Chicagoist's Guide To May: 20 Fun Events Coming Up
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 29, 2016 3:46PM
The 18th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival is May 7. Photo via DCASE's website.
We're ready for those May flowers, and all these fun May events.
May 1
CINCO DE MAYO PARADE (Parade)
Celebrate Mexico’s Independence at the Cinco De Mayo Parade in Little Village. It’s part of the neighborhood festival running Friday through Sunday with live music, food and arts & crafts for the kids. Parade steps off at noon.
May 1
JAMES BEARD EVENTS (Foodie awards)
The James Beard Foundation Awards have taken over the city’s foodie scene this week, and restaurants all over are celebrating with special menus and more. Some special events worth checking out on Sunday are the Momofuku Takeover at avec, Shake Shack x Boka Backyard Barbeque and The Charter Oak and Yusho Brunch Workshop. On the drink end, check out the Three Dots and a Dash Alley Tiki Party or NOLA's Cure Takeover at The Violet Hour.
Photo courtesy of The Second City.
May 5 to September
THE SECOND CITY ETC REVUE (Comedy)
The Second City e.t.c. Theater launches their 40th revue on Thursday with the grand opening of A Red Line Runs Through It. The comic show will try to answer some of “ life’s tough questions” while making you laugh along the way. Tickets start at $23.
DJDS. Photo courtesy of the MCA.
May 6
MCA PRIME TIME (Museum after-hours)
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Prime Time series will honor Prince with a purple theme and a special tribute performance by Chicago-based funk and soul artist Avery R. Young. Metro and SmartBar are the co-curators for the after-hours event this time around, with DJDS headlining with a live, multimedia performance. Local duo The Hood Internet and and DJ’s from SmartBar’s weekly house music party, Queen!, will play even more music. They’ll also have art installations and corsage crafting and more. Tickets are $15 ($20 door).
Photo via Chicago Beer Classic's facebook page.
May 7
CHICAGO BEER CLASSIC (Beer fest)
2 sessions, 75 breweries and the opportunity to walk the grass at Soldier Field. Lagunitas, Schlafly, Greenbush and Saugatuck are just some of the well known and smaller breweries coming together on the field for Chicago Beer Classic this weekend where you’ll get 48 two-ounce samples. Tickets are $65 in advance or $75 at the door (VIP is $85 or $95 at the door).
May 7
KIDS AND KITES FESTIVAL (Children’s fest)
Grab the kids and head to Cricket Hill near Montrose Harbor for the 18th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They’ll have free kite kits, or bring your own to decorate and fly. There will also be other family-friendly activities like face painting, balloon artists and the Big Kite Candy Drop (whatever that is, we’re interested). Free.
The Joffrey Ballet's Cinderella. Photo via Auditorium Theatre's website.
May 11-22
CINDERELLA (Ballet)
The Joffrey Ballet closes their 60th anniversary season with the fairy tale Cinderella at Auditorium Theatre. The full-length, three-act ballet from Sir Frederick Ashton was originally written for the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (now The Royal Ballet) in 1948 and is “one of the most popular and lavish productions in the Joffrey repertoire“ according to Artistic Director Ashley Wheater. Tickets start at 32.
MONAKR is one of the local bands performing at Lake FX.
May 13 to 14
LAKE FX (Arts Summit + Expo)
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presents Lake FX taking place at the Chicago Cultural Center. The Summit and Expo includes more than 100 talks, panels and workshops for those working in the culinary, fashion, film and media, music, performing arts, technology and design and visual arts fields, but it also includes showcase performances from the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Rhymefest. Many other local artists will perform over the two day event, and it’s all free. Register on their website.
Picture via Wanderlust's Facebook page.
May 14
WANDERLUST (Yoga fest)
Get your yoga on in Grant Park at this year’s expanded Wanderlust event. They’re calling it a mindful triathlon with 5K run and 30-minute guided meditation sessions on the schedule. Check Wanderlust’s website for schedule and ticket information.
May 14
TREEHOUSE PUSS ‘N’ BOATS CRUISE (Benefit)
Take a ride on the Puss ‘n’ Boats Cruise and support the Real Tree House Cats at the same time. Chicago's First Lady and the Chicago Architecture Foundation have donated an Architecture River Cruise to benefit the nonprofit that is saving kitty lives every day through their many programs. Tickets are $35 ($10 kids).
In Fine Spirits. Photo courtesy of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.
May 15
ANDERSONVILLE WINE WALK
The 10th annual Andersonville Wine Walk takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Choose one of two routes that will include 12 retail stores where you’ll be tasting 36 wines including H2Vino, Vinejoy, Winebow and more. Tickets are $35 in advance ($40 week of) and include a commemorative glass.
May 15
GLAAD HATTER BRUNCH + TEA DANCE (Benefit)
“Don your fancy hat and be fabulous” at the GLAAD Hatter Brunch & Tea Dance at Pasteur Restaurant. There will be cocktails, tea, dancing and hat parade led by the daughter of Shira Kollins and Meg Streit. Brunch is at 11:30 a.m., the Tea Dance begins at 2 p.m. and you can purchase separate tickets or a bundle for $95. A significant portion of ticket sales and other funds raised at the event supports GLAAD.
May 19 to 29
CHICAGO CRAFT BEER WEEK
Grab your passport and go to the city’s best craft brew destinations for Chicago Craft Beer Week. The week is made up of a ton of events from tap take overs to special release parties to happy hours and more. The extended celebration is bookended by Beer Under Glass at Garfield Park Conservatory and Welles Park Craft Beer Fest. They’ve even got a printable Sick Day / Tardy Note to get out of pesky obligations and make the most of the week. Visit their website for a full list of events and ticket prices.
Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory.
May 19
BEER UNDER GLASS
Spring is officially in full swing when Beer Under Glass happens at Garfield Park Conservatory. Enjoy samples from tons of craft breweries while enjoying the beautiful outdoor gardens of the conservatory (or under the glass of the greenhouses) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This is the 7th year in a row for the event that coincides with Chicago Craft Beer Week. You’ll get a souvenir glass plus tasty small plates from local restaurants included. Tickets are $60 ($90 for VIP with early entry).
May 20 to 22
FERRIS FEST
Celebrate the iconic movie from downtown all the way into Lake Forest during Ferris Fest this weekend. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the John Hughes film’s release. The fest opens with the ‘Shermer High School 1986 Spring Dance’ where a few stars from the movie will be in attendance, and then continues with screenings of the film, a re-creation of the famous parade sequence and tours of filming locations (yes, including Cameron’s dad’s house) and the Ferris bedroom now on display at Virgin Hotels. Visit the fest’s website for more information on schedules and prices.
May 20 to 22
MAYFEST
Head to the outdoor beer garden at the 21st Mayfest where cover bands like Trippin Billies and Too White Crew will provide the entertainment. The main stage is under the big-top tent, so you’re covered in case of inclement weather. Admission is $10.
Photo via Lincoln Park Wine Festival's Facebook page.
May 21-22
LINCOLN PARK WINE FESTIVAL
Jonquil Playlot is transformed into an open-air market for the Lincoln Park Wine Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will be live music, tasty bites and brand ambassadors and sommeliers on hand to discuss the different wines for tasting. Tickets start at $50 and include a commemorative wine glass.
May 27 to 28
BEYONCÉ
The Queen B arrives in Chicago for two dates on her Formation World Tour at Soldier Field. Beyoncé is hot off the release of her new visual album, Lemonade, which took the world by storm and has earned praise for tackling the trials and tribulations of black women throughout history into today. Both nights begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45.
May 28
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom at the city’s annual Memorial Day Parade on State St. from Lake St. to Van Buren St. A wreath laying ceremony at Daley Plaza’s Eternal Flame precedes the parade which steps off at noon. Free.
May 28 to 29
BELMONT-SHEFFIELD MUSIC FEST
It sure does feel like summer when the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest is upon us. It’s one of the first outdoor street fests of the season and it’s known for it’s cover bands and raucous good time with bordering bars getting in on the fun. The gates open at noon each day and admission is a $5 suggested donation.