Music Moves Chicago

Music Moves Chicago Old Town School’s community-based initiative providing arts education and concerts across Chicago.

We’re excited to offer the Brass Band Intensive again this summer 💥! The two-week program provides students with a rare ...
05/19/2026

We’re excited to offer the Brass Band Intensive again this summer 💥! The two-week program provides students with a rare experience to learn brass band music from New Orleans which is used during second line parades.

Led by Old Town School faculty and the Windy City Ramblers, the camp is designed to deepen youth knowledge and understanding of jazz and r&b. Campers will also learn about the history of second line parades and how to play classic compositions from the New Orleans jazz canon!

We look continue to look forward to this growing program! What an awesome opportunity for current and future young musicians 🔥

Limited spots so sign up quickly! Share with a young musician 🤞🏾

🎺 Program Dates: July 13 - 24, 2025, Monday - Friday
🥁 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
🎷 Ages: 12 - 17
📍Location: Catalyst Circle Rock • 5608 W. Washington Blvd Chicago, IL 60644

🤑 All campers will receive a $500 stipend on completion of the program! 

🖇️ Deadline to apply is Friday, June 5. Link in bio!

Photos 📸 by

05/18/2026

Here’s your friendly reminder that we have a pretty stacked YouTube that you should check out! 🤪

We just uploaded two new videos created by our friends featuring the one and only Mama Djeneba Sako! Link in bio 🖇️

Were you at class when Mama Djeneba was in town? There were 90 people in the room and the energy was right! 🔥

We hope to see you at the next Tuesday class.

Full video is on YouTube! What do the people say: like, rate subscribe? 👍🏾

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Cover 📸

We’re back with our partners .banjo.reclamation for 3 banjo meet ups during this spring session! The first is THIS Sunda...
05/15/2026

We’re back with our partners .banjo.reclamation for 3 banjo meet ups during this spring session! The first is THIS Sunday, May 17th at 1PM.

This is a Black musical affinity space that welcomes all skill levels! Bring your banjo but if not there are a few banjos available share.🪕💥

We’re gather every 3rd Sunday of the month and we look forward to seeing our regulars and also welcoming newcomers into the fold!

PS, we have some really exciting news coming about how we are digging deeper into our efforts of uplifting, reclaiming and empowering current Black banjo players and enthusiasts, a like. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, Contact facilitator Micah at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information on the meetups and we’ll see you there.

Chicago Banjo Meet Ups with Black Banjo Reclamation Project
⏳ Third Sundays from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
🗓️ May 17, June 21, July 19
📍Chicago Art Department • 1926 S Halsted St.. Chicago, IL 60608 • South Side of Chicago
✨ Limited banjos available for use

We’ll see you all soon for South Side Fireflies with and !South Side Fireflies is the perfect place to get your Saturda...
05/09/2026

We’ll see you all soon for South Side Fireflies with and !

South Side Fireflies is the perfect place to get your Saturdays as a family started! Together, we’re moving, singing, popping bubbles, making music, playing and listening to ! Join us as Angel and Julian lead us through this early childhood music program meant for the youngest in your families but fun enough for the whole family to join in! Did we mention it’s free? 👀

We’re here at the Arts Incubator space every Saturday at 11 am (except the 4th of July) until July 11. See you soon 🫧

South Side FireFlies with Angel Bat Dawid and Julian Otis
⏳ Every Saturday from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🗓️ May 2 - July 11 (no class July 4th)
📍Arts + Public Life Arts Incubator • 301 E Garfield Park Blvd, Chicago, IL 60637 • South Side of Chicago

Pssst we also have West Side Fireflies on Tuesdays at 5 with our friends over at ✨

05/07/2026

Tonight 5/7 we’re back at 6:30 for week ✌🏾 of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba with Lauren Brooks!

Enjoy this raw video of our special South Side Bomba community that we’re building brick by brick. It’s a long one but the joy we have in our batey is hard to edit down! A lot of the students entering this space are fairly new to the tradition, but they show up weekly, committed to the work. Their care for it shows in the way they listen, internalize, take risks, and return to the batey ready to try again! And that could be you if you haven’t joined us yet 👀

It’s an open space for all levels to learn and share! We couldn’t do it without our tradition keepers: Lauren, Pyro, Berto, and Arif! See you tonight.

FREE and OPEN to the Public.

If you have a wide fold (skirt) or pañuelo (scarf), bring it. If you’re looking to order a wide skirt, dm us ✨

Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba with Lauren Brooks
⏳ Every Thursday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 30 - July 2
📍Washington Park Fieldhouse • 5531 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637

PS the last class is always a party so mark you calendars for a South Side Baile de Bomba, Thursday, July 2nd! 🎉

Hey there! Hope you don’t mind this late night post with some exciting news ✨We’re honored to offer Camp Azania for the ...
05/07/2026

Hey there! Hope you don’t mind this late night post with some exciting news ✨

We’re honored to offer Camp Azania for the fifth summer! Camp Azania is a FREE unique day camp for 6-12 year olds that provides children with an immersive, dynamic experience with music and dance, connecting youth to the expansive world of African diasporic arts and culture.

Led by Old Town School and Azania Drum faculty and staff, the camp is designed to engage students in deep cultural exploration. Campers will learn to play traditional music and perform dance styles from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Cuba, Brazil, and Puerto Rico!

We’re excited to partner with this year to provide this special summer camp ✨

There are limited spots available. Link in bio to apply!

Camp Azania 2026 Details:
📅 Camp Dates: June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks)
⏰ Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
📍 It Takes A Village Leadership Academy 4930 S Cottage Grove Ave Chicago, IL 60615
🤑 FREE
👉🏾Application Deadline — Friday, May 15
🖇️ in bio or screenshot the qr code!

Collage feat 📸 by and

We’re back on the floor tomorrow night with .fatou for West African Dance!Tues May 5 @ 6:30 PM, and for the next 9 Tuesd...
05/04/2026

We’re back on the floor tomorrow night with .fatou for West African Dance!

Tues May 5 @ 6:30 PM, and for the next 9 Tuesdays, we’ll be together for this Spring Session exploring West African dance, music, and more! We’re grateful for all those who continue to come out to enjoy this class and we always look forward to seeing new faces.

Comment ❤️‍🔥 if you plan on being there!

Classes are FREE and OPEN to the public. We’ll see you there!

West African Dance
⏳ Every Tuesday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 28 - May 26 with Zenzile Fatou
🗓️ June 2 - June 30 with Maila Sylla
📍Washington Park Fieldhouse • 5531 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
💰 FREE
#

freeprogramming

Also, to be a strong traditional West African dancers it helps to learn the music associated with these traditions. Consider taking ’s new Adult Djembe Orchestra class that happens every Monday @ 6:30 ! It’s free too 🥳

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump in… this is it 👀Tomorrow, Mon April 27 @ 6:30pm, join us for the first...
04/26/2026

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump in… this is it 👀

Tomorrow, Mon April 27 @ 6:30pm, join us for the first day of our new offering: Adult Djembe Orchestra with John Chapman.

has been part of the Old Town School and Music Moves family for years, and we’re honored to offer a class that continues to highlight his knowledge of the powerful djembe orchestra. He’s done extensive work with youth through his artistic leadership , and now he’s bringing that same depth and expertise of the djembe, dundunba, sangban, kenkeni + more to adults ☺️🎉

For 10 weeks, this FREE class will invite you deeper into the world of traditional West African music, whether you’re a vet or you’re new to the game. We can’t wait!

Thank you to our partners for providing the space for this special class ✨

Bring your own drum if you can but some will be available for use. See you there!

Photos by ✨

Adult Djembe Orchestra with John Chapman
⏳ Every Monday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 27 - June 29
📍Rise Training Academy • 8300 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620
🤑 FREE and Open to the public

🚨THIS SUNDAY April 26🚨, will be in town so it’s only right that we gather again for a very special banjo jam session! I...
04/23/2026

🚨THIS SUNDAY April 26🚨, will be in town so it’s only right that we gather again for a very special banjo jam session!

If you couldn’t make this past Sunday’s gathering or you were hoping to be able to gather sooner than our May meet up, then Sunday’s your chance.

We can’t wait! See you soon!

Limited banjos avaliable for use 🪕

🗓️ Sun April 26
🕐 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
📍 Chicago Art Department | 1926 S Halsted St Chicago, IL 60608

This break went so fast and we’re not mad about it! 😎Spring Session of 2026 is here for 10 weeks!All programming is FREE...
04/22/2026

This break went so fast and we’re not mad about it! 😎
Spring Session of 2026 is here for 10 weeks!
All programming is FREE and OPEN to the public 🫡 Pull up!

🚨NEW CLASS🚨 Adult Djembe Orchestra with John Chapman
⏳ Every Monday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 27 - June 29
📍Rise Training Academy • 8300 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620• SouthSide of Chicago
✨ Drums avaliable for use

West Side Fireflies with Angel Bat Dawid and Julian Otis*
⏳ Every Tuesday from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🗓️ April 28 - June 30
📍A House in Austin  • 533 N Pine Ave, Chicago, IL 60644 • West Side of Chicago

West African Dance
⏳ Every Tuesday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 28 - May 26 with Zenzile Fatou
🗓️ June 2 - June 30 with Maila Sylla
📍Washington Park Fieldhouse • 5531 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
• South Side of Chicago

Afro-Cuban Dance with Edson Cabrera
⏳ Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
🗓️ April 29 - July 1
📍 Kennicott Park • 4433 S. Lake Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60653 • South Side of Chicago

Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba with Lauren Brooks
⏳ Every Thursday from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
🗓️ April 30 - July 2
📍Washington Park Fieldhouse • 5531 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
• South Side of Chicago

South Side FireFlies with Angel Bat Dawid and Julian Otis*
⏳ Every Saturday from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🗓️ May 2 - July 11
📍Arts + Public Life Arts Incubator • 301 E Garfield Park Blvd, Chicago, IL 60637 • South Side of Chicago

Chicago Banjo Meet Ups with Black Banjo Reclamation Project
⏳ Third Sundays from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
🗓️ May 17, June 21, July 19
📍Chicago Art Department • 1926 S Halsted St.. Chicago, IL 60608 • South Side of Chicago
✨ Limited banjos available for use

Grab a friend, spread the word, and we’ll see you out there!



*Fireflies is a free early childhood music program introduces toddlers and preschoolers to the magic of sound and play — all through the Earth, Wind & Fire songbook. The whole family is welcome!

04/21/2026

We are still filled with so much joy from this past Friday and Saturday’s 3rd Annual Black History Future Folk Symposium 💚

We are taking a moment to gather ourselves as we continue finding the words to express our deepest gratitude. For now, we’ll begin with a few thank yous.

First and foremost, thank you to the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Community Ventures team for producing this event, and Arts + Public Life, along with our incredible volunteers.

To all of the artists, scholars, and presenters who shared their time, knowledge, and artistry with us, we are deeply grateful. It was an honor to celebrate your work while also honoring the legacy of our guiding light, Katherine Dunham. We are especially grateful to everyone who showed up, participated, moved, listened, and poured into the space. Your presence is what brought the Symposium to life.

To Heather Beal, Chicago Windy City Ramblers, Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company, Daniel Désir, Stacy Letrice, Hope Houston, Ruby Streate, Ysaÿe Alma, Amansu Eason, Keishonda Simms, Sadira Muhammad, Donald Dorcilus, Ayinde Jean-Baptiste, Jennifer Ligaya, Ayesha Jaco, Joshlean Fair, Nikki Noland, Tiff Mondy, John Chapman, Moyahke DuBois, Jeremiah Cobb, and Nkosi Ingram, THANK YOU! This gathering would not have been possible without your care, commitment, and belief in this work.

To learn more about the folks who participated, there’s a link in our bio with all the presenters biographies. They are also tagged, so be sure to follow their stories!

And we’ll see you again in April 2027 👀😉

Address

Chicago, IL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

(773) 728-6000

Website

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