13 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2017 4:33PM
Photo via Riot Fest's website.
It looks like we're getting another blast of summer weather over this weekend, so make the most of it and check out some of the great goings on around town.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15
RIOT FEST: We know, we know, Riot Fest sucks—they didn’t schedule the exact band you wanted to see at the exact time you wanted to see them. But we're still willing to bet that any time you show up at any stage this weekend, you’ll be entertained. The punk rock festival boasts yet another huge lineup this year with headliners Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stoneage, Paramore and Jawbreaker at the top. Of course Riot Fest regulars Andrew WK and Gwar made the list as well. Tickets for the three-day fest in Douglas Park are now $189.98. Single day tickets are also available.
SISTER ACT: HAIM puts on a heckuva live show, with the three sisters trading leads, displaying their multi-instrumental talents, and generally just giving every song their all. Every time we're seen the group, HAIM has never disappointed and we expect that their Thursday night show at The Riv will continue that run. LPX a.k.a MR MS front-woman Lizzy Plapinger, and a fascinating live entertainer in her own right, opens.
GREEN TIE BALL: The 26th Annual Green Tie Ball benefitting the nonprofit Chicago Gateway Green returns at Artifact Events this Friday at 7 p.m. The black-tie event has a “Devil in The Green City” theme, headlined by DJ White Shadow. Special guest Taylor Kinney (aka Kelly Severide on NBC’s Chicago Fire) is also slated to attend. Tickets are $150.
NERD COMEDY FESTIVAL: The 5th Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival comes to Stage 773 this Thursday through Sunday. Standup comedian, writer, and producer Brandie Posey will headline this year’s festival that celebrates the city's nerd comedy scene. The weekend features panels, workshops, and of course performances. Tickets start at $10 a show.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE BIENNIAL: The 2nd Chicago Architecture Biennial highlight’s our city’s unique architecture with a vision toward the future. This year’s theme is “Make New History” with more than 140 practitioners from more than 20 countries participating. The Chicago Cultural Center is home base for the Biennial, which invites residents and visitors alike to explore Chicago through extensive programs, including our educational sessions with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, installations, performances, talks, films, and more. Events continue through Jan. 7, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Lakeview Taco Fest.
LAKEVIEW TACO FEST: Lets taco bout our love for tacos. The 5th annual Sam Adams' Lakeview Taco Fest takes place this weekend, honoring one of our favorite food groups. More than a dozen local restaurants will offer up the tortilla treat, including Taco Joint and Flaco’s Tacos, with some special beer and taco pairings. The fest also features Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling and two music stages. Admission is a $10 suggested donation benefitting the Friends of Lakeview & the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.
RAVENSWOOD ARTWALK: Experience the wonders of the Ravenswood Creative Corridor at the 16th Ravenswood ArtWalk this weekend. More than 300 artists will take part with works in indoor studios and outdoor exhibits. Look out for the Begyle Brewing urban craft beer garden as well, plus two stages for live music, a food truck roundup and children’s corner for family-friendly entertainment and activities. Admission is a $5 suggested donation.
BLACK CAT BASH: Tree House Humane Society holds the Black Cat Bash benefit in their brand new digs this Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. They will have world cuisine, cocktails and Club DJ Cameron Bundy on on the outdoor patio. Plus, you’ll get to meet the Real Tree House Cats of Chicago. Tickets are $100.
HARVEST DAY: The annual Harvest Day festival at Garfield Park Conservatory gets people ready for fall with hands-on activities. From noon to 4 p.m. the Conservatory will have crafts, games, animals and more. Sign up in advance to reserve your very own worm bin. Admission is a $5 donation.
Photo courtesy of Chicago’s First Lady Cruises.
CLASSIC BOAT RENDEZVOUS: More than 20 classic wooden vessels will line up along the Chicago Riverwalk this weekend for the first-ever Chicago Classic Boat Rendezvous from 3 to 8 p.m. Whether you’re on water or land, boats like the Chicago’s First Lady Cruises’ Lady Grebe, will be worth a stroll. Live music will be provided by Old Lazarus Harp. Free.
WEST LOOP ART FEST: West Loop Art Fest returns this weekend in Fulton Market. They’ll have four blocks of artists, dozens of live musical acts and artist demos including interactive demos, hot glass blowers and muralists at work on one of the largest pieces in the city.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17
Photo via Vintage Garage's Flickr page.
VINTAGE GARAGE: Find you some vintage Chicago swag at the next Vintage Garage sale in Uptown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop vintage furniture,vintage clothing, jewelry, art, and more at this month’s “Retro Chicago” themed event. Check out local memorabilia from sports to the World’s Fair at more than 100 vendors. Tickets are $5.
LIVE PODCAST: See a live taping of the fantastical improv podcast Hello from the Magic Tavern at the Music Box Theatre at 7 p.m. The three Chicago improvisers behind the podcast— Arnie Niekamp, Adal Rifai (Chunt, the shapeshifting badger) and Matt Young (Usidor the wizard)--will take listeners to the fictional universe of Foon in this light hearted series. Their celebrity guest for this episode will be Chris Lee from the Chicago cast of Hamilton. Tickets are $25.