13th Annual City of Big Dreams Gala

13th Annual City of Big Dreams Gala Presented by The Simple Good & Classik Studios Location: Moonlight Studios, Chicago Date: October 1, 2026 Dress code: Cocktail Attire Agenda 5:30 pm — Check-in opens 6:00 – 7:00 pm — VIP Happy Hour* 7:00 pm — General admission opens 7:30 pm — Concert begins Please plan to arrive by 7:00 pm so we can kick off the show together at 7:30 pm. Join us on October 1 at Moonlight Studios for City of Big Dreams, an immersive fundraising experience celebrating the creativity, culture, and limitless potential of Chicago. This year marks a milestone for two organizations committed to shaping Chicago’s future. The Simple Good celebrates 15 years of empowering youth through art and social emotional learning, while Classick Studios celebrates 20 years of championing independent artists and investing in the next generation of creatives, leaders, and culture makers. Together, we are uniting our communities to create lasting impact for the future of Chicago. This Year’s City of Big Dreams Honoree: Navy Pier Each year, City of Big Dreams honors a community partner who has been exceptional in helping The Simple Good spread “the simple good” across Chicago. We are proud to recognize Navy Pier as this year’s honoree for their outstanding partnership and commitment to our mission. VIP Happy Hour (6:00 – 7:00 pm) Kick off the evening with an exclusive VIP Happy Hour inside the Simple Good Museum, where guests will be immersed in the world of The Simple Good. Hear remarks from Founder & CEO Priya Shah and a keynote from Kenya Merritt, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development for the City of Chicago. Guests will also have the chance to meet Simple Good students firsthand, hearing the inspiration behind their artwork and what The Simple Good means to them, before doors open to General Admission at 7:00 pm. Experience a live music showcase curated by Classick Studios, a Grammy Award-winning Chicago-based record label, creative collective, and production house whose artists and collaborators include Chance the Rapper, SZA, Smino, Dreamville, and Noname, among others. The showcase will feature emerging Chicago artists across genres, alongside an interactive Simple Good Museum designed and hosted by The Simple Good Youth, live paintings created throughout the evening by legendary Chicago artists, and a curated lineup of local food vendors celebrating Chicago’s vibrant culinary scene. More than a celebration, City of Big Dreams is a call to action. Our goal is to raise $170,000 to expand The Simple Good’s programs and provide 700 students with access to social-emotional learning, art programs, and transformative experiences throughout the upcoming school year. Your ticket is an investment in the future of Chicago, helping more young people discover their voice, build confidence, and dream beyond their circumstances. Join us for an evening where culture creates impact, creativity inspires change, and two organizations come together with one shared vision: to invest in the next generation of creatives, leaders, and the future of our city. Save the date for October 1, 2026, and join us as we build a City of Big Dreams.