This summer five South Side cultural institutions are opening their doors after regular hours during the return of Museum Campus South’s Nights at the Museums. Museum Campus South invites the public to attend 15 free evening events and exhibitions including jazz on the lawn, after-hours open houses, and special exhibition openings. Nights at the Museums runs from June through September, with select Museum Campus South institutions hosting evening events throughout the summer.
Participating Museum Campus South institutions include the DuSable Museum of African American History, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House, Smart Museum of Art, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, and the Renaissance Society.
“We are pleased to join with our Museum Campus South colleagues in presenting some of the finest programming assembled in Chicago this summer–all to be found here on the South Side,” said Perri L. Irmer, President and CEO of the DuSable Museum of African American History. “With Nights at the Museums, top rated musical performances, award-winning films and family friendly workshops will be presented during hours when the museums are typically closed to the public providing an opportunity for all of Chicago to experience and discover these legendary cultural icons…absolutely free of charge.”
The Nights at the Museums series is a great opportunity to use the Museum Campus South Passport; an activity designed to encourage visitors to explore all that Museum Campus South has to offer. Visitors who receive passport stamps from all six participating museums by December 31, 2016 will receive an exclusive Museum Campus South mug. Passports will be available at all Nights at the Museums series events and downloadable at: museumcampussouth.org.
Museum Campus South is supported by Choose Chicago and the Boeing Company. Participating partners include the South East Chicago Commission and the University of Chicago.
All events are in Chicago, free and open to the public. The series started on June 2 with the University Jazz X-tet and runs through September 2016 at the various museum campuses. Visit museumcampussouth.- org for full details. The remaining schedule for June 2016 follows:
University Jazz X-tet New Directions: Thursday, June 2, 2016; 8:00 p.m., at 915 East 60th Street in the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. The University of Chicago Jazz X-tet presents commissioned compositions and skilled improvisation in a diverse selection of styles from ‘Dixieland’ to ‘Big Band.’ The performance will feature guest artist and composer Dee Alexander, and the U.S. premieres of two new compositions by Mwata Bowden.
History of Jazz Series – “Swingin’ it with Count Basie and Duke Ellington”
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – DuSable Museum of African American History located at 740 East 56th Place. For the first concert in the DuSable Museum’s History of Jazz series, the KCR Ensemble will perform the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
Robie Open House: Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Frederick C. Robie House, at 5757 South Woodlawn Ave. This after-hours open house will feature design workshops on the ground floor for adults and kids alike as well as access to the Living Room and Dining Room where staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions.
Movies in the Park – “Creed”: Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. – DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place. As part of DuSable Museum’s Movies in the Park series, bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a night of family fun including music, activities, and free popcorn. The screening of Creed will begin at dusk.
Logan Center Third Tuesday Jazz Series – Isaiah Collier Quartet: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. in the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street. Saxophonist Isaiah Collier and his quartet perform as part of the Logan Center’s showcase of Chicago jazz. Presented in partnership with the Hyde Park Jazz Society with additional support by WDCB.
Smart Summer Cookout: Thurs- day, June 30, 2016 at 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Smart Museum of Art, 5550 South Greenwood Ave. Explore the Smart Museum’s freshly reinstalled contemporary gallery and enjoy a special cookout in the sculpture garden.
