Experimental Station

Experimental Station Building Independent Cultural Infrastructure > food access, bike education, & arts & culture support

The Experimental Station seeks to build independent cultural infrastructure on the South Side of Chicago by providing essential resources that respond to local needs. Since 2002, Experimental Station has supported food security, youth education, and independent journalism. Our programs include Blackstone Bicycle Works (BBW), Link Up Illinois, and the 61st Street Farmers Market.

🚲🍻 JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!Celebrate 20 years of Blackstone Bicycle Works with us over b**r, delicious food, raffle prizes, a...
09/29/2026

🚲🍻 JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!

Celebrate 20 years of Blackstone Bicycle Works with us over b**r, delicious food, raffle prizes, and a fun evening with the B*W community!

🍖 All tickets include delicious food from Soul & Smoke, featuring Signature Mac + Cheese, Smoked Duroc Ribs, and Vegan Smokey Joe Sandwiches.

🎁 We’ll also have some exciting cycling raffle prizes up for grabs! Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

📅 Tuesday, October 6 | 6–9 PM
📍 Goose Island Taproom | 1800 W. Fulton St.

Your support helps us continue providing bicycle education and youth programming on Chicago’s South Side.

🎟️ Get your tickets today! Link in bio or www.expstation.org/tickets

🏛️ SHAPING CONTEMPORARY REALITIES: ARCHITECTURE AND BEYOND📅 September 24–26, 2026📍 Chicago | 3 days • 3 venues • 1 trans...
09/21/2026

🏛️ SHAPING CONTEMPORARY REALITIES: ARCHITECTURE AND BEYOND

📅 September 24–26, 2026
📍 Chicago | 3 days • 3 venues • 1 transatlantic conversation
🎟️ Free and open to the public. Registration required
https://tinyurl.com/yrm6s7nr

Villa Albertine Chicago and MAS Context, with leading support from Saint-Gobain, bring together voices from France and the U.S. to explore the future of architecture, innovation, and the built environment.

🔹 Sept. 24 — Innovative Adaptation
Illinois Institute of Technology | 1–4:30 PM

🔹 Sept. 25 — Civic Changemaking
Experimental Station + Obama Presidential Center | 1–4:30 PM

🔹 Sept. 26 — Flourishing Environments
Chicago Architecture Center | 1–4:30 PM

09/15/2026

🚲 That’s right! The first-ever Chicago Youth Bike Summit is happening THIS WEEK!

There are still a few spots left! If you’re 14–22, sign up today for two days of fun, connection, biking, and important conversations about bike and mobility advocacy in Chicago.

And yes 👀 — lunch will be provided, and participating youth will receive a $50 stipend!

📅 September 19–20
📍 Blackstone Bicycle Works at Experimental Station

🔗 Link in bio to sign up. See you at the Summit!

Happening this Saturday, September 12⏰ 6:00–9:30 PM📍 Experimental Station | 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.Presented by Caught D...
09/10/2026

Happening this Saturday, September 12
⏰ 6:00–9:30 PM
📍 Experimental Station | 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.

Presented by Caught Dreaming and , The Timeless Experience celebrates the upcoming release of CW Allen’s Timeless album with an unforgettable evening of live music, immersive storytelling, and community.

Hosted by , the evening will feature special performances by , , and , along with a live band bringing the music of TIMELESS to life.

Come early for a pre-show party with DJ Mar, explore food and specialty vendors, and stay for an open mic celebrating the incredible creative voices in our community.

Whether you’ve followed ’s journey for years or you’re discovering his music for the first time, we’d love for you to join us for an evening of music, connection, and celebration.

This special event is offered through a suggested donation. As a thank you for your support, every guest who donates will receive exclusive early digital access to Timeless before its public release in October.

Reserve your spot, bring a friend, and be among the first to experience Timeless before the rest of the world.

🎶 MUSIC. 🎨 ARTS. ✨ CREATIVITY. We and our amazing partners are bringing you a lineup of cool, creative events at our spa...
09/09/2026

🎶 MUSIC. 🎨 ARTS. ✨ CREATIVITY.

We and our amazing partners are bringing you a lineup of cool, creative events at our space on Chicago’s South Side this September! Join us for music, film, art, conversation, and community.

SEPTEMBER LINEUP
🎤 Sept. 12 | 6–9:30 PM — The Timeless Experience Chicago and
🎬 Sept. 17 | 7–10 PM — Ground Rules Movie Night: Rafiki by
🏙️ Sept. 25 | 1–3 PM — Shaping Contemporary Realities: Architecture and Beyond by .albertine Villa Albertine
🍉 Sept. 26 | 7–9:30 PM — MELONCHOLIA: A Black Rage Ritual
🎨 Sept. 29 | 7–10 PM — ChiBrations presents The Portal

📍 Experimental Station
6100 S. Blackstone Ave. | Chicago

🔗 Link in bio to learn more + RSVP!

09/03/2026

🍻🚲 Cheers Over Beers for 20 Years!

Originally founded in the 1990s, Blackstone Bicycle Works became a program of Experimental Station in 2006 and has been empowering young people through bicycles ever since.

Do you like bikes, b**r, and community impact? Join us as we raise a glass—and raise funds—to keep this important work rolling for the next generation!

📍 Goose Island Taproom
1800 W. Fulton St., Chicago, IL 60612

📅 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 6–9 PM

We’ll also have a raffle featuring high-quality cycling gear and prizes from our generous sponsors, including SRAM, Kryptonite, Portland Design Works, Selle Anatomica, Patagonia, and more!

🎟️ Get your tickets today at this link: expstation.org/tickets or link in bio!

🥵 It’s hot out! Come cool off at Ground Rules Game Night in our chill (literally 😎), spacious event space!But really—com...
09/02/2026

🥵 It’s hot out! Come cool off at Ground Rules Game Night in our chill (literally 😎), spacious event space!

But really—come for the games, stay for the conversations, connections, and community. 🎲💬

📅 Thursday, Sept. 3
✨ Free + open to the public! And we've got snacks, too!

08/28/2026

🎟️ TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW for Blackstone Bicycle Works’ 20th Anniversary Fundraiser! 🚲🎉

For 20 years, Blackstone Bicycle Works has empowered young people, built skills, created opportunities, and strengthened our community through bicycles. 💚

JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION with b**rs, delicious eats, and a can’t-miss raffle featuring high-quality cycling prizes from our generous sponsors, including SRAM, Patagonia, Kryptonite, Selle Anatomica, and Portland Design Works!

📅 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 6–9 PM
📍 Goose Island Fulton Tap

🎟️ Get your tickets today! Link in bio or expstation.org/tickets

Spotlighting the people and efforts behind bringing fresh food access to the South SideThis week, we’re highlighting Al ...
08/28/2026

Spotlighting the people and efforts behind bringing fresh food access to the South Side

This week, we’re highlighting Al Mikell, lead staff member at Ellis Family Farm.

Did you know that Al began working at farmers markets nearly 48 years ago? He has witnessed many changes in food access across Chicago’s South Side—from a time when four farmers markets served the area in the 1980s to the closure of grocery stores and markets that left many neighborhoods with limited access to fresh produce.

These experiences inspired Al to make it his lifelong mission to bring fresh food to communities, particularly communities of color. While working at farmers markets across Chicago, he met Rene, the owner of Ellis Family Farms, in the early 2000s. In 2007, Al introduced the farm to the soon-to-open 61st Street Farmers Market.

Al has been at the Market nearly every Saturday since, bringing not only fresh fruits and vegetables but also valuable knowledge about food to our community.

As we thank Al and Ellis Family Farms, we also recognize the entire team—Sharlotte, Omi, Kakira, Dezeren, and Maxine—for their kindness toward our Market customers and their continued commitment to bringing fresh food to our community.

Address

6100 S Blackstone Avenue
Chicago, IL
60637

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 6pm
Wednesday 1pm - 6pm
Thursday 1pm - 6pm
Friday 1pm - 6pm

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