It feels like we just sped past spring and are diving right into summer! It's the middle of May and there is plenty waiting for you in Chicago to discover so why not make this weekend grand! There are plenty of concerts, charitable events, art-focused gatherings and so much more happening in the city. Don't let time fly on by; do something fun!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, MAY 16th
Adler After Dark: Planetary Prom @ The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: An out of this world experience at the planetarium!
SO WHAT: This edition of Adler After Dark will let you spend the night with a cosmic cocktail over some '80s, '90s, and early 2000s beats; then show off your best moves at the Prom Court photo booth! You'll also get to check out the newest sky show,
Imagine the Moon, and discover some out-of-this-world (and explosive) science demos, hands-on experiments, cosmic crafts, and more! You can also join planetary scientist Sarah Hӧrst as she shares new findings from the wildest moon in the Solar System (Titan) and other exotic planetary locations. There will also be a special Planetary Prom Team Trivia (prizes will be awarded) and a Selfie Scavenger Hunt that will take you on an epic quest all over the museum.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door!
Chicago Zine Fest 2019 Kick Off @ DePaul University, 2322 N. Kenmore Ave, Room 100 & Room 314, 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The tenth anniversary of this great celebration of zines!
SO WHAT: The Chicago Zine Fest is an annual festival celebrating small press and independent publishers, with free workshops, events, and so much more! This is the first day of the fest which features two great events:
NOW WHAT: The exhibition, as all of Chicago Zine Fest events, is completely free and open to the public!
FRIDAY, MAY 17th
Chicago Zine Fest 2019: Exhibitor Reading and Zine Jeopardy @ Quimby's & Cards Against Humanity Theater, 1854 W North Ave and 1551 W Homer St, 6:00pm - 11:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The tenth anniversary of this great celebration of zines!
SO WHAT: The Chicago Zine Fest is an annual festival celebrating small press and independent publishers, with free workshops, events, and so much more! This is the second day of the fest which features two great events:
- Exhibitor Reading (6:00pm – 8:00pm, Quimby’s) – Zine creators share stories and comics from the pages of their publications. Hosted by Megan Kirby. Readers include David Alvarado, Julia Arredondo, Ed Blair, Eileen Chavez, Casey Goonan, Jonas, Jaclyn Miller, LizMarie Palomo, Leslie Perrine, Jami Sailor, and Alejandra Trigoso. Sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore.
- Zines Jeopardy (9:00pm, Cards Against Humanity Theater) – Longtime CZF organizer Johnny Misfit hosts our first self-publisher-friendly game show. Our contestants, comics artist John Porcellino and zinemakers Julia Eff and Billy the Bunny, will go head-to-head as we test their knowledge of all things zine. Sponsored by Cards Against Humanity and Field Notes.
NOW WHAT: The exhibition, as all of Chicago Zine Fest events, is free and open to the public!
Music & Magic! A Benefit Show for RefugeeOne @ Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St, 7:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: A benefit event hosted by Punk Rock and Donuts for
RefugeeOne. Based out of Chicago, RefugeeOne creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
SO WHAT: Head out to one of the coolest art/music/community venues in town and support a great cause! You’ll be able to enjoy some tunes from some of our favorite local bands including
Ex Okays,
Sugarpulp,
LATE and
Impulsive Hearts! There will be plenty of
great raffle prizes going on as well as on-site Tarot Readings by Amber Schwartz!
NOW WHAT: There will be a $7 suggested donation at the door for this great night!
Sasha Marie @ Sahar Habibi @ Upstairs at Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N Wabash Ave, 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: An excellent place to dance your night away!
SO WHAT: Soulection's rising DJs Sasha Marie and Sahar Habibi will be stopping by Upstairs - At Virgin Hotels Chicago! Sahar's and Sasha will be dealing out some top tier mixes to help everyone keep their vibey grooves going throughout the night!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free! Jut register at their eventbrite page!!
SATURDAY, MAY 18th
Thalia Hall Architectural Tour @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 11:00am, All Ages
WHAT: A little bit of brunch and architecture
SO WHAT: Need something a little different for your brunch? Thalia Hall has brought back their architectural tours during brunch every third Saturday of the month! Fill up on some Michelin starred food before or after you embark on their 11am tour of the building rich architectural history .
NOW WHAT: Brunch reservations can be made between 9am and 3pm at
dusekschicago.com/reservations. Please add “Thalia Hall Architectural Tour” to your reservation notes. Tour walk-ins are also welcome!
Chicago Zine Fest 2019: Exhibition Day @ Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W Washington Blvd, 11:00am - 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The tenth anniversary of this great celebration of zines!
SO WHAT: The Chicago Zine Fest is an annual festival celebrating small press and independent publishers, with free workshops, events, and so much more! This is the third day of the fest, which features the main exhibition of all the cool zines!
NOW WHAT: The exhibition, as all of Chicago Zine Fest events, is free and open to the public!
No Boundaries: Prints, Paintings & Installation by Michelle Miller @ All Star Press, 2775 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00pm -10:00pm
WHAT: Another fantastic exhibition at the always fun All Star Press!
SO WHAT: No Boundaries is Los Angeles based screen printer and painter Michelle Miller's latest collection of colorful works that put their subjective experience of social constructs - gendered, societal and physical - on display. Their experience comes to life through silkscreen monoprints, paintings, and vinyl cut installations. There is also some collaboration and small sculptures by locally based sculptor Elizabeth Masterman featured in this great exhibition!
NOW WHAT: It's free and open to public! Head out and enjoy some brews graciously donated by All Star Press' friends at
Revolution Brewing!
One for the Books @ Chicago Literacy Alliance, 641 W Lake St #200, 7:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A special evening benefiting the
Chicago Literacy Alliance
SO WHAT: Enjoy music, art, refreshments, and an auction of a spectacular array of rare, signed, and special books. Mingle and peruse the display, enjoying drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts. Following a short program, you'll have the opportunity to bid on the items you most want to take home.
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $100 for this wonderful evening. All proceeds will support the Chicago Literacy Alliance's work in furthering literacy in Chicago.
SUNDAY MAY 19th
Patrice Michaels and Justice Ginsburg. Photo by Karli Cading.
Notorious RBG in Song @ Spertus Institute, 610 S Michigan Ave, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A jazz-meets-classical dramatic concert celebrating the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Composer-soprano Patrice Michaels will be joined by pianist Kuang-Hao Huang, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, baritone Evan Bravos, and tenor Matthew Dean
SO WHAT: In an original new work, Michaels (Ginsburg's daughter-in-law) presents music and stories accompanied by projections to illustrate the life and work of Justice Ginsburg, the equal rights advocate who has become a pop-culture icon known to fans as Notorious RBG. Her nickname is a wry nod to fellow Brooklynite, rapper Biggie Smalls, the Notorious B.I.G. These songs about her life are presented (and many are written) by Michaels and produced by her son, James Ginsburg, founder of Chicago label
Cedille Records. James will be at Spertus for a post-show Q & A. The accompanying CD will be for sale at the post-program reception.
NOW WHAT: The concert is 75 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets are $18 or $10 for
Spertus members, $8 for students and Spertus alumni.
Girls Rock! Chicago Camp Carnival! w/ White Mystery, Half Gringa, Baby Money @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Come one, come all to the first-ever Girls Rock! Chicago Camp Carnival!
SO WHAT: Mix a little carnival goodness with some great bands performing for an awesome case and you have the Girls Rock! Chicago Camp Carnival! There will be free carnival-style games, food and fun on the patio at 5:00pm! The excellent music from
White Mystery,
Half Gringa (solo),
Baby Money & the Down Payments (solo) starts at 7:00pm and will surely keep you rockin' all night long!
NOW WHAT: Entry is $12 in advance, $15 day of show!
TIME | SPACE Jazz Series @ Freehand Chicago, 19 E Ohio St, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Some excellent music to help end your weekend the right way
SO WHAT: Every Sunday at Broken Shaker you will be hearing some of the best psychedelic jazz in the city, brought to you in two 45 minute sets played by a different trio every week. Stop by for good vibrations and drink specials to cure your Sunday blues.
Check out the full lineup at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free!
