Festival season is in full swing and this weekend is overflowing with them! Whether you are looking for ribs, tacos, beer, music, or art, there is something going on in the coming days. So get your summer clothes on and start exploring this fantastic weekend events!
Let's get on with your curated weekend.
ALL WEEKEND LONG, JUNE 14th - 17th
Porkys Rib Fest 2018 @ Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave. Bridgeview, IL, Thursday & Friday 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday 2:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another year of
Porky’s Ribfest
SO WHAT: Porky’s Rib Fest features a great lineup of premier BBQ restaurants and vendors from the Chicagoland area. In addition to the ribs there will be plenty of live music, a huge carnival with rides for all ages, and fantastic atmosphere!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
THURSDAY, JUNE 14th
GoGo Penguin @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave, 8:00pm - 10:00pm, 18+
WHAT: An evening of beautifully experimental jazz and electronica fusion
SO WHAT: GoGo Penguin is an incredible UK trio that weaves together minimalist piano keys, driving jazz bass lines, and electronica-inspired drums. They recently released their latest album
A Humdrum Star, which pushes the band’s signature sound even further than their previous works. They will be showcasing there uniwue blend of sounds over two nights at the wonderful Constellation.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 for this phenomenal evening!
Alexis Taylor @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Alexis Taylor (!) of Hot Chip (!!) at the Empty Bottle (!!!)
SO WHAT: Alexis Taylor has been incredibly busy since the release of
Hot Chip‘s
Why Make Sense?. He’s released
Piano,
Listen With(Out) Piano, & his latest solo album,
Beautiful Thing. It’s the first time he has made a solo album with another producer, this time with Tim Goldsworthy, the co-founder of DFA Records and a member of LCD Soundsystem.
Beautiful Thing is a return to the infectious dance production that Alexis Taylor is known for! This opportunity to see him at the Empty Bottle should not be missed! Joining him will be Annie Hart of Au Revoir Simone!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this intimate show!
Polo & Pan and Jean Tonique @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave., 9:30pm, 18+
WHAT: A night full of dancing!
SO WHAT: Polo & Pan strives to bring nothing but positivity to its audiences, with its blend of disco, 1930s vocals, psychedelic rock from the ‘70s and more. Joining them will be the equally fun
Jean Tonique.
Check Elif Geris’ preview of the night here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15!
FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 15th - 17th
Taste of Randolph @ Randolph at Peoria, 900 W Randolph St, Friday 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another year of this iconic street festival
SO WHAT: The biggest and brightest names in Chicago dining, featuring over 16 restaurants exemplary for delectable menus and irresistibly unique flavors, will take to the street for this delicious event! There will also be a curated a list of bands and musicians (including the biggest names in Chicago house music) performing on two stages and a DJ stage to entertain guests on their culinary trip down Randolph. Some of the band highlights include Chicano Batman, Overcoats, Rich Jones, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Entry to to the event is only a $10 suggested donation.
Vip Tickets for this big event are available now! They range from $40 per day or $1oo for all three days for VIP entrance! Taste of Randolph benefits the West Loop Community Organization, which has been advocating for the West Loop neighborhood since 1991, supporting local businesses and economic development
FRIDAY, JUNE 15th
Imminent Decay: A Solo Exhibition by CLAMO @ Galerie F, 2415 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another amazing exhibition at Galerie F
SO WHAT: Galerie F presents Imminent Decay: A Solo Exhibition by CLAMO, a contemporary moniker writer/artist. A form of graffiti, monikers are names or drawings on the sides of freight trains typically produced with a solid paint stick. Many moniker artists are train hoppers and/or railroad workers.
NOW WHAT: As always, this opening reception is free! The exhibition runs until July 8th
Brandi Carlile & Secret Sisters @ The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, 7:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: An evening of Americana
SO WHAT: Brandi Carlile, whose distinct and graceful voice has been gracing folk and Americana fans for over a decade, will be stopping by Chicago Theatre in support of her latest album
By the Way, I Forgive You. Joining her will be wonderful folk duo
Secret Sisters.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available online!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 16th & 17th
Pilsen Taco Fest @ 1000 West Cermak from Morgan to Racine, Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: TACOS! (in a bigger venue this time)
SO WHAT: The Pilsen Taco Fest was overrun last year in their small spot, but this year they’ve upgraded to a bigger areas for 2 days of amazing food, local art and merch vendors, kids activities, beers, raffles and much more. Come and enjoy some great music, comedy, and of course TACOS! See the full lineup here!
NOW WHAT: Admission is free!
Craft Brews at the Zoo @ Lincoln Park Zoo,2001 N Clark St, 6:00pm - 10:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Craft Brews at the Zoo
SO WHAT: Lincoln Park Zoo and Lou Dog Events arehosting the fourth annual Craft Brews beer festival at Lincoln Park Zoo! Indulge in a selection of 120-plus specialty beers from more than 40 local and regional breweries at this one-of-a-kind event. Beer tasting stations will be set up throughout the zoo’s beautiful gardens during this after-hours experience just for adults. Plus enjoy food for purchase, DJ entertainment, lawn games and views of the zoo’s amazing animals!
NOW WHAT: General Admission tickets are $49, VIP tickets are sold out, and designated driver tickets are $20
SATURDAY, JUNE 16th
Bric-A-Brac Records 5 Year Anniversary @ Bric-A-Brac Records, 3156 W Diversey Ave., Noon - 7:00pm, all ages
WHAT: Bric-A-Brac Records is turning the big 5-0.... oh wait. Just five. 5th ANNIVERSARY PARTY!
SO WHAT: They did it. Bric-A-Brac made to half a decade and will be taking advantage of their birthday by throwing an all day shindig! Bands start at 2pm and will include Glyders, Star Tropics, Ovef Ow, Wyd, and Slushy!
NOW WHAT: Just had out and enjoy this fun day!
Celine Neon (Final Show) / Krystal Metcalfe / The Cell Phones / Foul Tip DJs @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: The final show of one of the most badass duos in Chicago
SO WHAT: This is it.
Celine Neon, the vibrant duo with a massive amount of sass and even more talent are calling it a night. Instead of being all gloomy, this is your chance to party with them one more time! Joining them on their final show (seriously folks this is one you need to go to) will be soulful singer
Krystal Metcalfe, the exuberant sounds of
The Cell Phones, and the Foul Tip DJs.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of show.
Black Moth Super Rainbow & The Stargazer Lilies @ Metro, 3730 N Clark St, 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Otherworldly psychedelic weirdness
SO WHAT: Black Moth Super Rainbow is the experimental band of Thomas Fec. Much like his other project Tobacco, BMSR will leave you mesmerized with their glitched out psych madness. Joining them will the the delectable showgirl sounds of The Stargazer Lilies
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $17 in advance, $19 day of.
LatiNxt Official After Party with Pachanga and Future Rootz @ Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave., 10:00pm 21+
WHAT: An evening full of dancing, art, and fun times!
SO WHAT: ¡Pachanga! and Future Rootz are taking over three floors at Sub-T to bring you the Official LatiNxt After Party! Pachanga will be welcoming an excellent lineup of DJs and musicians to the stage!
Check out all the details on their event page!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10
SUNDAY, JUNE 17th
Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen:Father's Day Fiesta @ Emporium Arcade Bar, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave, 12:00pm - 5:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Chicago’s Vegan Test Kitchen is a community of local plant based chefs and vendors of cruelty free goods, and beauty and wellness products.
SO WHAT: CVTK’s Father’s Day Fiesta will be coming to Emporium with a meticulously curated Vegan Bazaar featuring local vegan treats from conscious local chefs and vendors providing cruelty free goods. There will also be a fully stocked bar to help wash down that delicious grub. You can check out all the vendors and chefs that will be
in attendance over at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free!
You can register here for 20 free game tokens to spend on arcade games!
Third Coast Percussion @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave., 8:30pm, 18+
WHAT: A local award winning outfit doing their thing
SO WHAT: Third Coast Percussion is a Grammy Award-winning, artist-run quartet of classically-trained percussionists from our very own Chicago.
NO WHAT:
Tickets for this show are $20 