COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Bring in all those pest-free, healthy plants of any size or rooted cuttings that you want to trade with other plant lovers. Come in with something you have tired of and possibly leave with something new to you!

A retrospective of various series of works by Beth Shadur

Evanston Folk Festival returns for its second year on the spectacular lakefront at Dawes Park on Chicago’s North Shore. Join us September 6 + 7, 2025, as more than 30 world-class artists take the stage with Lake Michigan as a beautiful backdrop. Listen and learn at in-person interviews and panels with authors and luminaries presented by Chicago Public Media.

And keep the music going after the sun sets with intimate evening performances at Cahn Auditorium. Folk Festival wouldn’t exist without our folks…so grab your weekend or single-day passes and we’ll see you in September for another magical weekend celebrating the rich history of folk music in Evanston.

My first open studio Saturday is coming Saturday Sep 6 and I’m giving away something nifty.

That is all.

Every first Saturday of the month, Sketchbook teams up with @evanston_made for our monthly Sketch at Sketchbook event from 1-2:30 p.m. This family-friendly session offers up sketching tips from professional artists and free materials.

First Saturday Evanston Art Events invite the community to explore Evanston’s Creative Community, at openings and events across Evanston. Build your art-filled day using the event listing below (all have different times and locations) and the Google Map

Gallery 901 presents a multimedia showcase of artwork created by Open Studio instructors, teaching artists, and art therapists. The Facilitator plays a crucial role in the Open Studio process, providing support and guidance to individuals, holding space for groups of participants, and modeling our foundational practices of mindfulness, empathy, and creativity. Some of the artwork in this show was created during our programs, some in the artist’s own time. All are a result of engaging in the process of creating art not just for the product, but also using it as a means to process emotions, calm thoughts, work through struggles, or just to relax and enjoy being creative. The works on display provide a vivid reminder that OSP facilitators are on their own artistic journeys, through drawing, painting, sculpture, and beyond.

Chris Walker and Paula Shur present: fragments and shadows, diverging artistic responses to a world in flux.

Sept. 4-28, 2025

Opening Reception on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, 5-7 p.m.

Virtual Artists’ Talk on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, 7-8 p.m.

Join your favorite people and drink your favorite beers! If that's not enough ...

Sat 8/30 7pm - True Colors Drag Show

Sat 9/6 7pm - Live Music

Sat 9/13 6pm - Karaoke

Sat 9/20 7pm - Trivia

Sat 9/27 7pm - Music Bingo

Meter parking is free city-wide the first Saturday of each month from 6pm-9pm.

Click the link above for more information.

Join bookbinder and artist Lisa Haskin to learn various techniques to create your own accordion books.

Accordion books are versatle and charming, and can lay flat as well as stand up for display! In this two hour workshop, you'll create several kinds of accordion folded books, and no experience is necessary to join in on the fun. Your choice of dates to choose from!

Sip & Stroll Southeast Evanston!

Enjoy wine tastings in dozens of locally, independently-owned shops on Main Street and Dempster St in Evanston. There will be small bites at many stops and live music along the way. Plus, it's for a good cause!

DID WE MENTION THE WINE WALK IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE?

This year's event benefits Books & Breakfast, an Evanston-based non-profit.Since 2013, Books & Breakfast (B&B) has partnered with Evanston School District 65 (D65) to advance educational equity, disrupting the impact of systemic racism on Black and Latinx students and filling the gaps in resources for students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Sketchbook Oktoberfest celebration Friday, September 19 - Sunday September 21 at both taprooms. We’ll have live music, stein hoisting and hammerschlagen competitions, food and, of course, lots of Oktoberfest beer. Stay tuned for the full lineup and schedule in our upcoming newsletters and on social media!

The Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, who brought Main Street Fair back to Main Street in 2025, are back at it with their signature event, Taste of Evanston!

The Taste hosts several MDM restaurants, so you'll see familiar faces!

Workshop Offering: ‘Creativity and Meditation’: For Artists. This workshop will walk you through some tools to empower your creativity.

Hosted at Evanston Clairvoyant Center, 941 Chicago Avenue

Date: Monday, Sept. 22, 6:30 – 8p. Click here to sign up

If you've ever wanted to work on your crafts surrounded by cats, now’s your chance! Join us for our Open Craft Night, where you can bring your supplies and create, maybe even with a furry friend curl up in your lap.

Entry to craft night is by donation. We encourage you to give an amount that feels right to you. Every contribution supports our lifesaving work!

There is literally always something amazing to do in the neighborhood once you understand that we're the home of one of the most amazing concert venues in Chicagoland. Enjoy browsing the packed schedule at the link.

Booked Club for

Grown-Ups!

Third Wednesday, 7pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

POUR Book Club

Last Wednesday, 7pm

Evanston Pour,

528 Dempster

DETAILS

Sunday Smut Book Club

Last Sunday, 3pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

Cooked Book Club

First Wednesday, 7pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

Tuesday Night Trivia

at Pour!

Every Tuesday

6pm-8pm

Evanston Pour

528 Dempster St

1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes, plus Happy Hour Specials

DETAILS

Wednesday Night Trivia at Firehouse Grill!

Firehouse Grill

750 Chicago Ave

DETAILS

Sunday Trivia at Sketchbook!

Every Sunday

3pm

Sketchbook Brewing

821 Chicago Ave

Free to participate!

DETAILS

Enjoy snacks and sips, meet our Board of Directors and take a look at the past 10 years on the Main-Dempster Mile.

Join the Paws and Claws cats and Crew Saturday, October 11th for Rally for Rescues 2025 - Fall Fest!

That's right, add a bit of pumpkins spice and Rally just got an autumn upgrade! Bring the whole family, friends, and neighbors for a fall fest like no other.

$10 entrance fee for everyone! You'll have a fantastic time with us and cuddly rescue cats. Enjoy fall festivities, games, raffles, food, music, crafts, cuddling cats, cake and pie walk, photo booth, a cat-reels tent, and more! All admissions and activities fees help to support your favorite feline nonprofit, Paws and Claws, and our rescue cats.