Welcome To Hyde Park

Outdoor Meditation in the Garden of the Phoenix
2025-08-23 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Garden of the Phoenix, 6401 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Outdoor Meditation in the Garden of the Phoenix
Join us for summer outdoor Introduction to Zen Meditation sessions at the historic Garden of the Phoenix located on Wooden Island in Jackson Park in Hyde Park. These sessions are held every other Saturday and are open to anyone interested in learning the basics of Zen meditation (zazen).
Each session covers basic information about Zen, including posture, breathing, and the mental aspects of meditation. There will also be time for questions and discussion. No experience is required. A limited number of cushions will be provided—participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.
A signed waiver is required to participate. Click here to complete the waiver.
Additional info: Always be respectful of the space, the practice, and other practitioners. Wear plain, dark-colored, loose clothing so you can sit for the entire period of teaching and practice without discomfort; most jeans are unsuitable. Shorts, short skirts, and revealing clothes are not allowed. Silence cell phones so as not to disturb others. Move around the space mindfully, and do not make unnecessary noise. Participants should expect to sit cross-legged for extended periods. Please arrive at the event start time or slightly before it so as not to disturb others.
We look forward to practicing with you.

Ja' Grill Summer Patio Series
2025-08-22 16:00 - 21:00 | IL
Ja’ Grill Summer Patio Series
Don’t miss Ja’ Grill every Friday for vibe-filled nights on the patio! ☀️🌴
Good food, tropical drinks, and the smooth sounds of DJ Mark Flava spinning R&B, reggae, and soul 🎶🍹
Tropical Happy Hour 4–6 PM • Patio Party 4–9 PM
Tell a friend and pull up! 🔥

the undercommons : New Work by Brandon Carlton
2025-08-22 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-21 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-16 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-15 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-08-14 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.

DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series
2025-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series
Join us for a summer of unforgettable sounds at the DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series at the DuSable Museum! From jazz to soul and everything in between, enjoy an exciting lineup of Chicago’s finest talent—live and outdoors on the Roundhouse Plaza.
Doors open at 5:00 PM
Show starts at 6:00 PM
Free Admission Register Here
Performance Lineup:

June 26 – Josiah Maddox, Ox Jam, and Vince Adams
July 10 – Thaddeus Tukes
July 24 – Hector Silveira
August 7 – Joyce Hurley with Park and Ride
August 21 – Simone Green
September 7 – Marqueal Jordan
September 18 – The J Grant Experience

Let the music move you this summer at DuSable!

Sip & Sing
2025-08-21 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.

Sunset Yoga
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 | The Arts Lawn, 335 E. Garfield Blvd, Chicago, 60637
Sunset Yoga
Unwind with a gentle Hatha yoga flow as the sun dips below the horizon. This slower-paced take on the classic sun salutation is designed to ease you into the summer night and is open to all experience levels. The experience includes offerings to engage all your senses: herbal iced teas and fruit waters to support hydration and the immune system, essential oil blends informed by herbalism and Ayurveda to calm the nervous system, and Tibetan singing bowls to transition you out of śavāsana and back into a peaceful evening. Led by yoga instructor Rhya Moffitt, with special guest offerings in alignment with the themes of each month.
Sunset Yoga will be offered for three months, each with a specific focus:

July: “Root” will focus on grounding and creating home and stability within the body and mind

August: “Express” meditates on the power of the voice and its necessary connection to the heart to communicate truth authentically and courageously

September: “Imagine” explores the importance of the imagination within a world that strives toward oppressive conformity, emphasizing the freeing power of seeing the world anew as a necessary first step to worldbuilding and collective transformation

Drawing on connections between yoga and Black liberation struggles (ex. Rose Parks’ and Angela Davis’ yoga practices in prison), artistic practice (Alice Coltrane), and personal sustenance (Harriet Jacobs’ movement and meditative practices during her seven years in the garret while enslaved), this unique program supports self care by invoking Black radical ancestors and contemporaries (ex. Cole Arthur Riley of Black Liturgies).
Sunset Yoga will take place rain or shine! In the case of inclement weather, we’ll move the session indoors so you can still enjoy your practice in a calm and welcoming environment. Keep an eye on your email or our social media for any location updates.

Patio Pours at The Mesler Sanctuary
2025-08-20 17:00 - 20:00 | Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge, 1411 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Patio Pours at The Mesler Sanctuary
🍷✨ Sip, Savor & Spin at Patio Pours
Join @ShallWeWine + Regine T. Rousseau for a soulful wine pop- up @meslerkitchenbarlounge in Hyde Park.
🗓 Wednesdays | August 13, 20 & 27
🕔 5–8 PM
📍 1401 E 53rd St, Chicago
Enjoy a curated wine list, delicious $8 bites from Mesler’s new menu, and soulful vibes—plus, bring your favorite vinyl to spin! Let’s sip, connect, and vibe under the patio lights.
Two-drink minimum
#PatioPours #ShallWeWine #HydeParkEvents #53rdst #WineLovers #Summertimechi #BringYourOwnVinyl

Committed Knitters
2025-08-20 11:00 - 15:00 | UChicago Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Committed Knitters
Committed Knitters meets bi-weekly at the Arts Incubator Flex Space for a cozy, creative gathering open to all skill levels.
Committed Knitters invites you to our bi-weekly gatherings at the Arts Incubator Flex Space. Whether you’re a longtime knitter or picking up needles for the very first time, you’re welcome here. Come spend time in community, exchange ideas, and make steady progress on your projects in a relaxed, creative setting.
Supplies are provided—just bring yourself.
Drop in anytime.
Registration is not required, but encouraged to receive email updates and reminders about the other dates in this series.

Chicago Department of Public Health Vaccine Clinic - St. Thomas the Apostle School
2025-08-20 10:00 - 14:00 | St. Thomas the Apostle School, 5467 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, 60615, United States
Chicago Department of Public Health Vaccine Clinic – St. Thomas the Apostle School

The Chicago Department of Public Health in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is sponsoring a free vaccine clinic to get kids ready for school.
Wednesday, August 20
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
54687 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Scan the QR code to register or go online HERE.

Tipsy Trivia at Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern
2025-08-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern, 5215 S. Harper Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Tipsy Trivia at Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern
Join us at Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern every Tuesday starting July 8th for an exciting evening of interactive trivia hosted by Ben! Experience six engaging rounds where all questions and answers are presented on TVs via PowerPoint, making it easy for everyone to follow along and participate. Each round features picture clues to help your team crack the answers, adding a fun visual twist to the challenge.
Enjoy food and drink specials throughout the evening!

Six Dollar Tuesdays at ACX Harper Theater
2025-08-19 | 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.

Summer Sunday Concert Series - SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD BAND
2025-08-17 16:00 - 18:00 | IL
Summer Sunday Concert Series – SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD BAND

Don’t miss the 2025 season of the George Franklin Memorial Summer Sunday Concert Series, starting Sunday, July 13, and continuing every Sunday afternoon through August 17 from 4-6 p.m. at Nichols Park in Hyde Park – 1355 E. 53rd Street.

The concerts are free, so organize your family and friends, grab a blanket and chairs, pack a picnic or visit a local Hyde Park restaurant for takeout, and enjoy one of Hyde Park’s favorite summertime traditions.

SCHEDULE

August 17 – SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD BAND – sponsored by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference / University of Chicago

FREE ADMISSION / OPEN LAWN SEATING / BRING CHAIRS & PICNIC BLANKETS / NO GRILLING, SMOKING, OR ALCOHOL USE
https://4thon53rdparade.com/concerts

Crafter-noons: Knit, Crochet, Embroidery
2025-08-17 13:00 - 17:00 | Fiber Friends Studios, Inc., 1744 E 55th Street, Chicago, 60615
Crafter-noons: Knit, Crochet, Embroidery
Is the heat making your stitches resemble a melted popsicle? Don’t sweat it! Come chill with us in the A/C, where you can escape the heat. Bring your project along, and let’s enjoy some time crafting together.

Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar
2025-08-17 11:00 - 15:00 | The Promontory
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar
* * Crafts! Fashion! Food! Cocktails! DJ! * *
Hyde Park Handmade focuses on makers from the city’s south side. Every month we host a unique shopping experience with returning and new craft and food vendors, workshops, lounge areas, cocktails, and soulful tunes by DJ Sean Alvarez of We Love Soul.
The Promontory is an elevator-accessible venue.
More questions? Email us at HydeParkHandmade@gmail.com

All Ages
Free w/ RSVP
Doors at 11 AM
Ends at 3 pm

Hyde Park Farmers Market
2025-08-17 09:00 - 14:00 | Hyde Park Bank Parking Lot, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
Hyde Park Farmers Market
The South East Chicago Commission and Special Service Area #61 proudly present the Hyde Park Farmers Market, thanks to the partnership of Hyde Park Bank. The new market reveals an entirely fresh look with all new logistics, giving residents and visitors a chance to shop on the weekends and experience an infusion of healthy food, lifestyles, arts and culture.
Shoppers will find fresh produce from local Illinois farms, freshly baked breads and desserts, beautiful plants, packaged foods, personal beauty supplies, and traditional farmers market fare. Several market vendors accept Mastercard and Visa, LinkUp and SNAP payments in addition to cash.

The Hyde Park Farmers Market:

Each Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
1516 E 54th St – 54th Street and Old Lake Park Ave West
(Hyde Park Bank parking lot)
Facebook Page
Instagram Page

The Market begins with the grand opening on Sunday, June 1 and the season continues through Sunday, September 28, 2025. You are invited to experience the new energy, entertainment, community engagement and a fantastically-curated collection of vendors.

The Sweet Mix at Strugglebeard Bakery
2025-08-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Strugglebeard Bakery, 5221 S. Harper Court, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
The Sweet Mix at Strugglebeard Bakery
Don’t miss The Sweet Mix at Strugglebeard Bakery on select Saturdays in August from 5-8 p.m. at 5221 S. Harper Court.
Enjoy a $10 treat and drink combo with a cookie or brownie paired with an iced coffee, tea, or espresso while you listen to DJ sets by Jeff Da Illest, Leon Rogers, DJ Air One, and I Am Will.
Saturday, August 2 – DJ Jeff Da Illest
Saturday, August 9 – DJ Leon Rogers
Saturday, August 16 – DJ Air One
Saturday, August 23 – DJ I Am Will

Ja' Grill Sunday Brunch
2025-08-16 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.

Story Time with Dr. Kay!
2025-08-16 11:00 - 12:30 | Call and Response Books, 1390 E Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, 60615
Story Time with Dr. Kay!
Join us on Saturday, August 16 at 11 a.m. for a cozy kids’ storytime with local author Dr. Nekaiya Jacobs Pratt! Dr. Nekaiya will be reading her latest book, The Magic Bonnet: Zoe’s Hospital Adventure and exploring the importance of accepting your inner and outer beauty even during scary times.
Books will be available for purchase during and after the event, and Dr. Nekaiya will be available to sign copies!
Dr. Nekaiya “Kay” Jacobs Pratt is a South Carolina native and Chicago-based physician who now calls the historic Bronzeville neighborhood home. A pediatric critical care doctor and passionate health equity advocate, she was inspired to write The Magic Bonnet: Zoe’s Hospital Adventure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she began bringing inclusive hair products from home to help care for hospitalized children with textured hair. That simple act grew into a system-wide effort, expanding access to culturally conscious hair care across hospitals in six states.
Her debut children’s book is the culmination of that journey—a vibrant story that celebrates identity, resilience, and the magic within. More than a hospital story, The Magic Bonnet is a tribute to Black hair and the strength it carries from generations past. Through Zoe’s adventure, young readers are reminded that their hair is not just beautiful, but powerful—rooted in culture, history, and self-worth.
Dr. Kay is proud to share this story with the South Side of Chicago, where the community and culture continue to inspire her work and her voice.

The 13th Annual Bronzeville Jazz-Music Festival
2025-08-16 10:00 - 22:00 | 51st Street/Martin Luther King Drive
The 13th Annual Bronzeville Jazz-Music Festival
Don’t miss the 13th Annual Bronzeville Jazz-Music Festival on Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 51st Street and Martin Luther King Drive.
Enjoy live music, vendors, kids’ corner with backpacks and school supplies, games, and entertainment.
Performers include Mario Abney, Zion Ali, 2 Brown Sisters, Crosswind, Bernard Crump, Nanette Frank, and Lynn Hilton. Hosted by Dana Divine and organized by Sandra Bivens.
This is a FREE event.

The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry
2025-08-16 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

Our Lan'
2025-08-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Our Lan’
Join Court Theatre for a staged reading of Our Lan’, part of their 2025 Spotlight Reading Series.
A notable play at the time it was written in 1947 that successfully ran on Broadway, Our Lan’ focuses on the Reconstruction South and the broken promises made to newly freed slaves at the conclusion of the Civil War. A post-show discussion with this year’s Spotlight director, Charles Andrew Gardner, will follow.
August 15, 2025 | Penthouse, The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637) | 6:30pm Doors | 7:00pm Reading
Artwork: Stephen Flemister, Jobari (2012), graphite on paper, 22 1/4” x 30”

Kids Phli Zone - Connect Gallery
2025-08-15 16:00 - 20:00 | Connect Gallery, 1451 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, Chicago, 60615, United States
Kids Phli Zone – Connect Gallery
Join us for blue jeans & bling x Phli, a back-to-school celebration in partnership with Chicago’s own Dave Jeff.
We’re bringing the city together with free manicures, fresh haircuts, a backpack giveaway, and a special shoe donation to help students step into the school year in style.
Friday, August 15, 4-8 p.m.
Connect Gallery – 1451 E. 53rd Street, Hyde Park

Community Reads: Native Son
2025-08-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Community Reads: Native Son
Join Court Theatre for the newest installment of Community Reads, part of their 2025 Spotlight Reading Series.
Following a screening of Native Son (1951), explore the film’s themes through dinner and discussion. As you reflect on the film, you will be able to connect with neighbors and friends through intimate guided breakout discussions.
This portion of our program will also launch the next Community Reads Book Club series selection, Richard Wright’s Native Son.
August 14, 2025 | Penthouse, The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637) | 7:30pm Dinner and Facilitated Conversation
Artwork: Stephen Flemister, Jobari (2012), graphite on paper, 22 1/4” x 30”

Film Screening of Native Son (1951)
2025-08-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Film Screening of Native Son (1951)
Join Court Theatre for a screening of the 1951 film, Native Son – part of their 2025 Spotlight Reading Series.
One of the most controversial novels of its day, Richard Wright’s Native Son (first published in 1940 and staged by Court in 2014) exposed the injustices of urban Black life, witnessed through the eyes of Bigger Thomas, whose violent tendencies and moral confusion were the natural result of a lifetime of deprivation. In prison for murder and sentenced to death, Bigger (portrayed in the film by the author himself) reflects on the circumstances that led to his fate.
The film adaptation of the novel was similarly contentious, engendering its complex position in the annals of cinema history. Heavily censored by regional film boards upon its 1951 release, Native Son was not viewable in its intended form for over half a century; its depiction of interracial relationships and commentary on racial injustice proved too problematic at the time, and large segments of the film were withheld from American audiences for decades. A recent restoration effort helmed by the Library of Congress, in collaboration with the Buenos Aires Film Museum and film historian Fernando Martin Peña, reconstructed the film in all of its original 107 minutes using a 16mm Argentine print and a 35mm duplicate negative of an uncensored cut found in an abandoned nitrate film vault in Puerto Rico. This restoration premiered in 2016, bringing the film to American screens in its entirety for the very first time.
August 14, 2025 | Screening Room, The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637) | 5:30pm Screening
Artwork: Stephen Flemister, Jobari (2012), graphite on paper, 22 1/4” x 30”

Just Before Day
2025-08-13 18:30 - 21:00 | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Just Before Day
Join Court Theatre for a staged reading of Just Before Day, part of their 2025 Spotlight Reading Series.
Originally written to be a radio play, this story follows Nettie Sampson, the matriarch of a struggling Black family in 1940s Harlem during World War II. Nettie endeavors to hold her family together through the daily travails of poverty and racial discrimination in the face of American hypocrisy, while her eldest son is abroad serving his country in the military.
Following the reading, Chicago theatre luminaries Ron OJ Parson, Pemon Rami, and Chuck Smith will reflect on the significance of Theodore Ward’s works and how his legacy has impacted them personally and professionally.
August 13, 2025 | Penthouse, The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637) | 6:30pm Staged Reading | 7:30pm Conversation
Artwork: Stephen Flemister, Jobari (2012), graphite on paper, 22 1/4” x 30”
