Uptown Chamber &
Uptown United Updates
| | UPTOWN LIVE STREET FEST IS THIS WEEKEND! | |
Three Days. One Iconic Neighborhood. All the Sound + Soul of Uptown.
The Uptown Chamber of Commerce and DUFF entertainment proudly present Uptown Live, a brand-new FREE street festival lighting up Chicago’s historic entertainment district this weekend from September 19–21 on N. Broadway between W. Lawrence and W. Leland.
Catch mainstage performances by JOYWAVE, Too Much Molly, DJ Mark Farina, Beyond the Blonde, Liquid Soul, Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute, Baton Show Lounge, and MORE! Plus, explore local art and creatives, and a family zone filled with kid-friendly fun.
This isn’t just another street fest — it’s Uptown turned all the way UP.
Let’s close out summer with music, movement, and community at Uptown Chicago's premier street festival.
This is a free event and Uptown Live is hosting a raffle with a variety of great prizes for festival attendees. We rely on your donations to help support Uptown Live and other Uptown Community initiatives. Every $5 and $10 donation receives a raffle ticket that enters you to win multiple prizes!
Street closures and parking restrictions will be in effect during the festival. Check below for more details. We hope to see you at Uptown Live this weekend!
| | TASTE OF UPTOWN TICKETS ON SALE NOW! | | The 9th Annual Taste of Uptown is an event that celebrates Uptown's amazing cultural and culinary diversity. This restaurant crawl will feature small bites and samplings from Uptown eateries. Participants will stroll from restaurant to restaurant along Uptown's business corridors. Once again two tasty routes are offered so get your groups together to enjoy Uptown's dinner crawl and support local Uptown businesses for just $40! | | |
BOWL ROUTE
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Fat Cat
Hon Kee BBQ & Seafood Restaurant
Kie-Gol-Lanee
La Patisserie P
Nabala Cafe
Rakkan Ramen
Rupee Wine & Spirits (ages 21+)
Sun Wah BBQ
Uni Uni Boba
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PLATE ROUTE
Dodomi Sushi Rotary
Epic Wine & Spirits (ages 21+)
Everybody's Coffee
Gigio’s Pizza
Iyanze
Jake's Pup in the Ruf
Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar
Pokiology
Stan's Donuts
Sky’s Beverage Depot (ages 21+)
Sunflour Bakery & Cafe
The Reservoir
Uptown Deli
Uptown Taproom
| | SAVE THE DATE FOR CASINO UPTOWN! | | Casino Uptown is back, this time with a spooky spin, for a night of casino games, local bites, and live entertainment at the SCAREagon Ballroom on October 29th! Support the work of Uptown United and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce while enjoying a uniquely Uptown evening and seeing the Aragon Ballroom in a way you haven't before. Tickets will be on sale soon so save the date and prepare to play for spectacular prizes! | | | | |
🎶✨Uptown Live Street Closures!✨🎶
To make room for the festival fun, several streets will be closed starting Friday, September 19 at 2:00 AM through Monday, September 22 at 5:00 AM. 🚧
📍 Street Closures:
- N Broadway (from W Lawrence Ave to W Leland Ave)
- N Racine Ave (from N Broadway to W Leland Ave)
- N Clifton Ave (from W Lawrence Ave to N Broadway)
Please plan your travel accordingly and
get ready for a weekend of live music, food, community, and Uptown vibes! 🎉
Note that in order to make Uptown Live safe and enjoyable for everyone, the following items are prohibited:
- Weapons, Knives Firearms
- Outside Food & Beverage
- Glass/Metal Containers
- Fireworks
- Drones
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IRPINO Small Business Spotlight:
Jake’s Pup in the Ruf
This month, IRPINO stopped by a true Uptown staple – Jake’s Pup in the Ruf! Known for its welcoming vibe and comfort food done right, Jake’s has been serving up favorites that keep locals coming back again and again. From hearty breakfast plates and classic Chicago dogs to late-night bites, Jake’s is more than just a restaurant – it’s a neighborhood tradition where everyone feels at home.
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Buena Park Neighbors Association Fall Blood Drive
Join your neighbors at the Buena Park October Blood Drive and color your Fall with kindness!
Thursday, Oct 9 • 1 – 6 PM
Friday, Oct 10 • 10 AM – 3 PM
Chicago Public Library - Uptown Branch
929 W. Buena Ave.
✅ Sign Up for Your Slot Online
✅ Bring photo ID
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Family Literacy Nights at Truman College
Wed., September 17th|4:30pm-7:30pm
Truman College Cafeteria, 1145 W. Wilson
This event features read-aloud story time of picture books, arts and crafts activities, puppetry, literacy-strengthening games, free gently loved books, and so much more.
Parents are welcome to bring their children for free family fun, but all minors must be accompanied by an adult while on campus. Look out for additional events in the coming months!
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Friends of Brennemann Newsletter
Friends of Brennemann released their September newsletter full of the latest school updates, current FOB board initiatives, and more!
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Chip in for Challenger
Join the Buena Circle & Challenger Parks Advisory Council and Friends of Challenger Bark for a volunteer workday to help reviltalize the walking paths in Challenger Park! As par of the "Pitch in for the Parks" series with the Chicago Parks Foundation, they'll be spreading woodchips along the park's main paths. This work is crucial for maintaining the trails and making the park more beautiful for everyone - all are welcome!
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Evening of Hope Fundraiser at Demera
Thursday, September 18th | 6:00-9:00pm
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, 4801 N Broadway
Join the team at Demera Ethiopian Restaurant for their annual fundraising event, An Evening of Hope, to support Health Professionals Network for Tigray (HPN4Tigray), a non-profit dedicated to helping those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable culinary showcase featuring over 10 of Chicago's finest chefs at interactive chef stations serving hand-curated delights.
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JASC Repair Day
Tuesday, September 23rd|11:00am-1:00pm
JASC, 5700 N. Lincoln Ave.
Join the Japanese American Service Committee, CapTel, and Mark Drug Medical Supply for a day of free repairs of wheelchairs, walkers, or canes - this event is free and open to the community!
For more information, call:
(773)-275-0097 ext. 223
| | | Great Lakes Credit Union Foundation Programs and Events! | | | |
Matched Savings Program at GLCU:
The GLCU Foundation is currently running a matched savings program (has certain requirements regarding income and assets) of up to $1,000 through GLCU. This is a program that works in tandem with Housing Counseling and involves working with the department to track savings over a matter of months. The match has to be used for a qualifying goal such as education, housing, etc.
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First Time Homebuyer Workshop:
Saturday, September 20th | 9:00am-3:00pm
ICA Building, MLK Rm, 4750 N Sheridan
This is a 6 hour workshop that is part of an 8 hour credit (other 2 hours are one on one counseling) that helps qualify for down payment assistance programs through IHDA and FHLBC. The event is in the ICA building just left of the entrance. In order to sign up, just scan the QR code in the poster or call 224-252-2620.
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CBRAP (Court Based Rental Assistance Program):
This program is one of the few ways that residents of Illinois can try to apply for up to $10,000 in rental assistance. The GLCU Foundation is here to help people who have: tech problems signing up, have been denied and may need help appealing if they have a legitimate way to show they were eligible, or who may need help navigating what the options are going to be if the landlord property manager are refusing to be a part of the program. Learn more about the program by scanning the QR code in the flyer or by calling 800-982-7810.
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See You Later, Inspiration Cafe!
Inspiration Cafe has been a cherished part of Uptown since 1989, growing from founder Lisa Nigro’s little red wagon into a welcoming space where unhoused neighbors have found hot meals, respect, and community.
Over three decades, the Cafe has:
- Served 600,000+ meals
- Poured 300,000 cups of coffee
- Welcomed 11,000 guests
- Logged 160,000 volunteer hours
On August 29, Inspiration Cafe served its final meal in Uptown. As of September 8, the meals program continues at Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park, with plans for a new, state-of-the-art center by 2027.
Though bittersweet, we celebrate Inspiration Cafe’s legacy in Uptown and wish them well in their next chapter. Learn more at inspirationcorp.org.
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Business Spotlight:
🍣 Dodomi Sushi, 4521 N Sheridan Rd🍣
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Tucked away at 4521 N Sheridan Rd, Dodomi Sushi has been serving the Uptown community for about a year—and they’ve quickly become a local favorite! Many people don’t realize they offer an All You Can Eat option, making it the perfect spot for sushi lovers to indulge without limits.
Guests can also take part in their fun “Spin to Win” rewards program: for every $20 spent, you earn 1 stamp, and after collecting 8 stamps, you get to spin the prize wheel for a chance to win fantastic rewards.
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Dodomi keeps things fresh with weekday specials and seasonal creations—their current star is a delicious pumpkin roll. Plus, their unique Wish Tree wall gives diners the chance to write down hopes and dreams on leaves, which are then hung as part of the restaurant’s décor.
Check them out on the Plate Route at this year’s Taste of Uptown, and follow along on Instagram @dodomisushirotary or visit their website at www.dodomisushichicago.com to learn more.
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Check out the Uptown Merch Shop!
Show your Uptown Pride and support the Uptown Chamber of Commerce by purchasing Uptown merchandise! Uptown & Uptown Proud Shirts are available in a variety of colors and in Unisex, Ladies, and Youth sizes.
Got ideas for future Uptown merch? Fill out our merch survey and be entered for a chance to win prizes!
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