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Creatives & Performing Art Events in Aurora, IL

Immerse yourself in Creatives & Performing Art Events in Aurora, IL showcasing cultural artistic traditions. These events feature performances, exhibitions, and creative expressions that honor heritage while bringing innovative artistic perspectives to the community.
VAI Presents: Saigon Jazz Revival
VAI Presents: Saigon Jazz Revival
A once-in-a-lifetime concert event celebrating Vietnamese American heritage starring Carol Kim and a talented ensemble from New Orleans Step back in time with us! Saigon Jazz Revival features legendary Vietnamese singer Carol Kim with a talented jazz ensemble from New Orleans for a live performance. This event kicks off the Vietnamese Association of Illinois 50-year anniversary celebration! HAI QUÊ, MỘT HỘI (Two homes, one VAI) honors those that carried this community forward and uplift those who will continue leading it into the future. This collaborative project brings together artists across oceans and generations to celebrate jazz and its influence on Vietnamese and Chicago culture. Rooted in the sounds and spirit of old Saigon and reimagined in New Orleans, this performance celebrates our diverse backgrounds, expansive homelands, and shared love of timeless songs. Starring Vietnam’s Queen of Soul, Carol Kim, this concert features musicians from Vietnam, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, and New Orleans and will showcase original collaborations with various Vietnamese diasporic artists as well as dynamic re-creations of Vietnamese folk songs. Saigon Jazz Revival is not just a moment of nostalgia; it is a living collaboration celebrating our Vietnamese American community past and present. Join us for a one-night only portal into the electric nightlife and emotional landscape of Old Saigon celebrating continuity, migration, cultural memory, and our collective joy. -- CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MARION HOANG NGOC HILL MUSIC DIRECTORS: STEVE LANDS, OSCAR ROSSIGNOLI VOCALISTS: CAROL KIM, TRACE LE -- Visit our website or follow us on Instagram to be the first to know of our future 50th anniversary celebrations! Interested in sponsoring Saigon Jazz Revival? Please contact Tran Ma or call (331) 806-3155 for more information. ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS The Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI) is one of the largest and oldest Southeast Asian refugee organizations in the United States. This year is VAI’s 50th anniversary in solidarity with our community. Since its founding in 1976, VAI has been shaped and sustained by the efforts of community members from different generations and waves of migration—each with their own distinct connection to the community. The first wave of Vietnamese refugees began to organize and help people resettled in Illinois following the Fall of Saigon and created an organization to help fellow Vietnamese people, anticipating the influx of those who were to come. Today, we continue to serve our community to fit changing needs through direct service and community organizing.

Saturday, 29, 18.00 - Saturday, 29, 21.30 Chicago, IL _$25

Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest
Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest
A festival celebrating Bronzeville’s legacy & Black Chicago through performances, exhibitions, games, health & wellness, and community. Black & Bronze is more than a festival—it's an intentional celebration of Bronzeville’s legacy as a national epicenter of Black history, creativity, and cultural power. Held in the heart of the neighborhood, this day-long gathering pays homage to Black Chicago's unmatched contributions to American music, art, sports, and activism—while shining a light on the next generation carrying that torch forward. Join us for a vibrant day of performances, workshops, health & wellness sessions, sports, vendors, and community fun rooted in spirit and storytelling. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Bring your people. Bring your love for the South Side. This is our moment. This is our music. This is Black & Bronze. WHAT TO EXPECT: 🎵 MUSIC PERFORMANCES Experience unforgettable musical tributes, where today’s artists honor the pioneers who put Bronzeville and Chicago on the map—from Nat King Cole to Earth Wind & Fire, Sam Cooke to Common: A Tribute to Chicago Soul & R&B ft. Jessica Lá Rel and Vee Armstrong A Tribute to Chicago Hip Hop ft. A.J.IV, Da' Lightbeam, Moyana, and Dai Raps A Tribute to Chicago Gospel ft. Monica Anissa, Tramaine Parker, Skii George, Apollo Robinson, Marquetta Jackson, 3DC, and David Wilson. A Tribute to Chicago Jazz ft. Khrys Royalle 🗣 SPOKEN WORD Our spoken word poets will share the rich, layered history of Bronzeville while drawing powerful connections to the issues shaping the South Side today. Featuring: Eros The Poet • Faith Overallat & Nuff Said • Josh Paul • T'Aura The Poet 💃🏿 MOVEMENT & DANCE PERFORMANCES "Prime Time With Lime" Footwork Dance Battle Battle of The Bands Dance Performance by ChiBuck Movement, 3DC, and JC4U African Drumming & Dancing by Victoria Djembe & Dancers Line Dancing Tutorials Fashion Show with Swag The Runway 🏀 WELLNESS & COMMUNITY Basketball Tournament & Dunk Contest by The Denard Bros Hip Hop Dance Workshop with Diva Dance Studio Bronzeville Pilates Session with Melanin Matters Roller Skating with Party Movers HIIT Training with Coach Julius Yoga with Spiritchill Wellness 👦🏿 KIDS ZONE Story Time Tent with Caught By A Tale Bounce Houses, Gaming Truck & Face Painting with Bright Star Community Outreach Frozen Treats with Citypoint Church Beat Making with Intonation Music Innovation Station STEM Activities with Project Exploration 👵🏾 SENIOR SEATING Elders are welcome to relax in our Legacy Lounge, where they can receive shaded seating. 🏛️ HISTORY & EXHIBITIONS Experience our archival walkway exhibition, documenting the history of Bronzeville and Black Chicago at large. Shop with local businesses in our Black Metropolis Market, and buy delicious food from our Sam Cooke Food Court. Black & Bronze is rooted in historical reverence and creative resurgence. It uplifts local independent artists and storytellers, connects generations, and turns a neighborhood park into a portal of pride, memory, and movement. By registering for this event, you grant permission to Black & Bronze to use photographs and/or video of you taken in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest.

Saturday, 29, 13.00 - Saturday, 29, 19.00 Chicago, IL _$25

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BBFF'26 Presents Pocket Cinema W/Coquie Hughes
BBFF'26 Presents Pocket Cinema W/Coquie Hughes
Turn your smartphone into a filmmaking tool with Chicago filmmaker Coquie Hughes in this hands-on cinematic storytelling workshop. Included with Festival & Day Passes! Saturday, July 25 | 11:30 AM Learn the basics of smartphone filmmaking, including storytelling, cinematography, editing, and sound. *Workshop-only attendees are welcome to attend with a suggested donation.*

Saturday, 25, 11.30 - Saturday, 25, 12.30 Chicago, IL _$25

BBFF '26 (Black & Brown Femme Film Festival)
BBFF '26 (Black & Brown Femme Film Festival)
A two-day gathering of film, live dialogue, and community—centering Black & Brown femme voices across 43 films, panels, and special events. BBFF '26

Friday, 24, 18.00 - Friday, 24, 22.00 Chicago, IL _$25

Unheard Voices of Care Dramatic Reading: CIRCA Pintig – Stories of Nurses
Unheard Voices of Care Dramatic Reading: CIRCA Pintig – Stories of Nurses
Artists from the regional Filipino theater company, CIRCA Pintig, will give readings and provide discussion about dramatic pieces. Unheard Voices of Care Lecture Series: Reliving Our Stories July 17, 2026 6:00-8:00pm Doors at 5:45pm Free and open to the public About the Lecture: The regional Filipino theater company, CIRCA Pintig, will be collecting and developing stories from current and retired nurses to create a series of monologues and short plays. The ongoing project will feature company members enacting selected stories for an evening of live performance. CIRCA-Pintig's roots trace back to the early 1980s when its founders, newly arrived from the Philippines, found support and inspiration in the immigrant communities of Chicago. Born from the experiences of political refugees and economic migrants, the organization embodies the resilience, creativity, and communal spirit of immigrant communities. The name "Pintig," meaning "heartbeat" or "pulse" in Filipino, reflects our commitment to keeping the vibrant pulse of immigrant cultures alive and strong in America's multicultural landscape. For over three decades, CIRCA-Pintig has been dedicated to empowering immigrant communities, honoring their founders' experiences, and paying forward the gifts of life and love that sustained them in their early years. Giovanni Ortega (Dramatist Guild, SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA) has been working professionally for over a decade as a proponent of the performing arts as a multidisciplinary artist and educator. Playwright credits: The Butterfly of Chula Vista (San Diego Rep commission); Sama Sama: Solidarity in the Fields, Criers for Hire and Allos – the Story of Carlos Bulosan (East West Players commissioned production). Criers for Hire has been performed in Chicago, Sydney and San Francisco. ALLOS has toured Chicago, Honolulu, Austria, Uganda (Kampala Theatre Festival), Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Francisco and Singapore. Director credits include: Nicky, a modernized adaptation of Chekhov’s Ivanov, We Are Nothing Without Hantu Hantu (Hollywood Fringe) Halo Halo (Third Culture Theatre), Angel from Manila (Echo Theater), Lena Passes (Pasadena Playhouse) Scrimmage (East West Players), The Hotel Play (A.D., Center Theatre Group/ Playwrights’ Arena), La Madre de Todos los Exilios (La Casa Tercer Acto, Bogotá), Cabaret, Spring Awakening – The Musical, Urinetown. In Singapore, Giovanni directed The Body Series, Evolution, Kabaret Singapura and worked with Poetry Festival Singapore to create Benches and Palindromes (Theatre) followed by Belonging, Atlas and Nomads (Films). As a performer, he starred in San-San Onglatco’s film Zenaida (AFI Film Festival )and Dreams, A Musical at the Hawaii Theater. Additional credits: President Marcos in Imelda, The Musical (East West Players), Romance of Magno Rubio (Inside the Ford – LA Weekly award nomination), Dogeaters, The Refugee Hotel (Center Theatre Group) and Conjunto. R.J. Silva is a writer and creative producer. Born and raised in Manila, he moved to America at 13 years old and has lived in Phoenix, Orlando, and Chicago. Starting with CIRCA Pintig in 2013 during his years at Loyola University Chicago, he graduated with a BA in Theatre and worked in the themed entertainment industry as a producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. Now back in Chicago, he is the producing associate for CIRCA Pintig, assisting in planning and productions, and has performed for CIRCA Pintig in ‘ALLOS: The Story of Carlos Bulosan’ and ‘Daryo’s All-American Diner.’ Outside of CIRCA Pintig, RJ is a co-founder and producer of The Ampliverse, a multimedia channel that celebrates pop culture without the toxicity of exclusivity through podcasts and writing. RJ is also a writer for the screen and stage. This project is partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The International Museum of Surgical Science acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Friday, 17, 18.00 - Friday, 17, 20.00 Chicago, IL _$25

Black History Future Folk Symposium: Dunham & the Diaspora
Black History Future Folk Symposium: Dunham & the Diaspora
A FREE 2-day Chicago symposium celebrating Katherine Dunham & the Diaspora through a keynote address, performances, panels & workshops!! Old Town School of Folk Music is hosting its 3rd annual Black History Future Folk Symposium. Produced by our Community Ventures Department, each year this symposium draws inspiration from the definition of folk music provided by Folk Alliance International: “Folk is the music of the people, reflective of any community where they are from.” The theme for 2026 is Katherine Dunham and the African Diaspora. Focusing on the prolific Chicago legacy of Katherine Dunham, this free two-day Symposium will invite participants of all ages to participate in open, accessible, and rigorous discussions about the intersections of Black history, liberated futures, and folk practices. Through presentations, panel discussions, participatory workshops, and performances, 2026’s Symposium will cultivate fertile ground for deep theoretical and embodied understandings of afro-diasporic dance and music. SCHEDULE Friday, April 17, 2026 • 6:00 - 8:30 PM 📍 Old Town School Lincoln Square Campus – Myron R. Szold Concert Hall | 4545 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625 6:00–7:15 PM • Opening Keynote Speaker: Heather Beal 7:30–8:30 PM • Dunham from Haiti to New Orleans Opening Performance: Featuring Tamboula & the Windy City Ramblers with choreography by Stacy “Jukeboxx” Letrice & Daniel Desir

Friday, 17, 18.00 - Friday, 17, 20.30 Chicago, IL _$25

Lit Fest
Lit Fest
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Gary Comer Youth Center is hosting Lit Fest: Celebrating the Power of Black Literacy & Liberation — a Black History Month celebration exploring the many forms of literacy that shape our lives today and reimagining it as more than just words on a page. Through immersive workshops, performances, and conversations, Lit Fest explores literacy as a pathway to self-expression, wellness, financial empowerment, digital fluency, and cultural preservation. The event will feature keynote discussions, performances, interactive workshops, author talks, and family-friendly activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Saturday, 28, 10.00 - Saturday, 28, 16.00 Chicago, IL _$25

Black Love Paint & Sip — Inspired by New Edition
Black Love Paint & Sip — Inspired by New Edition
In honor of Black History Month, come out and paint to the sounds of the r& b legends New Edition, BBD, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill & Boyz2Men!! This guided experience is designed for couples, friends, and solo guests who appreciate good music, good energy, and intentional vibes. This is a "Chicago Curated Experience" where music sets the mood and painting brings everyone together. What’s Included All paint supplies Light Bites (While supplies last) Complimentary Wine tasting New Edition + classic R&B playlist Black Love–inspired atmosphere BYOB BYOB is welcomed 🎟️ Ticket Options $110 – Couples Ticket + Food and Wine Tasting for 2 $60 – Solo Ticket + Food and Wine Tasting for 1 $35 - Painting Experience Only for 1 (Tax and Fees applied at check out) Who This Event Is For Couples looking to relax & reconnect. Friends & besties. Solo guests who enjoy art, R&B, and grown vibes. All are welcome. Come as you are. 📍 Location Art Center of Englewood 748 W 69th St Chicago, IL Event Flow (Suggested – adjust if needed) Doors Open: 15 minutes before start time Painting begins shortly after arrival Music, sipping, and vibes throughout the evening Additional Info No refunds (all sales are final) This is a 21+ event Seating is limited Arrive on time to get the full experience Hosted By LEE |Lela Eventiful Experience Perfect for Valentine’s vibes, Black History Month celebrations, and anyone who loves R&B, art, and good energy.

Sunday, 22, 17.00 - Sunday, 22, 19.00 Chicago, IL _$25

Latest Events

VAI Presents: Saigon Jazz Revival
VAI Presents: Saigon Jazz Revival
A once-in-a-lifetime concert event celebrating Vietnamese American heritage starring Carol Kim and a talented ensemble from New Orleans Step back in time with us! Saigon Jazz Revival features legendary Vietnamese singer Carol Kim with a talented jazz ensemble from New Orleans for a live performance. This event kicks off the Vietnamese Association of Illinois 50-year anniversary celebration! HAI QUÊ, MỘT HỘI (Two homes, one VAI) honors those that carried this community forward and uplift those who will continue leading it into the future. This collaborative project brings together artists across oceans and generations to celebrate jazz and its influence on Vietnamese and Chicago culture. Rooted in the sounds and spirit of old Saigon and reimagined in New Orleans, this performance celebrates our diverse backgrounds, expansive homelands, and shared love of timeless songs. Starring Vietnam’s Queen of Soul, Carol Kim, this concert features musicians from Vietnam, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, and New Orleans and will showcase original collaborations with various Vietnamese diasporic artists as well as dynamic re-creations of Vietnamese folk songs. Saigon Jazz Revival is not just a moment of nostalgia; it is a living collaboration celebrating our Vietnamese American community past and present. Join us for a one-night only portal into the electric nightlife and emotional landscape of Old Saigon celebrating continuity, migration, cultural memory, and our collective joy. -- CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MARION HOANG NGOC HILL MUSIC DIRECTORS: STEVE LANDS, OSCAR ROSSIGNOLI VOCALISTS: CAROL KIM, TRACE LE -- Visit our website or follow us on Instagram to be the first to know of our future 50th anniversary celebrations! Interested in sponsoring Saigon Jazz Revival? Please contact Tran Ma or call (331) 806-3155 for more information. ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS The Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI) is one of the largest and oldest Southeast Asian refugee organizations in the United States. This year is VAI’s 50th anniversary in solidarity with our community. Since its founding in 1976, VAI has been shaped and sustained by the efforts of community members from different generations and waves of migration—each with their own distinct connection to the community. The first wave of Vietnamese refugees began to organize and help people resettled in Illinois following the Fall of Saigon and created an organization to help fellow Vietnamese people, anticipating the influx of those who were to come. Today, we continue to serve our community to fit changing needs through direct service and community organizing.

Sunday, 22, 17.00 - Sunday, 22, 19.00 Chicago, IL 95.00

Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest
Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest
A festival celebrating Bronzeville’s legacy & Black Chicago through performances, exhibitions, games, health & wellness, and community. Black & Bronze is more than a festival—it's an intentional celebration of Bronzeville’s legacy as a national epicenter of Black history, creativity, and cultural power. Held in the heart of the neighborhood, this day-long gathering pays homage to Black Chicago's unmatched contributions to American music, art, sports, and activism—while shining a light on the next generation carrying that torch forward. Join us for a vibrant day of performances, workshops, health & wellness sessions, sports, vendors, and community fun rooted in spirit and storytelling. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Bring your people. Bring your love for the South Side. This is our moment. This is our music. This is Black & Bronze. WHAT TO EXPECT: 🎵 MUSIC PERFORMANCES Experience unforgettable musical tributes, where today’s artists honor the pioneers who put Bronzeville and Chicago on the map—from Nat King Cole to Earth Wind & Fire, Sam Cooke to Common: A Tribute to Chicago Soul & R&B ft. Jessica Lá Rel and Vee Armstrong A Tribute to Chicago Hip Hop ft. A.J.IV, Da' Lightbeam, Moyana, and Dai Raps A Tribute to Chicago Gospel ft. Monica Anissa, Tramaine Parker, Skii George, Apollo Robinson, Marquetta Jackson, 3DC, and David Wilson. A Tribute to Chicago Jazz ft. Khrys Royalle 🗣 SPOKEN WORD Our spoken word poets will share the rich, layered history of Bronzeville while drawing powerful connections to the issues shaping the South Side today. Featuring: Eros The Poet • Faith Overallat & Nuff Said • Josh Paul • T'Aura The Poet 💃🏿 MOVEMENT & DANCE PERFORMANCES "Prime Time With Lime" Footwork Dance Battle Battle of The Bands Dance Performance by ChiBuck Movement, 3DC, and JC4U African Drumming & Dancing by Victoria Djembe & Dancers Line Dancing Tutorials Fashion Show with Swag The Runway 🏀 WELLNESS & COMMUNITY Basketball Tournament & Dunk Contest by The Denard Bros Hip Hop Dance Workshop with Diva Dance Studio Bronzeville Pilates Session with Melanin Matters Roller Skating with Party Movers HIIT Training with Coach Julius Yoga with Spiritchill Wellness 👦🏿 KIDS ZONE Story Time Tent with Caught By A Tale Bounce Houses, Gaming Truck & Face Painting with Bright Star Community Outreach Frozen Treats with Citypoint Church Beat Making with Intonation Music Innovation Station STEM Activities with Project Exploration 👵🏾 SENIOR SEATING Elders are welcome to relax in our Legacy Lounge, where they can receive shaded seating. 🏛️ HISTORY & EXHIBITIONS Experience our archival walkway exhibition, documenting the history of Bronzeville and Black Chicago at large. Shop with local businesses in our Black Metropolis Market, and buy delicious food from our Sam Cooke Food Court. Black & Bronze is rooted in historical reverence and creative resurgence. It uplifts local independent artists and storytellers, connects generations, and turns a neighborhood park into a portal of pride, memory, and movement. By registering for this event, you grant permission to Black & Bronze to use photographs and/or video of you taken in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest.

Sunday, 22, 17.00 - Sunday, 22, 19.00 Chicago, IL 0.00

BBFF'26 Presents Pocket Cinema W/Coquie Hughes
BBFF'26 Presents Pocket Cinema W/Coquie Hughes
Turn your smartphone into a filmmaking tool with Chicago filmmaker Coquie Hughes in this hands-on cinematic storytelling workshop. Included with Festival & Day Passes! Saturday, July 25 | 11:30 AM Learn the basics of smartphone filmmaking, including storytelling, cinematography, editing, and sound. *Workshop-only attendees are welcome to attend with a suggested donation.*

Sunday, 22, 17.00 - Sunday, 22, 19.00 Chicago, IL 0.00

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