Sat. Sep 5: Farm Concert: The Arab Blues. Mon. Sep 7: Together for Nepal & Tibet Fundraiser Event. Wed. Sep 9: City Winery Chicago Presents aja monet. Sat. Sep 12: Pop-Up Print Collage (Marimacha Monarca x Yollocalli). Fri. Sep 25: 33rd African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
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Curated events across Chicago's Global South diaspora — from film screenings and artist talks to food pop-ups, fundraisers, dance floors, workshops and more.
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By Global Gardens Chicago
Global Gardens · Albany Park
Global Gardens Chicago hosts a Farm Concert featuring The Arab Blues. Rami Gabriel and Karim Nagi perform an electro urban amalgam of Arab tradition and Chicago Blues. Doors and farmer-made food open at 4:00 PM, followed by music at 5:00 PM.
The Momo World · University Village
On Monday, September 7, The Momo World will be coming together for a special Disaster Relief Fundraiser in the wake of the recent devastation affecting communities along the Nepal-Tibet border. From 3-7 PM, all proceeds from The Momo World will be donated directly to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to support those impacted by this tragedy. Come share a meal, bring your family and friends, and help turn one day of food and community into meaningful support for those who need it most. If you're unable to attend but would still like to contribute, you can donate directly using the QR code on the flyer. ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BR DONATED TO THE PRIME MINISTER RELIEF FUND.
City Winery Chicago · West Loop
aja monet is a Surrealist Blues Poet whose work blends vulnerability, resistance, rhythm, and truth into an unforgettable live experience. A celebrated poet, performer, and cultural organizer, aja monet has built a powerful voice rooted in storytelling, social justice, and the transformative power of art. Her performances are immersive and deeply emotional, weaving spoken word, jazz, blues, and soul into moments that linger long after the final verse.
By Marimacha Monarca Press (residency with Yollocalli Arts Reach)
Davis Square Park · Back of the Yards
Free print collage pop-up, open to the community, part of Marimacha Monarca Press's parks residency with Yollocalli Arts Reach. 11:30 AM-2:30 PM at Davis Square Park in Back of the Yards. Moves indoors in case of rain. Third of three pop-ups in the series.
By Karim Nagi
Epiphany Center for the Arts · Near West Side
Egyptian, Syrian, and Palestinian musicians uplift their heritage with new compositions and vintage classics.
Chop Shop · Wicker Park
Nooriyah presents The Hello Tour at Chop Shop in Chicago, featuring music by Everywhere Between (DJ set) and A. Parssi. Connecting dots between diverse global music cultures, Nooriyah has made it her focus to blur those same lines, focusing on creating vivid musical diversity in her work without, being told she can’t merge those vast musical communities. Raised between Saudi, Japan and the UK where she is now based, Nooriyah, known for her work as DJ, audio producer and presenter, has spent the past decade championing sounds of the diaspora. Founding SWANA focused collaborative in London ‘Middle of Nowhere’ which went on to host her debut Boiler Room—achieving over 6,000,000 views since.
By Islamic Relief USA & Watermelon Sisters
Skyline Loft · Bridgeport
A curated afternoon where art, storytelling, and community come together to celebrate Palestinian culture and support humanitarian relief. Art has the power to tell stories that words cannot. It preserves culture, honors resilience, and reminds us of our shared humanity. This Art Gala is more than an exhibition, it's an opportunity to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza through creativity, compassion, and collective action. Hosted by Islamic Relief USA, this special fundraising event will feature comedian Zaid Fouzi, artist and poet Omar Offendum. It will bring together artists, community leaders, and supporters for an afternoon dedicated to celebrating Palestinian culture while raising critical funds for humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.
By Tonika Johnson & Femdot
Ramova Loft · Bridgeport
Tonika Johnson and Femdot host Both Sides of the Street, an immersive Folded Map experience featuring a film screening, DJ set, live conversation, interactive mapping, plus food and drinks.
By Seraj Libraries
Irish American Heritage Center · Albany Park
Seraj hosts its 20th Anniversary Event featuring a conversation with Wesam Ahmad, Executive Director of Visualizing Palestine. Wesam will lead a conversation on The Power of Visual Storytelling: Preserving and Sharing Palestinian Narratives, exploring how stories, images, and creative media help preserve memory, challenge erasure, and amplify Palestinian voices.
By Inner-City Muslim Action Network
2745 W 63rd St · Chicago Lawn
The inaugural workshop of The Art of Organizing: A Creative Approach to Organizing and Advocacy will offer a space for participants to learn about the role of art and creativity within community organizing, to create meaningful pieces of art reflecting their identity and experiences within advocacy, and to engage in intentional relationship building with others.
By Chicago BIPOC Birders
Humboldt Park · Humboldt Park
Join members from Chicago BIPOC Birders for a guided bird walk during the Urban Bird Festival in Humboldt Park. This walk is welcoming to beginner birders, BIPOC individuals, and Spanish-speaking bird lovers.
By Space Shift
Devon & Washtenaw · West Ridge
Deevona Sound System is a free, all-ages outdoor block party featuring DJs, producers, and artists from the South Asian and SWANA diasporas celebrating music, resistance, nostalgia, and identity.
By UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy & UIC Social Justice Initiative
UIC Student Center East Cardinal Room · Near West Side
Nationally, there are increasing conversations about reparations for long histories of racial harm. In the last decade, there have been multiple efforts across Chicago and Illinois to undertake reparations, including work to document the history and extent of harm, address and repair harm done, and make payments to harmed communities and individuals. These efforts have ranged widely including organizing in Chicago on behalf of the Burge Torture Survivors, in Evanston to address long histories of discrimination in housing, Arts/activism related efforts to address the history and present harm of land sale contracts in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago, and the State of Illinois’ legislative creation of new African Descendants Citizens Reparations Committee. This panel will examine what can be learned from these efforts – some initiated by government entities and some initiated by community organizers, and organizations making demands on behalf of communities that have been harmed.
By Martin's International
Union Park · West Loop
The 33rd annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life runs Sept 25–27, combined this year with the 10th JSVFest, spotlighting African and Caribbean music, food, and culture over three days.
By Boleros De Noche
Harris Theater for Music & Dance · Loop
Boleros De Noche comes to Chicago featuring performances by Martha González and Voz Bohemia at the Harris Theater for Music & Dance.
By Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
Chicago Cultural Center & citywide · Citywide · Sep 25 – Oct 4
For ten days, experience the sounds, traditions and artistry of musicians from Chicago and around the world, with global performances at venues across the city. Kicking off with the country's largest all-night Ragamala presentation at the Chicago Cultural Center, experience musical traditions spanning continents and generations.
By Chicago Humanities
National Museum of Mexican Art · Pilsen
Join Chicago Humanities Fall Festival for a conversation with the artists and curator behind Chicano Camera Culture, an exhibition highlighting the last six decades of Chicano photography. Together, the panelists will explore the significant, historically overlooked role that Chicano photographers have played in advancing aesthetic and technical innovations in photography.
By Associate Board of Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA)
Furama · Uptown
The Chinese Mutual Aid Association and Haibayo are partnering up to bring you the Moonlight Soiree: A Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration like you’ve never experienced before! Drawing inspiration from the 1960’s Hong Kong era and the movie In the Mood for Love, come celebrate one of AAPI’s most important holidays with a fundraiser in support of the Chicagoland AAPI community! There will be Asian table games including Mahjong and other cultural table games, cultural music and performances, an included Asian dinner provided by the iconic Furama restaurant, desserts provided by local vendors, and a photo wall. Come dressed to impress or wear appropriate Asian cultural attire (Western suits, Tang suits, Qipaos, Ao Dais, or other cultural wear of your choice) and celebrate while supporting some amazing non-profits.
By Chicago Palestine Film Festival, USPCN, Palestinian Assembly for Liberation
18th St. Casa de Cultura · Pilsen
Enjoy the power of Palestinian cinema, all of which was featured at this year’s Chicago Palestine Film Festival, while gathering with and building community at the 18th Street Casa de Cultura in Pilsen (ADA accessible). The event will also feature live music, delicious light food & treats, and a special prize drawing from local Chicago artists and organizations. All proceeds will go to the event's film collaborator Fadel Moghrabi & his family in Gaza & Woroud Al-Qassas, a filmmaker from Gaza.
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