11 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 17, 2015 8:15PM

Summer still (still!) isn't over yet, and we're excited to share our favorite events going on this weekend with you. Take a look and mark your calendars:

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18

BEER + MUSIC: Beer, music and food. Throw in encased meats from the notorious Hot Doug and it’s officially The Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party. tUnE-yArDs, Calexico and Pelican will offer up the tunes on Friday, while Matt and Kim, (!!!) and Jukebox the Ghost play on Saturday at the Goose Island Fulton Street Brewery. Tickets are $30 for a two-day pass, $20 for single day.

FESTIVAL: Oak Park hosts their very own Oaktoberfest celebration through tomorrow. Easily accessible by the CTA Green Line, this nextdoor suburb marks the changing seasons with live music, craft beer and food from local restaurants. Hey, there’s even a Root Beer Garden for the kids. Free.

MUSIC: Popular indie duo Best Coast headlines at the Metro tonight. Their newest album, California Nights, is said to be a brighter, more sparkly version of the lazy lo-fi rock they’re known for. Lovely Bad Things also play. Tickets are $21 in advance ($25 day-of). 7 p.m. All ages.

ART: http://www.expochicago.com/">EXPO Chicago is everything art for three days on Navy Pier. The international exposition of contemporary and modern art kicks off the fall gallery season and features on-site programming, panel discussions and tons of art across different medias on display. One day tickets are $20, or $30 for all three days.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19

CAT VIDEOS: The one and only Lil Bub hosts the Chicago Internet Cat Video Festival at Athenaeum Theatre. The 75-minute screening features the best cat videos from the internet. All the proceeds from this event benefit Chicago Cat Rescue and Tree House Humane Society. Showtimes are 1, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Lil Bub meet & greet tickets are also available for $100.

SPIRITS + ANIMALS: Enjoy after-hours cocktails with the wildlife at Wild Spirits. It’s Lincoln Park Zoo’s first ever spirit-tasting event, and they’ll have mixologists on hand along with music and food pairings. Tickets are $69 and include 12 samples and a souvenir tasting glass. 6-10 p.m.

MUSIC BENEFIT: Get back to school in an old school way with a dance floor benefit for Intonation Music at the Hideout. Intonation brings band and music education to kids in Chicago’s underserved communities. The Back to School Ball will feature the bands Santah, Daytonics and Big Heavy. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Music starts at 9 p.m.

CRAFT FAIR: The Renegade Craft Fair returns to Division Street in Wicker Park this weekend with shopping, workshops and installations. Renegade is known for highlighting handmade goods by local indie makers. Food and drink will be available from local vendors, and Chirp Radio and Reckless Records will be spinning the tunes. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free.

ART WALK: Check out the artists, bands, brews and eats at this weekend’s Ravenswood Art Walk. More than 40 neighborhood galleries, studios and businesses will be showing off their wares along with live music from the likes of Zigtebra and Netherfriends. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20

AUDITION: The Joffrey Ballet invites young dancers age 9-14 to audition for their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. This is the 28th and final year for the Robert Joffrey version of the tale as next year’s Nutcracker will be re-envisioned by contemporary choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Auditions and rehearsals will take place downtown at Joffrey Tower. If interested, check the Joffrey’s website for specific times and requirements.

PIE: No contest, no rules, just pie this year at the Bucktown Apple Pie Party in Senior Citizen Memorial Park. There’s fun for the whole family with live music, a magician and coffee from Ipsento to accompany homemade apple pie made by Bucktown neighbors. Free.