Chicago Live Community Engagement Program

Organization: Creative Netwerk

B.O.T. (Back on Track) is an interactive community event that celebrates the relationship between Chicago Footwork music and dance by bringing together the three creative forces that have shaped the culture from the beginning: the producer, the DJ, and the dancer. Through artist conversations, live music, and an exhibition-style dance battle, B.O.T. invites audiences to experience how these three roles work together to create one of Chicago’s most influential cultural art forms. Capacity: 150-200

Address:
Rhythmhood Studio, 2643 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
Capacity: 150-200
Website:https://www.instagram.com/creativenetwerk/

MindfulXchange LLC (Tears Dry On Their Own: Amy Winehouse Tribute)

Come sing, move, and discover the magic of stories with Ms. Sally! Cantando con Salita (Singing with Ms. Sally) is an interactive musical storytime that brings books to life through joyful storytelling, Spanish, English, and ASL, live multicultural music, movement, dance, and plenty of opportunities for little ones to participate.

Designed for children ages 0–6, this special experience celebrates the healing and developmental power of music and language in early childhood. The program is also thoughtfully curated to be welcoming and engaging for children with hearing loss, creating opportunities for every child to experience music, rhythm, movement, and connection.

Ms. Sally is the Early Childhood & General Music Program Director at Merit School of Music and lead music educator for Music to My Ears, a music program for deaf and hard-of-hearing children founded by the Foundation of Hearing and Speech Resources. Her career in music education is rooted in using music as a joyful tool for connection, learning, and early childhood development. She was also recently selected as a featured artist for the 2026 Chicago LIVE Festival through her acclaimed Amy Winehouse tribute.

This special Cantando con Salita event is presented in collaboration with and funded by the Chicago LIVE Festival and the Pritzker Foundation, helping bring accessible, culturally rich live music experiences to Chicago families.

Come ready to sing, bounce, dance, listen, connect, and smile as we celebrate the joy of music, language, and stories together!

ASL Interpreter: Mr. Nestor (Dani) Borjon
Lead Vocalist: Sally Blandon
Guitarist: Tim Fitzgerald

Address: Epiphany Center for the Arts
Website:https://dice.fm/event/8e95qw-cantando-con-salita-a-trilingual-musical-storytime-ages-06-29th-aug-epiphany-center-for-the-arts-courtyard-chicago-tickets/

Organization: CircEsteem

A unique and playful way for families to bond! This beginner-level workshop is designed for parents/guardians and children to begin their exploration of aerial silks together. Our Teaching Artists will guide you through a number of beginner-level activities that help spark the creativity of each participant!

Address: CircEsteem 4730 N. Sheridan Rd, in our Aerial Studio and Theater Space
Capacity: 40
Website:https://circesteem.org

Organization: Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts

Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts is offering free community classes in Bharatanatyam, Fusion, Bollywood and Yoga for adults, and Bharatanatyam for children ages 5 and above.

Address: Kalapriya, 2101 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL
Capacity: 20 for adult class, 15 for kids class
Website:https://kalapriya.org/

Organization: Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts

Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts is offering free community classes in Bharatanatyam, Fusion, Bollywood and Yoga for adults, and Bharatanatyam for children ages 5 and above.

Address: Kalapriya, 2101 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL
Capacity: 20 for adult class, 15 for kids class
Website:https://kalapriya.org/

Organization: Little Fire Artist Collective

Join us for a free 90-minute community dance class led by choreographer Kara Hunsinger. This open class offers participants the opportunity to experience Kara’s creative process while learning movement from her original work created especially for Chicago Live!

The class will begin with a somatic warm up to awaken breath, sensation, and full-body awareness. From there, participants will learn an excerpt of Kara’s choreography for Chicago Live, exploring musicality, movement quality, and intention through guided instruction.

Throughout the class, the emphasis is on building confidence in movement choices, strengthening trust in one’s intuition, and creating space for each dancer to discover and embody their unique artistic voice.
This class is free and open to dancers of all experience levels. Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned mover, all are welcome to join, explore, and create in a supportive community environment.

Address: The Rooted Space, 4432 N Ravenswood Ave B, Chicago, IL 60640, Canopy Room
Capacity: 40 people
Website:https://www.littlefirelittlefire.org/

Organization: Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre

Come for the preview stay for the Dance Jam! ¡Ven al preestreno y quédate para el Dance Jam! An engaging, interactive & casual gathering: A preview sample of company repertoire to be performed at Chicago Live! Excerpts of works featuring diverse choreographers and interactive dialogue between audience, dancers and Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera.

After the sneak peek preview, you’ll be inspired to hang and participate in a joyful & playful community movement jam session incorporating Latinx/e fusion moves that promise to invigorate the body & uplift your soul. The dance jam is designed for all levels, no previous baile experience needed.

Come for the preview stay for the Dance Jam! CRDT, where culture, heritage & identity is honored and celebrated!

Address: Navy Pier – Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
Capacity: 400
Website:https://www.cerquarivera.org/

Organization: Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts

Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts is offering free community classes in Bharatanatyam, Fusion, Bollywood and Yoga for adults, and Bharatanatyam for children ages 5 and above.

Address: Kalapriya, 2101 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL
Capacity: 20 for adult class, 15 for kids class
Website:https://kalapriya.org/

Organization: Chicago Dance Crash

Chicago Dance Crash returns with The Keeper of the Floor (KTF) to the Wave Wall Stage to kick off Chicago Live! Week. This high-energy, interactive dance competition blends the thrill of freestyle battles with the spontaneity of late-night theater and the spectacle of sports entertainment, creating an unforgettable evening of movement, music, comedy, and community celebration.

Address: Navy Pier – Ferrara Candy Wave Wall Stage
Capacity: 400
Website:https://chicagodancecrash.com/

Organization: Anthony Bruno Quartet

The Anthony Bruno Quartet will perform for the local community at Paradise Garden and encourage folks to attend the Chicago Live! performance on September 20th. The band will have an opportunity to meet and engage with local community members and talk about the Chicago Live! music festival.

Address: Paradise Garden, 2214 N Drake Ave, Chicago, Il, 60647
Capacity: 75
Website:https://www.instagram.com/anthonybrunomusic

Organization: Muntu Dance Theatre

At Muntu Dance Theatre, dance is more than movement—it’s culture, history, storytelling, and community. Discover the richness and diversity of African diasporic dance through engaging classes led by our experienced instructors and exceptional guest artists from around the world. We offer training in West African Dance, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba, Hip-Hop, and other culturally rooted dance traditions.
Whether you’re a teen or adult, stepping into the studio for the first time or continuing your artistic journey, our classes welcome dancers of all experience levels.

Through technicaltraining, live drumming, cultural context, and historical understanding, you’ll strengthen your skills while developing a deeper appreciation for the traditions, rhythms, and communities that have shaped these powerful art forms.

Address: Kennedy-King College, 6343 S. Halsted Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, W Building – Room 278, Free parking available in the staff lot in rear or Union Street
Capacity: 30
Website:https://www.muntu.com/

Organization: Aerial Dance Chicago

Aerial Dance Chicago is partnering with Chicago Live and Navy Pier to bring you a fun and free introduction to aerial dance. With the help of our expert teaching artists, you’ll learn airborne balances, climbs and basic movement. Come to this all-ages workshop and we’ll have you floating amongst the silks in no time! No experience is needed.

This is a workshop for everyone! We’ll have a kids workshop and an adult workshop running simultaneously. Teens 14+ can join the adult workshop. Bring the whole family!

Address: Aerial Dance Chicago, 4028 W. Irving Park Rd, Loft A, Chicago, IL 60641
Capacity: 50
Website:https://www.aerialdancechicago.org/events-and-tickets/free-flight-2026

Organization: EnbyBallet

This two-hour workshop features a classical ballet technique class with a short pointe and strengthening component, welcoming dancers whether participating on pointe or in flat shoes, followed by an introduction to EnbyBallet repertory led by directors Roberto Vega Ortiz and Carlos Hopuy. Rooted in queer artistry and gender-expansive movement, the workshop offers insight into EnbyBallet’s artistic approach to classical ballet.

Address: Visceral Dance Center — 3121 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Capacity: 15-20
Website:https://www.enbyballet.com/

Organization: Joel Hall Dancers and Center

Joel Hall Dancer Melissa Metro will lead a free, 60 minute beginner friendly Jazz class. This class consists of core strengthening, floor stretches, standing center barre, isolations, progressions, and placement. Tailored for the newcomer or curious passerby, this introductory class gives insights into the WERKQ and practice of the Joel Hall Dancers.

Address: Joel Hall Dancers & Center, 4511 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60640
Capacity: 30
Website:https://www.joelhall.org/

Organization: Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts

Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts is offering free community classes in Bharatanatyam, Fusion, Bollywood and Yoga for adults, and Bharatanatyam for children ages 5 and above.

Address: Kalapriya, 2101 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL
Capacity: 20 for adult class, 15 for kids class
Website:https://kalapriya.org/

Organization: Tellin Tales Theatre

Join Tellin’ Tales Theatre as we take a dive into the world of improv with “What’s Yours Like” our one of a kind team. Watch a rehearsal or if you are feeling brave enter into the fun with our talented team of improvisers both with and without disabilities. The accessibility jam is designed to accommodate all levels of ability and experience. The rehearsal will include improv games designed to include all levels of participation. If performing is out of your comfort zone, come as an observer as the rehearsal and games evolve into a world of laughter and creativity.

Address: Northeastern Illinois Univercity Building F (Stage Center) Room F109A
5500 North St. Louis Avenue Chicago, IL 60625
Capacity: 20
Website: 2026 Season: Out of The Ordinary – Tellin’ Tales Theatre

Organization: Ho Etsu Taiko

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Ho Etsu Taiko during an open dress rehearsal featuring the powerful rhythms of Japanese drumming.

Address: Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W Menomonee St, Chicago, IL 60614
Capacity: 15-20
Website:HO ETSU TAIKO | A Dynamic Taiko Ensemble – Chicago

Organization: About Face Theatre

Description: Join About Face Theatre and Raven Theatre for an exciting peek behind the curtain of their co-production of the Chicago premiere of Broadway smash hit A Strange Loop. This backstage tour offers hands-on theater education for high school and college students and direct, behind-the-scenes access to the Pulitzer and Tony Award–winning musical.

Participants will walk onto the production’s set and through backstage areas, experiencing the stage from a performer’s perspective while learning about the technical and design elements that sustain a professional production night after night.

Following the tour, the audience will take part in an open discussion with members of the staff and crew. Our Production Manager Audrey Kleine will offer insight on the logistics of running a professional show, and the journey from idea to built set. Participants will engage in a Q&A regarding design and the importance of visual storytelling, creative leadership, and a strong collective vision.

The program aims to demystify professional theater, expose students to career paths beyond performing, and connect the stories they see onstage to the craft and collaboration that make them possible

Address: Raven Theatre 6157 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660
Capacity: 30
Website:https://aboutfacetheatre.com/

Organization: Dresco Publishing LLC/Universal Togetherness Band

Overview: brief demo on old school and new school techniques with reference to digital vs vinyl. An impromptu dj battle and dance party!

Address: Intonation Music Center 3336 South State Street Chicago, IL
Capacity: 20-50
Website:https://www.instagram.com/chiatrecords/?hl=en