On and off rain? Temps going from 60 to 80 in the blink of an eye? 'It's Chicago weather through and through! Have I been harping on the atmosphere the past few weeks? Of course! Thankfully there is plenty of fun waiting for you! Concerts, movies, markets, art exhibitions, tea parties and so much more are just waiting for you!
Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!
ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing Breaking the Bank: Solo Show by E.LEE & Friends! Plus you can check out some of their prints from their Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works! You can also see "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" ! Or the All Decked Out virtual show!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm! Currently they are showing "Vector vs. Raster"
- Galerie F has a fun stock of prints from concert posters, pop culture prints and more!
- Rotofugi 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! This month they are showing Method for Panic Attacks: New Works by James 'Jimbot' Demski
- 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
- “Mold-A-Rama™: Molded for the Future” @ Museum of Science and Industry
- Art on the Mart
- Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.
- NOW- 11/30 Green City Market @ Lincoln Park
- NOW - 10/27 "007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond" @ Museum of Science and Industry
- NOW - 10/27 Wolff's Flea Market @ Allstate Arena on Sundays!
- NOW - 7/7 "Titanic: The Exhibition"
- NOW - 5/12 Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees
- NOW - 5/4 Inanimate @ Theater Wit
- NOW - 5/4 Joffrey Ballet: Midsummer Night’s Dream
- NOW - 5/1 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival @ Music Box Theatre
THIS WEEKEND
- NOW - 4/28 Tokyo Last Call @ Hub 51
- NOW - 4/28 Downton Abbey: The Exhibition
- 4/26 Laraaji + Sam Prekop @ Epiphany Center For The Arts
- 4/26 STRFKR + Ruth Radelet @ The Salt Shed
- 4/27 Allah-Las + Maston + Reverberation Radio @ Metro
- 4/27 Sheer Mag + DUSK @ Sleeping Village
- 4/27 Dim Sum & Drag @ Furama Restaurant
- 4/27 Major League Table Tennis Championship @ Gentile Arena
- 4/27 Chip in Casino Night @ City Hall - Chicago, River West/West Town
- 4/27 Windy City Soul Club @ Gman Tavern
- 4/27 Chicago Pickle Fest @ Various Venues
- 4/28 Run for Rosé 5K @ BottlesUp!
- 4/28 Mexico in a Bottle Chicago @ Bridgeport Art Center
- 4/28 Sheer Mag + Dangus Tarküs @ Empty bottle
THURSDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 25 & 27 (& BEYOND)
Chicago Humanities: 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. Their year may be over, but certainly be on the lookout for updates for next year's season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.
- 4/25 Kara Jackson @ Old Town School of Folk Music
- 4/27 Cristina Henríquez: Unsung Heroes of the Panama Canal @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 History Reconsidered: Reimagining History through Photography @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 Chicago History Museum Members-Exclusive Reception @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 D-Composed @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 Jefferson Cowie on Freedom's Dominion @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 Frank Bruni: An Age of Grievance @ Chicago History Museum
- 4/27 Eddie Glaude Jr.: We Are the Leaders @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/27 The Swans of Harlem: Reclaiming the History of Black Ballet @ Francis W. Parker School
- 5/4 Bakari Sellers: Moving Forward from The Race Reckoning @ Ramova
- 5/4 Everyday Objects: Public Housing to Prison Pipeline @ Co-Prosperity
- 5/4 Two Tales of (In)Justice @ Co-Prosperity
- 5/4 Dr. Todd Boyd: Hip Hop History from the Notorious Ph.D. @ Ramova
- 5/4 Dr. Mark Santow: Saul Alinsky – Chicago’s Genius of Grassroots Organizing @ Co-Prosperity
- 5/4 James Spooner: Black Punk Now @ Ramova
- 5/4 Ronnie Malley: A Musical Reflection: On This Earth @ Co-Prosperity
- 5/18 George Stephanopoulos: Inside White House Situation Room
- 5/18 Kathleen Hanna - Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk
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 2023
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 26-28 (& BEYOND)
C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo @ McCormick Place South Building, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Saturday & Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm. All Ages
WHAT: The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2 – is a comic book and pop culture convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games in downtown Chicago.
SO WHAT: It’s three days of everything you ever wanted to know about nerd culture and geek stuff in a totally cool and inclusive atmosphere. There will be panels, workshops, speakers, and a whole lot of cosplayers. It’s honestly the most fun you’ll have exploring your every nerdy whim!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available! Friday passes are $70, Saturday and Sunday are $80 and 3-Day passes are $115!
2024 Spring One of a Kind Show @ The Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Various times, All Ages
WHAT: Three days of artists and makers selling their wares!
SO WHAT: The Spring One of a Kind Spring Show will feature immersive experiences for shoppers to enjoy! You’ll have the opportunity to shop for handcrafted work from 350 exhibiting artists, makers, and designers from across the country and beyond. There will also be live entertainment provided by local musicians, a gourmet market, fine art gallery and on-site cafes and bars all weekend long.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 per adult for entry to all three days, $8 for a tote bag, and $20 for the ticket and tote bundle! Children under 11 receive free admission.
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!
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $20! The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
The Trashy Earth Market 2023 @ Gallagher
WHAT: Show some love for our one-and-only planet at this earth-friendly market!
SO WHAT: Celebrate Earth Week at the Trashy Earth Market featuring incredible creators transforming reclaimed materials and repurposing less-than-loved stuff! They'll be giving Trashy a whole new meaning! You’ll have the opportunity to support eco- & socially conscious businesses offering a huge selection of unique locally-crafted wares including home goods, planters, art, fashion, bath and body and more. Plus there will be plenty of hands-on, trashy activities for all ages.
NOW WHAT: It's free!
SUNDAY, APRIL 28 & BEYOND
Illinois Brewery Running Series @ Solemn Oath Brewery, 2919 W Armitage Avenue, 11am
WHAT: A fun run for beer!
SO WHAT: Take a quick run and be rewarded with a beer at these series of 5k walks and runs! All the Illinois Brewery Running Series events are untimed, emphasizing a fun time more than anything else! All the runs include one beer, collector’s glassware or seasonal swag item, and an invitation to enjoy the day’s scheduled festivities like live music, food, goodies, and giveaways! Check out the details.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 (or $55, which gets you a shirt)! Click the ticket links above!A portion of proceeds help support local non profits!
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Chicago Palestine Film Festival @ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, various times
WHAT: An excellent film festival
SO WHAT: Chicago Palestine Film Festival returns with an incredible lineup of films. The films in the festival aim to showcase the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life, allowing viewers to experience a deeper understanding of the Palestinian experience.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are selling out so grab yours ASAP!
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 and Lincoln Hall!
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
- April 25 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- April 25 - RiTchie Triple Digits Tour + Papo2oo4 + subjxct5 @ Schubas
- April 25 - Jukebox the Ghost 3 Albums! 3 Nights! + Daniel Ellsworth + The Great Lakes @ Lincoln Hall
- April 26 - Tri Nohbi + Kayo + Sherren Olivia @ Schubas
- April 26 - Jukebox the Ghost 3 Albums! 3 Nights! +Dan Mills @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
- April 26 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Brendan Lemkin @ Schubas FREE
- April 27 - Jukebox the Ghost 3 Albums! 3 Nights! + Andrew Horowitz @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
- April 27 - Elmiene @ Schubas SOLD OUT
- April 28 - August Hotel Farewell Show + Midamerican Elevator + Goof @ Schubas
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is ready to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies including a The People's Joker (with Director Vera Drew in attendance for a post-film Q&A on Friday and Saturday 7pm showings),Cinema Femme Short Film Fest 2024, A King in New York as part of To Avoid Any Misunderstanding: The Other Charles Chaplin, La Chimera, Sasquatch Sunset, The Smell of Money, Limelight Part of: To Avoid Any Misunderstanding: The Other Charles Chaplin, Horse Money featuring a post-film Q&A with Director Pedro Costa moderated by Jonathan Rosenbaum, midnight screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show & Stop Making Sense and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!
University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included The Price Sisters, Brian Conway, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, Ruby John, Sean "Mack" McDonald, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!