19 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 13, 2016 3:42PM
Poutine, cat spas...It's another summery week full of fun events, whether you're hitting up Millennium Park, the South Loop, Ale Fest, or beyond.
MONDAY JUNE 13
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues with performances from Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Amarante (his song "Tuyo" is the opening theme for the Netflix series "Narcos”) and Creole folk artist Leyla MaCalla. These free concerts (once known as Downtown Sound and World Class Jazz take place every Monday and Thursday on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
SYMPHONY FOR FOOD: See Chicago Symphony musicians, conducted by Maestro Riccardo Muti, to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository at 8 p.m. The special concert at Studebaker Theater will include works from Mozart, Beethoven and the Overture to William Tell. Tickets are donation based.
TUESDAY JUNE 14
GARDEN BOOK CLUB: Get together with other green thumbs for a discussion of this summer’s book The Language of Flowers at the Lurie Garden Book Club from 6 to 8 p.m. Pre-register here (required), and then meet in the south end of the garden. Free.
Image via Purina's Natural Nirvana website.
CAT SPA: Ever wish there were cats at the spa with you? No, seriously. Purina is promoting their new natural cat food, Muse, with the Natural Nirvana Mobile Tour that makes a stop at Pioneer Court from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They’ll have “cat-inspired” spa services like "caticures," temporary "cattoos" and "meowssages" for the humans while adoptable kittens are on the prowl. Free.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15
FILM SCREENING: The Chicago International Film Festival’s Associate Board presents a screening of the now-classic film Dazed and Confused at PUBLIC Chicago Hotel at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and get you free popcorn and two Stella Artois. Proceeds from the screening series benefit Cinema/Chicago's Education Program.
FARM TO FITNESS: Get in on an outdoor workout in Oz Park with the help of “health hacker” TJ Anderson, lululemon athletica and Blue Door Farm Stand starting at 6 p.m. The event will combine sessions of meditation, jogging, yoga and a farm-to-table meal. Tickets are $50.
THURSDAY JUNE 16
Photo courtesy of South Loop Farmers Market.
SOUTH LOOP FARMERS MARKET: South Loop Farmers Market opens for the season on Thursday at the National Historic Landmark Second Presbyterian Church. The market includes many local vendors and artisans including Savor…Chicago, Hardin Family Farm, Magic Circle Crepes and more. 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday.
FUNNY WOMEN FESTIVAL: Stage 773 hosts the 5th Annual Women’s Funny Festival running through the weekend. They’ll pack 400 artists from more than 95 groups into 83 shows over the four day fest. Some notable names include SNL writer Katie Rich, former SC Mainstage/Consultant for Onion News Network, Holly Laurent, and Improv veterans Susan Messing and Rachel Mason, plus a ton of up-and-comers. For schedule and ticket info, visit Stage 773’s website.
PHOX. Photo Courtesy of DCASE.
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: It’s the Thursday edition of The Millennium Park Summer Music Series featuring performances from Wisconsin band PHOX and Latin-folk singer-songwriter Gina Chavez. These free concerts (formerly known as Downtown Sound and World Class Jazz) take place every Monday and Thursday on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
LAKEVIEW CONCERT SERIES: Lakeview welcomes a new outdoor concert series called Lakeview Live! Concerts on the Curb from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Indie folk musician Jonas Friddle will open the monthly series that focuses on local talent. Presented by Chicago Music Exchange, Lagunitas Brewing Company will also be on hand. Free.
SAILING STORIES: The Chicago Athletic Association has teamed up with Johalla Projects and Ship to Shore Productions for the pop-up bar Cherry Circle Yacht Club in what was formerly the hotel’s pool. On Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Ship to Shore hosts their storytelling series inside the space known as “The Tank” with sailing photographer Zachary James Johnston and photographer and Great Lakes surfer Mike Killion. Free. RSVP here.
FRIDAY JUNE 17
TASTE OF RANDOLPH: Peter Bjorn & John, MS MR, Atlas Genius, The Motet, Devotchka...Taste of Randolph is much more than just food. The weekend street fest celebrating its 20th anniversary this year has always had a music lineup as good as its restaurant lineup. In addition to the 30+ acts scheduled to play, they’ll also show off the culinary talents of restaurant row including Alhambra, Belly Q, Forno Rosso and more from the West Loop. Entry is $10 suggested donation.
COUNTRY MUSIC FEST: Some of country music’s hottest stars shake up the lakeshore this weekend at LakeShake Country Music Festival on Northerly Island. Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw are among the headliners of the fest that boasts more than 30 acts. Three-day passes are $225, one-day passes are $99.50.
ALE FEST: Take in the views from Buckingham Fountain while taking in some of the best ales around at Chicago Ale Fest on Friday and Saturday. They’ll have more than 200 beers from more than 100 American craft breweries plus live music, food and souvenir glasses. Tickets are $50 ($25 for designated drivers).
BREW TO BE WILD: The 2nd annual "Brew to Be Wild" craft beer event at Lincoln Park Zoo has expanded to two days this year. There will be 35 local and regional breweries pouring among the wild animals, plus there will be DJs and lawn games. Tickets are $49 (designated drivers $20).
CHARITY COCKTAIL PARTY: Support the Children’s Place Association as they celebrate 25 years of helping Chicago youth with “A Silver Soiree” at Chez. The cocktail party featuring a performance from Chicago Funk Mafia will raise funds for the non-profit to continue their work with children facing illness and extreme poverty. 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $90.
Photo courtesy of Q-Tine.
Q-TINE ANNIVERSARY: Like we need a reason to celebrate the existence of poutine. The Logan Square restaurant dedicated to the Canadian cuisine and BBQ is celebrating their one-year anniversary, and they’re giving us half off menu items like the Classic Poutine and Boozy Slushies. Specials are good all day Friday 'til 4 a.m.
FUNNY HA-HA: The Hideout comedy night brings The Cool Kids to the stage at 6:30 p.m. Storytellers, journalists, comedians and live lit stars come together to make you laugh at this reading series. Admission is $10 suggested donation toward Sit Stay Read.
HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC: Liz Phair returns to her hometown to headline the Hot Stove Cool Music benefit at The Metro on Friday. JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound is also one of the supporting acts, but the one that has us most excited is the female supergroup Band Of Their Own, featuring Kay Hanley (Letters To Cleo and the voice of Josie And The Pussycats), Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Some Girls), Jen Tryin (Lovelesss) and Gail Greenwood (Belly, L7). Tickets are $75.