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Side Street Studio Arts + Elgin Fringe Festival are looking for Pride volunteers! 🌈
Help us bring color, creativity, and community energy to Elgin Pride this June.
Volunteer opportunities include:
• Window Painting w/ Sugey
Sunday, May 31 | 10:30 AM–2 PM @ 62 S. Grove Ave.
• Banner Making w/ Nicki
Monday, June 1 | 5:30–7:30 PM @ Side Street
• Van Decorating
Friday, June 5 | 5–9 PM during the RISE Exhibition Opening
• Pride Parade Crew
Saturday, June 6 | 10:30 AM–1 PM | Downtown Elgin
• Festival Volunteers
Saturday, June 6 | Approx. 2–5 PM
Help at our Pride Festival booth featuring Mini-MADE, button making, and “lowkey” Pride safety pins.

Individuals, families, friend groups, artists, and community members are all welcome. Come celebrate Pride, support local arts, and help us create a bright, welcoming presence at this year’s festivities.

Sign up to volunteer:
sidestreetstudioarts.org/pride
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

📢 💥GOING DUTCH - CALL FOR WORK 💥 📢

Going Dutch is a celebration of female and nonbinary voices in the arts.

Tiny Encounters is a series of intimate performances, pop-up happenings, and creative experiences that will take place throughout Downtown Elgin on July 18 and we need YOUR SUBMISSIONS!

Submissions should be designed for small-scale, flexible, or site-specific spaces. Disciplines include movement, theatre & spoken word, music & sound, interdisciplinary & other.

Works must be created, written, choreographed, devised, or led by artists who identify as female or nonbinary, though performers of all genders are welcome.

👆 SUBMIT using the Going Dutch 2026 tab in bio.

#goingdutch#whereelgincreates #artisimportant #femalevoices

Calling all makers, misfits, and merchants of the unusual 🛸

Area 22 is back for year three, bringing the strange, the experimental, and the beautifully unconventional to the forefront. If your work leans weird, unexpected, or hard to categorize… you’ll fit right in.
If you’re ready to show your work in a space that celebrates the unexpected, we’d love to have you.
👆Area 22 Artist-Vendor Application tab in bio.

We will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day as we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service.

🎓 🎉 Host your party at Side Street!

We have affordable space available for small graduation gatherings, family celebrations, open houses, and casual get-togethers.

Whether you’re planning ahead or pulling something together quickly, our space offers a creative, welcoming setting right in downtown Elgin.

SPECIAL Graduation Party Rental Rates
$55/hour | 2-hour minimum
Starting at $110

Availability is limited and based on our event calendar. Get in touch!
🎓 👆 Use the Have your party at Side Street link in bio!! 🎓

#whereelgincreates #partyrental #gradpartyvenue #artisimportant

🎓 🎉 Host your party at Side Street!

We have affordable space available for small graduation gatherings, family celebrations, open houses, and casual get-togethers.

Whether you’re planning ahead or pulling something together quickly, our space offers a creative, welcoming setting right in downtown Elgin.

SPECIAL Graduation Party Rental Rates
$55/hour | 2-hour minimum
Starting at $110

Availability is limited and based on our event calendar. Get in touch!
🎓 👆 Use the Have your party at Side Street link in bio!! 🎓

#whereelgincreates #partyrental #gradpartyvenue #artisimportant

🎓 🎉 Host your party at Side Street!

We have affordable space available for small graduation gatherings, family celebrations, open houses, and casual get-togethers.

Whether you’re planning ahead or pulling something together quickly, our space offers a creative, welcoming setting right in downtown Elgin.

SPECIAL Graduation Party Rental Rates
$55/hour | 2-hour minimum
Starting at $110

Availability is limited and based on our event calendar. Get in touch!
🎓 👆 Use the Have your party at Side Street link in bio!! 🎓

#whereelgincreates #partyrental #gradpartyvenue #artisimportant

🎓 🎉 Host your party at Side Street!

We have affordable space available for small graduation gatherings, family celebrations, open houses, and casual get-togethers.

Whether you’re planning ahead or pulling something together quickly, our space offers a creative, welcoming setting right in downtown Elgin.

SPECIAL Graduation Party Rental Rates
$55/hour | 2-hour minimum
Starting at $110

Availability is limited and based on our event calendar. Get in touch!
🎓 👆 Use the Have your party at Side Street link in bio!! 🎓

#whereelgincreates #partyrental #gradpartyvenue #artisimportant

CRIT NITE IS BACK!! 🙌

Share your current works in progress in a laid-back setting and receive feedback from fellow artists. All experience levels and mediums are accepted.

Join us TONIGHT, MAY 21 from 7pm - 9pm!

Attending Crit Nite is a great way to grow as an artist, connect with others, and move your creative projects forward. Whether you’re seeking feedback, inspiration, or community, this event provides a welcoming space to engage and evolve.

Pay What You Can | Recommended Contribution $8

$8 reflects the true cost of this program, but you’re welcome to pay more or less based on your circumstances.

Celebrate the release of New Meadow’s debut album, All The Secrets You Could Want, with performances from:

@newmeadowmusic
@the_cardboardcutouts
@fectoglen

Doors open at 6:30 PM
Music starts at 7 PM

New album. Great bands. Good vibes. Come hang.

👉Pay What You Can | Recommended Contribution: $10 at the door
$10 reflects the true cost of the program, but you’re welcome to pay more or less based on your circumstances.

#supportlocalmusic

SAVE THE DATEfor what is coming up at Side Street!!

✏️ SUN, MAY 31 - Producing a Show from the Ground Up FREE Workshop! Get ready to produce your own show. Please RSVP - seats are limited.

✅MON, JUNE 1 - Area 22: Arts, Crafts and Oddities Fair vendor applications are due! All the details here 👆 Use the Area 22 Artists and Vendors tab in bio.

👁️ FRI, JUNE 5 - TWO visual art exhibition openings! One in the gallery, one in the theater. Pride: Rise features a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, and expression. It's Here, Am I is an exhibition amplifying the voices and creative resilience of immigrant communities targeted by systems of power.

🏳️‍🌈 SAT, JUNE 6 - Fourth Annual Elgin Pride! We will be marching in the parade and have crafts at the festival. Come by and say HI!

#whereelgincreates#artisimportant#downtownelgin #elginpride #visualartopening

SAVE THE DATEfor what is coming up at Side Street!!

✏️ SUN, MAY 31 - Producing a Show from the Ground Up FREE Workshop! Get ready to produce your own show. Please RSVP - seats are limited.

✅MON, JUNE 1 - Area 22: Arts, Crafts and Oddities Fair vendor applications are due! All the details here 👆 Use the Area 22 Artists and Vendors tab in bio.

👁️ FRI, JUNE 5 - TWO visual art exhibition openings! One in the gallery, one in the theater. Pride: Rise features a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, and expression. It's Here, Am I is an exhibition amplifying the voices and creative resilience of immigrant communities targeted by systems of power.

🏳️‍🌈 SAT, JUNE 6 - Fourth Annual Elgin Pride! We will be marching in the parade and have crafts at the festival. Come by and say HI!

#whereelgincreates#artisimportant#downtownelgin #elginpride #visualartopening

SAVE THE DATEfor what is coming up at Side Street!!

✏️ SUN, MAY 31 - Producing a Show from the Ground Up FREE Workshop! Get ready to produce your own show. Please RSVP - seats are limited.

✅MON, JUNE 1 - Area 22: Arts, Crafts and Oddities Fair vendor applications are due! All the details here 👆 Use the Area 22 Artists and Vendors tab in bio.

👁️ FRI, JUNE 5 - TWO visual art exhibition openings! One in the gallery, one in the theater. Pride: Rise features a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, and expression. It's Here, Am I is an exhibition amplifying the voices and creative resilience of immigrant communities targeted by systems of power.

🏳️‍🌈 SAT, JUNE 6 - Fourth Annual Elgin Pride! We will be marching in the parade and have crafts at the festival. Come by and say HI!

#whereelgincreates#artisimportant#downtownelgin #elginpride #visualartopening

SAVE THE DATEfor what is coming up at Side Street!!

✏️ SUN, MAY 31 - Producing a Show from the Ground Up FREE Workshop! Get ready to produce your own show. Please RSVP - seats are limited.

✅MON, JUNE 1 - Area 22: Arts, Crafts and Oddities Fair vendor applications are due! All the details here 👆 Use the Area 22 Artists and Vendors tab in bio.

👁️ FRI, JUNE 5 - TWO visual art exhibition openings! One in the gallery, one in the theater. Pride: Rise features a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, and expression. It's Here, Am I is an exhibition amplifying the voices and creative resilience of immigrant communities targeted by systems of power.

🏳️‍🌈 SAT, JUNE 6 - Fourth Annual Elgin Pride! We will be marching in the parade and have crafts at the festival. Come by and say HI!

#whereelgincreates#artisimportant#downtownelgin #elginpride #visualartopening

SAVE THE DATEfor what is coming up at Side Street!!

✏️ SUN, MAY 31 - Producing a Show from the Ground Up FREE Workshop! Get ready to produce your own show. Please RSVP - seats are limited.

✅MON, JUNE 1 - Area 22: Arts, Crafts and Oddities Fair vendor applications are due! All the details here 👆 Use the Area 22 Artists and Vendors tab in bio.

👁️ FRI, JUNE 5 - TWO visual art exhibition openings! One in the gallery, one in the theater. Pride: Rise features a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, and expression. It's Here, Am I is an exhibition amplifying the voices and creative resilience of immigrant communities targeted by systems of power.

🏳️‍🌈 SAT, JUNE 6 - Fourth Annual Elgin Pride! We will be marching in the parade and have crafts at the festival. Come by and say HI!

#whereelgincreates#artisimportant#downtownelgin #elginpride #visualartopening

Craft, create, connect. 🧵

Join us for a casual community craft night celebrating creativity, conversation, and shared skills. Bring a project you’re working on, start something new, or simply come hang out in a welcoming creative space.

No experience needed — just good vibes and curiosity.

Beginner embroidery + crochet kits available for purchase. Want to try another craft? Reach out and we’ll help however we can.

RSVP + reserve kits:
advocacy@sidestreetstudioarts.org

Pay What You Can | Suggested Contribution: $8

#supportlocalart
#craft
#downtownelgin
#exploreelgin
#sidestreet

Community event spotlight: PRIDE Night at Elgin High School 🌈

Elgin High is hosting a celebration of the EHS LGBTQ+ community and allies featuring dance, poetry, singing, drag, and more.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00–7:30 PM
EHS Auditorium
Tickets: $3
100% of proceeds will be donated to @trevorproject , supporting suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for LGBTQ+ young people.

Show up, cheer loud, and support a night of joy, creativity, and community.

#pride

CONGRATS to ART CLASH - Verdant first place artist @melscotte and runner up @rachelayoungchee !!!

They will be moving on to the ART CLASH CITY FINAL on Saturday, June 27th for a shot at the title of ART CLASH CHAMPION!!!

Thank you to all the artists who battled last night, and thank you to the audience and our staff for help making another stellar night of arts & culture in downtown Elgin.

We wouldn’t be here without you. ❤️

#supportlocalart

CONGRATS to ART CLASH - Verdant first place artist @melscotte and runner up @rachelayoungchee !!!

They will be moving on to the ART CLASH CITY FINAL on Saturday, June 27th for a shot at the title of ART CLASH CHAMPION!!!

Thank you to all the artists who battled last night, and thank you to the audience and our staff for help making another stellar night of arts & culture in downtown Elgin.

We wouldn’t be here without you. ❤️

#supportlocalart

CONGRATS to ART CLASH - Verdant first place artist @melscotte and runner up @rachelayoungchee !!!

They will be moving on to the ART CLASH CITY FINAL on Saturday, June 27th for a shot at the title of ART CLASH CHAMPION!!!

Thank you to all the artists who battled last night, and thank you to the audience and our staff for help making another stellar night of arts & culture in downtown Elgin.

We wouldn’t be here without you. ❤️

#supportlocalart

CONGRATS to ART CLASH - Verdant first place artist @melscotte and runner up @rachelayoungchee !!!

They will be moving on to the ART CLASH CITY FINAL on Saturday, June 27th for a shot at the title of ART CLASH CHAMPION!!!

Thank you to all the artists who battled last night, and thank you to the audience and our staff for help making another stellar night of arts & culture in downtown Elgin.

We wouldn’t be here without you. ❤️

#supportlocalart

ART CLASH TONIGHT!
Come out and see some of Elgin’s finest artists battle it out for their chance to move on to the finals in June where we will see who will become the 2026 ART CLASH CHAMPION! 👑

Tonight’s lineup:

Rachel Ayoung Chee
@rachelayoungchee
MimicBox Comix
@zelagero
Melina Scotte
@melscotte
Bay  
@baykennedy13
Cristina Colunga Ramírez
@arte.en.los.huesitos
Abby Mungai King
@walrustown
Kevin Gould
@kevingouldfineart
Karl Jahnke
@karlmjahnke
Kathryn Fredrickson
@starsoverthethicket
Shannon Carlson
@psychidyllicarts
🔥🔥🔥

Get your tickets in advance for $18, or $20 at the door
(Link in bio & comments)

Doors at 6:30pm
Clash begins at 7pm

BE THERE!!!!