17 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 3, 2016 3:11PM
The Annual Lurie Garden Plant Sale is Saturday. Photo courtesy of Lurie Gardens.
There are so many fun, summery events this weekend to pack into your calendar.
FRIDAY JUNE 3
GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 31st Annual Gospel Music Festival takes place at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center with concerts on Friday and Saturday. Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship, Travis Greene, Shirley Caesar and Brian Courtney Wilson are just a few of the headliners this year. Visit the festival’s website for the full schedule and other sponsored concerts throughout the year. Free.
DO DIVISION: West Town is on full display at the Do Division Street Fest & Sidewalk Sale. The street is closed from Ashland to Leavitt with local vendors and more than a few boutiques moving business outside. The big draw for this street fest though is the two main stages at each end boasting a lineup of bands curated by The Empty Bottle and Subterranean. Headliners this year include BADBADNOTGOOD, Doomtree, Beach Fossils and A Place To Bury Strangers, plus some local acts rounding out the bill like ShowYouSuck and Bloodiest. Entry is a $5 donation.
ART SHAY PHOTO EXHIBITION: Legendary photographer and friend of Chicagoist Art Shay will see some of his work on display at Ann Nathan Gallery with an opening on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. His photographs appeared in Life, Time, Look, The New York Times Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and so many others over his storied 70 year career. As the gallery says, “Art Shay’s life is the stuff of movies,” and based on the few stories we’ve heard him tell, we wholeheartedly agree.
LINCOLN PARK GREEK FEST: Celebrate all things Greek at the 39th Annual Lincoln Park Greek Fest this weekend. The family-friendly festival takes place inside and outside St. George Greek Orthodox Church and will have live entertainment and tons of authentic Greek food. Proceeds from food and drink go toward church restoration.
FLAVORS OF MEXICO: For more Mexican flair, head to Little Village for the 2nd annual Flavors of Mexico. The three-day food festival will feature cuisine from local restaurants like La Barca El Taconazo, Taqueria Los Comales, Margarita Portillo and many more plus festive music and cooking demonstrations.
HIP-HOP: Aesop Rock bring his rhymes and his beats to The Metro this Friday. Over almost 20 years he's released a solid catalog of expansive hip-hop that moves the mind just as much as it does the body. Tickets are $22 in advance, $24 at the doors.
SATURDAY JUNE 4
Photo via The 606's Facebook Page.
THE 606 BLOCK PARTY: The 606 elevated rails-to-trails park system is celebrating its first anniversary with an all day block party. There will be pop-up performances and entertainment all along the Bloomingdale Trail and a full on festival on Humboldt Boulevard. Free.
AVON 39: Support breast cancer research or cheer on those making the two-day walk this Saturday and Sunday. The Avon 39 has raised nearly $590,000,000 since it’s inception in 2003. Opening ceremony begins at 6:30 a.m. at Soldier Field. To register or for more information on the route and cheering stations, visit their website.
RHYTHM FEST GRAND FINALE: Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s two-month, citywide festival comes to a close with a grand finale at Auditorium Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The program includes a variety of performances from CHRP's BAM!, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and Trinity Irish Dance Company. Tickets start at $28.
LURIE GARDEN PLANT SALE: Head to Lurie Garden at Millennium Park for their annual plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also have a speaker on “Unique Décor Ideas for the Garden” at 11 a.m. Free.
HYDE PARK ART FAIR: The Oldest Juried Art Fair in Chicago is back in Hyde Park this weekend. The 57th St Art Fair celebrates 69 years with more than 200 artists, demonstrations and pop-up talks. There will also be food trucks and live music from Buddy Guy’s Legends. Free.
Millennium Park's Free Summer Workouts begin June 1. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
FREE SUMMER WORKOUTS: This is the first weekend of the city’s free Summer Workouts in Millennium Park. Every Saturday morning beginning at 7 a.m., just show up for free Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba® classes. They also offer Wednesday morning yoga classes at 7:30 a.m. with local instructors from studios like Moksha and Kundalini Yoga in the Loop. Visit Millennium Park's website for the full class schedule.
http://chicagoist.com/2016/04/25/millennium_park_just_released_its_f.php (pic)
FREE ROWING + SUP: It’s National Learn to Row Day and Lincoln Park Boat Club has got your back. They’re offering free rowing classes plus stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can sign up here, too.
ROCKING BEATS: It's been a while since MSTRKRFT brought their brutal dance floor beats to Chicago, and we're lucky enough that they've chosen the cozy confines of Double Door to mark their return. We saw this duo play this venue years ago and we still swear that sweat was dripping from the walls and pooling on the floor. This will be an awesome show. Tickets are $20.
SUNDAY JUNE 5
Photo via Front Porch Concert's Facebook page.
FRONT PORCH CONCERTS: See a special concert from local musicians Hanna Ashbrook and MAKS The Fox in Logan Square on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. The Front Porch Concerts Series honors the tradition of spending quality time on the front porch with family, friends and neighbors. They’ll also have pie from Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits and beer from Revolution Brewing. Free. BYOBlanket. Check the Facebook event page for the exact address.
ACROYOGA FESTIVAL: Are you an experienced flyer or just curious about acroyoga? Flip over to the Chicago AcroYoga Festival on Saturday at Moonlight Studios where they’ll have classes all day long from beginner to advanced and therapeutic. Tickets are $99.
CAR WASH + PUPPIES: Underground’s charity car wash is more than a sudsy fundraiser for Autism Speaks, they’ve also got puppies in tow. Enough said. Stop by between noon and 4 p.m.