WHAT: CHIRP Radio’s Live Lit and Music series
SO WHAT: The First Time pairs a reader’s personal story about a first time experience with a song performance by the event’s house band, The First Time Four band. Hosted by CHIRP DJ, The Moth champion, and host of Psychotic Break, Jenn Sodini, the live lit event is a prefect blend of lively music and inventive storytelling. This edition of the show will feature Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate Chicago), Fran Hoepfner (Writer/Comedian), Terry Spaceghost Gant, (Third Coast Comics), Sean White (comedian), Dave Toropov (CHIRP DJ), Maggie Kubley (Celine Neon), Carly Oishi (Miss Spoken).
NOW WHAT: Entry is $10 at the door, with proceeds going to benefit CHIRP – Chicago Independent Radio Project.
FRIDAY, JULY 22nd
Opening Night of the 6th Annual French Film Festival @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave., 6:30 - 9:00PM
WHAT: The start of a week long festival celebrating the best in recent French cinema
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre, Music Box Films and the Cultural Services of the Consulate General of France in Chicago present the 6th annual Chicago French Film Festival. It's a week-long event that will start off with an Opening Night screening of The Brand New Testament starring Catherine Deneuve. There will also be a special opening night reception will be held in the Music Box Lounge & Garden for festival passholders.
NOW WHAT: Festival passes are $80, and it's a perfect way to expand your cinematic knowledge. The full schedule is available at the Music Box Theatre website.
Drakefest II @ Joe’s on Weed St., 940 W Weed St., 10PM
WHAT: A Drake-inspired house party
SO WHAT: Considering that the Curated Weekend's emblem is Drake's visage sprawled on a Teletubbies' sun, I'd be remiss not mentioning this event. It’s a night of Drake-inspired partying before next week's Drake concert. Join in on the all the festivities that will be bigger than the previous Drakefest. There will be more props, masks, visuals, stickers and who knows what else celebrating Mr. Aubrey Graham.
NOW: Tickets are $10 for this 21+ Drake-filled extravaganza
SATURDAY, JULY 23rd
Windy City Soul Club @ The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., 10:00PM
WHAT: The best soul dance party in Chicago
SO WHAT: Windy City Soul Club has been throwing down amazing tunes for Chicagoans to dance their nights away for quite a while and have never disappointed. Armed with turntables and a never-ending stream on warm vinyl, WCSC DJs dig through every type of Soul you could imagine. Northern Soul, Motown-style gems, regional hits, the best dancing tunes, and classics that will have you singing along at the top of your lungs.
NOW WHAT: Dress to the nines and get those dancing shoes ready, cover for the event is only $5 and is 21+.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JULY 23rd - JULY 24th
Wicker Park Fest @ Wicker Park, on Milwaukee Ave. from North Ave. to Paulina St., 12noon-10PM
WHAT: Another amazing festival in one of the cooler Chicago neighborhoods.
SO WHAT: It wouldn't be a summer weekend in Chicago without a worthwhile festival taking place. Wicker Park Fest brings together great local food, arts and crafts, a kids’ area, local retail vendors, and an insane lineup of music. Headliners include The Mountain Goats, Anibalas, Alvvays, and Ought, with plenty of other great local acts throughout the day. You can check out which bands Matt Brooks and I think are the ones you need to see at this fest.
NOW WHAT: It's only a $10 dollar donation which keeps this great festival going year after year, so it's no excuse not to head to Wicker Park and have a great time.
Summer Circus Intensive I and II Showcase @ The Actors Gymnasium, 927 Noyes St, Evanston
WHAT: A showcase of brand new circus movement pieces.
SO WHAT: Thirty-one students have been working with a cross section of Chicago’s leading circus, dance and physical theater instructors for the past six weeks conditioning their bodies to their highest physical levels. This event is a culmination of all that hard work as they come together and have created two completely different showcases, which will be performed this weekend for the first and only time for the public. You will get to experience exciting acts that include Double Trapeze, Sling, Poi, Unicycle, Silks, Single Point Trapeze, Aerial Rope, Acrobatic Pole, Spanish Web, Contortion, Aerial Net and many more.
NOW WHAT: Intensive II takes place on Saturday at 4:30PM and at 7:30PM while Intensive I takes place on Sunday at 1PM and 4PM. Tickets for these all-ages events are available for only $15.