The Drop

8.19.- 8.25 (2025) - BLK in the City Events Guide: 70+ Things to do in Chicago

By BLK Chicago

Aug 19, 2025

8.19.- 8.25 (2025) - BLK in the City Events Guide: 70+ Things to do in Chicago — Photo by Rachel Neville for CBDLP ft. Muntu Dance Theatre

Featured Event of the Week

Don't Miss This Beat - Sat, Aug 23

WHO: Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project which includes: Chicago Multicultural Dance Center & Hiplet Ballerinas, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps, Praize Productions Inc.
WHAT: Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions - A one-night showcase of Chicago’s Black Dance Legacy across African, jazz, tap, footwork, and contemporary styles
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 6pm | 2 hours (with intermission)
WHERE: Harris Theater for Music and Dance | 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago
TICKETS: Starting at $40 → Get $5 off with *promo code: BLKCHICAGO

*Promo code expires on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:59PM.
Valid only for Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project at the Harris Theater August 23, 2025. The $5 discount is not valid on Premium seating or on previously purchased tickets. Limit 4 tickets per order. Handling fees apply and are included in the published ticket prices. All sales are final. Artists and programming subject to change.

BLK in the City Events of the Week

Company | Event + Ticket hyperlink | Venue (if different than the business)

This list will be updated as we continue to find events.

Multiple Days

Now until Sep 7: Art on the Mart (Riverwalk Chicago) is playing two (2) shows:
1) The Seldoms in Superbloom + 2) Ora the Planet's Limits
Aug 12 - 24: MJ the Musical | Nederlander Theatre
Aug 21 - 24: Chicago International Boat Show | Navy Pier Marina
Aug 22 - 24: Comedian Ryan Davis | Chicago Improv
Aug 22 - 24: Pizza City Fest - Chicago | 430 N. Rush St.
Aug 23 + 24: Infatuation | Eeeeeatscon Chicago Food Festival | The Salt Shed
Aug 23 + 24: Sangria Festival | Humboldt Park
Aug 23 + 24: Redbull Sweat the Deck | First Lady Cruises
Aug 23 - Sep 21: 44 the Obama Musical | Studebaker Theater

Tue, Aug 19

ChiBrations & A Film Called Black | The B-Roll Jam: a pop-up jam session | 6100 S. Blackstone, Chicago
Nigerian Night After Party with the Chicago Sky | Hue Chicago
Poetry VS Hip-Hop 10 Year Anniversary | City Winery Chicago
Sunnygun Karaoke | Sunnygun
Tuesdays on the Terrace w/Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition | Museum of Contempary Art Terrace
Creatives Mixer + Panel: “Through the Lens: Mentorship, Sisterhood & Black Women in Film.” | Sisters in Cinema (free)
FLAVA Beach Party II | Calumet Beach Park

Wed, Aug 20

Thu, Aug 21

DuSummer Thursdays Outdoor Music Series | DuSable Museum (free admission)
The Silver Room | Grown Folks Stories | The Promontory
Friday Jr. (every Thursday) | Signature
Pier Soul House Music Every Thursday | Pier 31 Restaurant
Singles Mixer: Speed Dating (LGBTQ) | Nobody's Darling
Drunk Spelling Bee | InSession (formerly Tribe Supper Club)
Midnight Green [Golf] Club | Sand & Swings (Young Black Professionals) | Nafsi South Shore Beach
Music Trivia Night: Eatz + Beatz | Turnerhaus Brewery
Movie Night: Coming to America | Nitro Nostalgia

Fri, Aug 22

Sat, Aug 23

Essa's Collection | Art Island | ComEd Rec Center
Community Tailgate for Skye the Lionness' Birthday (Chicago Sky mascot) | Main Entrance Courtyard - Wintrust Arena
Nialand | DreamLoud Day Fest | Southside Sanctuary Bronzeville
Afrotrak: LoveJones.RNB Party w/Francesca Eva + DJ Myle | Bronzeville Winery
Community: Zoo Uncorked: Wines & Vines | Brookfield Zoo
Englewood Village Market | Englewood Village Plaza
Front Row Function Day Party | Puttery Chicago
Southside Radio Live | Secret Garden Chicago w/ Live Performances by Khari & Tiaybe | Connect Gallery
DJ Pharris | Launch & Block Party | Prohibition THCafe
Terisa Griffin: Virgo Birthday Celebration | City Winery Chicago
What You Thought: Still Not Lit Enouh to be Canceled: Live Show | The Promontory
Are & Be Saturdays | Y Bar
Afrofusion | We Love Afro Fusion | Le Nocturne
Black Girl Playground + Sacred Stems | Flower Making Social | XYZ Place
Chalk Howard Street, Chicago's only chalk art festival (no website) | Howard Street between Paulina and Ashland (Northside)

Sun, Aug 24

Jeremiah Collier and the Reup Band | Pier 31 Restaurant (free live music)
Leon Rogers and Zach Boog of WGCI | Joke Jam 4! | Laugh Factory
South Shore Summer Fest w/October London | South Shore Cultural Center (free)
eden x Soul Smoke Collaboration Dinner | eden (restaurant)
Royal Experience Collective | Taco Fest | Arenas Restaurant Bar
Lil Wayne: Built on 20 Years of Carter Classics f/Tyga + Belly Gang Kushington | Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Next Showcase Festival featuring TWEET | 345 Art Gallery
No Agenda Sunday Party | Sunnygun
The Lesbian Social Club w/DJ Ca$h Era | Whispers on Oak Street Beach
Brewery and the Bee | Turner Häus Brewery
BACA (The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago) | 1st Annual Cookout in the Black Yard | Located just across from The Black Ensemble Theater

Mon, Aug 25

Between Love & Liberation: A Tribute to Neo Soul with Alysha Monique & The Family Divine | City Winery
Mrs. Monday Rooftop Party w/guest DJ Bonita Appleblunt | Cerise Rooftop
Love Island Reunion Watch Party | Turner Häus Brewery

Just a heads up!

💡

We love sharing this guide each week. To sustain and grow BLK Chicago, select articles like this BLK in the City Events Guide will soon become an exclusive benefit for paid subscribers, helping us continue highlighting the culture and experiences.

As a subscriber, you’ll also unlock exclusive ticket discounts and giveaway opportunities for concerts, plays, parties, and other events and experiences curated for our community.

Subscribe today and receive your first month free. With code EARLY, you’ll lock in a special rate of just $36/year (billed annually, equal to $3/month). This limited offer won’t last.

Unlock Full Access for Just $3/Month (Billed at $36/Year)

Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions - Sat, Aug 23

Learn more