Art Exhibit: A Family’s Journey North by Jevoid Simmons

An extraordinary art exhibition celebrating Black History month will be on view at the Noyes Cultural Art Center from February 7 through March 5. Artist Jevoid Simmons has meticulously traced his family history in Alabama beginning in the early 20^th century. 

The paintings, that accompany a narrative, depict provocative events that tell the story of A Family’s Journey North. Simmons, a long time Evanston resident, is Director of Employee Relations at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The exhibition is curated by Harvey Pranian, owner of Harvey Art & Antiques and founder of Young Evanston Artists (YEA!). Most recently Harvey, in cooperation with the City of Evanston, curated an exhibition at the Noyes Cultural Art Center of art work by artists with mental and physical disabilities entitled, Expressions from the Heart. Harvey lives and works in Evanston and is active in the arts community.  

A FAMILY’S JOURNEY NORTH

Noyes Cultural Art Center

February 7 – March 5, 2015

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-7. Sunday 10-6

             

Artists’ Opening Reception

Saturday, February 7, 6-9 p.m.

Chicago Magazine Lists 15 Great Things to do in Evanston

What perfect timing for Evanston to make Chicago Magazine's latest issue with a list of 15 Great Things to do in Evanston! I've got a gaggle of visitors coming this summer and now all I have to do is send them this link and their entire trip is planned, lazy days of summer indeed.

This list is also a fantastic resource for me as I have never been to the Shakespeare Garden and it's on my list along with Bat Bar - which I just heard of the other day at a porch party (more on that later)!

Also mentioned was the Fountain Square Arts Festival, featuring 200 artists, on July 6 and 7 at the corner of Sherman Avenue and Church Street. This FREE festival is a great event over the 4th of July holiday weekend. See you there!

Below is the full list of 15, congrats to all of the businesses that made it!

Bat 17
[1] Beer geeks flock to this deli and pub for its tasty fare, pool tables, and 40-plus craft brews. 1709 Benson Ave., 847-733-7117,bat17evanston.com

Chalk Boutique
[2] Carrie Kane and Sharon Watrous bring an urban edge to their high-end women’s wear boutique, carrying Nina Ricci, Chloé, and the Row. 2611 Prairie Ave., 847-424-0011, chalkboutique.com

Charles G. Dawes House
[3] Tour Calvin Coolidge’s vice president’s 26-room residence, which is home to the Evanston History Center.225 Greenwood St., 847-475-3410,evanstonhistorycenter.org

Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop
[4] Shop here for gems, crystals, and jewelry, or explore the store’s fossil museum, with its complete cave bear skeleton. 704 Main St., 847-866-7374, davesrockshop.com

Evanston Galleria
[5] Local artisans hawk art and clothing at this bazaar.1627 Sherman Ave., 773-245-9779,galleriainevanston.com

Evanston Space
[6] Enjoy remarkable jazz and roots music at this candlelit lounge, hidden behind Union Pizzeria. 1245 Chicago Ave., 847-492-8860, evanstonspace.com

Found
[7] Amy Morton’s homey bistro—No. 3 on Chicago’s 2013 list of best new restaurants—excels at daring small plates (fried oyster tacos, pork shoulder sandwiches). 1631 Chicago Ave., 847-868-8945,foundkitchen.com

Maple Avenue houses

[8] Spot three Queen Annes or Tudor Revivals, all on the National Register of Historic Places, on these three blocks.1101–13, 1209–17, and 1316 Maple Ave.

Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art
[9] Northwestern University’s fine arts museum showcases 5,000 works. Catch a classic flick in the adjacent cinema.40 Arts Circle Dr., 847-491-4000,blockmuseum.northwestern.edu

Merrick Rose Garden
[10] You may stumble upon a summer wedding at this romantic enclave, where 2,000 roses ring a brick-walled lawn. Oak Avenue and Lake Street, cityofevanston.org

Northwestern lakefill
[11] This 74-acre campus extension offers lovely walking paths, shaded picnic spots, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Chicago. northwestern.edu

Shakespeare Garden
[12] Fans of the Bard will notice more than 50 plants mentioned in his works at Northwestern’s garden.2101 Sheridan Rd., thegardenclubofevanston.org

The Spice House
[13] Fresh-ground, fabulous-smelling spices from around the world line the shelves of this 16-year-old store. 1941 Central St., 847-328-3711, thespicehouse.com

Ten Thousand Villages
[14] This fair trade retailer stocks bags and home wares from 38 countries. 719 Main St., 847-733-8258, evanston.tenthousandvillages.com

Union Pizzeria
[15] The Neapolitan-style pies are a must at this inviting bar and restaurant. 1245 Chicago Ave., 847-475-2400, unionevanston.com

Click here to read the full article. 

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Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog dedicated to helping you too fall in love with Evanston, just like I did. If you have any questions or need to get in touch with me about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Also feel free to send me announcements about upcoming Evanston events and I will promote them here!

Breaking news: Bennison's calls Election results hours before media outlets come around!

You say it's just a cookie sale but it's obviously much more than that. Yesterday's cookie sales for Obama and Romney cookies above precisely predicted Obama's victory over Romney in this year's presidential election.

Look at this post from Bennison's Facebook wall around 7 p.m. on election night:

The polls have closed on the 2012 Presidential cookie count, final tally is:

Obama: 724
Romney: 220

Here's to Bennison's for having their finger on the pulse of America's voting public! And here's to living in Evanston, a wonderfully liberal community supportive of Obama!