Upcoming Events at Columbia College Chicago

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A summary of upcoming public events at Columbia College Chicago.

The Columbia College Chicago calendar is filled with exciting cultural and educational experiences. We invite the campus community and the public to explore our wide range of musical performances, art exhibitions, lectures, and shopping events - all designed to inspire and engage the Chicago community. 

November 2023

November 2
The Efroymson Creative Writing Reading Series: Josh Barkan: 2-3 p.m.
Hokin Lecture Hall, 623 S. Wabash Room 109
Cost: Free
As a part of the Efroymson Creative Writing Series, the English and Creative Writing Department will host author Josh Barkan. Barkan's work includes the novel Blind Speed and short story collections Before Hiroshima and Mexico—named one of five best story collections of 2017 by Library Journal.

November 2 
Beyond Bars Chicago Premiere:7-9 p.m. 
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor 
Cost: Free 
Brave New Films welcomes the public for the Chicago Premiere of "Beyond Bars," a new documentary from Robert Greenwald, director of “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism” and “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.” The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Chesa Boudin, Cook County DA Kim Foxx, and other distinguished guests. The film exposes the punitive and traumatic impact of mass incarceration on children, families, and communities. It simultaneously tells the story of progressive legal reformers who fight for public safety and resist the unjust and racist system designed to lock people up.  

November 6-20 
Beyond the Binary Art Showcase: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 
Columbia College Student Center, 754 S. Wabash, 5th floor  
Cost: Free 
Beyond the Binary is an all-trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming art showcase featuring Columbia creators and artists! The closing reception will take place on November 20 from 5:30-8 p.m.  

November 7 and 28  
Acoustic Kitchen Open Stage:6:30-8:30 p.m.  
Cost: Free 
Haus, 623 S. Wabash, 1st floor 
Acoustic Kitchen is a monthly open stage for acoustic musicians and singers in the Columbia College community. Enjoy great music in a welcoming coffeehouse-type atmosphere.  

November 8 
Emily Balcetis Broadcast With National Society of Leadership:5-7 p.m. 
Columbia College Student Center, 754 S. Wabash, Room 329 
Cost: Free 
Watch a live broadcast of "How Successful People See the World," hosted by the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS.) Balcetis is an Associate Professor of Psychology and the Director of the New York University Social Perception Action and Motivation research lab. She is dedicated to using her research to improve the conditions of underserved populations, those experiencing economic disadvantage, students who are the first in their families to attend college, and individuals working in fields where they are underrepresented. 

November 8 
Valerie Mercer — ART NOW! Lecture: 6-7:30 p.m. 
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th floor 
Cost: Free  
Valerie J. Mercer has made significant contributions to the Detroit Institute of Arts since 2001, serving as its first curator of African American art and leading the establishment of galleries dedicated to African American art in 2007. She has curated impactful exhibitions and publications, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of African American art and its importance within the museum's collections, while also fostering a more inclusive environment for Detroit's diverse population. 

November 9  
Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain:7-9 p.m. 
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor 
Cost: Free 
Please Don’t Destroy, SNL’s golden sketch trio, are going on a hunt for gold in an upcoming buddy comedy for Universal Pictures out November 17 on Peacock. See a free advance screening with complimentary movie merch. 

November 9-18 
“On the Town:” 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays 
The Courtyard Theatre, Getz Theatre Center, 72 E. 11th St. 
Cost: Free 
This energetic wartime musical is about three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City.  As directed by Amy Toruno this production will also investigate diversity within the branches of the military, dispelling the notion of an all-white fighting force during the World Wars of the 20th century. 

November 17 
Artist Talk: Jacob Sutton: “Natural”: 5:30-6:30 p.m.  
Haus, 623 S. Wabash Ave. 1st floor 
Cost: Free 
Artist talk and cast panel discussion with Jacob Sutton and the cast of "Natural" (Kelso Antoine, Shiloh Tumo Washington, Victoria Grace, Taylor Wren, and Vincent Brown.) "Natural" is a multimedia exploration of Black identity, beauty standards, and the objectification of Black bodies in society. Through documentary filmmaking, photography, and graphic text, Sutton challenges stereotypes, celebrating strength and individuality within the Black community. 

November 29 
Friedhard Kiekeben — ART NOW! Lecture:6-7:30 p.m. 
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th floor  
Cost: Free 
Kiekeben is an internationally recognized artist whose work blurs the boundaries between digital and traditional art forms. His "overpaintings" combine digitally created, printed, and hand-painted image layers, reviving a lesser-known art form pioneered by artists like Arnulf Rainer, Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, and John Baldessari in the late 1960s.  

November 29 
Lecture in Photography: Curran Hatleberg:6-7:30 p.m. 
Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave.  
Cost: Free 
Curran Hatleberg is a photographer based in Baltimore, Md. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including shows at the Whitney Museum of American Art, MASS MoCA, the International Center of Photography, Rencontres d’Arles, Higher Pictures and Fraenkel Gallery.   

November 29 
Christina Wallace (Harvard MBA) Speaker Broadcast:6-7:30 p.m. 
The Loft, 754 S. Wabash Ave. 2nd floor 
Cost: Free 
Wallace is a multifaceted professional with a diverse career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. She currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and co-course head for The Entrepreneurial Manager. Her latest book, "The Portfolio Life," was published in 2023. Previously, she held roles as a vice president of growth at Bionic, founded BridgeUp: STEM, and co-founded Quincy Apparel, a venture-backed fashion company. She is an active angel investor in early-stage tech startups and a prolific speaker, writer, and consultant on various topics. She is also known for co-authoring "New to Big" and hosting the podcast "The Limit Does Not Exist." 

November 30 
The Percussion Ensemble in Concert: 7-8 p.m. 
1312 S. Michigan Avenue 
Cost: Free  

November 30, December 1, 2, and 3
Russell Gunn Residency Concert:8-11 p.m. 
The Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court 
Cost: $20 public; $10 faculty, staff, and families of performers; $5 students with ID
Columbia College Chicago presents Grammy-nominee trumpeter and composer Russell Gunn in several public performances with students at the historic Jazz Showcase. Gunn worked with Columbia’s Jazz Ensemble, Fusion Ensemble, and ChicagoVox students as part of Columbia’s Artist in Residence program. Purchase tickets at www.jazzshowcase.com

December 2023

December 4-20 
ShopColumbia's 15th Annual Holiday Market:Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fridays by appointment  
ShopColumbia, 619 S. Wabash Ave. 
Cost: Free 
ShopColumbia is a year-round boutique located in the heart of Columbia’s South Loop Campus. In addition to selling the best of what Columbia artists make, ShopColumbia is a learning laboratory for emerging artists. The shop supports students by providing a professional environment to hone the process of presenting, marketing, and selling work to the public. Students earn 75% from sales and faculty, staff and alumni earn 50%. Since ShopColumbia opened fall of 2008, ShopColumbia artists have earned over $450,000 from the sale of their work. Customers will find affordable gift options with most items priced between $10-40.  

December 5 
The Musical Theater Ensemble in Concert:7-8 p.m. 
1312 S. Michigan Avenue 
Cost: Free  

December 11 
Music Composition Recital:7-9 p.m. 
1312 S. Michigan Avenue 
Cost: Free  

December 11 
Songwriting Recital:12:30-2:30 p.m. 
1312 S. Michigan Avenue 
Cost: Free  

December 11 
The Singers Showcase:7-8:30 p.m. 
1312 S. Michigan Avenue 
Cost: Free 

December 12  
Chicago Vox and the Pop Rock Ensemble in Concert: 7-9 p.m.  
The Music Center Concert Hall,1014 S. Michigan Ave.  
Cost: Free 

December 13 
The New Music Ensemble in Concert:7-9 p.m.  
Recital Hall, 1312 S. Michigan Ave.  
Cost: Free 
The New Music Ensemble (NME) performs music specifically created for and by its performers/composers in any style—from classical to EDM and anything in between—for the instruments available, including computers and digital instruments. 

December 13  
The Hip Hop Ensemble and The Gospel Band: Showcase in Concert:7-9 p.m. 
The Music Center Concert Hall, 1014 S. Michigan Ave. 
Cost: Free 

December 13 
The Latin Ensemble: Showcase in Concert:7-9 p.m. 
The Music Center Concert Hall,1014 S. Michigan Ave.   
Cost: Free 

December 14 and 15 
SAKAFU 2023: Repertory Performance Works: 7:30 p.m. 
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Cost: $30 public; free to Columbia College Chicago students 
SAKAFU2023 culminates a semester-long process of student dancers working with visiting artist and cultural ambassador of New Orleans tradition and Second Line Aesthetic Michelle Gibson. Most recently profiled in The New York Times for her Jacob’s Pillow premiere, Gibson is a much sought-after choreographer and dance educator who sees dance as a way to “roll on the same rhythms together and move forward – that’s what the world needs.” Also on the program will be works choreographed by Umfundalai practitioner Bevara Anderson, former Mordine & Company Dancers Dardi McGinley-Gallivan and Pam McNeil, and Dr. Ayo Walker. 

December 1-23 
Shop Columbia Holiday Market:Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Shop Columbia, 619 S. Wabash Ave.  
Cost: Free 
Columbia College Chicago’s art boutique hosts a month-long showcase of one-of-a-kind items designed and created by Columbia artists. The Holiday Market features over 150 student, alumni, faculty, and staff artists selling unique gifts, fine art, photography, paintings, clothing, fashion accessories, stationery, music, zines, and more!

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