It wouldn't be a Chicago summer without an excessive heat warning. The next few days are going to be incredibly hot, so if you're planning on going to some of these fantastic events, prepare accordingly! Don't let the heat wave take you down: stay cool, hydrated and experience all the great things Chicago has to offer safely!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY JULY 18th
826fork 2019 @ 826CHI, 1276 N Milwaukee Ave, 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: An evening of amazing music from the minds of young writers and local musicians
SO WHAT: 826FORK is back for another year of creativity galore! Eleven stories written by 826CHI writers between the ages of 6-18 are transformed into epic songs by some of the best musicians Chicago has to offer! Girl K, Ester, Glad Rags and many more will be performing.
You can check out the full lineup at their event page! There will be free drinks generously provided by Temperance Beer Co. & Revolution Brewing.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5, and all proceeds will support 826CHI's tuition-free literary arts programs, which serve over 3,500 Chicago students annually
Den Session with Anna Burch @ Freehand Chicago, 19 E Ohio St, 9:00pm -11:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A great night of music in an intimate venue
SO WHAT: Detroit musician with lots of local ties
Anna Burch will be back in town dishing out her pristine and endlessly complex pop songs! This special night at Broken Shaker at Freehand Chicago will have Burch performing her debut album
Quit The Curse. This is a great way to experience the album, which is full of dark lyricism masked but catchy melodies.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! You can RSVP here.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 19th - 21st
Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A music festival focused on the best music you can find today
SO WHAT: Pitchfork have been the taste-makers in the just-under-the-mainstream community for a while and they know how to put on a good festival. This year is no different with a stellar lineup including headliners like HAIM, The Isley Brothers, and Robyn! Check out
the full lineup, our
mixtape featuring one song from every artist performing at the fest, and
our picks of who to see perform at the fest!
NOW WHAT: Regular three-day passes ($200), single day tickets ($95), and Pitchfork Plus tickets ($400 for three-day, $185 for single day) are still available!
You can purchase them over at Eventbrite! Tickets for select after shows are still available as well!
You can see the lineup of after shows and links to purchase tickets here!
4th Annual Tacos Y Tamales Festival @ 16th & Peoria in Pilsen, 837 W 16th St, Friday 5:00pm -10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Modelo USA, Frida Kahlo Community Organization, Like Food, and Green Curtain Events present the 4th Annual Tacos y Tamales Festival!
SO WHAT: This is a street affair based off a traditional Mexican market known as the Tianguis. You'll be able to enjoy some authentic tacos and tamales from several regions of Latin America, music, vendors, art, and more!
Check out their event page for more details!
NOW WHAT: There is a $5 suggested donation benefiting the Frida Kahlo Community Organization
FRIDAY, JULY 19th
Black Pumas & Los Coast @ Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave, 8:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A pair of bands bringing retro sounds to the future in a unique way!
SO WHAT: Black Pumas are the duo of Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton. The pair are making some incredibly soul throwbacks as if they were made today, implementing a style and attitude that is irresistible with every passing listen. they're touring in support of their self-titled debut that brings their energy together in 10 fantastic songs. Joining them will be
Los Coast, which includes founder Trey Pivott and John Courtney, Megan Hartman on bass, Damian Llanes on drums and Natalie Write on keys. They will bring their amalgamation of psychedelic pop lined with irresistible funk-grooves and catchy hooks. Their debut album
Samsara is an intricate collection of songs full of fantastic lyrical twists.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this fun night in SPACE!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 20th & 21st
ComplexCon @ McCormick Place, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr., 11:00am - 8:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: ComplexCon is the place where the most influential people and hottest brands that move culture forward come together for a weekend of creative collaboration
SO WHAT: This incredible festival and exhibition blends the worlds of pop culture, music, art, food, sports, innovation, activism, and education for an amazing weekend. You'll have the opportunity to shop hundreds of exclusive releases from sought-after brands, catch stunning live performances, watch inspiring talks from the most influential minds, and experience the future through the most immersive and ambitious pop culture experience.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Two day general admission is sold out but single day passes are available and start at $80!
Chicago Oddities & Curiosities Expo @ Odeum Sports & Expo Center, 1033 N Villa Ave, 11:00am - 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A little bit of weirdness for your weekend shopping
SO WHAT: Vendors with items such as: Oddities, taxidermy, wet specimens, antiques, odd jewelry, unusual art, bones, curiosities and all around creepy, strange and bizarre items will be selling their wares at this unique and unusual market!
NOW WHAT: Entry is $10, kids 12 and under are Free! VIP Passes which include early entry are available for $20!
SATURDAY, JULY 20th
Dusty Groove Record Sale @ Dusty Groove, 1120 N Ashland Ave, 10:00am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: An insane sale that you need to go to!
SO WHAT: Dusty Groove will be selling off a huge amount of merchandise they’ve never offered to the public before including many overflow titles from recent collections! There will be thousands of LPs available for $1 and 45s for 25¢ available on their third floor of the shop! Perfect day for vinyl fans to have some fun and enjoy bargains galore.
NOW WHAT: Get there early and discover some gems!
Juicy Brews Art Gallery Craft Beer Fest @ Mars Community Brewing, 3630 S. Iron St., Noon - 4:00pm, 21+
WHAT: An evening of art and brew
SO WHAT: Join Hop Culture and Marz Brewing for a celebration those creative art and delicious beers. You’ll have a chance to enjoy unlimited pours from some of the best breweries in the country (24 great breweries will be in attendance), music by Hoof Hearted Brewing artist Thom Lessner, and lots of art and merch.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $60 for general admission, $20 for designated drivers. Use promo code: THIRDCOASTREVIEW and get 30% off.
NEO Reunion: 4 Decades @ Metro, 3730 N Clark St, doors open 8:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Take a trip back to a time where Neo was still around and everything was great
SO WHAT: This great evening will celebrate the birth of Neo in July 1979 and what it meant and continues to mean to generations of unconventional Chicagoans. So put on your best Neo-appropriate outfit and spend the night with some incredible DJs including Suzanne Shelton, Glenn Russell, Carrie Monster, Bill Saveley, Scary Lady Sarah, and Jeff Moyer
NOW WHAT: VIP tables are sold out but
general admission is still available fro $21! A portion of the proceeds will benefit
Darkest Before Dawn, a non-profit organization providing mental and emotional support resources for our industry workers.
SUNDAY, JULY 21st
Art Institute Block Party @ The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, 10:30am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The second block party in and around the best art museum
SO WHAT: The Art Institute is hosting its second annual Block Party! This is a full day of performances, talks, storytelling, and art making in and around the entire museum. This year they’re taking a special look at the lives of things: how does the meaning of an artwork or an object change over time: as it moves; changes hands, places, or functions; or when it becomes part of a collection?
Check out their full lineup of activities at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry is $10 for Illinois residents only through midnight on July 20,. Tickets purchased online after midnight or onsite on July 21 will be at the regular museum admission rates ($25). There will also be a concert by Jamila Woods following the Block Party at 7:00pm!
Tickets for Jamila Woods' show are available here.