08-02-2025
Weekend guide: Black History Month art and eats and an Anti-Valentines Day party
The longest continuously running display of African-American art, "Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition," is back and as vibrant as ever.
The big picture: The annual show at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry celebrates well-known and emerging Black artists, creatives and innovators.
Flashback: Chicago Defender staffers started the program in 1970 as a tribute to Black culture and heritage, and extended it beyond art with live music, dance and theater.
The vibe: This year's exhibit includes 150 artworks from nearly 100 different artists, including work by teens and mediums ranging from acrylics, oils, collage, dry painting, clay, plaster, and more.
💭 Moyo's thought bubble: These displays of Black art are truly remarkable. The attention to detail, rich colors, and diverse styles are something I wish we could experience more often in public viewings.
If you go:"Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition" is open now through April 27 at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
🎟️ Cost: Tickets start at $25.95
Illinois residents can take advantage of free admission on select days this month: Feb. 9-13, 18-20, and 24-27.
🤳🏾 Behind the scenes: Check out some of my favorite artworks.
More things to do this weekend in Chicago:
🧘♀️ Family Day | Comfy Cozy
Snuggle up with the family for tea making and other interactive art workshops, music and movement.
Saturday 11am-3pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Streeterville.
Plus, there will be a sound bath meditative experience to calm your mind, body and spirit.
Cost: Free
Afrofuturism: The Freedom Metropolis:
Dance to the sounds of Africana music spanning jazz, soul, hip-hop, African-American spiritual and Afrobeat as part of Uniting Voices' Black Futures concert series.
Friday at 11am at the Chicago Symphony Center in the Loop.
Free, but must RSVP
🤑 Bingo Logo
Grab your friends and cards for a night of Bingo (yes, it's cool!), dance-offs, lip-sync battles and more.
Friday at 8pm at the Morgan MFG in the West Loop.
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Travis
Dust off your old CDs ahead of the band's Chicago stop on their "Raze the Bar" tour.
Saturday at 7:30pm at the Vic Theater in Lakeview.
Cost: Tickets start at $72
🐍 Lunar New Year Celebrations
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with bright colors of floats, the sounds of marching bands and the sights of traditional dragon and lion dancing.
Saturday 10am-4pm at Argyle and Sheridan in Uptown and Sunday 1pm at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown.
Cost: Free
