Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 8/4 and Beyond

Summer is still going strong as a new month rolls in! 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!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th - 7th (& BEYOND)

Dancing In The Streets 2021 @ Chicago Brewing District, Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood
WHAT: A chill and laid back festival amid some of the best breweries in Chicago!
SO WHAT: Dancing In The Streets is the brain child of On Tour Brewing Company founder and major jam band fan, Mark Legenza. The fest will feature tons of tasty craft beer and jam bands providing great live music. Breweries will include Chicago Brewing District brewers serving up some tasty beers throughout the fest! The street festival is kid and pet friendly!
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation benefiting West Town Chamber of Commerce, Arts of Life, and Chicago Neighbors United.

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

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, AUGUST 6th

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 !

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7th

Sundays on State @ State Street from Lake to Monroe, 11:00am – 8:00pm
WHAT: State Street becomes an open street full of surprises!
SO WHAT: Neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond are invited to Sundays on State, an  interactive block party that will let you safely enjoy art, culture, active recreation, retail, bars, restaurants, and local attractions! Experience everyone’s neighborhood, the Loop, like never before!
NOW WHAT: This fantastic way to spend your Sundays this summer is FREE!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 & 7th

Northalsted Market Days @ Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison
WHAT: 1/2 mile long summer festival!
SO WHAT: Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Northalsted Market Days will feature its traditionally vast array of unique vendors, arts, crafts, food and drink. Each day will be filled with a huge list of musicians including Anastacia, Ginger Minj, Matteo Lane, and many more! You can check out the full lineup over at the Northalsted Market Days website.
NOW WHAT: There is a $15 suggested donation, which helps keep the neighborhood safe, beautiful, and fun. Donations make Market Days possible, support local non-profits, and fund community projects like the Chicago Pride Crosswalks.

LatiNxt Music Festival @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Saturday 2:00pm-11:30pm, Sunday 2:00pm-8:00pm
WHAT: The fifth annual celebration of modern Latin music and arts
SO WHAT: This two-day festival will feature a variety of cutting-edge music from the Latin American community. Additionally there will be artisan vendors selling their unique wares.  The LatiNxt Festival is curated by Future Rootz, a collective of Latinx musicians, artists, taste-makers, and cultural innovators. Check out the full lineup at their website!
NOW WHAT: It's Free!

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

Windy City Smokeout @ United Center, 1901 W Madison St, Various Times
WHAT: BBQ, beer, and all the country music you could wish for!
SO WHAT: Your favorite country music festival is back at the United Center parking lot for four(!) full days of summer fun! In addition to all the great BBQ from the world’s best pitmasters and beers from fantastic breweries that Windy City Smokeout provides, you’ll get the chance to check out headliners like Willie Nelson & Family, Turnpike Troubadours, Tim McGraw, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Kip Moot, and more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now but selling out fast! Thursday and Saturday are sold out so get your Friday and Sunday Tickets ASAP! 4 day tickets are still available!

Out of Space @ Canal Shores, 1030 Central St, Evanston, 5:00pm, all ages

WHAT: Evanston Space’s incredible series of outdoor concerts, Out of Space, is back!
SO WHAT:  The multiple meaning title Out of Space will be welcoming an impressive lineup of musicians to  Temperance Beer Co. and Canal Shores! This is Canal Shores’ weekend to shine so check out the amazing lineup below and enjoy some excellent shows!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are available at the links above or at their website!

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 really to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies including with Lost Highway(!), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Fire of Love (Thursday only), Resurrection, Fresh Hell 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.

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