to throw herself headlong into the world of comedy. At Chicago Humanities, join Cooper, alongside Chicago Today co-host Cortney Hall, for an evening of uproarious laughter and heartfelt revelations as this iconic comedian proves once and for all that being foolish is actually the smartest thing you can do.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/comedian-sarah-cooper/

Is Freedom of Speech, Free? at Ryan Center for Music

How does cancel culture impact our social, cultural, and political lives? With The Atlantic’s Caitlin Flanagan leading the discussion, join Johns Hopkins’ Yascha Mounk, out with his latest book The Identity Trap; and FIRE President Greg Lukianoff and journalist Rikki Schlott, co-authors of The Canceling of the American Mind, for a captivating conversation about the complexities of our current cultural landscape.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/cancel-culture/

Historian Simon Schama on Pandemics, Vaccines and the Health of Nations at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

During our era of COVID, many of us felt as if we were living through “unprecedented times,” but was our experience really that unique? Pandemics have been around as long as people. Join esteemed historian and bestselling author Simon Schama with author and Richard W. Leopold Professor of History Deborah Cohen for a conversation exploring the profound impact of pandemics on human history. From bubonic plague to COVID-19, Schama uncovers the intricate relationship between disease, vaccines, and the collective health of nations and shares the often-unheard stories of people whose pioneering work has changed the face of modern healthcare in the face of one of our most deadly enemies: the pandemic.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/simon-schama/

First Lady MK Pritzker on Architectural Preservation at Northwestern University

As one of the most historical buildings in Chicago, the Governor’s Mansion has hosted many legendary people, including Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and the current First Family. First Lady MK Pritzker and former interior designer for the Obama White House, Michael Smith, have teamed up to restore this iconic building and bring Chicago history to life, a project that is detailed in their book, A House that Made History. Join Chicago Humanities for an inspiring conversation with this duo and hear about their journey to transform the Governor’s Mansion into a timeless symbol of Illinois pride.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/mk-pritzker/

Public Art and Environmental Justice in Chicago at Block Museum of Art

How can art engage people on climate change and environmental issues that are impacting our city and neighborhoods? Join Uzma Noormohamed, Program Director of the Illinois Science & Energy Innovation Foundation, Mike Dimitroff, Manager of Art initiatives at the Chicago Park District, and Cynthia Weiss, Delilah Salgado, and Citlalli Trujillo of the artist collective Rio de Bienvenida, as they discuss Earth Art Chicago, a new city-wide initiative that seeks to harnesses the power of public art as a means to raise awareness about issues related to environmental justice in Chicago while centering voices often left out of the climate conversation.

This event will have assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/environmental-justice-chicago/

Poetry with Sandra Cisneros at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

In her long career in literature and teaching, Sandra Cisneros has shared her passion for creative writing and expressing her experience as a Mexican woman. After a 28 year break from poetry, she returns to her roots with her most recent collection of songs, elegies, and declarations that chronicle her pilgrimage toward rebirth and the recognition of her prerogative as a woman artist. The acclaimed writer takes the Chicago Humanities stage for conversation on her search for home—in the Mexico of her ancestors and her heart.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/sandra-cisneros/

Oliver Jeffers at Ryan Center for Music

Oliver Jeffers is an acclaimed storyteller and visual artist. His latest picture book, How We Got Here and Where We Might Go – Our Human Story. So Far., is written for adults and is an artistic exploration of humankind’s impact on itself and our planet. The renowned artist and writer takes Chicago Humanities audiences of all ages on a multimedia storytelling experience that follows humankind on its journey through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant commentary on our present, while posing the question: Where do we go from here?

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on this link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/oliver-jeffers/

Walter Isaacson on Elon Musk with David Axelrod at Northwestern University

From the author of Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein and more, Walter Isaacson returns to Chicago Humanities with the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence—and took over Twitter. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. Join Chicago Humanities as David Axelrod, CNN contributor and host of Thee Axe Files, leads a live taping on Musk’s turbulent journey to the top of three worlds: science, business, and the public square. The result is the revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress?

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on the link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/walter-isaacson/

Around the World in 80 Trees with Jonathan Drori at Morton Arboretum

A botanical journey of beauty and botany, myth and mayhem: Bestselling author Jonathan Drori takes a gloriously illustrated trip across the globe, bringing to life the science of trees by revealing how their worlds are intricately entwined with our own history, culture and folklore. His journey includes self-mummifying monks, entrepreneurial resin diggers and the Venetian navy. From the seemingly familiar birch and beech, to the exotic moojar, kauri and gutta-percha, his stories are sometimes poignant, often funny, and always surprising. After the talk, explore the beauty of trees with specially curated a self-guided tour of The Morton Arboretum.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on the link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/morton-arboretum-trees/

An Evening with Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key at Francis W. Parker School

Based on their critically acclaimed podcast of the same name, Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key are excited to share their new book with the Chicago Humanities audience: The History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey through the Art and Craft of Humor. This book will take readers on a delightful and hilarious journey through the evolution of sketch comedy, stories of other comedic legends, and insights into the creative process behind crafting some of comedy’s most beloved masterpieces. Join Vice President of Second City, Kelly Leonard, for a live taping of his podcast “Getting to Yes, And” as he leads a masterclass in humor alongside the Keys.

A book signing will follow this program.

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets, press on the link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/keegan-michael-key/

Novelist Zadie Smith at Francis W. Parker School

Literary powerhouse Zadie Smith is back with a new, highly-anticipated historical novel, The Fraud, which centers around the unforgettable Eliza Touchet and a real-life, explosive trial that divided Victorian England and asks who deserves to tell their story and who gets to be believed. Join Chicago Humanities and experience Smith’s iconic voice in person as this beloved novelist and essayist with novelist and poet Chris Abani discuss the relationship between truth and fiction, fraudulence and authenticity, and the mystery of “other people.”

A book signing will follow this program

This event will have open captions and assistive listening devices with t-coil available at the Box Office.

To buy tickets press on the link below: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/zadie-smith/