Kehrein Center For The Arts in the news

Written by her daughter, the play comes to Austin this Juneteenth weekend by Emma Bradford June 15, 2026 Nancy B. Jefferson is the subject of a new play honoring her activism on the West Side. Credit: Breakthrough Nancy B. Jefferson was one of the earliest and most consequential activists on the Black West Side going back to the 1960s. Now her daughter has written a play about both her mom and other Black activists who made change real. This weekend at The Kehrein Center For

Ed Siderewicz, a founder of the Austin charter school, retires and Erika Whitehead, the assistant principal, steps up to direct school’s mission by Jessica Mordacq May 22, 2026 Catalyst Circle Rock at 5608 W. Washington Blvd. - Google Maps Before they founded Catalyst Circle Rock charter school 20 years ago in Austin, Ed Siderewicz and Gordon Hannon were both Christian Brothers, part of a Roman Catholic religious order that dedicates itself to education, particularly for the

Chicago’s historic role in the genre will be honored all month, including on the West Side Performance by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic at 'When the West Side Burned' | Hector Cervantes While jazz started in New Orleans, Louisiana, it expanded to Chicago when musicians moved up north. New Orleans native Louis Armstrong lived in Chicago in the 1920s, developing the city’s jazz legacy, along with names like Lil Hardin Armstrong, Earl “Fatha” Hines and Captain Walter Dyett. To

Elevated Chicago and the MacArthur Foundation’s Elevating Culture Near Transit initiative supports community-led projects located near transit hubs across Chicago. by Sabrina Castle February 10, 2026 Injung Oh, founder of OH Art foundation, poses for a photo with Candace Hunter, a curator for the Black History Festival of the Arts, at an exhibition on Jan. 16, 2026. Credit: Provided CHICAGO — OH Art Foundation founder Injung Oh was once unsure if her foundation could afford t

Eight Chicago-based organizations will receive a total of $340,000 for community-led arts projects as part of Elevating Culture Near Transit, a regranting partnership between MacArthur and Elevated Chicago. The initiative supports artists, organizations, small businesses, and community leaders who are transforming the city’s neighborhoods through arts, culture, and equitable development. January 27, 2026 In 2025, we announced a three-year, $1.5 million grant to Elevated Chica

For over a decade, Ravinia has taught orchestra to students at Catalyst Circle Rock, and now GR Clark Elementary, Frazier and Gregory Elementary by Jessica Mordacq October 24, 2025 A professional musician teaches West Side students how to play in an orchestra through the Sistema Ravinia program | Provided Every concert season at the Ravinia music venue in Highland Park, musicians grace the open-air and indoor stages to perform for thousands of listeners.  This summer, a 20-y

Written by her daughter, the play comes to Austin this Juneteenth weekend by Hannah Edgar | For the Chicago Tribune PUBLISHED: October 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM CDT | UPDATED: October 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM CDT Molly Clementz, left, and Elizabeth Shuman perform “Here Be Sirens”, an opera by Kate Soper, during the 2025 Ear Taxi Festival’s Anchor Performance at the Kehrein Center for the Arts in Chicago on Oct. 17, 2025. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune) Against all odds, the Ear Tax

A critic unpacks the month-long program featuring 430 artists and presenting more than 70 pieces of music for the very first time, most by Illinois composers. By Hannah Edgar Sept 29, 2025, 10:02am EDT The Ear Taxi Festival gives a platform to contemporary classical musicians, members of a flourishing, if stubbornly unmarketable, musical community in our city. This year’s fest will present nearly 50 pieces of music for the very first time, most by Illinois composers.Courtesy

Documentary captures decades of community work and hope for change by Hector Cervantes August 26, 2025 Audience applauds during a documentary screening and panel on its impact in the Austin community | Hector Cervantes Over 250 people filled the auditorium of the Kehrein Center for the Arts on Aug. 21 for the premiere of “The Good News,” a documentary that brought Austin neighbors together in celebration and reflection. Produced by Emmy Award-winning company PRIME 312, the f

Kehrein Center for the Arts Shelby Hawkins April 23, 2025, 7:34 pm Singer, poet and South Side native Jamila Woods has been using music as a tool for self-healing for most of her life. She first found the power of an artistic community in her grandmother’s church choir and now finds a similar solace through connections with fans and musicians alike. “I would see people in church transmuting heavy emotions,” Woods said. “I would (hear) my choir director telling us stories of M

The sold-out “sound journey” will focus on meditation, poetry, nature and healing while featuring classical music from a local all-Black string ensemble. by Michael Liptrot April 23, 2025 Jamila Woods is hosting "The Listening Field" sound healing experience at the Kehrein Center for the Arts on Sunday, April 27. Credit: Marco Giugliarelli AUSTIN — South Side native and world-renowned singer and poet Jamila Woods is bringing a listening experience to Austin next week alongsid

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago music artists are offering a "sound healing experience." By ABC7 Chicago Digital Team Friday, April 18, 2025 Chicago's Black chamber music collective D-Composed and artist Jamila Woods are hosting a "sound healing experience" at Kehrein Center for the Arts. Chicago's Black chamber music collective "D-Composed" appeared on ABC7's evening streaming show last fall. Now, the talented musicians are collaborating with acclaimed artist and South Side native

Ed Siderewicz, a founder of the Austin charter school, retires and Erika Whitehead, the assistant principal, steps up to direct school’s mission By Hannah Edgar | For the Chicago Tribune PUBLISHED: February 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM CST Orbert Davis, conductor of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, performs “Ellingtonia,” a suite about jazz great Duke Ellington, during a performance at Kehrein Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on Feb. 8, 2025. (Talia Sprague/for the C

From 2010 to 2020, residents of Austin found themselves increasingly moved by a shared sense of purpose: to reclaim power back over their neighborhood, and revitalize the communal spaces that had long been neglected. This surge of community planning and organizing reflected a growing commitment to collective action and initiatives that boosted social unity, while also addressing the long-standing issue of disinvestment. by Darnell Shields June 26, 2024 The Aspire Center for W

Chicago Star Staff, Updated 4/14/24 Feb 25, 2023 'Candid' Candace Jordan, Chicago Star Associate Publisher, to receive award for 'Excellence in Media.' Congratulations to Chicago Star Media Associate Publisher, “Candid” Candace Jordan, who will be the recipient of the “2024 Excellence in Media” award. She will be honored at the Dream Awards on Saturday, May 18, at the Kehrein Center for the Arts (5628 W. Washington Blvd.), along with the following recipients: Hosea Sanders (