Welcome To Hyde Park

the undercommons : New Work by Brandon Carlton
2025-05-08 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-10 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-15 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-16 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | UChicago Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Arts + Public Life presents the undercommons, the first solo exhibition by painter Brandon Carlton. The exhibition explores the complexities of contemporary Black life through Carlton’s distinct approach to stylized figuration. Drawing influence from Alex Katz, David Hockney, and Jordan Casteel, his work engages with portraiture and spatial composition to evoke intimacy, distance, presence, and longing.
Carlton’s paintings consider the undercommons as a site of fugitive sociality—an ungovernable space where collective life unfolds beyond dominant structures. His figures occupy liminal environments, neither fully contained nor entirely free, reflecting a continuous negotiation of belonging, agency, and historical memory. Inspired by Casteel’s attention to everyday Black life and the layered surfaces of Katz and Hockney, Carlton’s work reimagines the aesthetics of presence, using gesture, color, and space to suggest ways of seeing and being that resist fixed narratives.

Berlin
2025-05-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-11 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-15 19:30 - 21:30 and 1 more date | Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Berlin
Berlin is an unforgettable mosaic of intersecting narratives set amidst the decline of Weimar Germany. This original commission brings Jason Lutes’s exhilarating and acclaimed graphic novel to life.
Fascism is taking hold; revolutionaries are organizing; creatives are trying to capture the ineffable nature of their changing city; and – as everything falls apart – everyone is faced with a choice: abandon Berlin or fight to survive.
Charles Newell (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) directs Mickle Maher’s propulsive adaptation, an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of everyday people trying to survive one of the most remarkable moments in history. Set almost one hundred years ago, Berlin speaks to our current moment, and our future, with undeniable urgency.
Accessible Performances:

May 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm (Touch Tour/Audio Description/ASL Interpretation)

Touch Tour at 12:30 pm

May 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm (Open Captioning)

Artwork by Jason Lutes
Click HERE for tickets.

Suuri Design Mother's Day Week Long Event
2025-05-09 11:30 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 11:30 - 16:00, 2025-05-11 11:30 - 16:00 | Suuri Design, 5225 S. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, United States
Make a Gift as Sweet as Mom!
SPEND $50 OR MORE IN-STORE AND RECEIVE A FREE TRAVEL SIZE LOTION. PLUS A CHANCE TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM CHARM KEYCHAIN – ON THE SPOT!
ADD A LITTLE FLAIR TO YOUR LOTION TUBE WITH PERSONALIZED CHARMS. PERFECT AS A GIFT… OR JUST FOR YOU!

The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
2025-05-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637
The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
The food pantry, located at Hyde Park Union Church, provides nonperishable groceries and limited refrigerated and frozen foods to 500 to 800 people every month on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
We serve the area of 39th – 63rd St., Cottage Grove east to Lake Michigan, and patrons can come twice a month. All will be served on their first visit, regardless of residency. If you are looking for food outside of our service area or hours, you can visit the website of the Greater Chicago Food depository to find additional services.
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Volunteers order food, unload deliveries, pre-pack bags and distribute food. ​If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Church Office or Margy Mitchell, the Food Pantry coordinator.
Time and Location
Every Saturday (including Christmas, New Year’s Day, and July 4th) from 10 am to 1 pm;
Hyde Park Union Church
5600 S. Woodlawn — enter by the side door at 1169 E. 56th St.
Chicago, IL 60637

Ja' Grill Sunday Brunch
2025-05-10 11:00 - 16:00 | Ja’ Grill, 1510 E. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Ja’ Grill Sunday Brunch
Hyde Park’s Ja’ Grill, located at 1510 E. Harper Court, began a new Sunday brunch service on Sunday, January 26.
The weekly Sunday brunch hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all-you-can-eat options served family-style for $30 per person. Cocktail options include carafes of everyone’s favorite Ja’ Rum Punch, a Ja’ Mimosa, and Ja’ Bloody Mary.
Brunch menu items will rotate periodically, but diners can look forward to Jerk Chicken & Waffles, Ackee & Saltfish, Scrambled Eggs & Jerk Chicken Sausage, and more.
Ja’ Grill owner Tony Coates celebrated the restaurant’s 10th anniversary in August 2024, reflecting to the Hyde Park Herald, “We were well received well beyond what I would imagine. We opened the doors and, I say this without any hesitation, the Hyde Park community really embraced us and that’s why we’re open today.”
Coates commented, “Our regular customers have asked about adding a brunch menu many times, and we’re very excited to try out this new offering. Ja’ Grill is the perfect place to enjoy your Sunday morning and afternoon with our authentic Jamaican cuisine and extensive drink menu.”
Ja’ Grill is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There’s a Tropical Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. During NFL season fans can enjoy an Extended Happy Hour from 4 p.m. until closing time on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. Don’t miss Wine Down Wednesday with 1/2 price bottles of white, red, and sparkling wines.
Visit the Ja’ Grill website and follow on Instagram for more information about specials and events.

Celebrating All Who Mother
2025-05-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Greenline Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, 60637, United States
Celebrating All Who Mother

Arts + Public Life invites you to Celebrating All Who Mother—a joyful afternoon honoring care in all its forms.
Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 12- 2:00 PM
Green Line Performing Arts Center | 329 East Garfield Boulevard
Mothering shows up in many ways—and we see and honor them all. Whether it’s the aunties, grandmas, chosen fam, mentors, or birth moms, this day is for you. Join us on the Arts Block for a joyful gathering to recognize and uplift those who show up with care, guidance, and love.
✨ Saturday, May 10th | 12–2PM
📍 Green Line Performing Arts Center + L1 Retail Store
Expect sweet vibes and beautiful moments:
📸 Get your portrait taken at the GlitterGuts photobooth
🌸 Craft something lovely at our DIY Bouquet Bar by The HelpfulHummingbird
🍊 Sip on something bubbly from KaySue’s Mobile Mimosa Bar
🧁 Enjoy brunch treats + light bites
🎨 Kiddos welcome—L1 will have fun activities and special items for sale!
Come through, celebrate your people, and make a few memories while you’re at it. This one’s for all who mother.

Reserve your spot HERE.

Mother's Day at Ascione Bistro
2025-05-11 10:00 - 21:30 | Ascione Bistro, 1500 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Mother’s Day at Ascione Bistro
Leave the cooking to Ascione Bistro and celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day!
The restaurant is offering a special menu with 16 oz. USDA Prime Rib-Eye with Idaho Mashed Potatoes and Herb Garlic Butter; Cioppino with Salmon, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams, and Lobster Tail in a Spicy White Wine Tomato Sauce; and Crab Cakes with Pico de Gallo, Port Poached Onion, and Fresh Arugula Salad.
Regular menu and brunch menu also available. Be sure to ask about bottomless Mimosas!

Mamas, Music & Masterpieces – A Mother’s Day Celebration
2025-05-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Strugglebeard Bakery, 5221 S. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Mamas, Music & Masterpieces – A Mother’s Day Celebration
Sunday, May 11th
Strugglebeard Bakery
1-4 p.m.

Treat the amazing moms in your life (or yourself!) to an unforgettable Mother’s Day experience at StruggleBeard Bakery!
Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon of singing, sipping, and painting while indulging in delicious, handcrafted treats. This BYOB event is the perfect way to unwind, create, and celebrate motherhood in a space filled with love, laughter, and creativity!
What’s in store? Karaoke Fun – Sing your heart out with your favorite tunes! Guided Paint & Sip – No experience needed! Create a masterpiece to cherish forever. Sweet Delights – Enjoy complimentary mini baked goods from StruggleBeard Bakery. BYOB Vibes – Bring your favorite drink and sip while you paint!
Limited spots available! Grab your ticket now and let’s toast to moms, music, and masterpieces!

Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
2025-05-13 | Harper Theater, 5238 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
Don’t miss $6 Tuesdays at the ACX Harper Theater in Hyde Park!
Movie tickets are just $6/person and a small soft drink, small popcorn, or hotdog are just $3 each.
Visit the ACX Harper Theater at 5238 S. Harper Avenue. Check showtimes HERE.

Committed Knitters
2025-05-14 11:00 - 15:00 | UChicago Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Committed Knitters
Arts Incubator: flex space (second floor)
Wednesdays 12:00-3:00 pm
Committed Knitters welcomes you to our bi-weekly gatherings at the Arts Incubator Flex Space! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picking up needles for the first time, there’s a spot for you. Share ideas, make progress on your projects, and enjoy a cozy, creative time with us!
We’ve got supplies ready for you.
Just drop in—no registration needed!

Sip & Sing
2025-05-15 17:00 - 21:00 | Sip & Savor, 78 E. 47th Street, Chicago, IL, 60653, United States
Sip & Sing
Be Bold. Be Heard. Let’s sing to our heart’s desires. Sip & Sing is every Third Thursday at Sip & Savor. Handcrafted beer By Turner Haus Brewery and Kocktails 4 da Krib for purchase.

Craft Meetup
2025-05-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Fiber Friends Studios, Inc., 1744 E 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Be a part of a cozy crafting evening at Fiber Friends Studios! Enjoy the warmth of creativity while sipping on delicious hot tea. Join us for a night filled with fun and inspiration! All crafts and level welcome.

Hyde Park Garden Fair
2025-05-16 09:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Kimbark Plaza, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Don’t miss the Hyde Park Garden Fair on Friday, May 16 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kimbark Plaza – 53rd Street and Kimbark Avenue.
Dating back to 1959, the Hyde Park Garden Fair is Chicago’s oldest community garden sale.

61st Street Farmers Market
2025-05-17 09:00 - 14:00 | Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, Chicago, 60637, United States
61st Street Farmers Market

This year’s market will feature more than 20 vendors of fresh produce, flowers, honey, jam, soaps, hot sauces, meats, tofu, baked goods and more. It will also bring back Link Match, a program launched in 2011 to increase the affordability of fresh foods by matching the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) purchases up to $25 per transaction.
Both the market and Link Up are projects of the Experimental Station, a Woodlawn nonprofit that works to build cultural infrastructure and tackle food deserts on the South Side.
For more information, visit experimentalstation.org/market.

Outdoor Season

Saturdays, 9 am – 2 pm | May 17 – October 25, 2025
The entrance is located at the intersection of 61st Street and Dorchester Avenue. The Market vendors are set up on 61st Street and Blackstone Avenue.

We want to thank our generous sponsors, partners, and individual donors who support the work of our Market:
@linkupil
@usdagov
@southsideweekly
@bmo_us
@chicagodcase
@conagrabrands
@ilfarmersmarkets
@fmcorg
@expstation
