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The Elastic Arts Foundation
Rating Details »
Categories: Music Venues, Performing Arts [Edit]
Neighborhood: Avondale2830 N Milwaukee Ave
2nd Fl
(between Dawson Ave & Woodard St)
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 772-3616
- Nearest Transit:
-
Logan Square (Blue)
- Hours:
Tue., Thu. 9:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- None
- Smoking:
- No
9 reviews for The Elastic Arts Foundation
The Elastic Arts Foundation "fosters the local community of art and culture through developing and producing creative, non-commercial performances and art events. Aesthetics before markets."
That's the kind of mission statement I can stand behind.
My brooding writer friend and I were undecided as to what our Friday evening should look like. Dinner and a movie was so passé! I stumbled onto an event listing for MuseFest at the EAF space. Both of our interests were piqued. With a showcase of phenomenal spoken word artists, a photographic exhibition focusing on Logan Square, live music, fashion show, a DJ*, and free PBR to boot, we were set. It was just the kind of event we both needed to nourish our creative sensibilities.
The space itself was intimate and colorful without being overwhelming on the eyes. The lighting was dimmed during performances so that you weren't distracted by the fashion choice disasters in the crowd. For a small loft space, the sound was a bit overpowering. My friend and I found ourselves yelling at each other over the music between performances. Regardless, we had a great time and will be back for more innovative events and performances. Considering that they have a jazz series, I'm sure it will be sooner rather than later.
*He played fantastic jams by Common, Talib Kweli, and others that I can't quite remember due to the fact that I was in a PBR-induced haze. Regardless, it was awesome to see a DJ WHO ACTUALLY SPINS VINYL. How often do you see that?
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (4)
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.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (4)
Elastic is my new favorite venue in Chicago.
That's a pretty lofty statement for me. It takes something really special to get me out to a show these days, especially all the way in Logan Square. Incredible artists, low admission prices, a mission statement I can get behind, lovely ambiance, BYOB--I didn't think any venue in the city would have all of those things.
Elastic does.
Here's the story of my discovery of Elastic:
I never intend to change people when I start becoming friends with them--I frankly prefer people as they are. Of course, if they want to learn new things from me, I'm more than willing to introduce them.
Would any of you believe that I've gotten Yelp's own Hannah D. into JAZZ?
It's true--one fateful night at the Green Mill and it was all over. Mind blown. She now owns Ornette Coleman and Miles Davis records. She loves it. She sees the beauty of it. She intrinsically GETS IT.
(I've also gotten her to eat vegan food on multiple occasions. Mwahaha.)
Since she's also fallen head-over-heels in love with the Vandermark 5 (and it doesn't hurt that Fred Lonberg-Holm is pretty rewarding to the optics), we went to Elastic to see them on Tuesday night. Beautiful stuff. The lighting (read: lamps) is subtle and perfect for these types of performances, making the show feel much more intimate than any other venue I've visited. The walls are painted a dark orange, and the whole feel is that you're sitting in someone's apartment watching your friends create, even when you know no one else there. There's even a lovely white grand piano sitting onstage should someone need to use it.
I can't articulate how much it means to me to have a place like this in Chicago. I don't want to repeat everything Rob R. said, but the ethics and ideas behind Elastic are inspirational.
People thought this was:
- Useful (16)
- Funny (9)
- Cool (15)
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!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
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.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
Elastic Arts is another weird venue. It's bright orange inside, they charge a steep cover (upwards of $12-13), the seating for shows is uncomfortable folding chairs, there seemed to be no one around running the place--yet it was very stiff and proper inside. I felt unwelcome. I'd rather eat at Friendship Chinese downstairs and go home.
The people who run the place also had the gall to write me and tell me that my review is all wrong and that they don't actually charge a cover. What a great way to make me want to come back!
All I know is that my friends and I came here, and THEY WOULDN'T LET US IN WITHOUT PAYING. If they won't let you in without paying, it's not a suggested donation, it's a cover charge.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
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.
People thought this was:
- Useful (6)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (5)
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.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
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(c)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.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
