Welcome To Hyde Park

Craft Meetup
2025-06-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Learn to Crochet - Amigurumi
2025-06-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Fiber Friends Studios, Inc., 1744 E 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Learn to Crochet – Amigurumi
Join us on a delightful journey into the world of amigurumi! No prior crochet experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm for creating these charming little stuffed creations.
Get ready to have fun in this class as you make an adorable Watermelon Popsicle. You will learn to do single crochet, work into the back loops, and change colors when starting a new row. Additionally, you will pick up beginner embroidery techniques to add detail and personality to your popsicle.
All materials are provided— yarn, poly-fil, safety eyes, patterns, a crochet hook, and a darning needle.
When
Class is two parts, two hours each.
Thursday, Jun 5 & 12, 6:00 – 8:00
Meet your instructor
Karla Ocampo, a talented Latina fiber artist rooted in the Southside of Chicago, brings over two decades of crochet experience to her classes. With a background in fashion, Karla has turned her crochet skills into a unique form of art. As the owner and instructor at Karla Crochets, she creates stunning pieces and shares her passion and expertise with others. To truly appreciate her creativity and dedication, follow her on Instagram @karla_crochets.

Harper Court Summer Music Series - Isaiah Collier
2025-06-05 18:00 - 21:00 | 5235 S. Harper Court, 5235 S Harper Ct, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Harper Court Summer Music Series – Isaiah Collier
FREE OUTDOOR CONCERTS SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SILVER ROOM
Thursday, June 5ISAIAH COLLIER from 7-8 p.m.DJ DUANE POWELL from 6-7 and 8-9 p.m.
Harper Court, 5235 S. Harper Court, Hyde Park (53rd Street and S. Lake Park Avenue).www.harpercourtmusic.com.

ParkingPaid parking is available in the Harper Court garage (entrance on S. Lake Park Avenue just south of McDonald’s) or in the surface lot on S. Harper Avenue. Paid street parking is also available. We encourage you to take public transportation or carpool.

SeatingSeating is not provided – please bring folding chairs, but remember to leave lots of room from dancing!

DiningEnjoy Bob’s Pizza, Chipotle, Daisy’s Po’ Boy & Tavern, Deep Purpl, Ja’ Grill, Roti Modern Mediterranean, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee, and Strugglebeard Bakery – all in Harper Court. Or sample one of the many great eateries on 53rd Street. For a complete list of restaurants go to welcometohydepark.com.

Shop LocalSupport our neighborhood businesses by shopping local. Recycled Modern and Suuri Design are in Harper Court, and The Silver Room and other shops are right around the corner. For a complete list of stores go to welcometohydepark.com.

To Washington Park, With Love: Book Talk & Signing with Rose Blouin
2025-06-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Call & Response Books, 1390 E Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, 60615
To Washington Park, With Love: Book Talk & Signing with Rose Blouin
Join us on Thursday, June 5 in welcoming beloved Chicago photographer Rose Blouin as we celebrate and discuss her recently-published collection, To Washington Park With Love—a stunning collection of black-and-white photos capturing the events, landscape, and people of Washington Park during the summer of ’87. Come through if you have an interest in local Chicago history, if you want to excavate your own nostalgia, or if you just have a love for visual arts and photography!
Rose Blouin has created documentary and fine art photography since 1980. Blouin’s work has been exhibited in a number of museums and galleries including Woman Made Gallery, Nicole Gallery, The South Side Community Art Center, Artemesia Gallery, The North Suburban Fine Arts Center, Evanston Arts Center, and the State of Illinois Art Gallery. Her work has received awards in juried exhibitions including Tall Grass Arts “From Earth” exhibition, Black Creativity (Museum of Science and Industry), University of Chicago Logan Center for the Arts “Chicago Jazz: A Photographer’s View,” the DuSable Museum Annual Art Fair, and the Milwaukee Inner City Art Fair. Her photographs have been published on the covers of South Side Stories (City Stoop Press), Columbia Poetry Review (Columbia College Chicago), and Killing Memory, Seeking Ancestors by Haki Madhubuti (Lotus Press). Photos of Gwendolyn Brooks are included in Say That the River Turns: The Impact of Gwendolyn Brooks (Third World Press, 1991) and Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating The Writing Of Gwendolyn Brooks(Curbside Splendor, 2017.) Blouin has had solo shows at the South Side Community Art Center and at the Ferguson Gallery of Concordia University featuring photographs from South Africa. Most recently, Blouin mounted a solo exhibition of photographs from Havana at The New Studio in Evanston (2016). She is also a founding member of Sapphire & Crystals, a collective of African-American women artists.

Black Bone
2025-06-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-06 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-07 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-08 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Definition Theatre, 1160 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Black Bone
About
An Amplify World Premiere by Tina Fakhrid-Deen, an Amplify Series Three winner, is a satirical fantasy blending a game show and real life. This uproarious story centers a cohort of Black academics at a predominantly white institution (PWI) who discover one amongst them is “passing” as Black. What follows is a chaotic unraveling: mutiny breaks out, panic ensues, and ultimately, fatal consequences—but not before some resort to a well-timed shuck and jive in a desperate bid for survival. How is Blackness defined or performed, and who holds the power to grant a ‘Black pass’?
by Tina Fakhrid-Deen
directed by Carla Stillwell
Get tickets HERE.

Jazz in Harper Court - Jeremiah Collier & The Re-Up Band
2025-06-06 12:00 - 14:30 | 5235 S. Harper Court, 5235 S Harper Ct, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Jazz in Harper Court – Jeremiah Collier & The Re-Up Band
FREE OUTDOOR JAZZ PERFORMANCES SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Friday, June 6 – JEREMIAH COLLIER & THE RE-UP BANDFriday, July 11 – BETHANY PICKENSFriday, August 8 – DEE ALEXANDERFriday, September 5 – TIM GANT PROJECT
Harper Court, 5235 S. Harper Court, Hyde Park (53rd Street and S. Lake Park Avenue).www.hpjazz.com

ParkingThe Harper Court parking structure will offer limited free parking between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Standard parking rates will apply for those entering the garage before 10 a.m. or exiting after 4 p.m. Enter on S. Lake Park Avenue just south of McDonald’s.

SeatingPlease bring your favorite chair. Limited seating will be available, but we cannot guarantee seats. Please, no seat saving.

DiningEnjoy Bob’s Pizza, Chipotle, Daisy’s Po-Boy & Tavern, Deep Purpl, Ja’ Grill, Roti Modern Mediterranean, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee, and Strugglebeard Bakery – all in Harper Court. Or sample one of the many great eateries on 53rd Street. For a complete list of restaurants go to welcometohydepark.com.

Shop LocalSupport our neighborhood businesses by shopping local. Recycled Modern and Suuri Design are in Harper Court, and The Silver Room and other shops are right around the corner. For a complete list of stores go to welcometohydepark.com.

the undercommons : New Work by Brandon Carlton
2025-06-06 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-07 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-12 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-13 13:00 - 17:00 | 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.

JA' MMIN on the Patio - Ja' Grill
2025-06-06 16:00 - 21:00 | Ja’ Grill, 1510 E. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
JA’ MMIN on the Patio – Ja’ Grill

This Friday, June 6th
First Fridays Chicago Presents…
JA’ MMIN on the PATIO
Professionals After-Work Happy Hour Party…Live DJ outside on the Patio with full bar and food menu.
Featuring DJ Mark FLAVA
4 pm-9 pm
Happy Hour drink specials 4 pm-6 pm
No Cover with RSVP – Early Arrival Recommended

The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
2025-06-07 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

Learn to Crochet
2025-06-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Fiber Friends Studios, Inc., 1744 E 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Learn to Crochet
Discover the art of crocheting the classic granny square! No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm for this traditional craft.
In this three-hour class, you’ll learn how to hold the yarn and hook and create a simple granny square using the chain 4 method and double crochet. You’ll also understand how to change colors and finish the square. This class is designed to be engaging and enjoyable, making it a family-friendly experience for children (8+) and adults alike!
All materials are provided—enough yarn for two granny squares, a crochet hook, and a darning needle.
Meet your instructor
Karla Ocampo, a talented Latina fiber artist rooted in the Southside of Chicago, brings over two decades of crochet experience to her classes. With a background in fashion, Karla has turned her crochet skills into a unique form of art. As the owner and instructor at Karla Crochets, she creates stunning pieces and shares her passion and expertise with others. To truly appreciate her creativity and dedication, follow her on Instagram @karla_crochets.

Ja' Grill Sunday Brunch
2025-06-07 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.

57th Street Art Fair
2025-06-07 11:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-08 10:00 - 17:00 | IL
57th Street Art Fair
Kick off the summer at the first major art fair of the season, located in the beautiful Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The 57th Street Art Fair is THE place to buy art, whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the art scene. Listen to some of Chicago’s best blues music at the Buddy Guy’s Legends Stage, meet friends, bring your family, and enjoy the day at this historic, welcoming, fun event. All artists exhibiting at the fair are stationed in their booths throughout the weekend to discuss their work.
The 57th Street Art Fair is the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest showcasing 155+ artists and their original works of art. In our 78th year, the 57th Street Art Fair is a beloved community event! The fair features artists from all over the country, live blues music on the Buddy Guy’s Legends stage, hands-on children’s activities, and a variety of delicious fare from food trucks. Admission is always free and there is something for everyone at the 57th Street Art Fair!

Fun with Photography!
2025-06-08 12:00 - 16:00 | IL
Fun with Photography!
Take photos to travel back in time at the ISAC Museum! Check out our new special exhibit on photography. Then, make your own viewfinder, complete an interactive scavenger hunt, and learn all about what kids like you were doing at the Chicago World’s Fairs!
At 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, join us for kid-friendly talks from Dr. Tasha Vorderstrasse, Manager, Continuing Education Program. We’ll take a look at children’s books from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and an 11-year-old’s scrapbook from the 1933 Century of Progress.
All ages welcome! Drop in any time from 12 pm – 4 pm. Talks at 1 pm and 3 pm.

The Four B's: Bach, Bruckner, Brahms, and Bridges
2025-06-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Hyde Park Union Church, 5600 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637
The Four B’s: Bach, Bruckner, Brahms, and Bridges
In June, Chicago Chorale will present pianist Kit Bridges, in Johannes Brahms’ Four Quartets, Opus 92, for choir and piano, and in the final movement of the Neue Liebeslieder Walzer, “Nun, ihr Musen, genug!” As Chorale’s rehearsal accompanist, Kit’s musical leadership and profound musicality illuminate our a cappella performances, so this is a rare opportunity for our audiences to hear him perform! The program will also include motets by Anton Bruckner, J.S. Bach, and his older cousin and father-in-law, Johann Michael Bach—a veritable feast of the highest and best of Western European music.

Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
2025-06-10 | 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.

Finding Edna Lewis Documentary and Panel Discussion
2025-06-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Finding Edna Lewis Documentary and Panel Discussion
“Finding Edna Lewis” Documentary Film Celebrates National Soul Food Month
Come join us for a special screening of the film “Finding Edna Lewis” at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts!* In honor of National Soul Food Month, we are celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary chef, Edna Lewis. Learn about her impact on Southern cuisine and African American culinary traditions. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the story behind the woman who revolutionized the way we think about Southern food.
A portion of net proceeds from this event will be donated to scholarship funds for the Edna Lewis Foundation and Les Dames d’ Escoffier-Chicago.
*Free Parking, available at 60th Street and Drexel Avenue, just west of Logan Center.

5:30 to 6:30 Film screening, “Finding Edna Lewis”
6:30 to 7:15 Panel Discussion with:

Deb Freeman, Exec. Producer of the film and award-winning food writer and podcaster.
Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery and only African American chocolate manufacturer in the United States. She is known for the iconic Caramel Cake and line of chocolate confections, “Life Is Sweet.”
Chef Cliff Rome, founder of Rome’s Joy Companies, which includes Parkway Social, Peaches restaurant, Rome’s Joy Catering, and partner with Bon Appetit Management, providing catering and food services to the Obama Presidential Center, opening in 2026.
Charla L. Draper, moderator, culinary consultant and founder of National Soul Food Month, celebrating 24 years of recogninition.

7:15 to 8:30 Reception with Edna Lewis -inspired appetizers.

Committed Knitters
2025-06-11 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!

An Iliad
2025-06-11 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
An Iliad
A timely and gripping retelling of Homer’s epic poem, An Iliad returns to Court’s stage, illuminating the human cost of conflict with breathtaking urgency. Timothy Edward Kane reprises his role as The Poet – the sole character in this one-person saga – who recounts a tale of war, hubris, and destruction that spirals across millennia and crashes into our present day. Experience the raw power of Kane’s performance in Court Theatre’s intimate Abelson Auditorium, and confront the necessity of the classics head-on.
Jason Huysman understudies the role of The Poet and will be featured in evening performances on Sunday, June 15 and Sunday, June 22; all other performances will feature Timothy Edward Kane.
Click HERE to buy tickets now.
