Black Arts Directory of Chicago

Power UP! Saturday Dance Classes
2025-09-06 - 2025-12-20 | IL
Power UP! Saturday Dance Classes are for all students, ages 5-14, who want to advance their dance training beyond FMC Summer Dance Camp and School Programs. Sponsored by the Epstein Family Foundation, classes are FREE with $25 registration fee, and open to newcomers, as well as students from previous programs. They provide fully immersive dance instruction focusing on ballet, modern, African, Latin, and Hip-Hop dance techniques every week.
Times: 10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m.
FMC’s Dance Ensemble is an ambitious group of students who receive advanced training to prepare for performances at some of Chicago’s biggest venues. If you’re serious about taking your skills to the next level, you won’t want to miss it!
Times: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Dance Classes Are On Saturdays!

Machine Made
2025-10-17 - 2025-11-23 | IL
Dates:
October 17th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, & 31st
November 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd
In this tour de force, Shepsu Aakhu explores the memories of Chuck Bowen, a “machine made” public servant who rose to prominence in the Democratic Party of the 1950’s and who now in his mid-90’s continues to have the ear of the powerful. Covering his entrance into the party during the same period as Harold Washington, Chuck’s story covers the intersection of policing, organized crime, the policy racket, housing and urban development, the patronage system and the uneasy bargains that helped to define a century of life in this city. Through his unique perspective we glimpse the epic moments of his life and that of Chicago with humor, warmth, wisdom, and an honesty that only a political insider can provide.

The Wash
2025-11-01 19:30 - 2026-01-30 22:00 (America/Chicago) | ETA Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S South Chicago Ave, Illinois, 60619, United States
The Wash:
In 1881, Black laundresses in Atlanta led a strike weeks before the International Cotton Exposition came to town. Demanding $1/dozen pounds of laundry, the Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike of 1881 was one of the largest, successful interracial labor strikes of the post-Civil War era. “The Wash” offers an intimate and often funny look at ordinary women who went from workers to fighters– and won.

Written by Kelundra Smith
Directed by Myesha-Tiara
Assistant Directed by Jerluane “Jae” Jenkins
