Have you experienced live music at The CheckOut yet? Below is a special invite to Graceland West neighbors from Seth Boustead, Executive Director of ACM, for TONIGHT’s show:
National Space Week lands at The CheckOut with a concert of music inspired by the cosmos Saturday night. You’ll hear new works for string quartet evoking orbiting satellites, the awe-inspiring Apollo moon landing missions, and a meditative journey through space by one of the founders of minimalism.
We’ll also feature two striking pieces for cello and interactive video that incorporate human voices to create an elaborate tapestry as part of the Earthling Project, a recording which was launched to the moon as part of the Arch Mission Foundation’s Lunar Library.
As our neighbors, you’re invited to join us at half off the regular ticket price with the code “graceland”
Walk up and be part of this unforgettable evening of music, community, and space-themed slushies!
Music of the Cosmos featuring Terry Riley Saturday, October 4th – Doors at 6:30, concert at 7:30 $20 – half off with promo code “graceland” https://thecheckout.org
Terry Riley’s Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a special community meeting this week at the new home of Access Contemporary Music (ACM). It was great to see so many of you officially welcome our new neighbor.
The former 7-Eleven at 4116 N. Clark has been transformed into an inviting space, and we’re excited for its official opening. During the evening, we learned from ACM’s Executive Director, Seth Boustead, that the location will be called “The CheckOut,” a clever nod to its history. He also shared plans to host two evening events per week and a desire to partner with other organizations to use the space, such as a local church. Seth also treated us to a wonderful piano performance!
Stay up to date with The CheckOut’s events and sign up for lessons on their website: https://thecheckout.org/. The official opening is Friday, September 12.
We were also honored to have 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay in attendance. She shared some important updates, including that funding is available for 100% city-funded sidewalk replacements in her ward—so if you’re in the 46th Ward, be sure to contact her office to make a request.
During the meeting, GWCA members reelected Colin, Matthew, and Janice to the Council for terms running through December 31, 2026. Congratulations to our dedicated leadership.
We Need Your Input
To help us plan for the future, we have launched a new survey to gather your ideas and find out where you’d like to volunteer. Your feedback is crucial for shaping our community’s future.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. You can access it by scanning the QR code or visiting the link below:
Heavy rains can leave behind standing water and puddles, creating inconvenience and potential hazards in our neighborhood. Fortunately, bioswales help mitigate these issues by capturing and filtering stormwater, reducing runoff, and preventing flooding. Here in Graceland West, we are fortunate to have several bioswales that play a crucial role in managing water flow and keeping our streets drier during rain events.
Bioswales function by using vegetation and soil to slow down and absorb rainwater, filtering out pollutants before the water reaches the sewer system or natural waterways. These green infrastructure elements are designed with a gentle slope and deep-rooted plants that help capture excess rainwater, reducing strain on storm drains and improving overall water quality.
However, bioswales don’t maintain themselves! These natural drainage solutions require ongoing care to remain effective, and that’s where community support comes in. Recently, a dedicated group of volunteers—Colin, Teddi, Linda, and Kim—came together to revitalize the bioswale at 4200 N Clark St (Clark and Berteau). Their efforts included clearing debris, which helps maintain proper water flow and prevents blockages, refreshing plant life, and ensuring the bioswale remains a functional and attractive part of our neighborhood.
The native plants are already sprouting and birds are finding earthworms there.
If you’d like to get involved in maintaining our bioswales, keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities and review our Stormwater Solutions page! Small efforts from community members help keep our neighborhood beautiful and resilient.
Many of you may already be familiar with the exciting news that Access Contemporary Music (ACM) has officially begun construction on its new home at the former 7-Eleven site in Lakeview. The long-vacant lot at 4116 N. Clark St. is being transformed into ACM’s first dedicated performance and education space, marking a major milestone for the organization and the local arts community.
ACM, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing contemporary classical music to wider audiences, has been a staple in Chicago for years. This new venue will house a music school, rehearsal spaces, and a performance hall, creating a vibrant hub for musicians and music lovers alike. For our community, the renovation signals not only an investment in the arts but also a revitalization of a long-empty property that will now serve as a center for creativity and learning.
As construction gets underway, ACM is committed to keeping neighbors informed and engaged. If you haven’t already seen the recent coverage, check out these articles from WBEZ and Block Club Chicago for more details on their plans and vision:
We’ll continue to provide updates as ACM’s renovation progresses, your next opportunity to find out more about the renovation will be at our March 13th Meeting where we’ll be joined by Seth Bousted, ACM Executive Director.
ACM is currently enrolling students for Spring and Summer piano and voice lessons at this location.
Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, is pleased to welcome Access Contemporary Music, ACM, to the neighborhood at 4116 N Clark. This will be their newest class and performance space.
Seth Boustead, ACM Executive Director, let us know that ACM received their building permits the week before last and began construction on Monday, December 2ndat the Clark and Southport site previously rented to 7eleven. They hope to do a soft open in July with a grand opening in September.
From their website:
ACM turns 20 this year! Over the last twenty years we’ve commissioned hundreds of composers, taught musical creativity to thousands of students in our storefront music schools, produced hundreds of concerts throughout Chicago and beyond, created a nationally syndicated PBS series featuring newly commissioned music inspired by architecture and produced innovative programs like the Thirsty Ears Festival, Sound of Silent Film, Composer Alive and Meditative Mondays.
Their interior space will be all new and include four teaching rooms and seating for performances. ACM is now offering sign-up for summer lessons in piano and voice at this location through their website.
Boustead was one of over 400 applicants who applied for Chicago’s Community Development Fund grant, and one of just 40 total grant recipients city-wide. ACM is now fundraising for staffing, programming, construction costs not covered by the grant, and hopefully a small cash reserve to ensure that they are sustainable. Here is a link to their fundraising page, fundraiser.
Lakeview Taproom, located within Graceland West and friends of GWCA, is proud to announce they have opened a coffee house! Sticking to their goal to connect local Chicago businesses to neighbors, their coffee is provided by Hexe Coffee Co.
The coffee house is open from 7am-3pm every day. Their menu has fresh coffees, tea, espresso, and baked goods. The taproom drink menu will be available during these hours as well.
Lakeview Taproom and Coffee House is located at 1426 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL. You can reserve this space for a private event through their contact page, or you can just stop by and try one of their treats.
