Nighthawk and IMAN: Fostering Art and Activism in Chicago

On May 15, the Flip a Beat Club Chicago (FABC) held an event featuring artist Ace, who crafted beats using an MPC, commonly known as a beat machine, at Nighthawk, a bar and art space in Chicago. Cory Morrison, the FABC Chicago founder, shared that participants at such events make beats using samples provided by the club. These sessions are available as livestreams.

Nighthawk, located in Albany Park on Chicago’s North Side, witnessed a transformation from a local bar into a vibrant arts venue. David Chavez, who coordinates programs and cultural events for Chicago, noted, “We’ve been coming here for the last 10 years, practically since they opened.” Back then, Chavez and his family—Ana Bermudez, Samantha Bermudez, and Juan Bermudez—were regular patrons. They later reimagined Nighthawk into a unique local arts hub. The four became managing partners in early 2025, turning it into a venue for live music, visual art exhibitions, and cultural discussions, all accessible without purchase requirements.

On a sunny afternoon, Nighthawk hosted a documentary film discussion on its backyard patio, illustrating its focus on creating a ‘third space’ beyond alcohol consumption. Chavez mentioned, “It meant creating a space with activities that go beyond merely consuming alcohol, providing access to art-making, drawing, painting, and discussions on current events.” Nighthawk operates at the intersection of the arts and local activism.

Nighthawk sponsors a food pantry and often presents community fundraisers.

The neighborhood of Albany Park, a predominantly Latino area, has seen significant changes. Nighthawk responded to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids with new events, including whistle kit-making gatherings. Chavez shared, “We helped organize these gatherings on Fridays, filling the bar with 150 people, producing thousands of whistles.” These whistles inform neighbors of ICE agents’ presence, proving crucial for local activism.

Elsewhere in Chicago, the South Side community dealt with ICE’s growing impact. Rami Nashashibi, MacArthur grant-winning founder and executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), highlighted the trauma from the rise of ICE agents pulling individuals from daycare centers. IMAN, grounded in community activism and Muslim roots, integrates art into its response strategies, much like Nighthawk.

Nashashibi said, “At IMAN, art has always played an integral role. It enables us to radically reimagine future possibilities and serves as an organizing tool to help communities stay unified in times of trauma.” The IMAN ceramics studio in Marquette Park illustrates this focus, providing community members a space for creation and expression.

In mid-May, IMAN organized a street fair in Englewood, connecting locals with affordable and fresh food options amid federal cuts to food aid. These efforts link neighborhoods through communal support, exemplified by enthusiastic participation at events.

Nighthawk and IMAN, despite different origins, share goals: they both nurture local art and activism, fostering resilience within their communities. It is through these efforts that spirits in Chicago sustain.