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!

OAK by Terry Guest
2025-10-08 00:00 - 2025-11-09 00:00 (America/Chicago) | Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
Three kids, an old woman with a shotgun, and a mysterious creek monster. Set firmly in the southern gothic tradition, Terry Guest’s OAK dives into the world of three Black kids as they navigate a community where children aren’t safe, and the adults fail to protect them. It’s 7pm, do you know where your children are?
Performances Oct 8 – Nov 9, 2025
– Thursdays at 7:30pm
– Fridays at 7:30pm
– Saturdays at 7:30pm
– Sundays at 3:00pm
SPECIAL BLACK OUT NIGHT PERFORMANCE:
Friday, October 24th
https://www.raventheatre.com/oak-black-out-night/

Rooted
2025-10-09 19:00 - 2025-11-02 14:00 | Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60640, United States
Rooted is a play by Black actor and playwright Ben Locke.
Faced with the prospect of losing their ancestral home, a trio of BIPOC modern-day witches resurrect a witch from their coven to help them grapple with rapid change, surprising discoveries, and the newest neighbor in their home. This queer romantic comedy is about sisterhood, what we hold on to, and what’s worth our sacrifices and magic.

Mop and Bucket Blues
2025-10-16 - 2025-11-09 | IL
Dates:
October 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 23th, 24th, 25th, & 26th
November 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th
“Mop and Bucket Blues” examines the importance of sports and creative arts programming by bringing awareness to Chicago’s inner city gun violence, poverty, food insecurity, absentee fathers, and the lack of funding for sports and creative arts programing in public schools in high crime areas. This production seeks to shed light on the potential of theater as a powerful medium for social change and educational reform.

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.

Measure of a Man
2025-10-23 19:30 - 2025-11-02 21:30 | Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
How does one measure the life of a man like Chairman Fred Hampton, who was assassinated by the FBI and Cook County Police in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969? Measure of a Man is an examination of a pivotal moment in American history, and a tribute to Chairman Fred Hampton’s legacy as one of the youngest and most prominent leaders of The Black Panther Party. Set in the apartment where he and another panther man, Mark Clark, have just met their untimely demise. The play explores Hampton’s youth, magnetic charisma, and tireless efforts to unite the working class across racial lines. Through flashbacks, monologues, and immersive dialogue, the audience is taken on a journey through Hampton’s life, from his early activism to his rise as a powerful leader in the Black Power movement.
Coalescence Theatre Project is pleased to announce our first Chicago production! We are honored that it will be Measure of a Man by India Nicole Burton, a member of the Coalescence Theatre playwright advisory board. Ilesa Duncan will direct Measure of a Man. Dawn Shandrow, Coalescence Theatre Project artistic director, will serve as executive producer.
Power to the People!

Pigmented Black Fine Art Faire
2025-10-31 18:00 - 2025-11-02 21:00 | Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
The Pigmented Black Fine Art Faire in Chicago is more than just an art fair; it unites leading galleries, visionary artists, and influential arts organizations from across the Midwest.
In a city renowned for its vibrant art scene, Pigmented stands apart as a Black-run fine art fair—a rare and vital platform in a landscape where few exist nationwide. This is your exclusive opportunity to experience transformative exhibitions, engage in dynamic conversations, and celebrate the richness and diversity of Black artistic expression in a month dedicated to Black fine art excellence.
Be part of a cultural renaissance that redefines the art world. Together, we’ll elevate Black excellence and shape the future of fine art in Chicago.
Most importantly, Pigmented has been created to champion self-reliance, recirculate Black dollars, and empower us to write our own history and shape our future.
Join us this October for Pigmented—where art meets empowerment.

The Wash
2025-11-01 19:30 - 2026-01-30 22:00 | 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

When Good Broccoli Goes Bad
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-19 | IL
Dates:
November 13th & 19th, 2025
When Good Broccoli Goes Bad is theater for young audiences which explores Broccoli’s and into the land of unhealthy foods. Utilizing Chicago’s rich musical history Broccoli: The Musical playfully explores the world of nutrition and healthy eating.

Strange Fruit
2025-11-19 19:30 - 2025-11-21 21:00 | Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for Performing and Media Arts, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
Originally written and performed in 1999 by Northwestern University School of Communication Dean E. Patrick Johnson, this autobiographical work unfolds in eight movements, tracing Johnson’s journey as a queer Black man coming of age in the American South. Now, twenty-five years later, director Joseph Megel and actor Jamar Johnson revisit the piece in a dynamic workshop presentation that reimagines the many identities through which Johnson’s queerness flows — professor, preacher, drag artist, club kid, and more. The performance culminates in a transformative voyage to Ghana, West Africa, where Johnson confronts and redefines his relationship to race, gender, and sexuality in a deeply personal reckoning.

Black Ensemble’s Holiday Extravaganza
2025-11-29 - 2025-12-21 | IL
A Joyful Celebration of Music, Magic & Community
November 29th, 30th | December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, & 21st
Get ready to deck the halls and lift your spirits with Black Ensemble’s Holiday Extravaganza—a heartwarming, high-energy musical celebration perfect for the whole family! Featuring your favorite Black Ensemble performers, this dazzling show is packed with classic and contemporary holiday hits that will have you singing along, dancing in your seat, and feeling the joy of the season.
From soulful renditions of beloved carols to powerful gospel numbers and festive favorites, this musical revue is a spirited tribute to the magic, love, and togetherness that make the holidays special. Whether you’re continuing a beloved tradition or discovering something new, Holiday Extravaganza is the perfect way to celebrate the season—BE style!

Joke Sistas Chicago
2025-11-29 21:30 - 23:00 | Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647, United States
Joke Sistas Chicago November is national headliner Kristen Toomey (Sherri, SXSW, Comedy Special: Shriller), Arlieta Hall (Second City, The Chi, My Best Friend Is Black), Joy Gamby (Late Night at Laugh Factory), Jamie Shriner (Corn Baby, Good Grief, Laugh Factory) and host Erica Switzer (Burbank Comedy Fest, Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest). 10% of sales benefits BWIC Laff Fest. Joke Sistas will have you laughing and loving this diverse group of women comedians (heavy on the black and POC side). These Joke Sistas will leave you empowered, enlightened, and entertained. These seasoned comedians are strong advocates for telling it like it is. Our goal is to bring people together for great live comedy and to reflect the diversity of Chicago on stage.

Joke Sistas Chicago
2025-12-27 21:30 - 23:00 | Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647, United States
Joke Sistas Chicago December is headliner KB Marion (Special: Simply, Comedy Vault), Janell Banks (Improv, Best of BWIC Laff Fest), Nkechi Chibueze (Funny But Make It Fashion, BWIC Laff Fest), and host Erica Switzer (Burbank Comedy Fest, Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest). 10% of sales benefits BWIC Laff Fest. Joke Sistas will have you laughing and loving this diverse group of women comedians (heavy on the black and POC side). These Joke Sistas will leave you empowered, enlightened, and entertained. These seasoned comedians are strong advocates for telling it like it is. Our goal is to bring people together for great live comedy and to reflect the diversity of Chicago on stage.
