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Father's Day 2025: 39 restaurant and bar specials in Chicago

Father's Day 2025: 39 restaurant and bar specials in Chicago

While Mother's Day celebrations traditionally involve breakfast in bed or brunches with free-flowing mimosas plus gifts of flowers, it can be a little harder to figure out what to do for Father's Day. Luckily, local bars and restaurants are making planning easier by offering a wide range of events and specials with an emphasis on big steaks, beer and whiskey. Whether you think your dad would love a multi-course dinner with plenty of time to talk or to show off his skills in a putting competition, these 39 spots make it easy to enjoy some quality time together.
All events take place on June 15 unless otherwise specified.
The Loop and Near North Side
The 101 Bar & Grill
The Magnificent Mile spot offers specials including a full slab of ribs with cornbread, coleslaw and dessert ($39), a Buffalo Trace old-fashioned ($18) and a flight of three bourbons ($48). 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 101 E. Erie St., 312-667-6800, the101chicago.com
About Last Knife
The restaurant within the Arlo Chicago offers The Best Dad's Mixed Grill, a plate of barbecue pulled pork sliders, shrimp skewers and a 6-ounce grilled steak with creamy potato salad ($40). Add on Papa's Kick, a blend of bourbon, honey, jalapeno and mint ($17) or apple crumble ($14) for dessert. 168 N. Michigan Ave., 312-392-2440, arlohotels.com
Adalina
Come for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for deviled eggs, fried chicken and dessert for $75 or $40 for kids ages 7-12, with a bottomless bloody mary bar available for $20. You can also book a table for dinner, where $85 gets you a 22-ounce rib-eye with fries, a smoked old-fashioned and a slice of chocolate cake. 912 N. State St., 312-820-9000, adalinachicago.com
Bar Pendry
Treat dad to a wagyu burger served with a side of herb-seasoned fries and a draft beer for $25 June 13-15. 81 E. Wacker Place, 312-777-9000, pendry.com
The Dearborn
The Loop restaurant offers smokehouse-inspired specials with brisket, chile-smoked chicken and baby back ribs served with collard greens, jalapeno cornbread and bourbon baked beans ($30). Try a bit of all three entrees as part of a $55 barbecue platter. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312-384-1242, thedearborntavern.com
Dearly Beloved
Bring dad to enjoy two Angel's Envy cocktails and a cigar from The Clayton ($40). Additional drinks and cigars are available to purchase along with food. 5-8 p.m. 900 N. Franklin St., dearlybelovedchicago.com
Ema
Dine in to take advantage of a crispy lamb ribs special served with cherry barbecue sauce, marcona almond and mint, or a Drop Dad Gorgeous cocktail made with Uncle Nearest whiskey, beef chip and bourbon barrel-smoked demerara served Friday through Sunday. 74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586, emarestaurants.com
Etc.
Chef Lamar Moore's Southern restaurant hosts a brunch ($65) celebrating Black men and families to raise money for the Chicago Public Schools Safe Passage program. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 404 S. Wells St., 773-343-6872, events.eventnoire.com/e/reclaim-weekend-fathers-day-brunch-at-etc
The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar
A Prime Time With Dad dinner offered June 12-15 includes a 16-ounce prime rib, two sides and dessert for $75. Add a smoked old-fashioned for $12. 33 W. Monroe St., 312-960-0000, grillroom-chicago.com
Maple & Ash
The steakhouse offers a special three-course brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sunday for $120 or $65 for kids 12 and under. 8 W. Maple St., 312-944-8888, mapleandash.com
Michael Jordan's Steak House
Treat dad to a special Metric Coffee-rubbed bone-in ribeye served with charred Vidalia onion butter ($140) and a sommelier-selected wine flight ($35). 505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8823, michaeljordansteakhouse.com/chicago
Shula's Steak House
Order the 42-ounce tomahawk steak and take home a jar of Shula's signature dry rub. 5-11 p.m. 301 E. North Water St., 312-670-0778, shulassteakhouse.com/location-chicago
Three Dots and a Dash
Sample drinks from bars from around the world ($89), including Bisous, Sip & Guzzle and BKK Social Club at the Chicago Cocktail Classic, which runs at Three Dots and a Dash and neighboring venues Gus' Sip & Dip and Salon 61. 4-8 p.m. 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220; threedotschicago.com/events/chicago-cocktail-classic
Toro
A Fuego & Flavor family-style three-course dinner includes smoked swordfish dip, corn empanadas and esquites mac and cheese for $100, or you can opt for a version that includes a tomahawk steak flamed with mezcal tableside for $155. The celebration also features cigar rolling and an old-fashioned cart. 200 N. Columbus Drive, 312-565-6644, torochicago.com/fathersday
Yardbird
Specials offered for brunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday include green chile truffle mac and cheese ($18), beer cheese soup ($14) and a Smoke on the Water cocktail made with Sazerac rye, toasted demerara, bitters and cinnamon smoke ($16). 530 N. Wabash Ave., 312-999-9760, runchickenrun.com/event/fathers-day-weekend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Chicago
Take dad out to a movie and share a special menu offered June 10-30, including a mustard meatloaf sandwich ($18) and a pulled pork and pineapple pizza ($17). 3519 N. Clark St., 872-298-3961, drafthouse.com/chicago
Bar Roma
Share specials offer June 13-15, including wood-grilled hanger steak with jumbo lump crab cake ($40), hand-rolled tagliatelle Bolognese ($26) and dark chocolate cake with spumoni gelato ($12). 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com
Cody's Public House
Watch the U.S. Open starting at 11 a.m. and enter a raffle to win a golf bag and cooler while sipping themed drinks including $7 John Dalys, $5 312 cans and $8 Bushmills Mulligan Mules made with cranberry and ginger beer. Dads can also show off their putting skills with a contest starting at 2 p.m. 1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com
The Graystone Tavern
The bar shows the U.S. Open on 16 TVs Thursday through Sunday, offering drink specials including $8 John Dalys, Tito's Transfusions and Dobel Ranch Water. Enter free raffles Saturday and Sunday for the chance to win a golf bag and other swag. 3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-666-5450, graystonetavernchicago.com
Lark
Venus Carangi hosts a Zaddy's Day drag brunch ($85) that includes a choice of entree and 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas, bloody marys and sangria. 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. 3441 N. Halsted St., 773-799-8968, larkchicago.com
Le Sud
Dig into soft shell crab finished with house-made grapefruit butter sauce or a wood-grilled double burger layered with gruyere, caramelized onions and aioli (both $25) offered throughout the weekend. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, lesudchicago.com
Carnivale
Stop in the Rumba Lounge for giveaways and complimentary sips of Bulleit Bourbon, Union Mezcal and Don Julio Tequila. 1-5 p.m. 702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005, carnivalechicago.com
Kaiser Tiger
An all-you-can-eat smokeout ($30; $10 for kids 12 and under) in the West Loop beer garden includes pulled pork, grilled brats, German potato salad and baked beans plus $5 house beers. Noon-3 p.m. 1415 W. Randolph St., 312-243-3100, kaisertiger.com
Nettare
Treat dad to a $90 five-course dinner with the option to add mini cocktails and whiskey pairings from J. Henry & Sons for $50. 5:30-9 p.m. 1953 W. Chicago Ave., barnettare.com
The Oakville Grille & Cellar
All dads will receive a free bourbon double chocolate chip cookie and they can enjoy steak and eggs ($32) for brunch or a New York strip ($72) served with a twice-baked potato for dinner. 163 N. Green St., 773-309-2300, theoakville.com/events/fathers-day-weekend
South Side & Near South Side
Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
The Beverly restaurant teams up with pitmaster Bryan Furman for a Carolina-style whole hog cookout ($35) that includes rum-glazed chicken, brisket beans, mac and cheese, and banana pudding. 2-6 p.m. 1742 W. 99th St., 773-366-3241, exploretock.com/sanders-bbq-supply-co
Beatrix
Come for brunch at the restaurant's River North, Streeterville or Fulton Market locations Saturday or Sunday to get a burger topped with thick-cut peppered bacon and an egg served with fries and a choice of beer or bloody mary for $26. Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com
Chicago Culinary Kitchen
The barbecue spot offers a pound of smoked prime rib with horseradish cream for $49 for dine-in or takeout. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2391 N. Hicks Road, Palatine, 847-701-8243, chicagoculinarykitchen.com
Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden
Keep the celebration low-key with 75-cent wings and $3 Miller Lite drafts offered all day. 711 Devon Ave., Park Ridge, 847-823-4422, easystreetpizzachicago.com
Farm Bar
Celebrate with the whole family on the dog-friendly patio, where you can enjoy a special wagyu patty melt with bourbon-braised charred onions and Hook's cheddar offered through Sunday. 1300 W. Wellington Ave., 773-281-2599 and 1970 W. Montrose Ave., 773-770-9081; farm-bar.com
The Graceful Ordinary
The Dad's Meal offers a 22-ounce chargrilled ribeye served with creamed spinach, fingerling potatoes and an old-fashioned for $80. 4-9 p.m. 3 E. Main St., St. Charles, 331-235-5803, thegracefulordinary.com
Kama
A lunch buffet ($55; $25 for kids 3-10; free for kids under 3) includes lamb samosas, chicken tikka, butter chicken, gulab jamun and hot chai. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 9 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, 708-352-3300, kamabistro.com
Lago by Fabio Viviani
The restaurant offers its Wednesday prime rib night special for Father's Day, serving 16- or 20-ounces ($55-$60) with Italian-inspired sides. 350 N. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, 224-286-3567, lagolakezurich.com
Nick's Pizza & Pub
Enjoy $12 burgers and fries offered all day. 856 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake, 815-356-5550 and 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin, 847-531-5550; nickspizzapub.com
Passero
Celebrate early with a $110 five-course bourbon dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. 3 S. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights, 224-857-8900, eatpassero.com
Perry's Steakhouse & Grill
The restaurant's Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hill locations open early to offer bloody marys, mimosas and rosé sangria ($14) until 4 p.m. and a $69 22-ounce bone-in caramelized prime rib all day. Multiple locations, perryssteakhouse.com/specials/fathers-day
Prairie Grass Cafe
Specials offered in addition to the regular menu include a blue cheese wedge salad ($18), an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye ($72) and sauteed local mushrooms ($12). 5-8 p.m. 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433, prairiegrass.cafe
Prairie Moon
A three-course supper club dinner includes lobster bisque, hanger steak frites and Key lime pie. 1635 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-864-8328, prairiemoonrestaurant.com
Sweet Mandy B's
Tell dad that he's No. 1 with themed cookies, cupcakes and cakes available Friday through Sunday. 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632, sweetmandybs.com

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50 'Happy Heavenly Father's Day' Wishes
50 'Happy Heavenly Father's Day' Wishes

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

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50 'Happy Heavenly Father's Day' Wishes

50 'Happy Heavenly Father's Day' Wishes originally appeared on Parade. While families are celebrating dads this Sunday, there are many individuals who will be flooded with more emotions than just joy as they think about the loss of their father (or father figure). Instead of being able to call up their loved one or give them a card, they'll be sharing "Happy Father's Day in Heaven" wishes instead, and thinking about how to best honor them throughout the day. Losing a father figure can be one of the most alienating and painful things a person goes through in life. Navigating a day like Father's Day on top of that loss adds confusion and possibly even more pain. We hope that these words of comfort can help you not only get through this Father's Day but also look back on all the happy memories you shared with that special person and remember them for not only who they were to you but also who they taught you to be. If you're missing your father this year and are looking for short, yet touching "I miss you" messages this Father's Day, you're in the right place. Keep reading to discover 50 of the best heavenly Father's Day quotes to hopefully help guide you through this 1. On this Father's Day, I promise that I will continue to follow your legacy. I will continue to walk on the path you showed me. Happy Father's Day. 2. Dad, thank you for being my guiding light. Even though you are not with me today, your love strengthens me and shows me the way every day. Happy Father's Day! 3. Happy Father's Day, Dad! Though I miss you terribly, it brings me comfort to think of you happily celebrating Father's Day with Grandpa this year. 4. Happy Father's Day, Dad. I hope you are having a blast in paradise! 5. I hope you're looking down on us from Heaven and are so proud of the people we've become. We hope that this Father's Day is a special one for you and that you can feel our love all the way up in Heaven. 6. As I look up at the night sky, I feel that our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. I can feel you shining very brightly. Happy Father's Day. Related: 7. On this Father's Day, I send you my love and best wishes from Earth to Heaven. You're forever loved and missed. 8. Happy Father's Day in Heaven to the most amazing father. Though you're no longer with us, your spirit lives on, and we'll always love and cherish you. 9. Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Dad! I wish you were here to celebrate this day with us. Thank you for being the best father a son could ask for, and for teaching me valuable life lessons that have helped shape who I am today. 10. Happy first Father's Day in Heaven, and may your spirit continue to shine down on us.11. Dad, it seems like you are with me from Heaven. Even as I celebrate Father's Day without you for the first time, I feel your love and protection around me. 12. I so miss those days when I would do anything to make this day extra special for you. It feels so different this year; Father's Day greetings, Daddy. 13. To my beloved father, happy Father's Day in Heaven! My heart aches for your presence, but I know that you're looking down on us with a smile. Thank you for all the memories and lessons that you've left us with. 14. Though you're not physically here with me, it seems like you are with me from Heaven. It gives me comfort knowing that you are still with me in spirit. 15. The house is so quiet without your melodies, Dad. We hope you're singing loudly in Heaven with all the angels around you. 16. Even though you're not with me today, I can feel you smiling at me from above. Happy Father's Day, Dad. 17. I miss you. I wish I could see you today on Father's Day, feel your warmth and protection, look at your smile and hug you tight. Happy Father's Day. 18. Sending prayers and love on Father's Day to the person who made this world a beautiful place and always brought a smile to my face. Thanks Dad! Enjoy your home in Heaven. 19. You've always been a warrior, and that's one thing about you that continues to inspire me. I'll follow in your footsteps and try to match your strength. Happy Father's Day, Dad!Related: 20. It's been a year since you left us, Dad, but it feels like just yesterday. Happy Father's Day in Heaven! Your strength and wisdom continue to inspire me every day. 21. You taught me everything I know and believe in, and you nurtured me to be strong and self-sufficient. Whatever happens, I'll always be your little girl, and I'll always need you. 22. I'm sure you're shining brightly like a star and bestowing your blessings on me. Here is wishing you a very happy Father's Day, Dad. 23. Happy Father's Day Dad. In honor of Father's Day this year, I pledge to be the best person I can be, just like you taught me. 24. Dad, Father's Day has become the saddest day of the year for me. I miss you too much, not just today but every day. I wish you could come back and hug me. Bless me from your place in Heaven, bless me so I can learn to deal with your absence, and bless me so I can find joy and peace in your memories. 25. Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Dad. Say hello to Grandpa and Grandma for me! 26. Daddy, I still can't believe you're gone, but I am sure you are in a better place. Happy Father's Day. Love you. 27. Every Father's Day serves as a somber reminder of your absence from my life. I wish I could go back in time and relive every day of my youth as if it were a great Father's Day celebration, Dad. I'm missing you. 28. I cherish every memory of our family life. Even if it's been a long time since you've been here, I know you're looking down on us with promises of peace and happiness. 29. Thank you for instilling in me the ability to smile in the face of adversity and to believe in myself regardless of what others think. I'll always remember your strength. Happy Father's Day, Dad. 30. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I miss you every day. Related: 31. Dad, not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you. Happy Father's Day in Heaven! I hope you're surrounded by peace and joy, and know that you're always loved and remembered. 32. Dad, Happy Father's Day in Heaven! Though I can't see you, I know that you're watching over me and guiding me every step of the way. Your love and presence are felt every day, and I'm forever grateful for the time we had together. 33. Dad, even though you're no longer here with us, your love and guidance continue to live on in our hearts. Happy Father's Day in Heaven! I miss you more than words can express. 34. You are always with me, Dad. You're in my heart, in my thoughts, and in every aspect of my being. I love you. Happy Father's Day. 35. Happy Father's Day, Dad. Even though you're not here with us in person, we still think of you every day and miss you so much. 36. I truly hope you are enjoying yourself in Heaven. Happy Father's Day. 37. Dear Husband, you have been my most beautiful gift from God. You were the thread that weaved this family together. Even though you left us for your final abode, you are still our strength and happiness. Warm wishes on Father's Day. 38. Daddy, Happy Father's Day! You were my rock, my mentor and my best friend. Thank you for always being there for me, and for instilling in me the values that have helped me navigate life's challenges. 39. It's hard to believe that it's been a year since you left us, but we hold onto the memories of the laughter and joy you brought into our lives. Happy first Father's Day in Heaven, and know that you are forever in our hearts. 40. On this Father's Day, I honor the memory of the greatest father that ever lived. Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Dad! Your legacy of love and kindness will never be forgotten. Related: 41. Instead of your warmth and laughter, the dinner table this Father's Day is filled with sadness. I miss you so much Dad. 42. No matter how old I get, I will always need you. You have taught me many things in life, including to learn from my mistakes and to stay strong in the face of hardship. Most importantly you taught me how to be a better person. Happy Heavenly Father's Day. 43. Dad, today I'm sending you all my love and gratitude on this special day. Happy Father's Day in Heaven! 44. I wish you a happy Father's Day! I can't hug you or hear your voice, but I feel your presence and love every day. I hope you're rejoicing with our loved ones in Heaven and know that you're always in our thoughts and hearts. 45. Happy Father's Day. Somehow we have managed to find happiness in your memories. No words are enough to describe what you mean to me and the kids—miss you, darling. 46. 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The Best Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts
The Best Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts

Eater

timean hour ago

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The Best Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 15, which means that this is the week to either put the finishing touches on your 30th 'coupon book for free hugs,' or make this the year that you actually order a smokeless fire pit on time to help his s'mores fantasies come to life. Dads are surprising creatures. I can comfortably call my own a man of habit, which certainly works in my favor when I'm trying to buy him a present; he likes listening to the blues, chopping firewood, and hammering out chicken schnitzel, in that order. Every once in a while, however, he will put down the meat tenderizer and say something like, 'I sure would love to order bees for the yard' that reminds me that people can always surprise us (and those people can take Cornell's virtual beekeeping classes). If your food-loving dad or dad-like figure is anything like mine, he probably loves kits, gadgets, accessories, and tools that improve accuracy, comfort, and general flair. In layman's terms: Send him a pastrami sandwich kit from Langer's Deli, and a UV50+-proof hat to rock while barbecuing this summer. Every dad is different, but it feels fair to say that so many could benefit from a thick kneeling pad for tending to their garden, or owning a kaleidoscopic margarita machine — by none other than Jimmy Buffet's (pour one out) Margaritaville brand — to show off with their buds. Don't freak out if you have procrastinated on your Father's Day shopping until now (you probably learned procrastination from him, anyway). Instead, sip some Sleepytime Tea and check out this curation of dad-worthy, food-obsessed gifts that ship in time for the big day, or require zero shipping at all — these will get to Pops in time, if you move fast. If you hit the holy procrastinator-shopping trifecta of Amazon, Wayfair, or Goldbelly, there's still time to ship a Stanley flask, smokeless fire pit, or a flight of doughnuts that spells 'Best Dad Ever' to your pops. Amazon is hiding some surprisingly chic gifts from the likes of Field Company (think, lightweight cast-iron skillet sets); Wayfair offers 2-day shipping and is also having an outdoor sale with savings of up to 50 percent off; and Goldbelly has an entire Father's Day collection with chicken and waffles, Philly cheesesteaks, and desserts that can ship overnight. What's that? It's the eve of Papa's Day, and you haven't had time to whittle him that soup spoon? Luckily for all of us, there are so many cool digital gifts for food-loving dads that require little to no shipping whatsoever; MasterClass is offering 50 percent off memberships for Father's Day, and is brimming with all kinds of food- and drink-centric classes from Thomas Keller, Alice Waters, and so many other James Beard-nominated chefs; Uncommon Goods, aka the slingers of cast-iron garlic roasters and hot sauce tossed peanuts also offers video-based, interactive live classes or 'experiences,' all of which ship supplemental goodies, such as spices, to the recipient. Finally, when in doubt, there's beauty in getting your dad to God's country (Williams Sonoma and/or REI) with a digital gift card. All classes billed annually. All classes billed annually.

A portrait taken in North Philly in the 1980s reconnects poet with cherished memories of her own beloved father
A portrait taken in North Philly in the 1980s reconnects poet with cherished memories of her own beloved father

Yahoo

timean hour ago

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A portrait taken in North Philly in the 1980s reconnects poet with cherished memories of her own beloved father

To celebrate Father's Day, The Conversation U.S. asked Philadelphia anthropologist, playwright and poetic ethnographer Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon to reflect on a poem she recently performed to accompany a 1986 photograph by Philadelphia photographer Joseph V. Labolito. Williams-Witherspoon, who also serves as senior associate dean of the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University, shares how the collaboration came about, and why one of Labolito's photos in particular brought back a rush of cherished memories of being a little girl hanging out with her dad. The whole poem is a tribute to my father, Samuel Hawes Jr., who lived from 1920 to 1989, and the many men like him who were always present and participatory in the parenting of their children and the providing for their families. Because of stereotypes and popular culture – media, movies, news stories – that tend to demonize and pathologize Black men, there's a myth that men in our communities are all cut from the same cloth. For me, the poem discounts that stereotypical narrative and celebrates the African American men that I knew growing up – Daddy, my uncles, the deacons in our church, the neighborhood dads on my block. The men in this photograph represent men like Daddy, who at one point worked two jobs to provide for his family. He drove a yellow cab and worked the graveyard shift as a presser at the U.S. Mint. He took me to school every morning when I was in high school. He made it to every school function or occasion, drove me to and from parties so I could hang out with friends, took me to church every Sunday morning and on those special road trips to Cleveland, Akron, Ohio, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, throughout my life. Joe Labolito is a Philadelphia photographer whose work, I believe, is visual ethnography at its best. Throughout the '80s, '90s and 2000s, he documented the people, streets and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. His photographs are housed in several public and private collections, including the Special Collections Research Center at Temple University and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Print and Picture Collection. About a year ago, I saw an exhibit of Joe's work at Temple. Since that time, I have been using some of his photographs as a visual prompt for my students, while he and I talked about doing something together down the road. When I was asked to participate in Temple University President John Fry's investiture events in March 2025, I asked Joe if he wanted to do something with me. Right away he said 'Yes … whatever it is.' I asked him to send me maybe 25 of his favorite photos, and instead, he sent me about a hundred. When I got a minute to sift through them, there were 11 that, as soon as I looked at them, immediately prompted lines of poetry. This photograph of the two men and the little girl, however, made me remember an old poem, 'There Are Black Fathers,' I had written a long time ago – on Father's Day on June 19, 1983 – for my father before he passed away from prostate and bone cancer. I went digging through my old journals until I found the poem that I had written for Daddy, and I performed that poem to this photograph at the event. The juxtaposition between the men and the little girl – their beautiful, bright smiles, the joy they seemed to radiate – it all made me think about and remember how much I loved Daddy my entire life but especially as a little girl. That's the power in these kinds of artistic, material and visual artifacts. This photograph transported me right back to my childhood, filled with the warmth of a summer's day, hanging out with my dad, and the promise of a banana Popsicle later in the afternoon. Whatever the prompt – a photograph, a landscape, a person I've passed on the street, a word or phrase – the first draft is a free-write sensory download dump. I ruminate and then write down everything that comes to me in whatever order it comes. And then with each subsequent draft or pass at it, I start reading the poem out loud and tweaking it, making edits, moving and changing things while crafting lines that frame and build the story. I read the piece aloud over and over and over again until the poem tells me when I've got it right. I don't know how, but my ear will tell me when it's done and right with my spirit. Ethnography is an area of anthropology. From the Greek word 'ethnos,' ethno simply means people or culture, and graphy, from the Greek word 'graphia,' is the writing about said people or culture. Traditional ethnographies are usually written in a diarylike journal form. You end up jotting things down – thoughts, feelings, expressions, verbatim texts from interview participants – alongside bits and pieces of theory that correlate. Field notes are a combination of prose and scientific inquiry. I am a proponent of compiling poetic ethnographies – turning my observation and investigation of cultures, communities, and my field notes, into poetic form. Growing up in Philadelphia and a product of Philadelphia public schools, my primary language is mainstream U.S. English, but I tell people that my actual language is poetry. I see the world through poetry, and through the medium of poetry, I think I am better able to articulate the world I see. Read more of our stories about Philadelphia. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, Temple University Read more: Nurturing dads raise emotionally intelligent kids – helping make society more respectful and equitable Fathers need to care for themselves as well as their kids – but often don't From 'dada' to Darth Vader – why the way we name fathers reminds us we spring from the same well Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon has received funding from Lumena Foundation's Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (2018-19) and PEW Charitable Trusts Arts Grant (2020). Joseph V. Labolito owns the copyright to Philadelphia Collections. Philadelphia Collections research and operations is supported and partially funded by the Bridge award; an internal grant provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at Temple University for the 2024 - 2025 year.

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