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Chicago Reader Nonprofit Guide 2022

For the return of the Chicago Reader Nonprofit Guide, we decided to highlight a specific section of our continually updated online database. The Arts & Culture section of our Nonprofit Guide is dizzyingly vast, with organizations representing a diversity of locations within Chicagoland, a variety of communities served, and the entirety of the visual and performing arts celebrated. This section reflects the strength in numbers of our service-based nonprofit community in the Chicago area, a community that the Reader Institute for Community Journalism is proud to be a part of.

The Chicago Reader Nonprofit Guide is maintained on a regular basis by Reader staffers and includes Chicago area organizations and projects. We partnered with Executive Service Corps in 2021 to include many of the more than 1,000 nonprofits in their database.

This guide includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored grassroots, arts, media, and other organizations, and some social enterprises. There are many thousands of these in this area, so this guide is meant to be a starting point in the exploration of this vibrant part of our region.

Don’t see your organization here? Go to chicagoreader.com/nonprofitsurvey to add your group or request corrections.

Show your support of these groups through donations of time, money, or other resources. Help amplify their work, attend their shows or programs, or express appreciation in any way you can.

The print version of the Nonprofit Guide is available as a separate PDF download and is also included in the full print issue PDF.

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Celebrate Andersonville’s eclectic independent businesses community this holiday season

Held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (this year November 26), Small Business Saturday celebrates independent business owners during the bustling holiday season. Shopping local is an easy way for anyone to support independent businesses and help neighborhoods thrive, and in Chicago, one of the best places to get in on the fun is Andersonville. Located on the city’s north side, the vibrant, diverse, and friendly neighborhood has become a destination spot for its unique and quirky assortment of boutiques, dining establishments, and cafes.

For this holiday season, we’ve compiled a gift guide featuring some of the neighborhood’s amazing independent retailers, dining establishments, and more.

For the anything goes

With its mix of independent boutiques and galleries, Andersonville makes holiday shopping a breeze, even when the people on your list are famously hard to shop for. At ENJOY, An Urban General Store(5307 N. Clark), you can find art, apparel, collectibles, puzzles, home goods, holiday cards, and stocking stuffers for every age and sense of humor.

Foursided (5061 N. Clark) and Andersonville Galleria (5247 N. Clark) are the perfect places for custom art, vintage and antique finds, artisanal wares and more. And with Strange Cargo’s(5216 N. Clark) custom-printed t-shirts, you know your gifts are always the perfect fit.

For the bejeweled

Give your loved one the gift of fine jewelry at Bryn Mawr Jewelry Co. (5139 N. Clark). Family-owned and operated since 2004, the local retailer is known for its meticulously crafted custom jewelry designs, repair services, and its gorgeous array of watches, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and other timeless gifts. We also recommend Milk Handmade (5137 N. Clark), which features not just jewelry, but also clothing and bath and beauty products.

For the bookworms

Winter is the coziest time of year to snuggle up with a cup of cocoa and dig into a great book, and there’s no place like Andersonville’s small business district to shop for titles to please everyone on your list. Intersectional feminist bookstoreWomen & Children First (5233 N. Clark) carries more than 20,000 books that center BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women’s voices, while friendly neighborhood comic shopAlleyCat Comics(5304 N. Clark) stocks a mix of comics for all ages and tastes, including youth- and young adult- oriented selections, iconic series from DC and Marvel, and titles by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators.

For the fitness enthusiasts

The cold weather and comfort foods that are synonymous with the holiday season can make it challenging to stick to your health and wellness goals, but Andersonville’s small business community has got your back. State-of-the-art fitness facility Cheetah Gym(5248 N. Clark) offers gift certificates for personal training sessions, group instruction, Yoga Tree classes, and more. Chicago Dance Supply (5301 N. Clark) carries a selection of dancewear, tights, and training equipment suitable for men, women, and youth. And for those interested in sports recovery, injury prevention, or relaxation, Andersonville Cryotherapy and Athletic Recovery Center (5052 N. Clark) provides a variety of services, including whole body, spot, and facial therapy.

For the friends and lovers

Pioneering women-owned, gay- and trans-friendly boutique Early to Bed(5138 N. Clark) has won awards for their progressive, inclusive approach to sex. Along with their vast selection of high-quality sex toys for any taste or budget, they’ve got plenty of G- and PG-rated gifts including scented massage oils, instructional and educational books, and wearables for any body.

For the foodies

Along with top-notch restaurants and cafes, Andersonville’s variety of grocers, bakers, and specialty food businesses make the neighborhood the perfect place to stock up for your holiday party or office potluck. Middle East Bakery & Grocery (1512 W. Foster) carries a delectable selection of house-made breads and pastries, imported sweets, and plenty of dates, nuts, olives, and other craveable bites. For those avoiding gluten, Defloured (1477 W. Balmoral) has got you covered with their artisan-baked gluten-free breads, cakes, cookies, party trays, and more. And at Twidley Bits, they know few things go better with fresh bread than scrumptious, spreadable toppings, so visit them online or find a local retailer (in Andersonville, that includes the Fromagerie & Tasting Room) to mix and match their giftable assortment of shelf-stable fruit butters, plant-based cheeses, and jams.

For the holiday spirits

Celebrate the holiday season and say cheers to the new year with a bottle of an adult beverage of your choice from one of Andersonville’s independent retailers. Stop at In Fine Spirits(5418 N. Clark) to peruse their curated selection of wine, beer, and specialty liquors for any occasion, or visit The Fromagerie & Tasting Room (an extension of Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar at 5555 N. Clark) for select wines, cheese, charcuterie boards, and gift baskets. And don’t forget to pop in to the neighborhood’s beloved bar Simon’s Tavern (5210 N Clark)for a holiday cocktail or warm spiced homemade glogg.

This sponsored content is paid for by Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.

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Mutual aid, speed dating, polka, and Satanic Panic

Now through Saturday, Logan Square Mutual Aid (LSMA) is looking for volunteers. Today and tomorrow, the group needs help calling or texting families to arrange the week’s food deliveries. Friday they’re looking for help sorting food and packing bags for Saturday’s drop-off (work shifts from 2-4 PM and/or 4-7 PM; work space at LSMA’s free store, 2311 N. Keystone). And Thursday night (6-9 PM) and Saturday (11 AM-1 PM), LSMA welcomes donation drop-offs and also needs volunteers to organize and restock the store. The group also needs drivers to deliver food bags and volunteers to organize the warehouse and load cars for delivery. Further information, including where to direct questions, can be found on LSMA’s Instagram or website. (MC)

If you’re not already aware, Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year–what some have dubbed “Blackout Wednesday.” While there is no shortage of places to party tonight, here are a few suggestions—for those 21 and older, of course.

The lonely-hearted will want to check out Schubas (3159 N. Southport); at 8 PM, they’re hosting the Perfect Mash, an interactive dating show hosted by the queer speed dating pop-up Hot Potato Hearts. Tickets ($10) include a chance to win a date with one of the three contestants, which you can learn about on Hot Potato Hearts’ Instagram.
If you’re looking for a gay ol’ time (pun intended), check out the annual Blackout Wednesday Black Light Party at D.S. Tequila Company (3352 N. Halsted). The lights come down low as Miss Toto and Boy J welcome drag performances by Angelíca Grace, Johnny, and Nico. With no cover, drink specials all night, and music by DJ Rico Smash, things are going to really pop off, starting at 10 PM.
Now if music is more your priority, might I suggest Research & Development night at the Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee)? If you’re familiar with the monthly dark techno offerings of DJs JS Alvarez and Makeen, then you’ll know it normally happens on the final Thursday of the month—but with dance music this good, how could the Whistler sacrifice November’s slot to Thanksgiving! Tonight’s DJs include Linda, Scim, They.Party, and Makeen and the party starts at 9 PM. This event is free, and the dance floor will fill up fast so get there sooner rather than later. (MC)

Sometimes I’ll joke with our music editor, Philip Montoro, and ask why the Chicago Reader does such a disservice to the city of Chicago by not covering more polka events. While the truth is that we actually have covered polka musicians and enthusiasts in the past, Montoro’s section proved me very wrong earlier this month when our longtime contributing writer Steve Krakow told the story of “Li’l Wally” Jagiello for his Secret History of Chicago Music column earlier this month. If reading about Jagiello’s prolific polka discography and legacy enticed you to seek out more accordions for your aural pleasure, tonight’s Thanksgiving Eve Polka Hop, at Polonia Banquets in Brighton Park, will give you a chance to listen to the music and memories and dance the night away, Blazonczyk-style. In 1965, Chicago polka legend Eddie Blazonczyk hosted the first of many Thanksgiving eve polka dances at the then-named Polonia Ballroom, and it proved to be such a popular evening that Blazonczyk and his band continued to host the event for years, until he passed away in 2012. Tonight is billed as “One More Time” as Eddie’s widow Tish Blazonczyk takes over hosting duties, with son Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze band holding court. Admission is $12 at the door (6-10 PM, 4604 S. Archer, go to Tish’s Bel-Aire Recordings website for more information). (SCJ)

Versalicious! was published in 2003.

Metal Blade Records sponsors tonight’s Metal Movie Night at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport), where two films from the Satanic Panic era of troubled teen cinema will be screened: 1988’s Black Roses and 1986’s Trick or Treat. Black Roses stars soap opera regular John Martin as a small-town high school teacher who is challenged with saving teenage souls from a heavy metal band that might actually be demons in disguise. And Trick or Treat stars Marc Price (he was “Skippy” on Family Ties!) as a bullied teen into metal who discovers that his music idol Sammi Curr might be trying to make a heavy comeback . . . from the grave. Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne make cameo appearances, and predictably, all hell breaks loose. A pre-show party featuring vending from Death Rattle Market and the Horror House plus music from Metal Blade starts at 6 PM in the Music Box Lounge; movies begin at 8 PM. For tickets, go to the Music Box Theatre website. (SCJ)

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Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon November 23, 2022 at 8:36 pm

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

What’s New

16th Street Theater

3Arts (Three Arts)

6D Networktainment (Six D Networktainment)

773 Dance Project

A Periodic Chicago (a·pe·ri·od·ic)

A Theatre in the Dark

About Face Theatre

Access Contemporary Music

Accidental Shakespeare Theatre Company

Actors Gymnasium, The

Adler Planetarium

Adventure Stage Chicago

Aguijon Theater Company

Akvavit Theatre

Albany Park Theater Project

American Blues Theater

American Writers Museum

Anima Singers – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus

Annoyance Theatre

Apollo Chorus of Chicago

Apollo Theater

Arab American Action Network

Art Encounter

Art Helps Heal

Art Institute of Chicago

Art on Sedgwick

Art Works Projects

Artemis Singers

Artemisia Theatre

Artistic Home, The

Artists Breaking Limits and Expectations (ABLE)

Arts Capacity

Arts of Life, The

Asian Improv Arts Midwest

Assyrian Cultural Foundation

AstonRep Theatre Company

Athenaeum Theatre

Auditorium Theatre

Aurora Historical Society

Avalanche Theatre

Babes With Blades Theatre

Bach Week Festival

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

Belmont Theater District

Beverly Arts Center, The

Beverly Theater Guild

Bienen School of Music

Black Button Eyes Productions

Black Ensemble Theater

Blank Theatre

Bluebird Arts

BoHo Theatre

Brazilian Cultural Center of Chicago

Brickton Art Center

BrightSide Theatre

Broken Nose Theatre

Bronzeville Children’s Museum

Bronzeville Historical Society

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble

Casa Michoacán

Catherine Edelman Gallery

Caxton Club

Cedille Chicago

Center for Native Futures

Changing Worlds

Chicago A Cappella

Chicago Academy for the Arts

Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Artistic Alliance

Chicago Artists Coalition

Chicago Artists for Action

Chicago Ballet Arts

Chicago Ballet Center

Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Cabaret Professionals

Chicago Chamber Musicians

Chicago Children’s Choir

Chicago Children’s Museum

Chicago Children’s Theatre