Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 4/21 and Beyond

It's going to be a warmer weekend than we've been accustomed to these past few weeks so it's time to celebrate! There's so much going this weekend and with the pandemic numbers are staying relatively low and it's feeling a little more normal to go out since Chicago dropped the masking and vaccination proof mandates on February 28 (for better or worse).

While we're hopefully at the tail end of things, many venues are keeping their mask and vaccination requirements for the foreseeable future. So if you do plan to go out this weekend, make sure you check out the venue's policies and take initiative. Wear a mask, social distance, and get your vaccination shots and your booster even if the venue/event doesn't require it. And if you still feel that wearing a mask is a must (like many still do), then please wear one. Protect yourself and those around you. If you still don't feel entirely safe to go out (and quite honestly, who can blame you?) you can always stay in and support these places from home.

Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!

THURSDAY, APRIL 21st

#SaveTheReader Rally @ Wellington and Lake Shore Drive, 11:00am
WHAT: Members of the Chicago Reader editorial union and their supporters will protest outside co-owner Len Goodman's home in an effort to #SaveTheReader.
SO WHAT: The Reader is an important part of Chicago's community and has been for decades. the last few years have been tough and now as the Reader attempts to save itself, the current owner Len Goodman has been stifling any chance of survival. He has delayed the sale of the paper to the Reader Institute for Community Journalism because of a simple request from Reader editors to fact-check one of his published columns. The rally is to show the solidarity of The Reader, it's media colleagues throughout Chicago, and the community at large against a man who got his feelings hurt over the reaction of a terrible column.
NOW WHAT: Support this amazing newspaper and help keep our friends doing fantastic work!

Fulton Street Collective Jazz Series @ Palmhouse619, 619 W. Howard St., Evanston, IL & Their YouTube channel, or the coziest spot in your home, 8:00pm
WHAT: Some excellent jazz for your evening
SO WHAT: Fulton Street Collective are back with in-person events, but they are still determined to give Chicago its much needed dose of jazz at home! Most of their shows are also streaming so you can see and hear the beautiful music on their YouTube channel, which has a great back catalog for you to enjoy! Below are just some of the upcoming shows from the collective.

NOW WHAT: The shows are free, but there is usually a $15 suggested donation to help support the musicians and Fulton Street Collective. ! Also you should definitely support Fulton Street Collective by becoming a member!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 22nd - 23rd

ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $33 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

SATURDAY, APRIL 23rd

Record Store Day @ Various Record Shops Near You, Various Time (check out our guide for more info!)
WHAT: Record Store Day, a worldwide event that brings record store staff, customers, and artists together in a celebration of the music community.
SO WHAT: Record Store Day has been a little tumultuous do to the pandemic, but the awesome vinyl holiday is back again!  Head over to your favorite record store whether they are participating the the exclusive releases or not and support your local wax dealer!
NOW WHAT: Check out Record Store Day guide and plan out your day!

Waldo’s Forever Fest @ Andersonville, Clark & Argyle, 10am – 9pm, 21+
WHAT: Celebrate 420 with a awesome party with Dispensary 33
SO WHAT: Waldo’s Forever Fest is taking over Clark Street for a very green celebration! This is the first time since the Illinois legalization of marijuana that Waldo’s Forever Fest is taking place, so it’s gonna be a fun one. While you can smoke anywhere, come prepared for local eats, cannabis forward vendors, fun and immersive activations, and headlining performances from Junglepussy, Sudan Archives, Shea Couleè (Live and drag set), Jessy Lanza, Glitter Moneyyy, Trqpiteca more!
NOW WHAT: This 21+ event is FREE! Head out and enjoy the great festival!

To Be, William Shakespeare's 458th Birthday @ Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier's Website, the coziest spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrates the Bard's 458th birthday with a free 40-minute virtual program by local artists.
SO WHAT: Eleri Ward performs Acoustic Sondheim from her indie-folk album, A Perfect Little Death. Musical performances by Chicago Shakes performers Missy Aguilar, Jerica Exum, Jacquelyne Jones, Evan Tyrone Martin, Liam Oh, Sawyer Smith and more. One of Shakespeare's most famous speeches will be performed by A.B.L.E. Ensemble, which creates theater and film projects for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
NOW WHAT: Watch To Be here. Streaming on demand through May 22. 

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 23rd & 24th

The Neo-Futurists' The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7:00pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an  ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it's actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person! With plenty of COVID precautions in place, you'll be able to enjoy the funny, disgusting, profound, terrifying, irreverent, and downright entertaining show with friends! Plan ahead as vaccination cards will be checked and booster will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $10! Head over to their website to see all they have planned now that in-person audiences are a thing again! If you're still a little anxious about going out, The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon!

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival @ The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave , Various times,
WHAT: A weekend of amazing performances!
SO WHAT: The all new Chicago Circus & Performing Arts Festival will feature a diverse set of performing artists from all around Chicago. Whether your looking traditional circus, something a little avant-garde,maybe some burlesque, or a more family friendly juggling and clowning show; this amazing festival will surely have you set up for a grand ole time! There will also be several evening-length productions pushing the bounds of what these shows can offer, delivering incredible narratives that, you must see. Check out our full preview here with great insights on shows and the full schedule!
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $10-35 depending on the show; some shows include pay-what-you-can amounts. Check out their website and schedule for more details!

The Other Art Fair @ Fulton Market, 1215 W Fulton Market, Thursday 6pm – 10pm, Friday 3pm – 10pm, Saturday 11am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm, all ages
WHAT: A chance to bring some wonderful art into your home
SO WHAT: The Other Art Fair will be hosting 110 independent artists at the Fulton Market this weekend! You can look forward to immersive art experiences, special installations, murals, performances, DJ sets and some of Chicago’s freshest street food setting up in the outdoor seating areas. You can start exploring the program right now, so set your game plan for your visit and discover some new art!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Their are multiple session per day so act now to check out some of this beautiful art!

Chicago Latino Film Festival @ Landmark Century Center Cinema (2828 N Clark St), ChiTown Movies (2343 S Throop St), & Eventive Streaming Platform, the spot in your home with the most movie theater appropriate atmosphere
WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival is back for their 38th year in a nice hybrid form!
SO WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival gives audiences a look into the work of filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S. As always the festival will feature a variety of shorts and feature films through the entire spectrum of genre, each giving a special insights to unique themes.  You can check out the full lineup of films here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Each in person screening at Landmark Century Center is $14, $100 for a 10-film Passport . Virtual screenings are $12 and $90 for a 10 film Virtual Passport. Drive in Presentations are $55 and Special Events at Insituto Cervantes are $25. ILCC members, students and seniors get discounted rates

Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues!

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows! Please note: proof of vaccination is required for entry to all shows at Lincoln Hall and Schubas in Chicago. Click here for more information on this policy.

Back on the Big Screen and Virtual Cinema @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave and at your home, any time you want to watch a movie
WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is currently open to the public, so if you feel comfortable you can go out and have a theater experience this weekend with You Won't Be Alone (Thursday only), Showgirls (Thursday only) We're All Going to the World's Fair, The Rose Maker, The Northman, Great Freedom, The Lady From Shanghai Part of: Anchors Aweigh Matinees! and more! But if you want to watch some first-run movies at home, you can still watch great movies and support them online! They are currently screening films via their The Music Box Direct series! There are also tons of select titles available on their new platform!
NOW WHAT: Digital tickets are $12, in person screenings vary, so sit back and enjoy! Remember that a physical/digital vaccination card or negative PCR COVID test is required for entrance!

New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always bring some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Be on the lookout for the upcoming season as their website is constantly updated with new talks. They just announced their first talk of the new year!  Click the link below for more details!

NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2022.

Lyric Opera Streaming On Demand @ Your favorite streaming device, the most lavish spot in your home
WHAT: The Lyric Opera at home
SO WHAT: Revisit some of your favorite Lyric moments, or experience for the first time performances you've missed.Check out their website for schedule of upcoming shows. Currently streaming is Luisa Miller (2019), The Queen of Spades (2020), and Die Walküre (2017).
NOW WHAT: It's free!!

Concerts Livestreams and Local Shows Archives @ Your House, Any time you please, All Ages
WHAT: There's tons of concerts from Chicago's yesteryear available online for your enjoyment!
SO WHAT: Oh My Rockness and Do312 has done a fantastic job of cataloging some of the upcoming live-streams from the awesome musical acts out there! Check out Oh My Rockness' listings here, Do312's roundup of shows here, and tune in to these great shows from the comfort of home! Do312 have also shared some past Chicago shows that are certainly worth a watch. There are also so many great local concerts recorded for posterity and what better time to check them all out than during this self isolation period. Audiotree has a fantastic and huge list of sessions with links to band's websites and merch to help support them even more. In addition to our previous recommendations like Fran, Tasha, KAINA, Divino Nino, and The Ophelias, we also recommend ROOKIE, Emily Blue, Sen Morimoto, Beach Bunny, Tennis, and Gia Margaret! Then head over to their record concerts from Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and beyond to check out Orville Peck, of Montreal, and so many more! JBTV is also a fantastic resource for sessions from bands that have come through Chicago! Just take a look at this playlist of Blind Melon's '95 set at Metro!
NOW WHAT: Stay home, watch some live music, and be sure to check out your favorite artists' social media, you never know who might be live streaming next!

Video Games @ Your home PC or Console, As long as it takes, Just check the game rating
WHAT: Video-games for all!
SO WHAT: Check out our games page for some recommendations of what games to download (and avoid) while we're stuck at home. If you're a PC user, head over to the Epic Games store as they will be releasing a few new FREE games for you to download ! There are also tons of free games on Twitch Prime waiting for you to download!
NOW WHAT: Wash your hands and dive head first into some fun games!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLZdrtsaHis

Masque of the Red Coronavirus! @ Black Button Eyes Productions, Any time on your computer or mobile device. For 18+.
WHAT: Written by Black Button Eyes Productions producing artistic director Ed Rutherford, this short satirical piece is available online free as a combined script-and-video experience.
SO WHAT: In addition to reading the play, you will see various Chicago artists act out portions of the script on video, recorded remotely. The event includes puppets, burlesque, original music, fire dancing and more in a brief, darkly comedic confection.
With the Red Coronavirus running rampant across the countryside and a vaccine still months away, what's a Prince to do? Lock himself in a secure bunker in an undisclosed location along with a cohort of his top donors, of course. To prevent him and his rich supporters from becoming bored, the Prince has also brought a few artists into the bunker to entertain the crowd. But as the hour grows later and the night grows weirder, it's clear that something else has also invaded the party.
NOW WHAT: Settle down for an evening of magical weirdness. Click here and begin reading and watching the videos.

Julian Ramirez