Calligraphy, puppets, and protest

Whether you’re a calligraphy explorer or a hand-lettering veteran, check out the Newberry (60 W. Walton) today. They’ll be joined by the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for a Calligraphy Fair. From 10 AM-noon, they’ll have a breadth of demonstrations and hands-on how to’s that cover everything from gothic lettering and creative caps to arabic calligraphy and flourished copperplate. While free, registration is encouraged. This event is part of the Newberry’s programming to support the exhibition “A Show of Hands: Handwriting in the Age of Print.” The exhibit looks at how print media has encouraged the evolution and artistry of calligraphy since the mid-20th century, even dovetailing into forms like graffiti. It’s on view until December 30. To catch the show before it closes, check out the Newberry’s website. (MC)

Theatre Y has been working all year with west-side youth to create an original piece of puppet theater, in partnership with spoken word and musical artist Marvin Tate, puppet artist Michael Montenegro, and the Firehouse Community Arts Center (2111 S. Hamlin), which hosts the performances. The result, Little Carl, premieres today at 2 and 5 PM. Devised as a dream play offering a counternarrative to stories of gun violence, the creative process grew out of questions the youth artists raised about a host of issues, including “How should you get money?,” “Is anger virtuous?,” and “Does it make sense to worship NBA players over, say, 6’4?” The show continues Sat 12/10 at 5 PM and Sun 12/11 at 2 and 5 PM. Tickets are pay what you can, though Theatre Y members get a guaranteed seat for $60. Reservations and information at theatre-y.com. (KR)

The day after the Club Q shooting, Howard Brown Health Center announced its intent to lay off over 100 patient-focused workers before Christmas. Not only did this news immediately follow an LGBTQ-centered hate crime, but it also comes just three months after HBH workers won union recognition, which affords them legal protection when advocating for workplace improvements. According to the union, HBH Workers United, these layoffs affect the organization’s behavioral health, PrEP navigation, and health education staff plus other departments and projects designed to improve the physical and mental health of the queer community. Workers suggest looking for the budget cuts elsewhere. Do you agree? Show your support at 5 PM today outside the Howard Brown Health administrative building (1025 W. Sunnyside). If you can’t make it out, the union has a social media toolkit for showing solidarity from home. (MC)

Sick of the state of public transit in Chicago? Commuters Take Action wants to meet you! This grassroots group is organizing to hold the CTA accountable for how bus and train services have deteriorated since the pandemic. They’re asking for transparency and improvement! At 8 PM tonight, Commuters Take Action is throwing a meet and greet at Emporium Logan Square (2363 N. Milwaukee) “to manifest [CTA president] Dorval Carter’s retirement.” They want to hear your experiences with the CTA, invite your input on what you’d like to see change, and share ways to get involved, such as reporting a late train or bus, or submitting a public comment to the city. The people united will never be divided, so let’s work together to ensure we can affordably and effectively get where we need to be on time, eh? Or at least manifest Carter’s retirement. (MC)

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