This document provides information about several free community events happening in September in the Chicago area, including church festivals, concerts, art shows, races, and educational activities at libraries and zoos. Many of the events celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture or introduce children to the arts, music, agriculture, and conservation. Attending these events helps build skills like cultural competence, creativity, achievement motivation, and developing a positive view of the future.

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September 2011
Save the Date: Sunday, Oct 9 – See Yaresi run the Chicago Marathon!
For Free Museum Days go to:
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/tourism/Museum
_Free_Days.html
Kermes
Sept 3 & 4 Sept 9-11
St. Pius Church St. Procopius Church
1919 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago 1641 S. Allport St, Chicago
http://stpiusvparish.org/ http://www.stprocopius.com/
Cost: Free
Kermes are festivals held by schools and churches to raise funds. Many activities take place including
"tombolas" essentially a drawing for big and small prizes. Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring the
creativity of others can lead to personal creativity discussions) & #34 Cultural Competence (Explore the celebrations in
the Hispanic community)
Chicago Sinfonietta Project Inclusion Ensemble
Saturday, Sept 10 (1:00 pm)
Chicago Public Library, Portage-Cragin: 5108 W. Belmont Avenue; Chicago
Cost: Free
Join us for a series of family-friendly programs to hear an eclectic representation of musical selections,
mixing classical works such as Bach and Handel with contemporary pieces, including Queen of Sheba
March, Farandole from L'Arlessiene Suite, Palladio, Oblivion by Piazzolla and many other favorites.
The Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse symphony orchestra, presents Project Inclusion
Ensemble, an exciting mentoring program for young minority musicians that provides free community
performances throughout Chicago. Learn more at www.chicagosinfonietta.org/education/project-inclusion.
Registration: Space is limited for this free concert series; please contact each branch in person or
by phone to reserve your seat(s)
Assets Built: #14 Adult Role Models (Demonstrating that you are willing to explore new things encourages our children
to try new things) & #34 Cultural Competence (Introduce your mentee to a different style of music)
Stars of the Lyric Opera
Saturday, Sept 10 (7:30 pm)
Jay Pritzker Pavilion; Millennium Park, Chicago
Cost: Free
Grab some friends and family as Lyric Opera of Chicago will present a star-studded free opera concert at
the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Saturday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. Headlined by soprano
superstar Renée Fleming, this free opera performance annually attracts audiences upwards of 16,000.
“Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park” free concert will feature a superb selection of overtures, arias, and
ensembles from the upcoming season and from the general repertory, to be announced at a later date.
Assets Built: #14 Adult Role Models (Demonstrating that you are willing to explore new things encourages our children
to try new things) & #34 Cultural Competence (Introduce your mentee to a different style of music)
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2. Downers Grove Art Show
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 10 & 11 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Intersection of Main Street and Burlington Avenue
Downers Grove 60515
Cost: Free
Amdur Productions proudly returns to Downers Grove to produce the 35th Annual Downtown Downers
Grove Art Festival. In cooperation with the Village of Downers Grove, this established outdoor festival will
be revamped and made better than ever for the loyal art lovers that visit annually. Free and open to the
public, the Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival offers original works from more than 125 juried artists.
This year the festival will host a Youth Art Division which showcases the original works of young artists,
ages 18 and under.
Assets Built: #32 Planning & Decision Making (Invite your mentee to assist in planning out your movements through
the art show) & #37 Personal Power (Including your mentee in the planning increases their sense of personal power.)
Renegade’s Sweet Home: Chicago!
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 10 & 11 (11:00 am to 7:00 pm)
Division Street in Wicker Park, Chicago
Cost: Free
We’re thrilled to announce that the The Renegade Craft Fair will once again take over Division Street in
Wicker Park for our 9th Annual Chicago Fair on September 10 + 11 from 11am – 7pm! Always free-to-
attend, Chicago’s biggest and best indie-craft event will feature over 300 of today’s brightest makers of
handmade goods, live entertainment, hands-on crafting workshops and so much more! Food, beverages
and libations will also be available!
At the Renegade Craft Fair you can expect to find only the best indie-craft and DIY artisans! Featuring both
local and national talent, shoppers can anticipate a vast array of independently designed jewelry, clothing,
paper goods, home + garden goods, posters, artwork, plush objects, bath + body products, and so much
more!! http://www.renegadecraft.com/chicago
Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring the creativity of others can lead to personal creativity discussions) &
#40 Positive View of a Personal Future (Invite your mentee to explore art or some other passion they might have)
Country Fair
Saturday, Sept 17 (11:00 am to 4:00 pm)
Garfield Park Conservatory; 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago
Cost: $5 admission per person (includes all activities except pony rides; Members are free!
Celebrate the harvest and healthy communities at one of the Conservatory’s most popular events. This is a
family-oriented day with programs and activities for all ages. Discover agricultural traditions, see the best in
urban gardening, and enjoy horticultural exhibits and demonstrations. Children’s activities, petting zoo and
garden displays highlight the connections between plants, food and American heritage.
Children will also love the kid’s bounce and slide area, live music, as well as pony rides for $1 each. Adults
will enjoy the farmer’s market, recipe swap (bring a favorite recipe to share!), a garden harvest showcase,
and garden tool sharpening for a small fee (bring your garden tools in need of sharpening!). Hope to see
you at Chicago’s original urban hoedown!
Assets Built: #9 Service to Others (Consider volunteering at the Fair) & #16 High Expectations (Encourage your
mentee to pursue service opportunities)
If you are interested in volunteering at County Fair, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Mattie
Wilson, by emailing volunteer@garfieldpark.org.
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3. Abrakadabra! A Magic Show
Saturday, Sept 17 (11:00 am)
Chicago Public Library, Vodak-East Side; 3710 E. 106thSt; Chicago
Cost: Free
Enjoy an hour long magic show with laughter, surprises and fun for the whole family. Bilingual. For all ages.
Assets Built: #37 Personal Power (Sharing new experiences with someone who cares about you invites the growth of
self esteem) & #38 Self Esteem (Explore different magic tricks with your mentee and encourage them to master one.)
4th Annual Lawndale 5k Walk/Run
Saturday, Sept 17 (9:00 am)
Lawndale Christian Health Center, 3860 W. Ogden Ave, Chicago
Cost: for youth 13-17 is $10.00 (Adults $15.00), Kids’ Dash (under 12) is $5.00
The event will feature local footwork artists, Hip Hop dancers and a drum line in addition to healthy snacks.
The first 1,000 entrants will receive a technical t-shirt! Medals will be given to the top three overall
male/female and age group winners. Prepare for the race by joining the weekly Fun Runs on Tuesday at
6:30am or Thursday at 6:30pm. For more information or to register:
http://www.lawndale.org/services_fitness_5K.html
Assets Built: #21 Achievement Motivation (Encourage your mentee to believe they can run the race) & #32 Planning &
Decision Making (Encourage your mentee to plan out a training schedule )
Harvest Days at the Farm-in-the-Zoo
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 17 & 18 (11:00 am to 2:00 pm)
Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago
Cost: Free
Harvest Days is free for all ages. We’ll see you down on the Farm! Dance to a DJ’s tunes; Feed the cows;
Attend a cow-milking demonstration; Pet the goats…
Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring the creativity of others can lead to personal creativity discussions) &
#40 Positive View of a Personal Future (Invite your mentee to explore art or some other passion they might have)
A Behind the Scenes Look at Conservation
Saturday, Sept 24 (11:00 am)
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington; 400 S. State Street; Chicago
Cost: Free
Take a tour of Chicago Public Library’s Conservation Lab and get a sneak peek at a few of the methods
used to conserve the unique items in Special Collections. Learn the difference between conservation and
preservation as well as a few tips you can use to preserve your own treasured books.
Registration: Space is limited. Please register by calling 312-747-4884.
Assets Built: #9 Service to Others (Understanding & practicing conservation helps the environment) & #40 Positive
View of a Personal Future (Helping to create a world the is healthy helps kids to be optimistic about their future.)
Pre-Colombian Pattern Designs
Saturday, Sept 24 (3:00 pm)
Chicago Public Library, Canaryville; 642 W. 43rd Street; Chicago
Cost: Free
Participants will learn about Ancient Cultures of Latin America while creating their very own design. Color
construction paper will be used to cut and glue desired motifs. Each participant will take home a finished
design. Bilingual. For children ages 5 – 12.
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4. Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring the creativity of others can lead to personal creativity discussions) &
#34 Cultural Competence (Understanding something about other cultures brings us together.)
Cultural Paper Masks
Saturday, Sept 24 (11:00 am)
Chicago Public Library, West Town; 1625 W. Chicago; Chicago
Cost: Free
Learn about the traditional use of masks and view poster size reproductions of masks from Latin
America. Participants will create their own version of a mask using color construction paper and glue. The
mask you make is yours to take home. Bilingual. For children ages 5 – 12.
Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring the creativity of others can lead to personal creativity discussions) &
#34 Cultural Competence (Understanding something about other cultures brings us together.)
Garfield Park Conservatory
Assets Built: #17 Creative Activities (Exploring creative use of gardening increases imagination); #38 Self-Esteem
(Stretching your imagination creates brain development and increases self esteem) & #40 Positive View of Personal
Future (When your imagination is active, you can problem solve and create a better future for yourself)
300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago
For more details go to: http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/families.htm
• Grow a Salad
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 3 & 4 (Drop in between 1:00 & 3:00 pm)
Cost: Free
Did you know that you can plant lettuce in the fall and still harvest before winter sets in?
Plant lettuce seeds in a salad bowl then grow your own pint-sized garden to eat later!
• Garden Flower Presses
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 10 & 11 (Drop in between 1:00 & 3:00 pm)
Cost: Free
Preserve and take home flowers from the Conservatory with your own flower press. This
pretty press, made from take-out container lids, can be used as a sun catcher, necklace,
coaster and more!
• Corn Husk Dolls
Sunday, Sept 18 (Drop in between 1:00 & 3:00 pm)
Cost: Free
Create your own special corn-husk doll (or action-figure) to take home, while learning about
one of our favorite vegetables, corn.
• Seed Quilts
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 24 & 25 (Drop in between 1:00 & 3:00 pm)
Cost: Free
Contribute to a community quilt made of seeds! Create a cardboard quilt square with a
unique design of your own, then add it to the Children’s Garden Seed quilt. Also, learn how
seeds are made and why they are important in nature.
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