Weekend guide: Black History Month art and eats and an Anti-Valentines Day party
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"Zuri, Kioni, Asha & Zahara" Break Creativity Council Award by Zen Diva Noire. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
The longest continuously running display of African-American art, "Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition," is back and as vibrant as ever.
The big picture: The annual show at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry celebrates well-known and emerging Black artists, creatives and innovators.
Flashback: Chicago Defender staffers started the program in 1970 as a tribute to Black culture and heritage, and extended it beyond art with live music, dance and theater.
The vibe: This year's exhibit includes 150 artworks from nearly 100 different artists, including work by teens and mediums ranging from acrylics, oils, collage, dry painting, clay, plaster, and more.
💭 Moyo's thought bubble: These displays of Black art are truly remarkable. The attention to detail, rich colors, and diverse styles are something I wish we could experience more often in public viewings.
If you go: "Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition" is open now through April 27 at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
🎟️ Cost: Tickets start at $25.95
- Illinois residents can take advantage of free admission on select days this month: Feb. 9-13, 18-20, and 24-27.
🤳🏾 Behind the scenes: Check out some of my favorite artworks.
More things to do this weekend in Chicago:
- Snuggle up with the family for tea making and other interactive art workshops, music and movement.
- Saturday 11am-3pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Streeterville.
Plus, there will be a sound bath meditative experience to calm your mind, body and spirit.
Cost: Free
Afrofuturism: The Freedom Metropolis:
- Dance to the sounds of Africana music spanning jazz, soul, hip-hop, African-American spiritual and Afrobeat as part of Uniting Voices' Black Futures concert series.
- Friday at 11am at the Chicago Symphony Center in the Loop.
- Grab your friends and cards for a night of Bingo (yes, it's cool!), dance-offs, lip-sync battles and more.
- Friday at 8pm at the Morgan MFG in the West Loop.
Cost: Tickets start at $35
- Dust off your old CDs ahead of the band's Chicago stop on their "Raze the Bar" tour.
- Saturday at 7:30pm at the Vic Theater in Lakeview.
Cost: Tickets start at $72
- Celebrate the Year of the Snake with bright colors of floats, the sounds of marching bands and the sights of traditional dragon and lion dancing.
- Saturday 10am-4pm at Argyle and Sheridan in Uptown and Sunday 1pm at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown.
Cost: Free