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West town community concert 2026

West Town Community Concert

date

May 14, 2026

Time

7:00 PM

location

Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.)

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Add to Calendar 5/14/2026 7:00 PM America/Chicago West Town Community Concert Join us for a Community Concert in West Town, featuring the West Town Neighborhood Choir Program. These seasonal showcases of the city's young people bring the power of song and the sound of unity to Chicago communities through a curated concert. The performance will feature choral classics, music from around the world and original tunes. Don't miss this chance to see the youth of Chicago shine together! Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.)

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Join us for a Community Concert in West Town, featuring the West Town Neighborhood Choir Program. These seasonal showcases of the city's young people bring the power of song and the sound of unity to Chicago communities through a curated concert. The performance will feature choral classics, music from around the world and original tunes. Don't miss this chance to see the youth of Chicago shine together!

Learn more about the West Town Neighborhood Choir.

Tickets

Tickets are $10* per person, available for purchase at the concert. All seating is general admission. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.

*Uniting Voices Chicago has a pay-what-you-can policy, allowing guests to pay as much or as little as they like per ticket, including requesting free tickets if desired*

Getting There

Parking is available for $10 with validation from the museum, located one block north of the Museum at Clark and LaSalle streets; enter on Stockton Drive. The museum is also accessible via the 22, 36, 72, 73, 151 and 156 bus lines, as well as Purple & Brown Line trains at Sedgwick. For more details, visit their website.

Accessibility 

Uniting Voices Chicago strives to make music and performance accessible to anyone who wants it. To request accommodations, please email info [at] unitingvoiceschicago [dot] org.

Lyrics, Translations & Conductor Notes

TāReKiṬa

Onomatopoeic Vocalizations:
Dhā tārekiṭa
Dhǔm tārekiṭa
Nōm tārekiṭa
Takadīmītaka

Composer Notes: “TāReKiṬa is a vibrant joyful piece in rāga (an Indian classical melodic framework) called Jog, which incorporates both major and minor modalities into a single scale. The text syllables are onomatopoeic vocalizations of the sounds produced by Indian instruments, and are easy to master when learned by ear and repeated aloud.”

El Barquito 
Spanish Text:

Había una vez un barquito chiquitico
que no sabía navegar.
Pasaron una dos tres cuatro semanas
y no podía navegar.
Pasaron soles tormentas y huracanes
y no podía navegar
y si la historia no le parece mala
se la volvemos a contar.

The Little Boat
English Translation:

Once upon a time there was a very little boat which did not know how to navigate.
One, two, three, four weeks went by - and it could not find its way.
The usual storms and hurricanes occurred, and still it could not sail.
And if the story doesn’t seem too boring, we will tell it to you once more.

Bahay Kubo
Tagalog Text:

Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon, ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya,
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

Nipa Hut
English Translation:

Nipa hut, even though it’s small, 
the plants that grow around it are varied:
Turnip & eggplant, winged bean & peanut,
Strong bean, hyacinth bean, lima bean.

Wax gourd, sponge gourd, 
white squash & pumpkin,
And there’s also radish, mustard,
Onion, tomato, garlic & ginger,
And all around are sesame seeds.

El Romantón
Spanish Text:

Hay muchas señoritas
a quien les gusta el romantón
y la hora de pagarlo
se le esconden al cobrador.

También muchas muchachas
a quien les gusta el crepe china
y a la hora de pagarlo
se le esconden en la cocina.

Mujer encantadora
no me des conversación;
o me das el dinero,
o me llevo el romantón.

Hay muchos patiquines
a quien les gusta presumir
y marean a los turcos
para sacarles el casimir.

Después usted los ve
por Caracas de frac
pero sin darse cuenta antes 
que llevan al turco atrás

Ahi va con ese turco atrás,
ahi va la niña, ahi va;
y se me está escondiendo
para no pagar. ¡Y olé!

The Shawl
English Translation:

There are many young maids
who like the beautiful shawl;
but when it’s time to pay for it,
they hide from the seller.

There are also many young ladies
who like to wear the Chinese cloth
but when it’s time to pay for it, 
they hide in the kitchen.

Enchanting woman,
don’t just make conversation; 
either you give me the money,
or I’ll take back the shawl.

There are many young men
who like to be foppish;
and they confuse the Turks
so that they can steal a cashmere.

Later you see these dandies
around Caracas wearing a frac;
but they haven’t noticed
that the Turk is running after them.

There he goes, followed by the Turk.
There goes the young maid; there she goes!
And she is hiding
because she does not want to pay!

Dear Theodosia
English Text:

Dear Theodosia, what to say to you?
You have my eyes, you have your mother’s name.
When you came into the world, you cried
and it broke my heart.

I’m dedicating every day to you.
Domestic life was never quite my style.
When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart.
And I thought I was so smart.

You will come of age with our young nation.
We’ll bleed and fight for you, 
we’ll make it right for you.
If we lay a strong enough foundation,
we’ll pass it on to you, we’ll give the world to you,
and you’ll blow us all away.

Someday, someday.
Yeah, you’ll blow us all away.
Someday, someday.

Oh, Philip, when you smile I am undone.
My son. Look at my son.
Pride is not the word I’m looking for.
There is so much more inside me now.

Oh, Philip, you outshine the morning sun.
My son. When you smile, I fall apart.
And I thought I was so smart.

My father wasn’t around.
I swear that I’ll be around for you.
I’ll do whatever it takes, I’ll make a million mistakes.
I’ll make the world safe and sound,
for you will come of age with our young nation.

We’ll bleed and fight for you. 
We’ll make it right for you.
If we lay a strong enough foundation, we’ll pass it on to you.
We’ll give the world to you,
and you’ll blow us all away.

Someday, someday.
Yeah, you’ll blow us all away.
Someday, someday.
Yeah, you’ll blow us all away.

La Seine
French Lyrics:

Elle sort de son lit, tellement sûre d’elle
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
Tellement jolie, elle m’ensorcelle
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
Extralucide, la lune est sur
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine
Tu n’es pas saoul, Paris est sous
La Seine, la Seine, la Seine

Je ne sais, ne sais
Ne sais pas pourquoi
On s’aime comme ça, la Seine et moi
Je ne sais, ne sais
Ne sais pas pourquoi
On s’aime comme ça, la Seine et moi

Extra Lucille, quand tu es sur
La scène, la scène, la scène
Extravagante quand l’ange est sur
La scène, la scène, la scène

Sur le pont des Arts
Mon cœur vacille
Entre deux eaux
L’air est si bon
Cet air si pur
Je le respire
Nos reflets perchés sur ce pont

On s’aime comme ça, la Seine et moi

The Seine
English Translation:

She leaves her bed, so self-confident
The Seine, the Seine, the Seine
So pretty, she bewitches me
The Seine, the Seine, the Seine
Fey, the moon is above
The Seine, the Seine, the Seine
You are not confused, Paris is underneath

I don’t know, don’t know
Don’t know why
That’s how we love each other, the Seine and I.
I don’t know, don’t know
Don’t know why
That’s how we love each other, the Seine and I.

Wonderful Lucille, when you are
on stage, on stage, on stage.
Odd when the angel is
on stage, on stage, on stage.

On the Pont des Arts
My heart totters
Between two waters
The air smells so good
This air so fresh
I’m breathing it
Our reflections perched on this bridge

That’s how we love each other, the Seine and I.

Does The World Say?
English Text:

Does the world say that you don’t look the right way?
Does the world say that you’re just not enough?
Does the world say that you’re not in the right spot?
When it wants you there, but not here, 
and tells you all the things you are not.

Well I’ve been there, too.
It’s hard to shut my ears to the noise.
Yes, I’ve been there, too.

I don’t stand a chance if it’s me in this world all alone.
Oh, the chatter is deafening, too overwhelming;
hard to find my way home. 
So take my hand, don't let go.

Does the world say you don’t think the right things?
Does the world say that you’re not worth the time?
Does the world laugh when you fall, or when you cry?
And does it turn the other way every time you walk by?

Well I’ve been there, too. 
It’s hard to shut my ears to the noise.
Yes, I’ve been there, too.

Oh, I don’t stand a chance if it’s me in this world all alone.
Oh, the chatter is deafening, too overwhelming;
hard to find my way home. 
So take my hand, don't let go.

I’m growing, and I’m learning, 
I’m loving, and becoming.

Desert Song
English Text:

I bet when you see the ocean,
You’re drawn to the strength inside the waves.
But if you get caught within the ocean,
The undertow will let you lose your way.

I bet when you reach the ocean,
can’t wait to sink your toes into the sand.
Instead, you will sink into the ocean,
And watch your heart pulled slowly from your hands.

Oh, she’s calling.

Someday you will reach the desert,
Held by the warmth within the skies.
Breath in the exhale of the desert,
And see yourself reflected in her eyes.

The moment you reach the desert,
She’s been singing a song of life and love.
To your surprise, you’re singing with the desert. 
You’ve always known the words to sing along.

You have a voice to share your song.
You’re coming home where you belong.

She’s calling.

La Llorona
Spanish Text:

¡Llorona!
Salías del templo un día, Llorona,
Cuando al pasar yo te vi,
Salías del templo un día, Llorona,
Cuando al pasar yo te vi,
Hermoso huipil llevabas, Llorona,
Que la Virgen te creí.
Hermoso huipil llevabas, Llorona,
Que la Virgen te creí.

Me subí al pino más alto, Llorona,
A ver si te divisaba,
Me subí al pino más alto, Llorona,
A ver si te divisaba,
Como el pino era muy tierno, Llorona,
Al verme llorar, lloraba.
Como el pino era muy tierno, Llorona,
Al verme llorar, lloraba.

No sé qué tienen las flores, Llorona,
Las flores del camposanto,
No sé qué tienen las flores, Llorona,
Las flores del camposanto,
Que cuando las mueve el viento, Llorona,
Parece que están llorando.
Que cuando las mueve el viento, Llorona,
Parece que están llorando.

¡Ay de mí!, Llorona, Llorona,
Llorona de un campo lirio,
¡Ay de mí!, Llorona, Llorona,
Llorona de un campo lirio.
¡Llorona!

La Llorona
English Translation:

Llorona!
You came out of the temple one day, Llorona,
I saw you when you passed,
You came out of the temple one day, Llorona,
I saw you when you passed,
A beautiful dress you wore, Llorona,
I thought you were the Virgin
A beautiful dress you wore, Llorona,
I thought you were the Virgin

I climbed to the highest pine tree, Llorona,
To see if I could spot you
I climbed to the highest pine tree, Llorona,
To see if I could spot you
As the pine was so gentle, Llorona,
At seeing me cry, it cried
As the pine was so gentle, Llorona,
At seeing me cry, it cried

I don't know what's in the flowers, Llorona,
The flowers from the cemetery,
I don't know what's in the flowers, Llorona,
The flowers from the cemetery,
When they are moved by the wind, Llorona,
they seem to be crying
When they are moved by the wind, Llorona,
they seem to be crying

Alas!, Llorona, Llorona,
Llorona of a lily field,
Alas!, Llorona, Llorona,
Llorona of a lily field,
Llorona!

“Letter to Ponyboy”
English Text:

Don’t you worry ‘bout your curly hair.
Clothes that don’t quite fit you anywhere.
Voices echo in the gym,
Another girl’s had her first kiss.
Please don’t think too much of it, darling,

You’ll grow up
And grow so tough and charm them.
Write your story, fall in love a little too.
The things you thought you’d never do.
I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze,
Myself at thirteen, and just let her know, 
Know that she’s beautiful.

When you’re young, and the world is new,
it’s easy to forget when you’re trying just to make it through.
Like the morning light and the dawn it brings,
You see the world, finding beauty in the simple things.

I have looked into a thankful father’s eyes,
Telling me I saved his daughter’s life.
I’d do it all again, ‘cause I have found the beauty in the fold.
My friend, stay gold.

Looking back at the life I’ve had,
I hold onto the good ‘cause I’ve made my peace with all the bad.
Sixteen years, look at all we’ve done. 
Wouldn’t trade it for the world, 
can’t you see that we’re the lucky ones.

I have known a love that many never know,
And that love goes on no matter where I go.
We all will meet our end, no matter if we meet it young or old.
My friend, stay gold.

Keep on going with your silly dream.
Life is prettier than it may seem.
One day, you’ll be up on stage, 
Little girls will scream your name.

Darling, you’ll grow up
and grow so confident and
Write your story, fall in love a little too.
The things you thought you’d never do.
I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze,
Myself at thirteen, and just let her know, 
Know that she’s beautiful.

JAM! (Jom-Ayuh-Mari!)
Malay Text:

Nada
Jom
Ayuh
Mari

Composer Notes: “JAM! (Jom-Ayuh-Mari!) is a three-way play on words! (1) In Colloquial Malay, Jom, ayuh, and mari all have similar meanings- ‘come, let’s go!’ Nada, in the context of singing, means vocal tone. (2) The catchy, repetitive, and conversation-like musical themes would also suggest a group of musicians coming together to make music (akin to a jam session). (3) Jam in Malay also translates to ‘clock’- suggesting a passing of time, represented by the consistent snapping of fingers in the music”.

Oj Maju Maju
Ukrainian Text:

Ой маю, маю я оченята,
Та нікого, матінко, та й оглядати,
Нікого, серденько, та й оглядати!

Ой маю, маю я рученята,
Та нікого, матінко, та й обнімати,
Нікого, серденько, та й обнімати!

Ой маю, маю я ноженята,
Та ні з ким, матінко, потанцювати,
Та ні з ким, серденько, потанцювати!

Oh, I have, I have
English Translation:

Oh, I have, I have eyes,
But no one, mother, to look at,
No one, dear, to look at!

Oh, I have, I have hands,
But no one, mother, to hug,
No one, dear, to hug!

Oh, I have, I have legs,
But no one, mother, to dance with,
But no one, dear, to dance with!

La Vida Es Un Carnaval
Spanish Text:

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ahh, waa, ahh, ahh

Todo aquel que piense que la vida es desigual
Tiene que saber que no es así
Que la vida es una hermosura, hay que vivirla
Todo aquel que piense que está solo y que está mal
Tiene que saber que no es así
Que en la vida no hay nadie solo,
siempre hay alguien

Ay, no hay que llorar
Que la vida es un carnaval
Y es más bello vivir cantando
Oh-oh-oh

Carnaval
No hay que llorar
Carnaval
Hay que vivir cantando

Para aquellos que se quejan tanto (Fua)
Para aquellos que solo critican (Fua)
Para aquellos que usan las armas (Fua)
Para aquellos que nos contaminan (Fua)
Para aquellos que hacen la guerra (Fua)
Para aquellos que viven pecando (Fua)
Para aquellos que nos maltratan (Fua)
Para aquellos que nos contagian (Fua)
 

Life is a Carnival
English Translation:

 


Anyone thinking that life is unfair,
Needs to know that’s not the case,
that life is beautiful, you must live it.
Anyone thinking he’s alone and that that’s bad
Needs to know that’s not the case,
that in life no one is alone,
there’s always someone.

Ay, there’s no need to cry,
because life is a carnival,
It’s more beautiful to live singing.

Carnaval
There’s no need to cry
Carnaval
We live to sing

For those that complain a lot.
For those that only criticize.
For those that use weapons.
For those that pollute us.
For those that make war.
For those that live in sin.
For those that mistreat us.
For those that make us.
 

I Need You to Survive
English Text:

I need you, you need me.
We’re all a part of God’s body.
Stand with me, agree with me. 
We’re all a part of God’s body.

It is his will that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.

I pray for you, you pray for me.
I love you, I need you to survive.
I won’t harm you with words from my mouth. 
I love you, I need you to survive.

Pata Pata
Xhosa Text:

Ooh..
Saguquka sathi bheka
Saguquka sathi bheka bo 
a Yiyo mama, yiyo mama, yiyo ma
iPata Pata, yiyo mama, yiyo ma 
Ooh..

Saguquka sathi bheka
(Nants’ iPata Pata)
Saguquka sathi bheka
(Nants’ iPata Pata) 
Yiyo mama, yiyo mama
(Nants’ iPata Pata)
Yiyo mama, yiyo mama
(Nants’ iPata Pata)

Spoken in English:
Pata Pata is the name of the dance
We do down Johannesburg way
And everybody starts to move
As soon as Pata Pata starts to play

Spoken in English:
Every Friday and Saturday Night
It’s Pata Pata time!
The dance keeps going all night long
Til’ the morning sun begins to shine!

Touch, Touch
English Translation:

 

 

 


So we grooved and said: “Check it out!”
This is the Pata Pata

That’s it, lady,
This is the Pata Pata

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