Totally Free Chicago

[ March 22, 2010; 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. ] .
Mundelein Center
1032 West Sheridan Road – Chicago, IL
*RSVP recommended

Presented as a part of the DFPA Second Stage Series, a laboratory for student exploration and experimentation with theatrical content, form and style, Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant…

[ March 17, 2010; 12:00 pm; ] .
Harold Washington Library Center
400 South State Street – Chicago, IL

Chicago actors read scenes from Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn, joined by musicians performing traditional Irish music. Enjoy this abbreviated performance in the Grand Lobby of the Harold Washington Library Center or attend…

[ March 13, 2010; 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] .
Woodson Regional Library
9525 South Halsted Street – Chicago, IL

Award-winning lensman Bobby Sengstacke will be honored by his peers and colleagues at a film festival and interactive panel session. The event will include images from the 1960s civil rights movement through Barack Obama. A reception…

[ March 13, 2010; 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. ] .
Coleman Library
731 East 63rd Street – Chicago, IL

The Bessie Coleman Branch will host the Chicago Public Schools All City Elementary School Band. Join us for a afternoon of music, fun and entertainment….

[ March 13, 2010; 2:00 pm; ] .
Edgebrook Library
5331 West Devon Avenue – Chicago, IL

Join solo dramatist, Roberta Randall as she presents The Power of Glamour. It evokes a unique Hollywood era and five of the goddesses, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead and…

[ March 12, 2010; 12:15 pm; ] .
Harold Washington Library Center
400 South State Street – Chicago, IL

Tenor Thomas Broderick sings an all-Irish program for St. Patrick’s Day (which is March 17)….

[ March 11, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] .
Harold Washington Library Center
400 South State Street – Chicago, IL

Writers on the Record with Victoria Lautman presents Lionel Shriver

American-born writer Lionel Shriver has lived in the UK for two decades, and wrote seven novels before achieving international successes with We Have To Talk About Kevin and The Post-Birthday World. She joins host Victoria Lautman to discuss…

[ March 9, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] .
445 North Sacramento Boulevard – Chicago, IL
*Registration required

Natural finishes are exceptionally gentle on the planet, on a building’s fabric and on the senses. Locally sourced clay-rich soils can be made into paints, plasters, glues, heat sinks, and architectural ornaments that can complement …

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. May 1, 2010 to May 9, 2010. ] .
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2391 North Stockton Drive – Chicago, IL

Under the snowy landscapes of Chicago, spring is still able to make an early entrance with the help of the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Escape…

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. May 1, 2010 to May 9, 2010. ] .
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 North Central Park Avenue – Chicago, IL

Put some spring in your step starting in January! Come view the Spring Flower Show to enjoy gorgeous flowers long before they are blooming naturally…

[ March 3, 2010 10:00 am to March 4, 2010 10:00 am. March 10, 2010 10:00 am to March 11, 2010 10:00 am. March 17, 2010 10:00 am to March 18, 2010 10:00 am. March 24, 2010 10:00 am to March 25, 2010 10:00 am. ] .
Whole Foods Market
1550 North Kingsbury Street – Chicago, IL

Join the creative teachers of Bubbles Academy on our Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park Stage for exciting songs and stories to entertain the little…

[ March 20, 2010; 2:00 pm; ] .
Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington Street – Chicago, IL

It’s under our feet. But what is it? And how did it get there? Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, directors Bill Benenson and…

[ March 8, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 15, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 22, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 29, 2010; 10:00 pm; April 5, 2010; 10:00 pm; ] .
rodan
1530 North Milwaukee Avenue – Chicago, IL

Analog Pop is a weekly program hosted by Rolan Vega and Adam Killing. 80s, electronica, psych, no wave, and cult…

[ January 19, 2010; 6:00 pm; February 16, 2010; 6:00 pm; March 16, 2010; 6:00 pm; April 20, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] .
Puck’s Cafe
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue – Chicago, IL

A grab bag of “un-lectures” about a myriad of topics that create a variety show-like evening of artist presentations curated by different groups from around Chicago…

[ February 28, 2010; 7:00 pm; March 7, 2010; 7:00 pm; March 14, 2010; 7:00 pm; March 21, 2010; 7:00 pm; March 28, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] .
Tonic Room
2447 North Halsted Street – Chicago, IL

Check out our free Comedy Show every Sunday night!

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. ] .
Available Online
offered by the Museum of Broadcast Communications

Combining streaming video of documentaries with comprehensive lesson plans, DocuFest provides educators with a powerful tool for teaching students. Current…

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. ] .
Chicago museums, cultural centers, and libraries that are free and open to the public every day of the year, including…

Chicago Center for Green Technology
Chicago Cultural Center
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
The Museum of Contemporary Photography
National Museum of Mexican Art
The Newberry Library
Oriental Institute Museum
The Renaissance Society
Smart Museum of Art
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
- see post for more details…

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. ] .
Chicago public galleries that are free and open to the public every day of the year, including…

ArchiCenter
Center for Book & Paper Arts Gallery
City Gallery
Illinois State Museum: Chicago Gallery
Intuit: Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
- see post for more details…

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. ] .
Chicago zoos, gardens, parks, and conservatories that are free and open to the public every day of the year, including…

Chicago Botanic Garden
Garfield Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Zoo
Millennium Park
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
- see post for more details…

Location:
Brandenburg Room, 2nd Floor
DankHaus: German American Cultural Center
4740 North Western Avenue – Chicago, IL

Contemporary German films with English subtitles, every 3rd Sunday. Free popcorn available…

[ March 4, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 11, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 18, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 25, 2010; 10:00 pm; April 1, 2010; 10:00 pm; ] .
Blue Bayou Bar & Grill
3734 North Southport Avenue – Chicago, IL

Make no mistake: when it comes to free burlesque in Chicago, no one can bring it better than Vaudezilla. So come on back to Wrigleyville and the only bartop stage in Chicago…

[ March 16, 2010; 7:30 pm; April 6, 2010; 7:30 pm; April 20, 2010; 7:30 pm; May 4, 2010; 7:30 pm; May 18, 2010; 7:30 pm; ] .
Big Chicks/Tweet
5024 North Sheridan Road – Chicago, IL
**Donations suggested

HOMOLATTE CHICAGO is a bi-monthly, all-ages, queer music and spoken word series curated and hosted by Scott Free…

[ March 13, 2010; 8:00 pm; March 20, 2010; 8:00 pm; March 27, 2010; 8:00 pm; April 3, 2010; 8:00 pm; April 10, 2010; 8:00 pm; ] .
Inner Metamorphosis University
1418 West Howard Street – Chicago, IL

We offer a collection of specially selected inspirational movies from around the world. These international films offer you glimpses into other cultures, lifestyles, and…

[ February 1, 2010 9:00 pm to February 28, 2010 9:00 pm. March 1, 2010 9:00 pm to March 31, 2010 9:00 pm. April 1, 2010 9:00 pm to April 30, 2010 9:00 pm. ] .
the Whistler
2421 North Milwaukee Avenue – Chicago, IL

Live music, DJs, comedy shows, readings, and other performances EVERYDAY at The Whistler. NO COVER! See we…

[ February 28, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 7, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 14, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 21, 2010; 10:00 pm; March 28, 2010; 10:00 pm; ] .
rodan
1530 North Milwaukee Avenue – Chicago, IL

Living Sundays is a weekly series of fresh electronic sounds and visuals hosted by Moment Sound. Live music…

[ February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010. March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010. April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010. ] .
Macy’s on State Street
111 North State Street – Chicago, IL

Take a complimentary self-guided, self-paced audio tour of the State Street store’s flagship icons: The Great Clocks, The Tiffany Ceiling and the Walnut Room…

[ January 26, 2010; 6:00 pm; February 23, 2010; 6:00 pm; March 23, 2010; 6:00 pm; April 27, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] .
Puck’s Cafe
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue – Chicago, IL

Some of Chicago’s most renowned music clubs and organizations present their favorite local singer-songwriters. This hour-long set provides an opportunity for emerging musical artists to…

[ February 26, 2010; 12:15 pm; March 5, 2010; 12:15 pm; March 12, 2010; 12:15 pm; March 19, 2010; 12:15 pm; March 26, 2010; 12:15 pm; ] .
Randolph Café
Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph Street – Chicago, IL

This LunchBreak Friday series showcases world music for the whole family. Each week, an artist representing a different nation is featured…

[ March 1, 2010; 9:00 pm; March 8, 2010; 9:00 pm; March 15, 2010; 9:00 pm; March 22, 2010; 9:00 pm; March 29, 2010; 9:00 pm; ] .
Tonic Room
2447 North Halsted Street – Chicago, IL

Bring your acoustic guitars, or use ours, play what you like or just come and listen to some of the best that Chicago has to offer. Every Monday at 10:00pm, the Tonic…

[ March 11, 2010; March 18, 2010; March 25, 2010; April 1, 2010; April 8, 2010; ] .
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive – Chicago, IL

Offering the public much more than dioramas and taxidermied animals, the permanent exhibitions include a Butterfly Haven, an interactive…