Discover Black Arts in Chicago
Explore exhibitions, performances, and cultural events happening across the city. Celebrate the vibrant legacy of Black creativity.
Upcoming Events (58)
Black Girl from a White Suburb
Written & Performed by Tania Richard | Directed by J. Nicole Brooks Tour-de-force solo show by Tania Richard. Growing up in an all-white Chicago suburb, she spent her days dodging microaggressions, striving to fit in, and yearning to see herself reflected. Her transformation began when cast as The Caterpillar in “Alice in Wonderland.” Blending cautionary tales, social commentary, and humor, Tania takes the leading role in a culture that often relegates Black women to supporting characters. Adapted from her memoir, Black Girl from a White Suburb: Finding My Light, Using My Voice. Performance Schedule: Thursdays: 7:00 PM Fridays: 7:30 PM Saturdays: 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM (select dates) Sundays: 2:30 PM
You Can't Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music
Written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks Hop on the Mothership and take a groovy ride through the era when Afros were high, bell-bottoms were tight, and the music was out of sight! You Can’t Fake the Funk: A Journey Through Funk Music is a high-energy, feel-good tribute to a sound that defined a generation. From Sly and the Family Stone to Parliament-Funkadelic to Earth, Wind & Fire, this show will have you testifying to the power of the Funk. “Ya dig?!”
Play On!
Shakespeare's beloved comedy Twelfth Night is joyfully retold through the timeless jazz tunes of Duke Ellington in this major new revival of the Tony-nominated musical. Conceived by Sheldon Epps. Book by Cheryl L. West. Music by Duke Ellington. Directed by Sheldon Epps. Songwriter Vy heads to swinging 1930s Harlem with dreams of making it big in the music world. Love, mistaken identity, and the transformative power of music collide in this vibrant musical celebration — the perfect production to launch Chicago Shakespeare Theater's milestone 40th Anniversary Season.
DETROIT '67
Written by Dominique Morisseau | Directed by Aaron Reese Boseman PULSE Theatre Chicago presents Dominique Morisseau’s gripping epic, DETROIT ’67 , in residence at eta Creative Arts Foundation. Detroit. Summer 1967. As one of the most pivotal uprisings in American history unfolds outside their door, siblings Chelle and Lank are trying to build a future from the basement of their West Side home. But when a mysterious woman unexpectedly enters their lives, buried secrets, shifting loyalties, and impossible choices begin to surface. Set against the backdrop of the 1967 Detroit uprising and underscored by the unforgettable sounds of Motown, Detroit ’67 is a powerful story of family, love, resilience, and hope in a city—and a nation—on the brink of change. Performances: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm | Saturdays & Sundays Matinees at 3:00pm Tickets: $25 - $40
Topdog/Underdog
Written by Suzan-Lori Parks Directed by Kenny Leon Brothers Lincoln and Booth, named in jest, are two Black men living in America just trying to get by. Lincoln dresses like his namesake, reenacting his assassination for money and laughs. Booth stays stuck in their apartment, working tirelessly on his three-card hustle. Sibling rivalry and a lifetime of resentment come to a head in this fast-paced and ferocious thrill ride from Suzan-Lori Parks. The deck is stacked with a Tony Award-winning director, a Pulitzer Prize-winning script and a tour-de-force showdown for ensemble members Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood.
GALLERY GUICHARD PRESENTS SOUL OF THE STONE II
This event Soul of the Stone II has been rescheduled to Friday, September 18, 2026 6pm to 9pm. Come Immerse yourself in the beauty of handcrafted original sculptures, each one a masterpiece created with indigenous stones only found in Zimbabwe by remarkably talented Shona artists. Discover the profound connection between the stone and the spiritual world, and let the artistry and history of the Shona Tribe resonate within you. This exhibition has more of the art community favorites as well as new artists and even more unique stones.