Saturday, February 15th · 1:00 PM · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Black History Hip Hop with Dylan Wray
Discover the rich history behind American hip-hop culture! Born from the roots of African traditions, hip-hop emerged as a powerful expression of creativity and identity. Influenced by Puerto Rican, Cuban, Jamaican, and Haitian immigrants, this vibrant movement gave rise to street-style music, dance, and visual art. Hip-hop is more than just a genre -- it's a celebration of expression, resilience, and community.
REGISTER ▸Saturday, February 15th · 1:00 PM · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Introduction to the West African Djembe with Michael Taylor
The djembe drum and its rhythms originate from cultures associated with the great Malian empire of West Africa, but the instrument can be found in many contemporary bands and drum circles of the west. ALL SKILL LEVELS invited and challenged. Bring your total lack of experience or professional chops; all will be challenged and will learn.
REGISTER ▸Sunday, February 16th · 1:00 PM · 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Bookworms: Music and Storytelling for Black History Month with Amanda Payne
Bookworms events combine a children's book reading with song sharing. Stories present themes of diversity, vernacular traditions and joy. Amanda will read Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd (Author), Christian Robinson (Illustrator), Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison, and Follow Your Dreams, Little One by Vashti Harrison. Amanda will sing songs to accompany the Vashti Harrison books, and share a coloring activity featuring the historical figures covered in the books.
REGISTER ▸Wednesday, February 19 · 7:30 PM · 4544 N Lincoln Ave · Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall
AfroLatino Festival: Robe L Ninho Concert
Robe L Ninho is Cuban rapper, producer, activist, and cosmetologist Roberto Álvarez who is revolutionizing social awareness and Afro identity in the Spanish-speaking world through his music. His live performances are more than just a show - they're an experience where the band's musical excellence connects seamlessly with his powerful messages and striking aesthetics. A range of sounds that travel from ancestral Cuba to the contemporary beats of Afrobeat and Dancehall. A musical explosion filled with coherent, inspiring, and constructive messages. With an extraordinary stage presence, it's impossible not to dance and enjoy while listening to profound, meaningful lyrics. The AfroLatino Festival is a co-presentation with ARTE & Old Town School of Folk Music. The AfroLatino Festival is partially funded by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Individual Artists Program. #DCASEgrants
FREE! RESERVE TICKETS ▸Saturday, February 22 · 12:00 PM · Lincoln Square campus
Black History Future Folk Symposium: Global Carnival Redux
Join us for the 2nd annual Black History Future Folk Symposium at Old Town School. The event aims to foster open, accessible, and rigorous discussions about the intersections of Black history, liberated futures, and folk practices. Through presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and performance, we will explore Black carnival traditions by revisiting our Global Carnival program that was presented at Millennium Park in September 2024.
FREE! RESERVE TICKETS ▸Sunday, February 23 · 10:45 AM · 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Roots of Tap: Oral History & Exhibit with Reggio McLaughlin
Have you ever wondered how tap dancing got started here in America? In this workshop National Treasure Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin will take you back to the early history of theatrical tap dancing. Beginning with its foot stumping roots in Africa, to the plantation and distinctive style of minstrel shows, the vibrant, intricate routines of vaudeville and the high-energy of Broadway and Hollywood Musicals. This multimedia experience will feature select items from Reggio's archival collection. .
REGISTER ▸Sunday, February 23 · 12:30 PM · 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Everything's Copasetic Tap Dance Workshop with Reggio McLaughlin
Back by popular demand, National Treasure tap dancer Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin will be offering another installment of this workshop celebrating the history of American tap dance. He will focus on different variations of the tap dancer's national anthem --"The Shim Sham" -- dance that any level can learn from. The Shim Sham is a dance that originated in the late 1920s, and is a particular tap dance routine that is regarded as the tap dancer's national anthem. Since then, there have been many different variations.
REGISTER ▸Music Moves February Programming
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Free and Open to the Public Music Moves Chicago, Old Town School of Folk Music's place-based, youth-focused, intergenerational initiative, aims to inspire, restore, and transform communities by providing access to high quality arts education, concerts, and workforce readiness through partnerships with community organizations, schools, and other institutions located in South and West side neighborhoods.West Side Fireflies
Tuesdays, Feb 4 - March 25 · 5:15pm A House in Austin, 533 N Pine Ave
West African Dance
Tuesdays, Feb 4 - Feb 18 · 6:30pm Dorchester Art and Housing Collaborative, 1456 E 70th St with Malia Sylla Tuesdays, Feb 25 - March 11 · 6:30pm Dorchester Art and Housing Collaborative, 1456 E 70th St with Brittany Walker
Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba
Thursdays, Feb 6 - April 10 · 6:30pm Dorchester Art and Housing Collaborative, 1456 E 70th St with Lauren Brooks
South Side Fireflies
Saturdays, Feb 8 - April 12 · 11am Arts Incubator, 301 E Garfield
