14 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 21, 2017 4:33PM
Photo: Matt Beard © 2017 Cirque du Soleil
Hot summer days and nights are ahead!
FRIDAY JULY 21
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: It’s always a treat when Cirque du Soleil comes to town, and they’re back this week with LUZIA, running under the Big Top at the United Center parking lot through Sept. 3. The breathtaking circus and aerial acrobatic show takes the audience to an imaginary Mexico in the latest touring production. Tickets start at $35.
TASTE OF RIVER NORTH: Sample cuisine of the hot downtown neighborhood this weekend at the Taste of River North. Big & Little’s, DaLobsta and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse are just a few of the restaurants getting in on the action, plus they’ll have live music all day long with familiar tunes from some of the city’s hottest cover bands.
CONCEPTUAL WATERING HOLE: Street's artist Dont Fret, along with Dark Times partner Kate Brankin, is teaming up with Publican Quality Meats to bring back the “conceptual watering hole” The Light Times pop-up from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The installation "based in the deep culture of Chicago corner bars" and will have sausages, beers from Pipeworks and Old Style, and of course art from Dont Fret himself. Tickets are $10.
THE RETURN OF KESHA: We have long been fans of Kesha, our review of her first headlining tour took note that "her records keep us happy and display a songwriter cannier than most reductionist critics are willing to give her credit for," and we still think that's true. Legal battles have kept a public starving for new music from Kesha hungry, but it appears a feast is on the horizon with Rainbow, her first album in 5 years, due out in August. Based on its early singles "Praying" and "Woman," Kesha is in fighting form, expanding her sound and making us eager to hear more. Her show at RiverEdge Park in Aurora Friday night will give Chicago-land fans their first peek into what else to expect from the new material, and we can't wait.
LITERARY FIGHT NIGHT: Hemingway goes up against Fitzgerald at the Chicago Athletic Association’s Literary Friday Night Fight from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Drawing Room. The event, a collaboration with the new American Writers Museum and Drinking and Writing Theater, would mark Ernest Hemingway’s 118th birthday. Watch as performers take on the roles of the Hemingway and his longtime literary rival F. Scott Fitzgerald in a verbal boxing match. Free.
SATURDAY JULY 22
SHEFFIELD MUSIC FEST + GARDEN WALK: Sometimes Chicago street fests kill it with top musical acts, and Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk is one of them. Indie/pop act Foxygen headlines on Saturday night, and power pop band We The Kings headline on Sunday with local powerhouse Lucky Boys Confusion also playing. Of course there’s the official Garden Walk, too, with self and guided tours. Last but not least, don’t forget about the Chicago Craft Beer Festival taking place within the event. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the gate) for the mainstage acts.
Image via DISCO's event page.
YOGA DISCO: Take your yoga practice to the LED lighted floor of DISCO at 11 a.m. AMped brings their “Yoga in the Sky” series down to the light-up ground for a new monthly series. After class the venue will open to the public for an afternoon dance party at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30.
LIMONCELLO CLASS: Learn to make your own Italian limoncello like a pro at Osteria Via Stato. Wine and beverage manager Matt Dolin will lead the class at 3 p.m. and offer samples of other varieties, including chocolacello and grapefruitcello. Tickets are $20 and include a take-home sample.
LONDONHOUSE PROM: LondonHouse hotel celebrates their first anniversary with a Prom Party this Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The adults-only party will have a boy-band night theme with dancing, cumberbunds and coursages, and an open bar. The event will also benefit the charity Dress for Success so guests are encouraged to bring lightly-worn women’s business wear for donation. Tickets are $125.
US + THEM + ROGER WATERS: Roger Waters is known to many as the mastermind behind Pink Floyd's groundbreaking works—including Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall, but we love his solo work as well. Waters just released his first solo album in 15 years, Is This the Life We Really Want? (produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich), and while it's a welcome return to his "classic" sound, it also features fiery lyrical anger directed at our current times. It is a must-listen. Waters is also famous as the architect of stadium rock shows meant to engage fans, and he was one of the first to move into the arena of creating rock concerts as "experiences" and not just a couple people on stage with lights around them. With every tour he's mounted since The Wall, he's tried to outdo himself, and reviews of the Us + Them tour have us expecting something mind-blowing when Waters plays the United Center. Saturday night's show at the United Center is the first of three, including additional shows on July 23 and 28.
SUNDAY JULY 23
BELLYQ BACKYARD BBQ: Chef Bill Kim’s Backyard BBQ series continues at bellyQ with Chef John Manion and Bar Manager Chris Young of El Che Bar from 1 to 4 p.m. Each month Kim collaborates with a different local chef for a casual afternoon BBQ on the restaurant’s patio and yard with music and delicious eats. Tickets are $45 each and include a curated menu and two drink tickets.
MEOWY HOUR: Harmony House For Cats hosts a Midsummer Meowy Hour Fundraiser at Empirical Brewery from noon to 3 p.m. A $15 donation gets you discounted pints and free pizza.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: The Patio at Cafe Brauer invites all dogs and their owners out for the Dog Days of Summer Party from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be brunch for the humans and goody bags for the dogs and a kiddie pool for the pups. Click here to make a reservation.
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: Chicago's favorite violinist and world class whistler Andrew Bird is back! It's been a while since Bird played the area, and his baroque pop should sound perfect in the outdoor environs of Ravinia when he plays there Sunday evening. Make sure you get there early to catch the crazed anarchic marching band openers, Mucca Pazza, and don't be too shocked if they make a guest appearance during Bird's set as well.