Thornton hosts over 30 artists at the Quarry Ballroom July 12
- John E. Streetz
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Rock & Revel Market Brings Art, Oddities, and Summer Vibes to Thornton’s Historic Quarry Ballroom
Thornton, Illinois – A brand new summer market is making its debut in the South Suburbs, and it promises to be unlike anything the area has seen before. On Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the historic Quarry Ballroom in Thornton, located at 121 South Williams Street, will host the first-ever Rock & Revel Market, a multi-level experience curated by the Streetz Artz Alliance.
This immersive event will feature over 30 artists, makers, and vendors across three distinct areas of the 103-year-old venue, offering visitors a chance to explore handcrafted art, metaphysical goods, vintage treasures, and one-of-a-kind creations in an atmosphere that blends the mystical, the quirky, and the communal.
This all-ages event is free to attend and welcomes visitors from all walks of life to discover a unique market experience nestled in one of the Southland’s most fascinating historic buildings. The Quarry Ballroom has long been a hidden gem in Thornton. According to the venue’s owners, the building is filled with stories and legends—some involving Prohibition-era tunnels, ghost sightings, and even notorious gangster Al Capone, who is said to have frequented the downstairs area when it was a speakeasy. “Legend, long has it that there are ghosts in this 103-year-old building as it was a hangout for Al Capone and his cronies downstairs because it was a bar throughout prohibition and it was a brothel upstairs,” the owners said. “There are tunnels that lead to the post office and the Thornton distilling area where they brewed an illegal beer. Something was definitely going on in this building.”
That kind of history adds to the atmosphere of the Rock & Revel Market, which will take full advantage of the Quarry’s unique layout. Artists and vendors will be set up in three primary areas: outdoors on the patio, inside the main ballroom, and downstairs in and around the speakeasy, which is accessible only via an exterior staircase. Each location will offer its own blend of artistry and energy, giving visitors multiple environments to explore.
The lineup of vendors is both diverse and thoughtfully curated, offering a wide spectrum of handmade and small-batch items.
Whether you’re in the market for hand-poured candles, horror-inspired artwork, upcycled apparel, original illustrations, metaphysical supplies, artisan jewelry, or savory snacks, the Rock & Revel Market has something to match nearly every interest. For those interested in the mystical and esoteric, visitors can receive tarot readings from Adorable Oracle in the speakeasy and browse spiritual offerings from vendors like Windy City Conjure, Primtentions, and Nethercrafts.
Notable vendors include AntiqueNess Apothecary, a debut artist with vintage decor whose sales support Best Buddies International, and Serpent and Flame Candle Company of Alsip, offering wax melts, incense, and lip balms inspired by literature, horror, and activism. Mixtape Your Life brings an edgy twist with bold, colorful, and often NSFW accessories and pins. Cats, Crafts & Cooking will present handmade coasters created from upcycled VHS tapes and book pages, while Custom Leather Art by Decker is known for meticulously hand-painted leather jackets, purses, and apparel featuring everything from fierce felines to comic book villains.
The outdoor patio will be packed with creators like Avijo Designs, known for stylish and practical bags; Dye the Day Away, who donates to The Trevor Project; and Wicked Art LLC, offering resin creations with a dark twist. Mud & Fiber will bring ceramic and fiber art pieces, and WhistleNotes Perfumery will offer hand-blended fragrances.
If you're seeking unique food and beverage items, look for Gigawatt Coffee Roasters with fresh roasted beans, Boozy Treats with alcohol-infused gummy bears, and Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods with bold snacks. Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods will also be on site with a flavorful assortment of pickled creations.
Inside the main ballroom, visitors will find featured artists like Jonathan Grimm Art, known for comic-style ink illustrations; Kulay Illustrations, who blends pop culture and Filipino folklore; and ScarabSanctuary, a jewelry maker who supports multiple charitable causes including NPR, Planned Parenthood, and Sandy Hook Promise. Playing_is_parenting brings hand-painted wood toys and block sets, and their proceeds support causes such as the ACLU, PAWS Chicago, and WBEZ.
Downstairs in the speakeasy, alongside tarot readings and ghost stories, shoppers will find AntiqueNess Apothecary, Art of Alex Kujawa with folklore illustrations, Geekbit Creations supporting Child’s Play Charity, Ghost Owl Studio, Luna’s Loops, Mixtape Your Life, Nethercrafts, Scottie Pottery, and Windy City Conjure.
The full list of vendors expected to appear includes:
Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods Bee Mo
Mixtape Your Life, LLC
Mud & Fiber Nicole Tiscia
Playing_is_parenting Instagram.com/playing_is_parenting
ScarabSanctuary Kimberly Darovec
Windy City Conjure
Please note that the lineup is subject to change.
Beyond offering a shopping experience, many of the participating artists are committed to giving back to their communities. A large number of vendors will be donating a portion of their proceeds to charitable organizations. These include Starfish Animal Rescue, Almost Home Foundation, Best Buddies International, Point of Pride, The Trevor Project, Child’s Play Charity, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the ACLU, PAWS Chicago, NPR, Planned Parenthood, Sandy Hook Promise, WBEZ, and the Wanna Help initiative. A detailed list of supported charities is available on the Rock & Revel Market’s Facebook event page.
In addition to shopping and exploring the venue, attendees are encouraged to enjoy food and drink from the Quarry’s full-service kitchen and bar. Menu items include burgers, pizza, and wings, alongside a selection of craft beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. The bar is stocked with local favorites and offers traditional spirits, including Chicago’s infamous Malört. If you're planning to eat while at the event, be sure to save room for the Quarry Baby Burger and their onion rings, a combination that has become a fan favorite at the venue.
The Rock & Revel Market is more than just a pop-up or vendor fair. It’s a full-on immersive experience that combines art, history, small business, and a sense of community into one memorable day.
Whether you’re there for the handmade goods, the folklore, the cocktails, the ghost stories, or just the good vibes, this market offers something different for every visitor. Bring your friends, your curiosity, and your appetite, and come ready to explore this eclectic celebration of creativity and culture.
Event details are as follows. Rock & Revel Market takes place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Quarry Ballroom, 121 South Williams Street, Thornton, Illinois. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages. The market is rain or shine. Parking is available across the street and in the surrounding residential areas. Please note that the speakeasy portion of the event is only accessible via exterior stairs and there is no elevator access.
For additional information, including a full list of artists and vendors, visit the official Facebook event page. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1612885109342087/?active_tab=discussion
If you’re looking for a market that blends the mystical with the meaningful, the weird with the wonderful, and the handcrafted with the historic, the Rock & Revel Market is where the Southside comes to celebrate it all.
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