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

New arts project highlights everyday creativity and connection between West and South Side communities through transit-based programming by Hector Cervantes June 12, 2026 Attendees dance during the Love is on the Green Line kickoff celebration on May 3, 2026, in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. The event marks the start of a monthly series that will travel south along the Green Line, activating different stops and celebrating connection across the West and South Sides. (Ke

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

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

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 (

The group’s latest composition honors the work of Mary Lou Williams, Nina Simone, and Chicago’s own Lil Hardin Armstrong. By Brenda Ruiz Feb 6, 2024, 3:38pm EDT Davis will premiere ‘Women Out of Time’ at the Kehrein Center for the Arts. Tickets start at $1. Manuel Martinez Lil Hardin Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams and Nina Simone are notable singers of their time, but trumpeter, composer and director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Orbert Davis, wanted to highlight their so

Reesheda Graham-Washington is an Austin native by Austin Talks February 5, 2024 Reesheda Graham-Washington. Courtesy of AustinTalks Reesheda Graham-Washington has been named founding executive director of the Kehrein Center for the Arts. The Kehrein Center’s board of directors announced this week that Graham-Washington had been selected after an extensive search. “With significant consideration given to what is essential to successfully lead the Kehrein Center, we have selec

New arts project highlights everyday creativity and connection between West and South Side communities through transit-based programming Posted in News Written on 14 November 2023. Every Wednesday, 86 students from the Austin and North Lawndale neighborhoods meet and rehearse on stage as one Sistema Ravinia Orchestra at the Kehrein Center for the Arts at Catalyst Circle Rock. Along with Catalyst Circle Rock, the CPS schools participating are George Rogers Clark, Frazier, and