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DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

The DANK Haus German American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural center and language school located in the heart of one of Chicago's traditionally German neighborhoods, Lincoln Square. Open to all ages and backgrounds, the center features a language school, a museum, an art gallery, and a library. Regular programs include a monthly open house, movie screenings, cooking classes, as well as concerts, plays and other performances. Whether you wish to learn the language, connect with your roots, or find new friends, we look forward to meeting you!

WE THANK OUR SPONSORS

Cultural Events

We are known to throw the best events in the neighbordhood. World Cup, Eurovision, Mayfest, Stammtisch, Kino, Comedy Shows, Classical Concerts, or Oktoberfest.  READ MORE

Education

We offer German language classes for everyone from toddlers and kids to teens to adults. Our cooking classes and other educational events are a hit for all types of students.   READ MORE

Museum

First you will be in awe over the "Lost German Chicago" exhibit, but once you see our painting of Kaiser Wilhelm II, it will leave you speechless! READ MORE

Hall Rentals

Plan your event in one of our beautiful, historic rooms. The elegant architectural details from the marble lobby to the gilt plaster frieze of the ballroom make the perfect setting.   READ MORE

Library

There are over 6,000 volumes in our collection, including many rare sets. Categories range from adult fiction history, poetry and drama, but the favorite section are the children's books.   READ MORE

Gallery

Curated by the Programming Committee, the Willi Scharpenberg Gallery hosts rotating exhibits of German American and German artists in a wide range of mediums. READ MORE

Upcoming events

  • German History: Enlightenment to Unification

    • Thursday, September 28, 2017
    • 7:00 PM
    • Thursday, January 04, 2018
    • 9:00 PM
    • DANK Haus, Skyline Lounge
    • 11 registrants
    Register

    Join us as we survey the history of the German speaking peoples from the scientific revolution of the 17th century, through the Enlightenment of the 18th and up to the unification of Germany in 1871.

    Meet the great German scientists, Leibniz and Kepler among others, whose discoveries helped lay the intellectual foundations of the Enlightenment.

    We'll discuss the emancipation of the serfs--most of our ancestors--and the Jews in the late 18th and 19th centuries, and what effect this would later have on urbanization, the industrial revolution as well as immigration to America.

    Syllabus for E to U 4.pdf

    Show details

  • Kulturküche: Sweet & Savory Dumplings

    • Friday, October 27, 2017
    • 7:30 PM
    • 5th Floor, Kitchen
    • 16
    Register


    From Brazilian empanadas to Chinese pot stickers, dumplings are known and loved throughout the world in their many incarnations. A testament to the art of extending fillings such as meat, cheese or vegetables, a dumpling is truly versatile in that it can be a main dish, a side dish, soup, or a dessert. So what makes a dumpling a dumpling? Learn the secrets from chef Rita Schubert at our informative and entertaining class on German dumplings at the DANK Haus! As always, our interactive classes include hands-on instruction, generous samplings, a drink from the bar, recipes to take home, camaraderie, and chef Rita's joie de vivre. Purchasing your tickets early is encouraged as classes tend to fill up fast. This class promises to be an enjoyable adventure in German culinary culture!

    Class fee includes recipe, hands-on demonstration, one drink from the bar, generous tasting, and great camaraderie.

    Free parking on MB Financial Bank lot after 6pm
    (entrance on Western & Gunnison)

    List of registrants available for members only!

    Show details

  • German Cinema Now: CANCELLED LOOK FOR UPCOMING INFORMATION

    • Friday, October 27, 2017
    • 7:30 PM
    • 2nd floor, Brandenburg Room
    • 99

    CANCELLED -

    Please look for upcoming information regarding German Cinema Now.

    Instead join us for Kulturküche: Sweet & Savory Dumplings cooking. Same night, Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM. Registration is required for this event so be sure and sign up now.

    Thank you!

    Show details

  • DANK Haus 90th Birthday Party

    • Saturday, November 04, 2017
    • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 111
    • 39 registrants
    Register


    On the occasion of the 90th birthday of our beautiful building, we are combining this year's Annual Meeting with a birthday party celebrating the long and lively history of the DANK Haus! In addition to photographic installations of the building's past, there will be two keynote speakers sharing their knowledge about the building's architect Paul Gerhardt and the Germania Club.

    Afterwards, we will raise a glass of champagne and enjoy a scrumptious piece of birthday cake. If you love our Haus, you do not want to miss this!


    Free admission, snacks and drinks available for purchase. 

    Show details

  • DANK Haus Night at the Lyric Opera: Die Walküre

    • Friday, November 10, 2017
    • 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
    • Lyric Opera House

    After the great success of our partnership with the Lyric Opera in 2016, we are thrilled to have another DANK Haus Night at the Lyric in 2017. Due to the popular demand last year we have expanded this special over three dates. Members, students, volunteers and supporters of DANK Haus get to enjoy an orchestral firework with Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre.

    This is the most deeply moving and romantic of all the Ring operas. Its riveting, devastating drama involves complex relationships between brother and sister, husband and wife, father and daughter. Every character is unforgettable—valiant Siegmund and Sieglinde, headstrong Brünnhilde and mighty, tortured Wotan, determined Fricka and vengeful Hunding. Wagner’s music drama burns itself on our memories, exciting us with the emotional intensity of its lyrical outbursts and its incredible power and majesty.

    When purchasing your tickets on https://www.lyricopera.org, make sure to use the special promo code DANKHAUS39. (Note – Zone restrictions apply and the code is valid for many, but not all seats at the Lyric).

    If you’re not able to attend any of the three special DANK Haus Night events, but still want to see Die Walküre or any other opera at the Lyric, we were able to secure a special 20% discount for all other performances. Simply use the promo code DANKHAUS18 when purchasing your ticket.


    Show details

  • Deutsch Mic @ the DANK!

    • Tuesday, November 14, 2017
    • Tuesday, January 09, 2018
    • 3 sessions
    • DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Avenue
    • 97
    • 3 registrants
    Register

    Join us for the inaugural Deutsch Mic @ the DANK, an offenes Mikro evening of German-language, song, spoken word, and musical composition beginning on Tuesday, September 12th! 

    This will take place every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in our skyline lounge. All performers are welcome! ! Bring your Gitarre, Geige, Krok MS-20 or just your schöne Stimme. Piano on premise.

     Free Admission, drinks available for purchase.

    Show details

  • DANK Haus Night at the Lyric Opera: Die Walküre

    • Sunday, November 26, 2017
    • 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Lyric Opera House

    After the great success of our partnership with the Lyric Opera in 2016, we are thrilled to have another DANK Haus Night at the Lyric in 2017. Due to the popular demand last year we have expanded this special over three dates. Members, students, volunteers and supporters of DANK Haus get to enjoy an orchestral firework with Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre.

    This is the most deeply moving and romantic of all the Ring operas. Its riveting, devastating drama involves complex relationships between brother and sister, husband and wife, father and daughter. Every character is unforgettable—valiant Siegmund and Sieglinde, headstrong Brünnhilde and mighty, tortured Wotan, determined Fricka and vengeful Hunding. Wagner’s music drama burns itself on our memories, exciting us with the emotional intensity of its lyrical outbursts and its incredible power and majesty.

    When purchasing your tickets on https://www.lyricopera.org, make sure to use the special promo code DANKHAUS39. (Note – Zone restrictions apply and the code is valid for many, but not all seats at the Lyric).

    If you’re not able to attend any of the three special DANK Haus Night events, but still want to see Die Walküre or any other opera at the Lyric, we were able to secure a special 20% discount for all other performances. Simply use the promo code DANKHAUS18 when purchasing your ticket.


    Show details

  • DANK Haus Night at the Lyric Opera: Die Walküre

    • Thursday, November 30, 2017
    • 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
    • Lyric Opera House

    After the great success of our partnership with the Lyric Opera in 2016, we are thrilled to have another DANK Haus Night at the Lyric in 2017. Due to the popular demand last year we have expanded this special over three dates. Members, students, volunteers and supporters of DANK Haus get to enjoy an orchestral firework with Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre.

    This is the most deeply moving and romantic of all the Ring operas. Its riveting, devastating drama involves complex relationships between brother and sister, husband and wife, father and daughter. Every character is unforgettable—valiant Siegmund and Sieglinde, headstrong Brünnhilde and mighty, tortured Wotan, determined Fricka and vengeful Hunding. Wagner’s music drama burns itself on our memories, exciting us with the emotional intensity of its lyrical outbursts and its incredible power and majesty.

    When purchasing your tickets on https://www.lyricopera.org, make sure to use the special promo code DANKHAUS39. (Note – Zone restrictions apply and the code is valid for many, but not all seats at the Lyric).

    If you’re not able to attend any of the three special DANK Haus Night events, but still want to see Die Walküre or any other opera at the Lyric, we were able to secure a special 20% discount for all other performances. Simply use the promo code DANKHAUS18 when purchasing your ticket.


    Show details

Join now

Friends of DANK Haus

Whether you are interested in taking a class in our language school, participate in one of our events throughout the year, support our community outreach, attend the museum, gallery and library, or simply want to show the pride in German heritage and culture, our Friends of DANK Haus Benefits program has lot of perks:
  • Free monthly Open Haus Stammtisch event
  • Free movie events
  • Free museum access
  • Free parking during off-business hours
  • Discount on German language classes (coming soon)
  • Discount on rentals of our Skyline Lounge and Ballroom  
  • Discount on Kulturküche cooking classes
  • Discount on concerts and special events
  • Discount on flights to Germany (coming soon)
  • Invitation to exclusive member-only events
  • Early-bird access to events with a guaranteed sell-out 

When joining the Friends of DANK Haus benefits program, you are supporting a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We also encourage you to support and join the DANK National organization, which has its own membership benefits.

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DANK Haus
German American Cultural Center 
4740 North Western Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60625

Connect with us

Office: +1 (773) 561-9181
Email: Dank@Dankhaus.com

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
DANK Haus German American Cultural Center does not discriminate based on race, color, sexuality, national origin, sex, disability or age.
©2017 DANK Haus. All rights reserved.

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