Mess Hall is a community-based endeavor inhabiting a storefront at 6932 North Glenwood Ave photo courtesy of Mess Hall

Mess Hall, off the Morse Redline stop, promotes community, art and participation

by Kate Knowles

The phrase ‘Chicago is an awesome city’—almost a cliché--yet all of its variations express two possible meanings. The first is: “Chicago is awesome and I have actually explored a lot of it.” The second meaning, however, is slightly less…active: “I have to assume that Chicago is an awesome city, but I haven’t actually been anywhere except Michigan Avenue, Evanston, etc…” Most would not admit to this interpretation however.

From Greek Town to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago abounds with excellent entertainment options, many of which are free, cultural, educational, relaxing, solitary, socially aware and any number of other ways to be.

One such opportunity is known as ‘Mess Hall’ and it is located just off the Morse L stop in Rogers Park.

Mess Hall is a community-based endeavor inhabiting a storefront at 6932 North Glenwood Ave. Eight devoted individuals are considered “key holders” which means that they have access to the shop and they organize all the activities from film exhibitions to guided walking tours of Chicago neighborhoods.

“Are you watching this?” asks Eric Duncan, 31, who showed up at a showing of Werner Herzog’s film How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck. “Where else could you find this film playing? Want me to grill you another sandwich?” Their community potluck is just one example of the unique activities that go on here.

In fact, a recurring installment at Mess Hall is the Sunday brunch-luck. This is a combination of a brunch and a potluck. Anyone is welcome to join in, just bring along your favorite fruit salad or a plate of finger sandwiches, or any other item you enjoy consuming orally.

Two other permanent installments at Mess Hall are the library containing books and publications from around the world and also the “free-bins.” The free-bins are made up of over 50 small storage bins created from recycled plastic. These bins contain free materials from art supplies to used VHS.

The bins help to promote Mess Hall’s overall goal of redistribution. In addition to this small scale redistribution, Mess Hall itself is a redistributed space.

“To clarify, Mess Hall occupies a rent-free space, thanks to the voluntarily redistributive generosity of an enlightened property owner,” said Dan Wang, Mess Hall key holder.

True to the goals of the organization and made possible by this generosity, every event at the Mess Hall is free of charge and open to all. Times and dates for brunch-luck, as well as all other events, are posted on the Mess Hall calendar located at www.messhall.org.