Before we jump into things, it needs to be said; it's been a difficult start to the month. The mass shooting in Highland Park can't and shouldn't be ignored. It's still fresh in our minds and I truly hope that it pushes for change, but in a world where these sorts of incidents are constant, it's hard not to feel defeated and scared. So while the Curated Weekend goes up and reminders of other issues in the world are mentioned, if you don't feel like going out this weekend, it's totally understandable.
Now, there are tons of really fun events for everyone to do this weekend. 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) and events are rolling in. While it may seem like we're at the tail end of things, many venues still have 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!
- Support Local Venues
- Kingston Mines is open with some great lineups this weekend
- Fitzgerald's Patio is also back in full swing
- Evanston Space's shop is open and you should consider donating to help the venue during these weird times. They are also having lower capacity shows at the venue!
- Head over to the Hideout's regular shop and get yourself some great merch! Their 2020 Holiday Sale page is also still up with links to great local artists!
- Metro shop is full of fantastic concert posters from yesteryear and cool merch
- Lincoln Hall/Schubas always has great items in their shop waiting for you! Plus Schubas/Tied House is open and events are on their way back!
- Same goes for Thalia Hall's merch store (those holiday socks? *chef's kiss*)
- Let's not forget Empty Bottle's fantastic merch shop! Plus they just added some new stuff designed by some awesome people that is sure to catch your eye! Shows are going on now as well, so head over to their venue site and go to some concerts if you're comfortable
- Art Galleries and Special Events
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy and future of the gaming realm! They are currently showing 鬼鎮 (Ghosttown) Spirit Simulator!
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! This week sees the opening of The Voyeurs, a solo Show by Steve Seeley! Plus you can check out some of their prints from last year's Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works! You can see their previous show "Saturday Morning Fever” featuring the works of Griffin Goodman through their virtual gallery! And don't forget to check out the virtual edition of JC Rivera's new exhibition "Still Undefeated" !
- Galerie F has a fun stock of prints from concert posters, pop culture prints and more! They are currently moving to a new location, but you can check out their website in the meantime!
- Rotufugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stocks and on display in their gallery space! They are currently showing Midwest Style Graffiti New Works by Atomick! They'll also be having a Dumpster Fire Customs show opening this weekend!
- Immersive Van Gogh does exactly what its name says: immerses you into Van Gogh paintings via huge projections that bring the already lively art to life!
- Immersive Frida is another immersive art experience that will take you on a trip to the beautiful world of Frida Kahlo
- “Prince: The Immersive Experience”
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery. Plus Keith Haring!
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Chicago Botanic Garden is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautifully lit up gardens safely!
- HeatWave music festival is happening this weekend in Douglass Park!
- Mas Flow is also going on at Calumet Park Beach this weekend for the reggaton fans!
FRIDAY, JULY 15th
Horner Brew Fest 2022 @ Horner Park, 2741 W Montrose Ave., 6:00pm - 10:00pm
WHAT: Brews for a good cause
SO WHAT: Horner Brew Fest is back! This beer-centric fest is bringing tons of incredible breweries, food trucks and live music from Expo'76 to support the sustainability initiatives of the Horner Park Advisory Council! Enjoy the warm weather, over 40 varieties for beer, and great festivities as they raise sufficient funds to treat and preserve 79 critically endangered ash trees!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $45 and include a tasting glass and samples from all the breweries! There are also $10 tickets for designated drivers!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 15th & 16th
Twilight Tunes @ Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
WHAT: Music and animals
SO WHAT: Twilight Tunes, Brookfield Zoo’s summer concert series, will be taking over the ground on Fridays and Saturdays in July! Enjoy 10 nights of live music while having access to afterhours exhibits like the big cats, Pinniped Point and underwater viewing, Seven Seas’ dolphin underwater viewing, Ice Age Giants (East Trail), and Wild Encounters (no Aviary) until 8:30pm. Each night will end with a laser light show at 9:00pm! Check out the music lineup below and more info on each act over at the Brookfield Zoo website.
- Friday, July 15 – Sixteen Candles
- Saturday, July 16 – American English
- Friday, July 22 – 7th Heaven
- Saturday, July 23 – Hillbilly Rockstarz
- Friday, July 29 – Southern Accents
- Saturday, July 30 – House Party
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 15th- 17th (& BEYOND)
Millennium Art Festival @ Michigan Avenue & E Lake St., 10:00am – 5:00pm
WHAT: Three days of great art in the middle of downtown
SO WHAT: Millennium Art Festival will have a wide range of artwork on display including paintings, ceramics, photography, and furniture from over 130 juried artists! There will also be plenty of festival food, live music by French singer, Michelet, and artist demonstrations throughout the fest! Several artists from this show are participating in Amdur Productions’ Green Ribbon Project, so if you see a green ribbon on a piece of art, 10% of the sale will be donated to Make-A-Wish Illinois. They are also accepting gently used art for the Chicago Furniture Banka local nonprofit that distributes furnishings to those leaving shelters and moving into permanent housing.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, Noon – 10:00pm
WHAT: A music festival focused on some of 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 The National, Mitski, and the Roots! Check out who we're excited to see here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets go on sale Friday, March 11 at 10am! Single day passes are $99 ($199 for plus) and 3-day passes for $200 ($399 for Plus)!
Roscoe Village Burger Fest @ Belmont and Damen, 2000 W Belmont Ave, Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: Fire up the grills for a good ole burger party!
SO WHAT: Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns for its 15th mouth-watering year of delicious burgers! This year’s vendors include Byron’s Hot Dogs, Epic Burger, Fatso’s Last Stand, Lola's Coney Island, Lush Food & Drink, Reggies Chicago, Select Cut Steakhouse, Tandoor Char House, and The StopAlong. Add in two stages of music, arts and crafts, and the action-packed “Kids Zone” area, and you got yourself a certified good time! Weekend visitors even have the opportunity to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger!
NOW WHAT: The $10 suggested donation benefits the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.
Tacos y Tamales Festival @ Pilsen, S Peoria St & W 16th St.,Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Some Latin American staples highlighted in this fun fest
SO WHAT: Discover authentic and delicious tacos and tamales from several regions of Latin America at this great looking street festival. In addition to all the great food you’ll get a chance to experience local art installations, buy some good from vendors, and enjoy some Latin music and Dance performances! And let’s not forget a nice beer garden from Modelo!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free but donations are encouraged and benefit local community organizations in Pilsen
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!
- 7/14 Shrek- 8:45pm
- 7/14 La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon) - 11:00pm
- 7/15 The Sandlot – 8:45pm
- 7/15 Friday the 13th – 11:30pm
- 7/16 Back to the Future – 8:45pm
- 7/16 Us – 11:30pm
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $33 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience
The Neo-Futurists' The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and 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
SATURDAY, JULY 2nd
Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 10:00pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks all summer long
SO WHAT: Take a trip to Navy Pier and check out their dazzling display of fireworks!. Each show features dramatic and popular music soundtracks with some special occasion soundtracks sprinkled throughout the season.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 16th & 17th
Volleywood featuring Corona Electric Beach @ North Avenue Beach, 1600 North Lake Shore Drive, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, 21+
WHAT: Billed as Chicago’s only 2-day beachfront music festival, it’s Volleywood featuring Corona Electric Beach
SO WHAT: Immerse yourself in Volleywood, a day full of Chicago’s skyline views, breezy beats, full-service bars, and local food. The festival will feature music from Basura Boys, Flipside, Flux Pavilion, Cash Cash, San Holo (DJ set) and more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $60 for single day passes, $100 for two day, for this fun beach affair!
The Silver Room Sound System Block Party @ Oakwood Beach at 39th + Lake Michigan, 3900-4100 South Lake Shore Drive, Noon – 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A block party for all
SO WHAT: After some time away this staple of the Silver Room Community is back! This is an outdoor celebration of music, community, art, love and culture.The Silver Room Sound System Block Party always brings a huge crowd and they’re ready to do it again at a new spot: Oakwood Beach. This will be the 17th year of this party getting people dancing, singing, and celebrating culture. There will be so much going on including sets from Mother Nature, TheMIND, Ron Trent, Joey Purp, Eshu Tune (Hannibal Buress), and more! Check out their stage schedule for all the amazing programing!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $50 for day passes or $90 for the two day pass!
The Billboard by WBEZ’s Natalie Y. Moore @ Abbott Hall at Northwestern University, 710 N. Lake Shore Dr., June 23-July 17, 2022
WHAT: Reproductive justice on Chicago’s South Side.
SO WHAT: As we absorb the full meaning of SCOTUS overturning Roe, The Billboard presents an in-depth look at reproductive rights set at a fictional women’s clinic in the Englewood neighborhood, where politicians weaponize women’s bodily autonomy to forward their careers. The Vagina Monologues creator V (formerly Eve Ensler), said “The Billboard is a provocative and timely play ripe with the political complexities and nuances of our times.” #TrustBlackWomen
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $25 and available at 16thStreetTheater.org and 708-795-6704. Vaccination proof and masks are required for all live events. Copies of The Billboard are available from Haymarket Books.
THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND
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!
- July 14 – Schubas Open Mic Hosted by Adrienne Stout and Aaron Klinger @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave – Doors 7:30pm - FREE - 21+
- July 14 – Elf Power / E.R. Jurken @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave– Doors 7:30pm - $15- 21+
- July 15 - The Armed Pitchfork Music Festival Aftershow / Lynyn @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave – Doors 10:00pm – $25– All Ages SOLD OUT
- July 15 -Schubas Comedy Showcase @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave – Doors 7:30pm - $10- 21+
- July 16 - HYD Pitchfork Music Festival Aftershow / Ouri @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave – Doors 10:00pm – $20 – 18+
- July 16 – Spirit of the Beehive/ Wiki / DJ Soup Time Pitchfork Music Festival Aftershow @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave – Doors 10:00pm – $22 - 18+
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 really to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies including with Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Fire of Love, Pink Flamingos (Thursday only), Once Upon a Time on Halstead (Saturday only), Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and Evil Dead II Part of: STOP! Motion: Matinees & Midnights, 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!
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 brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Be on the lookout for updates to the upcoming season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.
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.
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.