Chicagoist's Guide To September: 20 Fun Things To Do This Month
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 1, 2016 4:16PM
Jazz Fest starts September 1 in Millennium Park. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
September has arrived, and with it comes tons of fun fall events from Jazz Fest to Riot Fest to art walks and a gourmet food festival. Here are our 20 favorite events for the month.
JAZZ FEST
September 1-4
This year’s Jazz Festival includes headliners like Orbert Davis, the Benny Golson Quartet, John Scofield/Joe Lovano Quartet The Bad Plus and a birthday celebration for Candido Camero. It’s the 38th year for the annual event on Chicago’s lakefront which showcases amazing talents from Chicago and around the world. The city has a rich history when it comes to the forward-thinking genre, and still has a thriving community of musicians today. Performances take place in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Check their website for the full schedule. Free.
NORTH COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL
September 2-4
Odesza, Bassnectar, Zedd and Umphrey's McGee are among the headliners for the Labor Day weekend music festival in Union Park. Putting jam bands alongside EDM and indie pop, the fest has always included a unique blend of genres that appeal to a wide range of music lovers. Some of our other picks for the weekend include noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, indie darlings Matt & Kim and rapper Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Silent Disco. Tickets start at $65 for a single day pass, and three-day passes are $159.
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
WORLD MUSIC FEST
September 9-25
The 18th Annual World Music Festival Chicago features artists from around the world at venues across the city including Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Some highlights include Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music, The 606 Polyrhythmic Procession & Global Peace Picnic and a collaboration with Chicago SummerDance on the first weekend of the fest. Events continue through Sept. 25. Check the World Music Fest website for the full schedule. Free.
FESTIVAL DE LA VILLITA
September 9-11
Celebrate Mexican independence with the community of Little Village this weekend at the 27th annual Festival de La Villita. The fest will have more than 30 food vendors serving up authentic Mexican cuisine, plus live music, carnival rides, a rodeo and more. There’s also a stand-alone ticketed concert on Sunday with Latin Grammy Award winners Ramon "King of the Accordion" Ayala, and Conjunto Primavera. Entry to the festival is free. For more information on the ticketed concert, click here.
Photo courtesy of Oysterfest.
SHOCK TOP OYSTER FEST
September 10
Head to Roscoe Village fore the 18th Annual Shock Top Oyster Fest from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s a shucking good time at the street and food fest which will also have plenty of good music from local artists Michael McDermott and Waco Brothers early in the day, and cover rockers Bruce in the USA at night. Entry is a $7 gate donation benefiting the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.
Image courtesy of Ravenswood Artwalk.
RAVENSWOOD ARTWALK
September 10-11
Nearly 50 venues of the Ravenswood “creative corridor” will participate in this year’s Ravenswood ArtWalk from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Themed as a “Tour of Arts & Industry,” the event will feature the RAW Artist Market, open houses and an outdoor festival with live music, beer from Begyle Brewing and food trucks.
LAKEVIEW EAST FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
September 10-11
View and shop more than 150-juried artists at the 12th Annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts. Original paintings, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry and more will be featured. And in true street fest fashion, there will also be live music, food and family activities. There’s also a sneak-peek pre-festival concert on Friday if you’re feeling extra eager. Entry is a $5 donation which will enter you to win Southwest Airlines tickets.
Photo via Hideout Inn's Facebook Page.
HIDEOUT 20-YEAR REUNION
September 10
Nostalgic for the years of the old Hideout Block Parties? Head to the beloved small venue on Saturday for their 20th Anniversary celebration that’s essentially a reunion with some of their favorite bands providing the entertainment inside and outside on the patio. Some of the day’s performers include Mr. Rudy Day, Robbie Fulks, White Mystery, Eleventh Dream Day, JC Brooks Band, Kelly Hogan, Devil In A Woodpile and many more. The fun starts at 2 p.m. and goes to midnight. Tickets are $20.
Photo via the City of Chicago's website.
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE PARADE
September 11
Celebrate Mexican culture and independence at the most colorful parade around. The 26th Street Mexican Independence Parade steps off at noon and will feature floats, mariachi bands and dancing.
Buddy Guy. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
FIFTH STAR AWARDS
September 14
Cindy Crawford, Fred Willard and Shemekia Copeland are among the hometown celebrities presenting at the 3rd Annual Fifth Star Awards at Millennium Park. The nod to the Chicago flag’s four stars honors legendary local artists and Cultural Institutions and this year’s honorees are Buddy Guy, Victor Skrebneski, Jackie Taylor, Carlos Tortolero and The Second City. The evening will include performances and video tributes, and all for free.
Photo via Riot Fest's website.
RIOT FEST
September 16-18
Punk rock thrives at Riot Fest, which returns to Douglas Park for the weekend. The three-day music festival has been rocking the city for more than a decade, making the move from clubs to the outdoor festival setup they have now just a few years ago. The Flaming Lips, Ween, Morrissey and the reunion of the original Misfits are headlining (and yes, Gwar and Andrew W. K. both play again this year). Three-day VIP passes are still available for $329.98 and one-day passes are $159.98.
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.
LAKEVIEW TACO FEST
September 17-18
What’s better than a festival of tacos? That’s right, nothing. The 4th Annual Lakeview Taco Fest takes place at the Southport Corridor this Saturday and Sunday. Chow down on tacos from local restaurants like Bar Mas, Café El Tapatio, Flaco's Tacos, Taco Joint and more. Two music stages complete the fest with performances from various tribute groups and local bands. Entry is a $7 gate donation benefiting the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
Image via EXPO Chicago's website.
EXPO CHICAGO
September 22-25
EXPO Chicago takes over Navy Pier and the art world for four straight days. The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art opens the fall art season with more than 140 exhibiting art galleries from around the world. Programming includes Special Exhibitions, /Dialogues panel discussions, EXPO VIDEO, IN/SITU and IN/SITU Outside and EXPO Projects and more. Click here for more information on programs.
GOOSE ISLAND 312 URBAN BLOCK PARTY
September 23-24
Against Me!, Dawes and White Denim are among the bands playing this year’s Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party in Fulton Market. The two-day party will of course have brews from the local brewery available for $3. Entry is a suggested donation of $10 at the gates going toward your choice of five local charities.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Gourmet.
CHICAGO GOURMET
September 23-25
“Food is art” at the 2016 Chicago Gourmet in Millennium Park. The Bon Appétit event is hosted by Chicago’s own Rick Bayless and will incorporate visual art, music, design, storytelling, theater and more. The weekend includes speakers, cooking demos, seminars, book signings and more. Click here for the full schedule and more information on individual events.
HYDE PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
September 24-25
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival celebrates their 10th anniversary this year. The two-day festival features local and international artists. They’ve got two outdoor stages on the Midway Plaisance along with other diverse venues, food and drink vendors and more. Dancing and family fun expected. Entry is a $5 suggested donation.
AAHH FEST
September 24-25
Local rapper Common presents his annual AAHH Fest once again in Union Park this weekend. The hip-hop and R&B festival focuses on more than just music, giving back through initiatives like Common Ground Foundation & Donda's House Inc. It starts with Community Day on Saturday showcasing local talent from across the city who auditioned for the opportunity to perform on the main stage. Sunday features performances from Common himself, Bilal, The Roots, Jeremih, Sir The Baptist and more. Tickets start at $10 for Saturday and $65 for Saturday.
EDGEWATER ARTS FESTIVAL
September 24-25
The 4th Annual Edgewater Arts Festival (formerly the Fall Art Fair) has works from more than 100 Chicago-based artists plus live music, beer and eats and a pet parade. Check out exhibits featuring original works in painting, photography, glasswork, hand-made jewelry and more. There are also activities for the kids.
Image via Shaw's Oyster Fest's website.
SHAW’S OYSTER FEST
September 30
Shaw's presents their 28th Annual Oyster Fest downtown from 3 to 10 p.m. In addition to the delicious sea treats and “Oyster Slurp-Off Grand Finale,” there will be live music from local blues bands including Bumpus and The Friends Band. There’s also an after-party inside the restaurant with live music til 1 a.m. Tickets are $20.
Image via West Town Art Walk's Facebook page.
WEST TOWN ART WALK + FOOD TRUCK SOCIAL
September 30-October 1
The West Town Art Walk and West Town Food Truck Social have banded together for one beautiful and delicious festival. With West Town shops, businesses, restaurants, and galleries will all participating, the Art Walk portion will feature Art in the Park in Eckhart Park and a new Art Car Show. “Snack-n-stroll” through neighborhood while you enjoy bites from about 19 food trucks and libations from local businesses. Free.