13 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 5, 2016 3:37PM
Taste of Chicago starts this week. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
The boom of fireworks are a distant memory, but at least it's a short work week! This week still has a bunch of fun events to help you make the most of it.
TUESDAY JULY 5
WINE TASTING + JAM SESSION: The Pasta Bowl in Wicker Park hosts a summer wine tasting followed by an evening of music. The tasting includes unlimited (yes, unlimited) samples of their entire wine list from 6 to 9 p.m., and then their new weekly after-hours jam session gets going with house band "Friends of The Program." Musicians are invited to join the band on stage during the second set. Wine tasting is $20, entry to music session is free.
BAM! photo courtesy of CHRP.
RHYTHM WORLD FESTIVAL: American tap and contemporary percussive arts take center stage at the 26th Rhythm World Festival beginning today and running through July 24. Venues include Chicago Human Rhythm Project's American Rhythm Center in Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Jazz Showcase. There are tons of concerts including performances from special guests Maurice Hines and Dianne "Lady Di" Walker. For more information and the full schedule, visit CHRP’s website.
ECLECTIC READING SERIES: Leland Cheuk, Hannah Gamble, Maggie Jenkins, Kendra Stevens and Scott Smith are the special guests reading at this month’s Tuesday Funk. The eclectic monthly reading series takes place at Hopleaf’s upstairs lounge at 7:30 p.m. Free.
Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory.
FREE CHORAL CONCERT: Grant Park Music Festival has free performances at a lot of community venues around the city, and this time they’re bringing the choral music to Garfield Park Conservatory. The National Youth Choir of Scotland will perform a free concert from 2 to 3 p.m. before they head off to Yellowstone National Park for the Grand Teton Music Festival.
WEDNESDAY JULY 6
TASTE OF CHICAGO: Now in it’s 36th year, the Taste of Chicago is much more than food. Multiple concert stages, cooking demonstrations, Food For Thought Podcasts and more are all part of the downtown festival from July 6 to 10. The music lineup, as usual, is stellar. The Roots, KONGOS, The Decemberists, Billy Idol and The Isley Brothers all perform on at the Petrillo Music Shell this year. They’ve also got 69 food vendors and pop-up restaurants, with cooking demonstrations, beer and wine gardens and Celebrity Chefs du Jour mixed in. Entry is free, and “Taste Of” portions are $2.50 or less. For more information visit Taste of Chicago’s website.
THURSDAY JULY 7
KIDS THESE DAYS: Marrow brings together a few ex-members of Kids The Days. The band's debut The Gold Standard is the sound of a band with experience far beyond what you'd expect from such a young group of musicians. The band plays Hideout on Thursday night and the cover is $10.
FRIDAY JULY 8
WEST FEST: West Fest is a street fest celebration of the West Town neighborhood with live music, local vendors and it’s own “Pet Fest” Friday through Sunday. Curated by the Empty Bottle, their band lineup has always been great, and this year includes it-rock band Bully (who released one of our favorite albums of 2015), indie rock band Cloud Nothings and more. They’ve also got a house DJ stage with Derrick Carter and Mark Farina headlining. Entry is $5 suggested donation.
RUDIO FEST: The three-day Latin Alternative Music Festival takes place at Adams/Medill Park in Pilsen. More than 40 bands make up the lineup, with Latin Post-Punk, Electronic, Hip-Hop, Rock, Psychedelia, Tropicalia, EDM, Reggae and Pop from all over the continent. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, La Ley and Maldita Vecindad are among the headliners. Tickets are $149.98 for a three-day pass, $94.98 for single day.
SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL: More than 50 music acts and 30 craft breweries make up Square Roots Craft Brew & Music Festival in Lincoln Square this weekend. Old Town School of Folk Music is in charge of the music, so the lineup is stacked, inside and out of the building. Lydia Loveless and '90s alternative band Cracker are just a couple of the bands playing, and let’s not forget about the beer. 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Half Acre Beer Company, Metropolitan Brewing Company, Temperance Brewery, Two Brothers and more will be pouring. There’s also Wiggleworms and Doodle Bugs for the kids. Entry is $10 suggested donation ($20 for families).
IRISH FEST: Celebrate all things Irish at the 31st Annual Irish Fest this weekend at the Irish American Heritage Center. The fest will showcase Irish music and dance, including step dancing performances, plus there will be Irish and American food and drink, cultural exhibits, vendors and activities for the kids. Tickets are $8 for Friday, $15 for Saturday and Sunday.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Dance Crash.
DANCE CRASH: Chicago Dance Crash is back with a new full-length show titled Evil & Good opening Friday night at Vittum Theatre. The show, inspired by the struggle between right and wrong, is heavy on the same street-style and hip hop choreography that the company is known for. Performances run through July 16. Tickets are $25.
DISCO DEMOLITION BOOK RELEASE: July 12, 1979. It’s the day disco officially died, at least according to the 50,000+ people at Comiskey Park that day. Chicago DJ legend Steve Dahl collaborated with White Sox owner Bill Veeck for a double header promo that turned into a disco record demolition riot on the field. Dave Hoeksrta is releasing a new book about the event with the help of Dahl and photographer Paul Natkin from 7 to 10 p.m. at Co-Prosperity Sphere. Maria's Packaged Goods hosts the after-party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with DJ Lady D, who’s also featured in the book.
Photo by Neil Burger.
FREE OYSTERS: Get complimentary oysters and Argyle bubbles at Roka Akor from 5 to 6 p.m. in honor of their 5th anniversary. The sushi and Japanese steakhouse will also have a live DJ and a special chef’s selected multi-course omakase menu for purchase for $120.