Elastic Arts

Their concert roster can get QUITE outside of the box in terms of performing style, but I’ve seen some incredible performances hosted by this organization. Definitely go support their efforts and the artists they feature — more often than not, I have been pleasantly surprised by their concerts.

One of the finest melodic, artistic and kickastic venues in the Chi. I’ve spectated in it, I’ve rocked it, I’ve passed out in it. Super kill acts and artists roll through this bad boy all the time! I Highly recommend AND you can get in for a friendly dime! Please support your local arts!

I have only made it here once and it was AWESOME! I went with 2 of my friends and a couple bottles of Fat Tire to see some free jazz. The music was grrrrreat and the art was really beautiful to look at too. I would love to make it back here again soon.

Even though from the looks of it, The Elastic Arts Foundation could be just another hole-​in-​the-​wall apartment gallery, it is a fully functional 501©3 that’s supported through the city of Chicago. That said, good for EAF and good for Chicago. Thankfully, the professionalism of EAF doesn’t hamper the experimental qualities of the sound and visual artists who perform in the space. I appreciate being able to sit in an actual chair while watching a performance instead of having to stand up because the gallery didn’t have enough money to buy dozens of chairs. It also seems like there’s a large SAIC contingent at EAF, although one could say that about almost any art space in Chicago, right? The programming at EAF is varied, meaning you won’t know exactly what to expect, so check out the website before you go.

Elastic Arts is a performance space above Friendship Chinese and also a non-​profit Arts organization run by an All-​Star list of Chicago’s best improvisers. The space itself is long and clean with low lamp lighting and bright colors. I’ve been to many spaces used by the Chicago improvising scene and can only say I was extremely impressed at the cleanliness.
On the opposite wall from the performers (Rosaly-​Rempis Duo) was an art show of photographs of Logan Square and paintings. Water was for sale and you can BYOB! Cover adequately covered the Duo but wasn’t too high. The Duo proceeded to rip our faces off with two hours of improvising (with a break).
It’s impressive to see such high quality musicians in a clean welcoming space doing it for themselves. This place deserves a look! I will definitely be back to support them.

I was dragged here to support a local emcee friend, this was his first live performance in over a year. I didn’t know much beforehand, except that it was a show at a Chinese restaurant? I Googled the address — Friendship Chinese was all that came up. I just thought to myself that this would be interesting — and maybe I could grab an egg roll :)
This venue is ABOVE Friendship Chinese restaurant and it’s byob. Even better. We rolled in with our 40’s and proceeded to have a great time. It’s basically a long, brightly colored room with a small stage. There had to be about 40 or so people there, so there was a nice crowd for such a small space.
We got a chance to see a variety of local hip hop acts, I’m a huge fan of the local scene. Everyone did their sets and afterwards it was a free for all. People from the audience were getting up on stage to sing and spit some of their own rhymes.
This is a hidden gem — hopefully more people will get the chance to experience this place. You’ve gotta support your local acts! And I can’t wait to get back here for some jazz.

This music venue, supported by a non-​commercial cooperative of local musicians, is easy to miss. Hidden on the second floor of Friendship Chinese restaurant, this venue supports a wide range of mostly non-​mainstream music, including free jazz on Thursday nights and hip-​hop on weekends. Supported only by small suggested donations ($ 5-​$ 10), this is a rare venue that is uncorrupted by economics of running a mainstream music club, sustained only by a commitment to and love of good music, and advertised only by word of mouth.
I’ve seen a couple of free jazz shows at their old location at 3030 Cortland, and they attract the same big names in the tiny free jazz scene that you’d see at Velvet Lounge, Empty Bottle, the Hideout, or Hungry Brain. At the new location, I stopped by to see a night of old jazz movies.
This is not the kind of spot for a rowdy night on the town, but more appropriate for a low-​key night of entertainment with the same reverence for silent appreciation you’d find in a library.