Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 8/25 and Beyond

It's the final weekend of August and there are so many fun things going on 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!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th

Jorja Smith with Mick Jenkins @ Salt Shed, 1357 N Elston Ave, 5:00pm
WHAT: A chance to check a new venue!
SO WHAT: The historic Morton Salt factory’s initial purpose may be gone, but the building will survive as one of Chicago’s newest venues! The Salt Shed presenting outdoor concerts this year with an indoor element being introduced in 2023! Check out the fantastic upcoming lineups below!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Check the individual links and prices for each show above!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 26th - 28th (& BEYOND)

Sacred Rose Festival @ SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL, Friday & Saturday Noon – Midnight,Sunday Noon – 11:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The inaugural Sacred Rose Festival!
SO WHAT: Sacred Rose is billed as “a blooming love letter to the sweet sounds of Americana, psych-rock, jam, indie, soul, funk, and bluegrass” inspired by “the halcyon days of the 60s counterculture concerts and playful hippie spirit.” The lineup look wonderfully eclectic with the likes of Phil Lesh & Friends, Umphrey’s McGee, Black Pumas, Animal Collective, City and Colour and tons more! Check out our preview here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Get yourself to one of the more sun sounding festivals in the city!

Taste of Greektown @ On Halsted between Van Buren & Adams, Friday 4:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, All ages
WHAT: A chance to taste some of the best food Greektown has to offer
SO WHAT: The 32nd Taste of Greektown lets Hellenic pride take center stage at this acclaimed annual culinary fest. The whole festival is a love letter to Mediterranean culture, blending Old World traditions with a 21st century freshness. Fantastic food and spirits from neighborhood eateries will be the main attraction, but plenty of music and entertainment including Greek bands and games for kids and families will also be a highlight!
NOW WHAT: Just head over to the Greektown and get ready for a feast! The Taste of Greektown is free to attend, but there is a $7 suggested donation.

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 & SUNDAY, AUGUST 27th & 28th

Bucktown Arts Fest @ Holstein Park, 2200 N Oakley Ave., 11:00AM – 7:00PM, All ages
WHAT: An all-volunteer-run arts festival
SO WHAT: The Bucktown Arts Fest is an incredible opportunity to support some incredibly talented local artists. The fest invited over 150 artists every year to participate in the fest, giving them the opportunity to share their great art work with the community. In addition to the art there will be plenty of food and drink, two stage of live music, and tons of activities for kids!
NOW WHAT: This fest is free and open to the public. Check out their map and parking details then go and celebrate some wonderful art! All proceeds from the fest go to fund, develop and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown classrooms.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27th

Chalk Howard Street @ Howard Street between Paulina St. and Ashland Ave. ,11:00am - 8:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Chicago’s only chalk art festival fully returns for an outdoors and in-person event
SO WHAT: Chalk Howard Street welcomes local street artists, neighbors, families, and street art lovers to transform Howard Street in Rogers Park into a beautiful canvas. Enjoy some amazing 2D and 3D art as you explore Howard Street's shops, restaurants and food options! Plus there will be tons of street squares available to purchase and live music to set the fun mood! Check out their website for the full lineup!
NOW WHAT: Its free!

ZooBrews @ Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL, Noon - 7:30pm, 21+
WHAT: A couple of brews at the zoo!
SO WHAT: Enjoy the always wonderful Brookfield Zoo while sipping an a beer from a long list of vendors and a special VIP brewery Pollyanna! A nice mix of hard seltzer, ciders and of course beers (totally 80+samples) will be available for you to try while enjoying the nationally renowned zoo.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available for $40 for the half session (Noon-2:00pm), $60 for the Full Session (3:30pm to 7:30 pm), and $95 VIP Session Tickets (2:30pm to 7:30pm), all of which come with a commemorative glass!

Thalia Hall Block Party @ Thalia Hall, 1807 South Allport Street, 2:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: This first Thalia Hall Block Party!
SO WHAT: Taking place directly in front of the main entry, the Thalia Hall Block Party is here to brighten your day! Join the amazing venue for a day of some of local vendors, delicious food & drink, and live music all afternoon featuring a nice mix of music that will have you dancing throughout the party! Check out the lineup below!

  • 2:30pm - La Academia
  • 3:30pm - Loona Dae
  • 4:45pm - Rudy De Anda
  • 6:00pm - E. Woods
  • 7:30pm - Thee Sacred Souls
  • 8:45pm - Agua de Rosas

NOW WHAT: This event is all ages, free, and open to the public, but if you're able, there is a suggested $5 donation at entry to benefit Pilsen Food Pantry.

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 28th

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

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

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 Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Emily the Criminal, Funny Pages, midnight screenings of The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, a full weekend of Noir City: Chicago 2022, 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.  Here is a taste of what coming in September!

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