ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Queer History!

Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement

Through May 2022, The Illinois Holocaust Museum will feature the “Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement” exhibit, open to the public. This exhibit documents LGBTQIA milestones from the 1940s gay activist groups through modern pop culture. In the 1960s, it was common for the police to raid and arrest people at gay bars. In 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, and arrested and roughed up the bartenders and people in the bar. This raid led to the Stonewall Uprising, which consisted of six days of protesting police brutality against the LGBTQ community. Stonewall is seen as the protest that started the modern gay rights movement. Rise Up will feature photographs and posters from Harvey Milk’s political campaign, a rainbow flag signed by the creator, Gilbert Baker, and larger-than-life photographs of Chicago-area Pride and protest events by StreetWise contributor Kathleen Hinkel. In total there will be 85 items on display. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at ilholocaustmuseum.org.

Family Fun!

Wicker Park Bucktown Trick or Treat

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is hosting a socially-distanced trick-or-treating event on October 31 from 1-5 p.m. This event will take place at The Bucktown Green, 1714 N. Hoyne Ave. (behind Bucktown-Wicker Park Library); 25 local businesses from Wicker Park and dozens of other businesses will be passing out candy. There will also be a Halloween-themed selfie wall where you can take pictures to spice up your Instagram feed! This event will follow health and safety guidelines, which means masks are required for everyone; 20 families will be admitted every 15 minutes. Tickets cost $5 per family of 5 and can be purchased at wickerparkbucktown.com.

End Trafficking!

Masquerade Ball Fundraiser

The Blue Freedom Project is hosting its annual Masquerade Ball fundraiser on October 29 from 7-10 p.m. This fundraiser will take place at the ​Loft on Lake, 1366 W. Lake St. The goal is to raise awareness and money for an end to human trafficking. The Blue Freedom project helps provide education about human trafficking and helps survivors transition into new lives. There will be food, drinks, music, and local vendors selling their products. All the proceeds will go toward the Blue Freedom Project’s new Career Development Program for survivors of human trafficking. General admission tickets cost $50 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

A Family-Focused Halloween!

Pumpkin Party at Gallagher Way

The annual Gallagher Way Pumpkin Party is back on October 28 from 3:30-7 p.m., 3635 N. Clark St. This is an afternoon filled with fun, such as face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts, lawn games, and much more! Live music will be playing, courtesy of the Old Town School of Folk Music. Fannie May will have candy stations filled with chocolate, baked goods, and candies. The event will be broken into 2 sessions, 3:30-5:30 p.m., and 5:30-7 p.m. There will also be a showing of the movie “Hotel Transylvania,” and free pumpkins to take home! Costumes are not required but are highly encouraged. Free to the public, no registration required.

A Moment of Rest!

Sundial Meditation

The Pilsen Art Community House, 1637 W. 18th St., is hosting a Sundial Meditation space for queer Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) on October 29 from 6-8 p.m. This event will include yoga, guided meditation, breathing exercises, and various stretches, all taught by Eli Ryn Brown. There will also be an optional Q&A after the yoga and meditation, along with snacks and drinks. Pilsen Art House asks that everyone bring a mat if they can because mats are limited. Masks are also required, regardless of vaccination status. This is a pay-what-you-can class. Registration is required at eventbrite.com.

A Beloved Film!

'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Showing at Gallagher Way

A free screening of the film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" will take place at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., on October 27 from 6-10 p.m. The film is about Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who accidentally stumbles upon Christmas Town and decides to create his own version of Christmas. This movie is rated PG, so all ages are welcome. You can bring your own food to enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought to the field, but can be purchased at the event. This is an outdoor movie screening, so remember to dress appropriately! No tickets or registration necessary for this screening.

Halloween Extravaganza!

Arts in the Dark Parade

For the 7th year, LUMA8 is hosting the Arts in the Dark parade on October 30 from 6-8 p.m. The parade will take place on State Street between Lake and Van Buren and will showcase the fine arts community and local artists’ work. There will be exquisite parade floats, puppet shows, music and live performances. LUMA8 is partnering with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, with title sponsorship from Blommer Chocolate Company and major sponsor, the Chicago Loop Alliance. This is a family-friendly event that is free to the public.

World Premieres!

The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians’ 55th Anniversary Concert

The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians’ (AACM) 55th anniversary concert will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 30 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. This free, in-person concert will feature worldpremieres of commissioned works by three internationally renowned artists: New Renaissance Artist The Honorable Elizabeth A. Baker, Grammy® nominated pianist and composer Adegoke Steve Colson, and alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, who will join the AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble by performing or conducting their works. The concert represents the culmination of a two-year partnership between the American Composers Forum (ACF) and the Chicago-based, internationally renowned AACM. Tickets are free with required reservations at tickets.uchicago.edu.

The Place to Be!

Northalsted Halloween Parade

Northalsted’s 24th annual Halloween parade is back on October 31 at 6 p.m. The parade starts at Halsted and Aldine and ends at 3700 N. Halsted. This is the place to be on Halloween night because Redfin rates it the #3 place to go in the U.S. on Halloween. The Grand Marshals will be drag superstar Batty Davis and host of NBC’s “Chicago Today” Matthew Rodrigues. This parade has everything with live music from Catfight to costume contests with a $500 first-place prize. Costume categories include drag, scary, youth, creative, cosplay, and even group costumes. It is free to watch the parade, or participate in the costume contest, and enjoy the night with family and friends. For more information please visit northalsted.com.

-Compiled by Paige Bialik