Nature Walks
– every Friday, 5:00pm at the Op Shop.
– Every Sunday, sunrise walk behind the Museum of Science and Industry (check the online calendar for exact times)
In these walking tours led by Jane Masterson you can enjoy and learn how to identify different types of plants and birds in Hyde Park. All ages are welcome, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Jane is a long time Hyde Parker who has taught various classes on natural history and evolutionary biology. You can visit her website dedicated to the appreciation of urban nature at:www.naturalhistorychicago.com
Market Days
– Every Saturday 10 – 3
On Saturdays, the United Church of Hyde Park will present “Market Days”, an ever evolving array of treasures for your enjoyment, perusal and purchase!
Oral History
Every Sunday 11:00 – 2:00pm
Come share your tales with Paul Durica and Zach Abubeker. Interview participants are asked to recall everyday interactions, details, and experiences connected to the site of the Op Shop but are also invited to talk about 53rd Street and Lake Avenue, Harper Court, and the broader Hyde Park community. At the conclusion of the Op Shop’s occupancy, the existing video archive will be donated to the Hyde Park Historical Society.
ONE-TIME-ONLY EVENTS:
Poetic Justice: An evening of word, music, and sound
Friday the 9th, 7:00 -8:30pm
So simple yet so complex, deciphering these messages are the real test. Heroic spoken word poets plus singer/songwriter angels, delighting your ears from each and every angle.
The Silver Wind Trio, three clarinets chamber music
Saturday the 10th, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
The trio will perform chamber music from 4:00 to 4:45 PM The trio is Marilyn Getzov, Jen-Chin Chen, and Joan Steggemann.
Norman Long – Sounding the Landscape
Saturday the 10th, 5:00 – 5:30pm
“Sounding the Landscape” is a performance based on field recordings of the neighborhood and the building that houses the Op Shop. The recording and composition processes are a combination of acoustic-ecology, electro-acoustic composition and dub sound practice. Norman Long will post the recordings on his “dubcology” podcast along with a map of his sound-walk. He sees this as an alternate map of the Hyde Park neighborhood that he has enjoyed since he was a child.
Conrad Freiburg – “Ukulele Pieces” CD release party
Saturday the 10th, 6:00 -7:00pm
“Ukulele Pieces” is a lovingly produced assemblage of songs written on the roads of America. Conrad Freiburg got paid for a job with a ukulele in California and has been boppin around the country with it ever since. It possesses a contemplative mountain style with a tinge of Great Dismal Swamp spooky. Come show your love for independent homegrown music.
Fort Cardboard! With Chris Lin and Kayce Bayer
Sunday the 11th, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Crafters, builders, makers, and those that generally love to play, come to the Op Shop this Sunday, bring your parents, children, or friends and participate in a cardboard workshop. We will demo a few basic techniques and work together to make all sorts of stuff. Bring your engineering plans, some old boxes from around the house, and a utility knife, box cutter, tough scissors, or x-acto blade.
Zine Making! With Eric Bartholomew
Sunday the 11th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Origami fold for a simple way to make your own books! DIY at it’s best, tell your stories, make your point and start a revolution! For all ages, we will make small books of 8 pages, have them copied at office Depot, stapled and then you can distribute your work all over Hyde Park and beyond!
John Johnstone: An afternooon of Jazz
Sunday the 11th, 4:00 – 5:30pm
John Johnstone grew up in a musical family in Ohawa Cananda. He was inspired by modern jazz at age 14 when Oscar Peterson gave a concert at his school. Come out an enjoy an afternoon of jazz.
Our constant projects include…
Garden Exchange
The garden exchange evolves inside as the landscape brightens outside. We have a new, freshly dug crop of spring bulbs and perennials: sedums, crocuses, daffodils and herbs.
Potluck Wall
Bring a piece of visual artwork and include it in this growing exhibition wall!
Indoor Yard Sale
The perfect place to drop off those post spring cleaning items that need a new home. All proceeds go towards the running of the Op Shop. Come anytime during our open hours to make a drop off or sift through our rotation of treasures.
The Opportunity Shop 