Veggie Bingo is Back

Chicago, June 15th, 2016 – Once again, NeighborSpace, The Hideout, and Soup & Bread are partnering to present Veggie Bingo. Every Wednesday evening from June 15th to August 31st, local celebrity callers (including Jon Langford of the Mekons, actor/comedian/Cubs fan Rusty Schwimmer, and theater director Seth Bockley) will lead bingo at the Hideout. Bingo fans will compete for a cornucopia of Chicago-made prizes, including fresh, locally-grown produce. All proceeds benefit Chicago community gardens.

• Wednesday, June 15: Chicago Community Gardeners Association
• Wednesday, June 22: El Paseo Community Garden (Pilsen)
• Wednesday, June 29: Winthrop Harmony Arts Garden (Uptown)
• Wednesday, July 6: Fulton Street Flower and Vegetable Garden (Garfield Park)
• Wednesday, July 13: Children’s Garden of Hope (Humboldt Park)
• Wednesday, July 20: The Oscar Meyer Magnet School Garden Project (Lincoln Park)
• Wednesday, July 27: Hermitage Street Community Garden (Englewood)
• Wednesday, August 3: Bush Community Garden/Children’s Garden of Hope (Humboldt Park)
• Wednesday, August 10: North Lawndale Greening Committee
• Wednesday, August 17: Jardincito Nature Play Garden (Little Village)
• Wednesday, August 24: McKinley Library Park (McKinley Park)
• Wednesday, August 31: South Merrill Community Garden (South Shore)

In addition to a nightly prize of fresh vegetables from Irv and Shelly’s Fresh Picks, we’ll be bingo’ing away a cornucopia of prizes from Chicago stalwarts like Big Shoulders Coffee, Dusty Groove Records, Improv Olympic Theater, Mana Food Bar, The Book Cellar, Music Box Theater, Olivia’s Market, Spinning J Bakery, Virtue Cider, and more.

“We’re delighted to continue supporting community gardens through this unique event,” said Ben Helphand, NeighborSpace Executive Director. “Community gardens bring neighborhoods together, so a live bingo event that brings gardeners, supporters, and Hideout-lovers together is a perfect fit.”

Games run 5:30-8 pm; kids are welcome as long as they’re with a responsible grownup. Veggie Bingo offers seating both inside the bar and on the patio. Bingo cards are $4 apiece or 3 for $10. Bring some food and have a fun night supporting Chicago community gardens.

Partners 

NeighborSpace is the only nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups. NeighborSpace shoulders the responsibilities of property ownership – such as providing basic insurance, access to water, and links to support networks – so that community group can focus on gardening. NeighborSpace protected gardens give young and old alike an opportunity to get their hands in the earth and enjoy nature, right in their own neighborhoods. Currently, NeighborSpace protects 109 community gardens across 33 of Chicago’s 50 wards.

The Hideout is a 100-year-old balloon-frame house, built in two days, still here a century later. Hammers pounding in nails faster than the city could tear it down. Born as a 19th Century Shanty, straight from the mud by ditch-digging Irishmen with dirty boots and hats, always hats, pushed aside by the nickel and dime Prohibition Era Sicilian button men. Cold War steel working Polish made way for the alternative, indie, free jazz, country, punk, post-rock of the 21st Century. The Hideout is located in the center of the industrial corridor along the North Branch of the Chicago River. It is surrounded by factories and the looming City of Chicago Fleet Management Facility. The Hideout is music, art, performance, plays, poetry, rock and rebellion.

Contact: 

To learn more about these events or about NeighborSpace and its gardens, contact Joe Zarrow, NeighborSpace Development and Strategic Communications Coordinator, 773-826-3240. jzarrow@neighbor-space.org.

To learn more about the Hideout, contact Sullivan Davis at hideoutinn@gmail.com.