23 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 15, 2016 3:38PM
Pitchfork Music Festival is here. Photo via Brian Wilson's Facebook page.
It's another beautiful summer weekend in the city, and there's so much happening. Get outside for music at Pitchfork and so many other fests and parties.
FRIDAY JULY 15
PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL: It’s the hottest indie festival around and it’s right here in Union Park. Now in it’s 12th year (if you count Intonation) Pitchfork, not unlike the online publication, has championed talented undercard bands and musicians. Beach House, Sufjan Stevens and FKA Twigs top the lineup this year, but there are a ton of other notable artists on the list, including the legendary Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds. Check out our band recs here. Be sure to check out after parties all weekend long at Virgin Hotels, too. Tickets are $165 for a three-day pass, $65 for single day.
WINDY CITY SMOKEOUT: Windy City Smokeout is a three-day ode to BBQ, country music and beer. Happening on Grand Avenue near the Chicago River, the smokeout includes a pitmaster showdown among other events like cooking school, brunches and a family tasting. Restaurants serving up the meat include local joints like Bub City, Lillie’s Q and Smoque plus Pappy’s Smokehouse from St. Louis and Peg Leg Porker out of Nashville. Tickets start at $110 for a three-day pass, and $30 for single day passes.
BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN PUMP ROOM TOUR: Ever wonder what lies beneath Buckingham Fountain? Or just how the water shoots so high? Get a tour of the fountain’s Pump Room thanks to Atlas Obscura. Take a rare glimpse at the control room and it’s historic bronze levers as well as the pumps. Tours are at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
GHOSTBUSTERS DINNER DATE: ArcLight Cinemas hosts another Dinner & Movie event in Lincoln Park, this time with the new Ghostbusters reboot. Guests will dine at Knife & Tine, then take a Lyft to the theater for the film. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased in singles or doubles. Ticket price includes a prix-fixe menu, drinks, movie tickets, and a ride to the theater.
Photo courtesy of Navy Pier.
NAVY PIER CENTENNIAL: This year marks Navy Pier’s 100th birthday, and the pier's beer garden is celebrating with a full day of programming. From 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, menu items will only cost 100 pennies, and then there will be a performance from local band Murley from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The evening caps off with a special Friday "Toast to the Centennial" fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.
SKETCHBOOK PROJECT: Check out the The Sketchbook Project Mobile Library as it makes a weekend stop in Millennium Park on it’s cross-country tour. Faber-Castell will also be giving out free art supplies as part of the The Great American Sketching Swap. Library is free to view, $28 to participate in the project with your own book.
CAMP UNDERGROUND: Give your night out a summer camp theme at The Underground beginning at 10 p.m. They’re planning camp-style color wars, singalongs, dance socials and dining hall raids—but for adults only. Cost is $20.
SATURDAY JULY 16
Photo courtesy of MSI.
MSI BRICK BASH: The Museum of Science and Industry gets in on the nighttime party with their first ever adults-only after-hours event, Brick Bash. Named in honor of the museum’s latest exhibit, Brick By Brick, guests can build LEGO structures in the hands-on section or just build their own sliders and cocktails. 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30.
SILVER ROOM BLOCK PARTY: Maybe you’re up for a music fest that isn't in Union Park this weekend. The Silver Room, which used to reside in a Wicker Park storefront, moved south to Hyde Park, and their 13th Annual Block Party is bigger and better than ever. They’ve got more than 80 performances, live murals and vendors, plus a Disco Panel Discussion at Friday’s opening reception. Don’t forget about the after-party at The Promontory. Free. For more details, visit The Silver Room’s website.
Photo via Dusty Groove's website.
DUSTY GROOVE BLOCK PARTY: Dusty Groove is turning 20 and they’re throwing a giant block party. From noon to 5 p.m. the niche record store on Ashland Avenue will have free food and drinks, giveaways and of course, dusty grooves. The day also includes a "Jazz In The Alley" reunion, a Plastic Crimewave exhibition and a live performance from Meridian Trio. Free.
Photo via Cake Boss' Facebook page.
TLC SUMMER BLOCK PARTY: TLC hosts a Summer Block Party at Soldier Field’s Stadium Green with food, fun and personalities from some of their popular television shows. Stars from Cake Boss, Long Island Medium, Say Yes To The Dress, Little People Big World and more will be in attendance. They’ll have summer festival activities both on stage and in booths like cookie decorating with Cake Boss Buddy Valastro and a ring toss with the Sister Wives. Free. RSVP here.
VOLLEYWOOD BEACH PARTY: North Avenue Beach heats up on Saturday with the Volleywood Beach Party & Volleyball Tournament beginning at 9 in the morning. The party goes from noon to 7 p.m. and includes a live performance from A-Trak, plus a bunch of DJs and an appearance from pop-culture celeb, The Fat Jew, alongside the 70,000 sq. foot beer garden. The tournament features more than 300 teams, from top players to recreational teams. Tickets are $25.
Celebrate Clark Street Festival: A Cultural Explosion in Rogers Park from ItziNallah on Vimeo.
CELEBRATE CLARK STREET FESTIVAL: Celebrate Clark Street at the Celebrate Clark Street World Music Festival in Rogers Park. Four Star Brass Band, Palenke Soultribe, Krar Collective and more will be at the street fest, which boasts an eclectic lineup of world music. Local restaurants and bars get in on the festivities, and there will also be interactive entertainment, an Art Lot and attractions for kids. Entry is a $5 suggested donation benefiting the Rogers Park Business Alliance.
LAID BACK FESTIVAL: Local blues label Alligator Records is honored with its own stage at Laid Back Festival on Northerly Island. Gregg Allman, Peter Frampton headline the fest, while Alligator artists like Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater will also perform. The hometown label also celebrates their 45th anniversary this year. 4 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
SOUTHPORT ART + MUSIC FEST: Peruse art from more than 75 local artists at the Southport Art & Music Fest (formerly Summer on Southport). Shop paintings, jewelry, sculpture, photography and more during the day, and then stick around for the live music at night. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is a $5 suggested donation benefiting Southport Neighbors Association.
ROUTE 66 ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Route 66 is a legendary roadway, famous for being the eclectic 300 mile path across the heartland, and it’s celebrating 90 years. The Illinois Department of Tourism and Bow Truss coffee have gotten together for a pop-up party at the start of the historic route, right at Jackson and Michigan Avenue. They’ll have live mural painting, memorabilia, a classic car from Berwyn Route 66 Museum and free samples of Bow Truss’ new “Route 66 blend” among other fun. Free.
Photo courtesy of NEWCITY.
BOUTIQUE TRUCK + TASTE FEST: NEWCITY Lincoln Park hosts a Boutique Truck & Taste Festival this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Delicious Shoe, North & Hudson, Leaders Soap & Apothecary are just a few of the retailers scheduled to be on the courtyard. Free.
SIDEWALK SALES: The Wicker Park Bucktown Summer Sidewalk Sales continue for another weekend, this time on Division Street. Shop outdoor sales from local businesses like Unison, Dynamic Salon, Doggy Style Pet Shop, Wicker Park Athletic Club and Gomez Shell Service. There will also be music from DJ/Drummer Dance Loud, and a free boot camp class from Comfy Fitness.
Photo courtesy of Thodos Dance Chicago.
THODOS NEW DANCES: Thodos Dance Chicago presents their annual New Dances program this weekend at Athenaeum Theatre. The show is a great look inside the company and what they’re working on now. There are nine “fresh, homegrown” world premieres created by Thodos dancers including John Cartwright, Tenley Dorrill and Abby Ellison. Tickets start at $14.
FREE BIKE RIDES: Sanpellegrino and their new app Delightways are giving out free rides at all Divvy locations all weekend. All you gotta do is sign up here, and then ride off into the sunset (but still return the bike within that 30 minute window).
SUNDAY JULY 17
Photo courtesy of Dearborn Garden Walk.
DEARBORN GARDEN WALK: See the lovely gardens of the Gold Coast during the 58th Dearborn Garden Walk from noon to 5 p.m. The walk also includes gardening seminars plus sidewalk and architectural tours. Tickets are $30 in advance.
VINTAGE GARAGE: The monthly Uptown vintage market returns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop furniture, clothing, jewelry, decor, art and more from 100 vendors in an empty parking garage at Broadway and Argyle. This month it’s all Rockabilly with a live performance from Rosie & The Rivets on site. Admission is $5.
CHINATOWN SUMMER FAIR: Immerse yourself in Far East culture at the Chinatown Summer Fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be classical Chinese dance, martial arts demonstrations and a Dragon & Lion Dance Procession at 12:30 p.m. Free.