Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 9/15 and Beyond

Summer is still winding down but the weather is still pretty damn nice (during the day at least) and you know we'll keep it going as long as we can. Sunday looks like there will be some more rain, hopefully not as bad as last weekend's flash flooding, but events will be doing their best to stay afloat.

It's feeling a little more normal to go out since Chicago dropped the masking and vaccination proof mandates (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, SEPTEMBER 15th

WHAT: A little taste of France in Wrigleyville!
SO WHAT: French Market will be a perfect way to spend your Thursday evening with its casual, European flair and wide variety of vendors. Each day of the market will feature 20+ vendors! Whether your looking for some tasty treats, hand made goods, or just a good time in the setting summer sun, French Market is there for you! Plus there will be a kids craft corner to keep the kid's imaginations growing. You can bring your blanket on the grass or pick a patio table to sit back and enjoy the live music each week! Check out the music schedule below!

NOW WHAT: Entry is free, just bring your totes and stock up on some amazing food and wares!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th - 17th (& BEYOND)

Riot Fest 2022 @ Douglass Park, 1401 S Sacramento Dr, 11:00am – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: It's another edition of the three-day fest of punk, rock, hip-hip and everything in between!
SO WHAT: This year’s very different festival season is coming to an end soon but not before one of the most raucous and notorious events: Riot Fest! This awesome three-day festival brings together the loudest and most fun sounds in the music world for a wild time. This year’s headliners include My Chemical Romance, The Misfits, and Nine Inch Nails! However the undercard is nothing to scoff at with fantastic acts including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Action Bronson, Yellow Card, Alkaline Trio, and tons more! Add in the carnival, the Logan Arcade sections, and every other oddity you can imagine and you have a perfect weekend!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available but are selling out fast!!

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, SEPTEMBER 17th

Chicago SummerDance @ Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph, Noon - 8:00pm
WHAT: Add a little extra pep to your step
SO WHAT: Like many large events, Chicago SummerDance is back in person! This weekend is the culmination of the summer series featuring amazing performances from local dance troupes. You can join in on the fun and learn a few new dances on the North Promenade, enjoy popup performances on the Central Promenade, and so much more!  Head over to their event page for more details!
NOW WHAT: Check out the full schedule here! It's all free!

Middle Brow Beer & Wine Block Party @ Middle Brow, 2840 W Armitage Ave
WHAT: A fantastic block party at a great brewery
SO WHAT: Middle Brow Beer & Wine welcomes local brewers like Solemn Oath, Lo Rez, Whiner, and more for a fantastic block party. You'll get the chance to purchase some great beers, interesting wines and great food from Middle Brow's great kitchen. While you're enjoying a drink, some tasty food, or a game of basketball, you'll get to catch DJ sets from Whitney and Numero Group.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free, but donations!

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, SEPTEMBER 17th & 18th

Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest @ Southport between Addison and Roscoe, 11:00am – 10:00pm,
WHAT: All the tacos you could ever want in one place
SO WHAT: The glorious taco will get the spotlight it has long deserved at the Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest. Whether you’re looking for a hard or soft shell tortilla filled with meat, chicken, guacamole, fish, mushroom, duck or any of the other imaginative ingredients, this festival is for you. The Southport Corridor, on Southport between Addison and Roscoe, will be host to special beer and taco pairings, crowd-pleasing luchadores, plenty of music, and a chance for visitors to text vote for Chicago’s “Best Taco.”
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation, which benefits the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. Check out their website for a full lineup of vendors, music, and entertainers that will be making your weekend better.

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

The Chicago House Music Festival @ Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph, Thursday 5:00pm-10:00pm, Friday 5:30pm-9:00pm, Saturday 3:00pm to Dusk, Sunday 3:00pm - 6:00pm
WHAT: The Chicago House Music Festival is back!!
SO WHAT: The Chicago House Music Festival may have been an at-home affair last year, but this time around it's back in full force! Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will be hosting a fantastic weekend of free shows featuring some amazing DJs like The Chosen Few DJs, a celebrations of Frankie Knuckles, and dancing all weekend long! Head over to their website for the full schedule!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy some stellar House music this weekend!

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, The Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Pearl, Saloum, 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