It's another overflowing weekend for Chicago! There are just so many events going on in our amazing city that it's hard to keep up. Concerts, popups, food trucks, conventions, and so much more! Don't forget to look at
the rest of the calendar for even more things to do this weekend!
Now let's get on with your curated weekend!
ALL WEEKEND LONG, MAY 17th - 20th
Foxy Ed's: A Mini-Bar @ Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S Michigan Ave., 5:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Experience a 19th century saloon in technicolor.
SO WHAT: The original Chicago Athletic Association opened its doors 125 years ago amidst the Chicago World’s Fair. NOw, travel back to that time and step inside their latest popup bar, Foxy Ed’s, the saloon that never was, where the Mid meets the West, fact meets fiction, and time stands still. You’ll be able to have excellent drinks and partake in fun events! Come raise a glass to those infamous saloon keepers who colored Chicago’s past – “Bathhouse John” Coughlin, Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna, and of course, Edward F. “Foxy Ed” Cullerton.
NOW WHAT: No cover for this popup, just head to the event page to see what surprises they have in store for you and enjoy the old timey fun!
Pipeworks Recurring Pipedream Popup @ Emporium Pop Ups, 2367 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Let me tell you about my dream….
SO WHAT: The Recurring Pipedream is a Pipeworks Brewing Company experience. Pipe Works takes over all the taps with rare beers, new beers, and variants of old favorites flowing for your tasting pleasure! There will be special surprises each night, so head to their event page to be well informed.
NOW WHAT: Get weird with the Pipework crew and their friends to enjoy some beers!
THURSDAY, MAY 17th
She's Crafty: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Hello Nasty @ City Winery Chicago Riverwalk, 11 W. Riverwalk South, 5:30pm
WHAT: Body movin’, body movin’, A1 sound, sound so soothing, body movin’, body movin’, We be getting down and you know we’re crush groovin’
SO WHAT: Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Beastie Boys epic album,
Hello Nasty with a concert by
She’s Crafty, Chicago’s all-female Beastie Boys tribute group! There will also be raffles throughout the night and proceeds of two menu items will benefit Chicago Period Project & Gilda’s Club Chicago.
NOW WHAT:
It’s free!
Trek To The Waterfall @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Sleeping Village is throwing a party with their friends at Half Acre Beer Company, On Tour Brewing Co. and Hopewell Brewing Company to kick off Illinois Craft Beer Week!
SO WHAT: Stop by for the awesome tap-takeover and enjoy the fantastic lineup of live music featuring
Ganser,
American Cosmonaut, and
The Bombats!
NOW WHAT: IT'S FREE! Before the show, grab a beer at Half Acre, Hopewell or On Tour and bring your receipt to Sleeping Village to be entered into a drawing for two free tickets to Half Acre’s annual party, The Big North!
Emily Jane Powers, The Jellies, & Tarnynon Onumonu @ Hungry Brain, 2319 W Belmont Ave., 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A stellar lineup that you shouldn’t miss!
SO WHAT: Emily Jane Powers has been making some of the most lush and intimate bedroom pop for over a decade and her latest album
Restless adds a sense of collaborative polish to her amazing sound. Joining her will be beautiful folky pop of
The Jellies and poet/performance artist Tarnynon Onumonu.
NOW WHAT:
It’s free!
FRIDAY, MAY 18th
Anna Hasseltine: Unlikely Friends and Certain Enemies, 2415 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Galerie F is proud to present
Unlikely Friends and Certain Enemies: Original Woodcuts and Screenprints by Anna Hasseltine
SO WHAT: Unlikely Friends and Certain Enemies delves into the ancient, yet relevant, story-telling world of Aesop. Foxes, frogs, wolves, birds and dogs find themselves in compromising and dangerous situations due to their curiosity and despite their best intentions. Personified with elements of intrinsic human behavior, Aesop’s animals show us that even though the times have changed, instinct has not. Immerse yourself in a variety of age-old stories — you might learn something new, or confirm…already held beliefs about your friends and enemies. These woodcuts and screenprints are created by Anna Hasseltine, a Chicago-based artist and printmaker.
NOW WHAT: This opening event as always is free! Plus there'll be plenty of hydration thanks to sponsor Essentia Water. The exhibit goes until June 10.
Cold Beaches @ Shuga Records, 1245 Chicago Ave., 6:30pm - 7:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: A cool in-store performance
SO WHAT: Cold Beaches is just returning from tour and what else could she do but head right to the Shuga stage to play some of her breathtaking rock and roll love songs. This homecoming show should not be missed!
NOW WHAT: It’s a free in-store performance, go out and enjoy!
Lil Bub's Hello Earth Arcade Party @ Logan Arcade, 2410 W Fullerton Ave.,7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Celebrate the unveiling of Lil Bub’s first arcade game,
Hello Earth!
SO WHAT: Join Lil Bub’s Space Mission to save Spooky, her captured brother and fellow Space Cat. Arm yourself with your Yogurt Cannon, Power Blaster, and Grappling Arm before facing off against Pupilera, the Giant Space Eye, her infinite litter of Eyebabies, and a host of other Te
rrifying Space Enemies. Posters, raffles, giveaways, and more will be waiting for you at this fantastic event!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! All the fundraising activities will go to benefit Logan Square’s favorite eco-friendly, cageless, no-kill adoption center and cat shelter, the wonderful Harmony House for Cats.
Deeper / Pool Holograph / Earring @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Local bands tearing up the Empty Bottle with amazing sounds
SO WHAT: This is pretty much the perfect opportunity to get caught up with some of the best bands in town. Deeper will be celebrating their long awaited debut album, so you know it’s going to be a blast. Joining them will be the always entertaining Pool Holograph and the fuzzy and addicting rock of Earring!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Get them tickets and rock out!
FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 18th - 20th
Anime Central (ACen) @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd., Friday 10:00am - Sunday 4:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A place to get your fill of anime and more!
SO WHAT: Anime Central (ACen) is the largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention in Chicago and the Midwest. The event brings fans together to enjoy their fandom with a huge exhibit hall, a massive video game room, concerts, dances, educational panels and workshops, premiere screenings, autograph sessions, 24-hour video rooms, tabletop gaming, and much more!
NOW WHAT: Registration for the event is currently open. Three day passes are $70 for adults and $15 for children aged 6-12. Single day passes are $45 for Friday or Saturday and $30 for Sunday at the con!
SATURDAY, MAY 19th
Chicago Zine Fest @ Plumbers Union, 1340 W Washington Blvd., 11:00am - 6:00pm
WHAT: Zines for the masses!
SO WHAT: The Chicago Zine Fest is an annual festival celebrating small press and independent publishers, with
free workshops, events, and so much more! The second day of the fest is the main exhibition of all the cool zines! A
list of exhibitors and invited guests tabling at CZF 2018 is now available.
NOW WHAT: The exhibition is completely free! And Dont' miss out on
Day 1 on Friday and the
after party!
Jessica Risker @ Reckless Records, 1379 N Milwaukee Ave., 2:00pm- 3:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: An excellent in-store performance!
SO WHAT: The talented, Chicago-based indie/folk artist
Jessica Risker just released the incredible album
I See You Among the Stars on Western Vinyl. This in-store performance will be the perfect way to catch her intimate, psychedelic folk live.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!!
Twisted Party for Twisted Oyster @ Your Happy Place Liquors, 2501A N Milwaukee Ave,, 5:30pm - 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Join Twisted Oyster at Your Happy Place Liquors for a great kickoff event.
SO WHAT: Twisted Oyster celebrates four years with music by DJ Labro, spirits tastings, art sale/auction and a raffle for wine and beer to support Twisted Oyster’s mission to bring together culture, community and technology through film and art! This party includes invitation to attend the festival’s VIP pre-show this summer.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $18, and proceeds go to Twisted Oyster!
Food Truck Social @ Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 6:30pm - 9:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: Food from the best food trucks in town
SO WHAT: This food truck social is your chance to experience the finest meals on wheels Chicago has to offer, while also enjoying the zoo after-hours. In addition to dozens of food trucks, this tasty event will also feature fun activities, DJ tunes, and drinks available for purchase.
NOW WHAT: Entry is $10 ($8 for Lincoln Park Zoo members), just be sure to bring some cash for the food!
Red & Wild Feminist Prom @ The Living Room, 2423 W. North Ave., 8:00pm
WHAT: Rebellious Magazine is holding its annual Red & Wild Feminist Prom so you can replace those icky high school prom memories with today’s feminist ideas and styles.
SO WHAT: You can dress up or dress down. Wear what you want. Come alone, bring a friend or your crew. The event will feature all the best parts of prom–music, dancing, party photos–but with booze! The planners also will have a raffle and silent auction.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Everyone is welcome. Even menfolk.
An Intimate May Evening @ DZ Records,8548 S 85th Ct., 8:00pm
WHAT: Another DZ Records style party!
SO WHAT: Join DZ Records for a night of great music! There will be a nice lineup of bands rocking out for your aural pleasure including How it Got Burned, Romancoke, Matthew McNeal, and Them Dead Poets! There will be free water and the event is BYOB.
NOW WHAT: Admission is $10.
SUNDAY, MAY 20th
Queen! with Todd Terje / Derrick Carter / Michael Serafini / Garrett David @ Smartbar Chicago, 3730 N Clark St., 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Dance your worries away!
SO WHAT: This week’s edition of Queen!, hosted by Lucy Stoole, Jojo Baby, and Nico will feature some and amazing DJ sets from resident DJs Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini, Garrett David; and special guest
Todd Terje!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door!
Dumpster Tapes Presents: GOSH!, Clearance, Mia Joy, Courtesy @ Slippery Slope, 2357 N Milwaukee Ave., 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: It’s the third Sunday of the month, that means another
Dumpster Tapes show at Slippery Slope!
SO WHAT: Dumpster Tapes asked the tender dream-pop queen Mia Joy to help them fill up the evening’s lineup with a couple of her favorite bands right now and it looks like it's going to be amazing! Stop by and listen to
Mia Joy,
Clearance,
Courtesy, and
GOSH!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!