Cultural Events

Holidays on the Square

Saturday, December 3rd, 10- 3 pm

Join Multilingual Chicago and Logan Square on Saturday, December 3rd from 10-3 pm, for Holidays on the Square!

Participating businesses will be celebrating the season with sweets, treats, tastings, delicious pop-up shops, trunk shows, cupcake food truck, Santa, a tree lighting and more! The first of an annual event in Logan Square!

Multilingual Chicago will partner with Ciao Napoli Pizzeria to offer mini Italian conversation lessons from 12-3 pm.

We’ll look forward to seeing you there! Buone Feste!

"Lope" screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Saturday, November 19th, 3 - 5:45 pm

Multilingual Chicago is partnering with the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to present a special screening of the Spanish language movie, "Lope" (description below), in support of their annual Festival of New Spanish Cinema (Oct 27 – Nov 23). For more information, please visit their website here.

We will be hosting a special (1st) screening at the Film Center on Nov 19 at 3 p.m., followed by an informal conversation in the Gallery/Cafe. Light refeshments including beer and wine will be available from the concession stand.

Special $7 discount admission at the November 19 screening for Multilingual Chicago patrons with the code "MULTILINGUAL." Valid only in person at the box office..

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to hilary@multilingualchicago.com. Space is limited, so reserve soon!

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LOPE 2010, Andrucha Waddington, Spain, 106 min. With Alberto Ammann, Luis Tosar, Leonor Watling

"An entertaining and surprisingly accessible film, which lopes along with a good deal of verve and panache."
—Lee Marshall, Screen Daily

Spain's greatest author after Cervantes, Lope de Vega was incredibly prolific both on the page (1,800 plays) and off (14 children and countless love affairs). This lively biopic by acclaimed Brazilian director Waddington (ME YOU THEM, HOUSE OF SAND) captures Lope's adventurous spirit as writer, lover, and anti-establishment rebel, with each facet of his life fueling the others. Beginning in the 1580s, the film traces Lope's rise from debt-ridden ex-soldier to innovative playwright who disdained convention in favor of realism and boldly mixed tragedy and comedy, all the while juggling two stormy love affairs and fighting libel suits from his powerful enemies. In Spanish with English subtitles. 35mm widescreen. (MR)

Living Green For a Cause with Unieros

Saturday, November 19th, 7 - 11pm

Join our friends at Unieros, a multicultural friendship group, celebrate their 2 year anniversary at our center. The event –Living Green for a Cause – will be a charitable food drive to help Chicago immigrant families eat healthy this holiday season.

To attend the party and meet a lively bunch of multicultural friends, please bring at least 2 non-perishable food items to donate or $5 cash.

For a list of items needed by the families, please visit Unieros’ website here.

If you won’t be able to make it to the party but you still want to help, you can drop off the food items at our center. We have a donation basket in our café area. You can also help out by donating online via Paypal.

Multilingual Kids Performance

Sunday, November 20 - 11:30 am (please note this was incorrectly listed at November 10 in our newsletter)

This Sunday, our At-school and Multilingual Chicago Kids students will put on a joint performance at our Logan Square center. This is a terrific opportunity to see what your child has learned during his/her class, so feel free to invite the whole family for a very special treat!

Special guest: Andrew Yearick!

Andrew teaches the ¡Canta conmigo! Spanish Music class at Multilingual Chicago. He has been teaching Spanish in the city for 6 years to kids from toddlers to adults. Andrew has a degree in Education from Lock Haven University. We're proud and excited to have Andrew Yearick as this year's performer!

Please RSVP by contacting Carolina no later than November 16th indicating the number of attendees.

Arabic for Kids Sample Classes

Saturday, November 5th, 2:30 - 5:10 pm

We are happy to announce that Multilingual Chicago will be offering a 4 week session Arabic class for kids this fall! We will be offering a sample class on November 5th. The sample class will give you a clear idea about our program in terms of our curriculum, our hands-on activities and our teacher. These are the classes we are offering according to age level:

Arabic for kids 3-5 Saturdays from 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Arabic for kids 6-10 Saturdays from 3:40pm to 5:10pm

We need at least 4 students per class to be able to offer it. So please feel free to extend this invitation to any friend looking for Arabic classes for kids!

To register for our free class on November 5th please click here. Please register no later than October 29th.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolina.

Kimchi Day

Sunday, October 9th, 1-5pm

Join us in celebrating Korea's most famous dish: Kimchi!

Look forward to Kimchi making demonstrations, Korean sample classes, and food catered by local restaurants.

More information about the programming will be available soon.

This event is free but bring some cash so that you can sample traditional Korean dishes.

Please RSVP by sending a quick note to Jennifer

Spanish Through Nature at Notebeart Nature Museum

Fridays, September 2nd-October 12th

Multilingual Chicago is now offering Parents and Tots and Kids 3-5 Spanish classes at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Children will learn Spanish vocabulary during an experiential, interactive class through songs, games and laughter! Children will read a thematic book together and then do fun hands-on crafts or sing songs relating to the day’s theme.

Cost: $100/member caregiver and child/series; $140/non-member caregiver and child/series.

Location: 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614. To register, call the museum at 773-755-5100, Ext. 5045.

September 10th-18th

We're excited to partner with Ann Becker & Associates to offer students a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the language, people, culture and spectacular beauty of this amazing Central American country. Highlights include:

• Four days of small classes (no more than three students each); one on one instruction and conversation; and cultural activities organized in conjunction with Personalized Spanish, a small boutique Spanish school in a safe, convenient and very hospitable suburb just outside of San Jose
• Nearby home stays with lovely, warm families who will help improve your Spanish in practical daily situations
• Three days/nights on the Osa Peninsula, a magical place full of pristine forests, rugged natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Our “home” on the Osa will be a small, family owned lodge where you can easily continue to practice your Spanish with Manolo, his family and the townspeople.
• Guided tours with our outstanding local guide and long-time friend, Javier, to Corcovado National Park, home to more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity and Cano Island, a marine biological reserve great for snorkeling, swimming and a picnic.

Click here for details and dates!

Past Events

Costa Rican Ceremonial Masks with Pedro Rojas Morales

Sunday June 5th, 4-5:30pm

Join us at Multilingual Chicago to hear Pedro Rojas Morales, one of a handful of master carvers from the Costa Rican town of Boruca, share stories of his family's tradition of carving ceremonial masks. Pedro will also discuss his efforts to advocate for sustainable, responsible ecotourism in Costa Rica.

La Fete du Film Francais: MC French Movie Night

Thursday, June 2nd, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm

Whether you speak French or not, come out on Thursday June 2 for our first triple-feature fête du film francais (French film fest)! Kids are welcome at 4pm for a kids' film + activities, and adults will enjoy films and discussions at 6pm and 8pm.

Spanish Film Screening of the film Biutiful

Wednesday April 13th, 6:30 p.m.

Join Multilingual Chicago on Wednesday April 13th to watch the sad and beautiful Spanish film Biutiful starring Javier Bardem at the Logan Theatre! We will meet at 6pm in our café for light discussion and wine. At 6:30pm, we will walk to the theatre together and watch the movie. The Logan Theatre is ½ mile down Milwaukee Ave from Multilingual Chicago, and tickets are $4/movie.

For more information about Biutiful, you can see the trailer here. CAUTION: this movie contains violence and sexual content.

Benefit for Japan

Saturday April 23th, 7-11pm

Join us Saturday April 23rd as we unite to raise funds for Japan. Help us make 1,000 origami cranes to symbolize our wish for Japan's recovery after the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The cranes will be donated to Students Rebuild, and the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 for each crane received to the Architecture for Humanity's reconstruction efforts in Japan. You will also get a mini Japanese language lesson with Kazumi at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ladies, please wear shades of pink or red; men, please wear green to symbolize colors of hope that comes from sakura - the blooming of Japanese cherry blossoms in Spring.

Location: Multilingual Chicago
Admission: $5 or more donation at door. We will have computers so you can make your donation online to the American Red Cross. 100% of proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

This event is being held in partnership with Unieros, a Chicago based group dedicated to promoting cross-cultural exchange.

International Pot Luck

Friday, May 6th 6-8:30pm

Calling all past, current and potential students! Join Multilingual Chicago's staff and teachers for food, drink and conversation - in any language! Make/bring your favorite cultural dish and enjoy an evening of good food and interesting conversation.

Costa Rica Discussion at Irazu

Thursday, March 10th 6-8pm

Have you ever wanted to take a trip to Costa Rica? Or teach English there? Or just eat a lot of awesome Costa Rican food?!

What & Where: Informational dinner at Irazu restaurant in Bucktown (1865 N. Milwaukee)
Cost: $20/pp
Who: You! And our lovely guests:

Ann Becker of Ann Becker and Associates
Helen Sharp of the TEFL Institute
Hilary Hodge of Multilingual Chicago

La Noche de Flamenco

Friday, February 18th 7- 9 p.m.

Multilingual Chicago and Flamenco Chicago are proud to present La Noche de Flamenco! This exciting event is free and open to the public and will be held at Multilingual Chicago.

Rosetta Magdalen, Director of Flamenco Chicago, will be presenting a special seminar on the history of Flamenco music and dancing, its cultural significance in Spain and its contemporary developments. The lecture will be followed by a brief Q&A and then a mini flamenco lesson! The lesson will include dance demos and instruction by Rosetta. Join us for dance, sangria, light hors d'oeuvres and a night to remember!

Usborne Books Fair

Sunday, February 13th - Saturday, February 19th

If you're looking for wonderful and unique children's books, check out our online Usborne book fair! In addition to their selection of English books, they also have a great selection of Spanish kids' books, as well as other languages. Shannon Rohde, our Usborne representative, will have books on display here at Multilingual Chicago the week of February 14th, and she will be here on Saturday, February 19th to answer questions about ordering.

World Nutella Day!!!

Saturday, February 5th 1-5 p.m.

Forget the Roman Empire, wine and all that opera jazz; if you consider the chocolatey-nutty goodness of Nutella Italy’s greatest contribution to the world, come celebrate World Nutella Day at Multilingual Chicago!

There’ll be Nutella-inspired pastries from local bakeries, Nutella crepes from La Boulangerie , Nutell-icious hot cocoa from Mustache Café plus free Italian classes for adults and kids!

Admission is free, beverages and pastries will range from $2-$6.

Logan Square Latino Culinary Tour

Saturday, September 25th from 11am-3:30pm

If you don’t know a pupusa from an arepa and couldn’t pick out a yuca in a root vegetable lineup, join us for our first ever Logan Square Latino Culinary Tour! You’ll start at our school and open your mind to the Spanish language through an hour of pronunciation practice, greetings, politeness and other key basics. Then you’ll hop in a bus and travel to Ecuador, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama and Cuba, where you’ll open your mouths to tasty treats typical of five Latin American countries. Qué rico, ¿no?

Click here to see the featured restaurants and to register!

Across the Table: Our Conversations and Our Connections

April 25th, 6:00-9:00pm

Multilingual Chicago is excited to host Across the Table for a delicious dinner and a dynamic conversation. Across the Table bridges gaps between our diverse communities by uniting Chicagoans for delicious meals and dynamic conversations.

On April 25th, the topic of conversation will be: How do our language barriers impact our ability to connect with each other and create a cohesive Chicago?

$30 includes a four course, family style dinner. Across the Table offers its Have a Meal on Us option for two diners who would like to join but are not able to cover the cost of the dinner.

Hands-On Mexican Cooking

March 14, 11am-2pm

For this event, we’ll head slightly down Milwaukee Avenue to Real Tenochtitlán, where we’ll experience a hands-on cooking demonstration that culminates in a delicious meal of fresh guacamole, quesadillas, chicken fajitas and banana-chocolate crepes, all washed down with a refreshing drink of horchata or hibiscus. $30 per person gets you the demonstration and meal. Click here for the detailed menu.

A Taste of French Wine

February 26, 7:00-9:00pm

Join Multilingual Chicago as we explore red and white wines from France. You will be guided by a professional wine expert brought in just for the occasion - and the same one that educated and entertained 45 people at our Spanish wine event in December.

Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door (wine, cheese, olives and good company included).

Official program starts at 7:15, so don’t be late!

Wines will include:

• 2008 Picpoul De Pinet - Coteaux Du Languedoc
• N.V. Marquis De Perlade Brut (Sparkling) - Alsace
• 2007 Enigma - #11860 Limoux
• 2006 Ch. La Raballe - Bordeaux
• 2007 Le Clos - Languedoc
• 2008 Domaine Tour Boisee - Toulouse

A Taste of Spanish Wine

December 10th, 7:00-9:00pm

Join Multilingual Chicago as we explore red and white wines from the Spanish-speaking world. Stops on your journey will include Spain, Chile and Argentina, and you will be guided by a professional wine expert brought in just for the occasion.

Impress your friends and family this holiday season with your sharpened knowledge of these wines and the regions they’re from! Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door (wine, cheese, olives and good company included).

Official program starts at 7:15, so don’t be late!

Wines include:

• Argentina (Whites): 2008 Santa Juana Voignier, 2009 Urban Torrentes
• Argentina (Reds): 2007 Notro Sangiovese/Bonarda, 2007 Trapiche Malbec
• Chile (Whites): 2008 Veramontes Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Santa Rita Chardonnay
• Chile (Reds): 2007 Barco Viejo Syrah, 2008 Cono Sur Carmenere
• Spain (Whites): 2008 Ipsum Verdejo/Viura, 2008 Segura Viudas
• Spain (Reds): 2008 Borsao Tino Granacha/Tempranillo, 2008 Luzon Tino