We're leaving the rain days of April and jumping into some hopefully sunnier May weekends! This start of the new month is full of film festivals, a celebration of Mexican cultures, a Chicago Humanities conversation and plenty of concerts ready to wow you as we get closer and closer to the summer season
Let's get on with your 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 "ParkLife" BY Blake Jones and Friends!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stock and on display in their gallery space! Right Now they're showing Further Isn't Far Enough, Paintings and Prints by Chuck U!
- 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.
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens! See what current exhibits are on display now.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
- 5/1 - 5/3They Might Be Giants @ The Vic Theatre (Check out our interview with John Flansburgh here!)
- NOW -5/10 Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope @ Brookfield Zoo
- NOW - 7/12 David Byrne’s Theater of the Mind @ Reid Murdoch Building
- NOW - 9/7 EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel @ The Fields Studios
- NOW - 6/1 Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color @ The Art Institute of Chicago
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
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!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 1 - MAY 3 (& BEYOND)
Mexico Fest @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Noon - 6pm, all ages
WHAT: A festival celebrating Mexican heritage!
SO WHAT: Mexican Fest will be taking place this weekend at Navy Pier with tons of fun activities for the whole family. There will be over 30 artisan vendors from Mexico setting up a mercadito across Navy Pier as well as plenty of musical and dance performances throughout the weekend, Tequila and Wine Tasting on Friday, and workshops for kids! Check out their event page for more details!
NOW WHAT: Its Free!
The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20! The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!
SUNDAY, MAY 3 (& 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. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website, which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Check out their talk with Ed Helms below!
- 5/3 Joe Abercrombie: The Devils @ Francis W. Parker School
- 5/8 Peter Sagal’s Constitution Sessions: Origins and Original Sins @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 David Axelrod and David French in Conversation @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Lakeview Day Member Reception @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Lakeview - 12:15pm @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Gregory Dreicer Exposes Hidden Histories of Skyscrapers and Infrastructure @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Peter Sagal’s Constitution Sessions: The Warren Court and Its Enemies @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Lakeview - 3pm @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Jelani Cobb: Three or More Is a Riot @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Padma Lakshmi’s All American @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Will Quam: Brick of Chicago @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 Kimberlé Crenshaw: Backtalker @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/9 An Unnameable Energy: Why Art Matters Now: An Evening with Jad Abumrad & Lynda Barry @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
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 2025
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
DOC10 Film Festival @ Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, 4614 N Lincoln Ave & 164 N State St,, Various times.
WHAT: Chicago’s premier documentary film festival, DOC10 Film Festival returns for another year of great films!
SO WHAT: The festival will be hosted at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center and will feature some of the best documentaries of the current season including Steal This Story Please, American doctor, and many more!!
NOW WHAT:Tickets are available now!
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 movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations, and it's ready for all your movie needs as they are hosting The Chicago Critics Film Festival thjis weekend!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
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. This weekend is the start of their month long festival TNK, so you can check out what those show have going on just above this!
- 4/30 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs)
- 4/30- Katelyn Tarver + ROSIE @ Schubas
- 4/30 - Zinadelphia Zina’s Boutique + Camille Blackman @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/1 - The Back Alley + Six Foot Blonde @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/1 - Green TTea and The Tempos + Waine Ghazi + Whoisaubrye @ Schubas
- 5/2 - Wes Parker + Surf Cowboy @ Schubas
- 5/2- Wu Lyf + Lauren Auder @ Lincoln Hall
- 5/3 - Keli Holiday + Kirin J Callinan @ Schubas
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
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 Gap Civil, High Fidelity, Lissa Schneckenburger & Garrett Cameron, Ethan Leinwand, Jontavious Willis, Luke Huval Band, Mariachi Flor de Primavera, and 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!
