February Newsletter 2026

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Herzlichen DANK!


Thank you to all who contributed to our Annual Appeal and secured corporate matching donations. With your support, we were able to raise $81,008.19! Your support helps us pay for the plumbing and accessibility project, in addition to enabling us to offer the classes, events, and services you have come to expect. Without your support we could not do so, vielen Dank!

Liebe/r EdgewaterRogersPark,



Brrr, es ist kalt draußen aber bei uns ist es warm! If you are tired of the January cold, join us at the DANK Haus for Tee Zeit where we will tasting 4 different teas and enjoying some delicious cake. February brings the opportunity to channel your inner musician with Stammtisch Karaoke and Meet the Beatles in Hamburg history presentation. Save the date for the DANK Haus Gala on May 16th; information for summer camps is also now available. Finally, Karneval is coming up and we have Fasching planned for the children! 


Mit freundlichen Grüßen,


Heidi Christen

Executive Director

DER SCHEINWERFER

Events and classes we want to spotlight

Teezeit | Tea Tasting 101


Saturday, February 7

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM


Slow down and enjoy an afternoon of tea at Teezeit Tea Tasting 101, hosted in partnership with the Chicago Tea House. Set in the Skyline Lounge, this guided tasting introduces the history, cultivation, and variety of teas enjoyed around the world.


Guests will sample four carefully selected teas and finish the afternoon with cake, making for a relaxed and welcoming experience for both newcomers and tea lovers alike.


Kindly RSVP by February 4th

Fasching – Kinder Karneval

Friday, February 7 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM DANK Haus


Join us for a lively Fasching morning at the DANK Haus. Kids can enjoy classic carnival games, music, and fresh Krapfen while celebrating this colorful tradition together!



Ages:

PreK & Kindergarten: 10–11 AM

Older kids: 11 AM–12 PM


Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Families are welcome to drop in during the morning and enjoy the festivities at their own pace!

Zeigen Sie Ihre Unterstützung

Become a Skyline Circle member


 For just $84 per month you can join this important giving society at the DANK Haus! Donors who give $1,000+ in one calendar year will become members of our Skyline Circle and receive invitations to our special donors events as well as complimentary Friends of DANK Haus membership!

Become a Friend of DANK Haus Today!


Support the DANK Haus – Become a Member Today!


Your membership helps preserve and promote German-American culture right here in Chicago. As a Friend of DANK Haus, you’ll enjoy great perks while supporting your cultural home.


Member Benefits:

  • Discounts on language classes, events, and merchandise
  • Invitations to exclusive members-only gatherings
  • Free guided tours and museum access


KOMMENDE VERANSTALTUNGEN


Once Upon a Time

The World of the Brothers Grimm


Thursday, February 5

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CT

Online Lecture


Explore the historical and cultural roots of the Brothers Grimm’s folklore in this engaging presentation from the comfort of your own home! Tracing the tales back to the early 19th century, we’ll examine how the Grimms’ work—shaped by the Romantic movement—helped preserve cultural memory and foster a shared German identity grounded in language and tradition.

Karaoke Abend Stammtisch

6th Floor Skyline Lounge


Friday | February 20 | 7:00 PM


Join us for a lively evening of music and community at our Karaoke Abend Stammtisch! Sing along to German Schlager favorites and classic English hits, or simply cheer on fellow singers. Whether you are a karaoke pro or just looking for a fun night out, everyone is welcome to join in. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.




Roll over Beethoven

Meet the Beatles in Hamburg

2nd Floor Brauhaus Room


Thursday | February 26

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM


Revisit the Beatles’ formative Hamburg years, when three working class lads from Liverpool sharpened their sound playing American rock and roll on the Reeperbahn. These gritty performances shaped their identity as a band and set the stage for a global cultural revolution. It was in Hamburg that the Beatles truly found their voice.




DANK Haus Gala

Party Like It's 1986


Saturday | May 16

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM


Get ready for a night of nostalgia! Join us for a seated dinner, DJ, and silent auction as we celebrate and support cultural and education programs at the DANK Haus. Tickets will be available soon. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening!



All proceeds benefit the DANK Haus’s cultural and educational programs.


Wollen Sie mehr wissen?

Check out all of our upcoming events.

VON DER SCHULE

DANK Haus Summer Camp 2026

Registration opens in early February!


Our bilingual summer camps welcome all students—no prior German required!


Session Dates:

  • June 22 - July 3 Kreative Kinder
  • July 6 - July 17 Entdecker Kinder
  • July 20 - July 31 Blaue Erde Kinder
  • Aug 3 - Aug 14 Bau & Design Kinder


Additional Camps for 10 - 14 year olds! 

  • June 22 - July 3 Theater Kinder & Kreative Kinder 
  • Aug 3 - Aug 14 Koch Camp Kinder


All camps run for two weeks.




Registration is now open for our Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten programs!


Our bilingual and full-day German Immersion Schule immerse children in language learning while building strong academic, social, and emotional foundations.


Through play and project-based learning, students explore reading, math, science, music, and the arts, guided by curiosity and creativity!



Work in Germany's Healthcare Field!


Dreaming of a career in nursing or the medical field in Germany? Our C1-level language test for Pflege & medizinische Berufe is now available! This test is specifically designed for healthcare professionals to prove their German skills and take the next step in their medical career abroad.

A1 & A2 ÖSD German Proficiency Testing is now available at the DANK Haus!


The ÖSD KID A1 and A2 (for children and young learners ages 10-14) exams assess German language skills in everyday situations, covering reading, listening, writing, and speaking with a focus on practical communication.




AUS DEM MUSEUM

Upcoming Exhibit



Neue Deutsche Welle: Sound, Style, and Youth Culture in 1980s Germany


Opens April 4th


We are inviting the community to help bring the 1980s to life by lending or donating artifacts related to German music, fashion, and youth culture!


Items could include:

  • Records, cassette tapes, CDs by German artists of the 80s
  • Concert posters, ticket stubs, etc.
  • Magazines
  • Photos of life in Germany in the 80s
  • Neue Deutsche Welle artist memorabilia
  • Pieces of clothing you or a family member wore during the 80s
  • Video games/consoles from the 80s
  • Any other personal items connected to your life, music taste, fashion, or identity in the 80s.

GEMEINSCHAFTSECKE


K.G. Rheinischer Verein Chicago 1890 Maskenball


Sat, Feb 14 | 6:11 PM

DANK Haus | 4740 N Western Ave


Join us for a night of fun, music, and tradition! Enjoy live music, tasty food available for purchase, and compete for cash prizes for the best costumes. Dress up, dance, and celebrate with friends at this memorable masquerade party!


Tickets:

In advance: $30

At the door: $40

Kids 12 and under are free!

Illinois State Treasurer ICash Assistance



Saturday, Feb 28 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

DANK Haus | 4740 N. Western Ave



A representative from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will be at DANK Haus to help you check for unclaimed funds through the State’s ICash program. The Illinois State Treasurer is holding $5 billion in unclaimed money for Illinoisans, available to original owners or their heirs. Funds are returned at no cost—stop by to see if the State is holding money owed to you!

UNSERE EMPFEHLUNGEN


Staff Recommendation from Carina


5 Freunde


This beloved series is perfect for kids ages 9–12. Follow the adventures of “5 Freunde” while building German listening skills and vocabulary.


Available now on Spotify!

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

dankhaus.com

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