Chicagoist's Guide To August: 20 Fun Things To Do This Month
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 1, 2016 2:35PM
Cirque du Soleil Photo: Errisson Lawrence Costumes: Kym Barrett © 2015 Cirque du Soleil.
It's August, and festivals still rule the summer. Street fests, comedy fests, a fest celebrating encased meats and more top our favorite events for August.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
August 3 to 7
Cirque du Soleil comes to the United Center with an all new show based on the hit movie Avatar. "Toruk: The First Flight" includes visually stunning stagecraft and puppetry along with the breathtaking aerobatics the Cirque du Soleil troupe has become so known for. Tickets start at $42.
Photo courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
HOT DOG FEST
August 5 to 7
Chicago loves food, but we may love hot dogs more than anything else. Afterall, we do have our own dog, and our own rules involving what toppings can and cannot touch our franks. Celebrate at the 4th Annual Chicago Hot Dog Fest at the Chicago History Museum. A bunch of encased meat vendors will be on site including Byron's Hot Dogs, Chubby Wieners, Fatso's Last Stand and more. They’ve also got a lineup of bands and beers to wash 'em down with. Free.
TASTE OF LINCOLN
August 6 to 7
Eat to your tummy’s content at the 33rd annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue. Restaurants of the neighborhood will have booths set up, plus wine tastings each afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Let’s not forget about the tunes, too! Blues Traveler, G Love & Special Sauce and Aaron Carter all mark a stacked lineup. There’s also fun for the kids at the family friendly fest. Tickets for the wine tastings are $30, and admission is a suggested gate donation of $10 benefiting Wrightwood Neighbors Association.
EDGEFEST
August 6 to 7
Edgewater gets their own fest this weekend, aptly called EdgeFest. Support neighborhood artisans, musicians, and restaurants with two days of local fun, food and bands. Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press and Trippin Billies top the musical lineup. Entry is a $5 gate donation benefiting Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.
1,000 MILE MARCH
August 6
While we have come a long way in the fight for equality, recent events emphasize that we still have a long way to go. Recreate part of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic 1966 march into Marquette Park with other community members beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is $10.
Photo via Deschutes Brewery's Facebook page.
DESCHUTES STREET PUB
August 6
Deschutes Brewery Street Pub hits the Logan Square neighborhood for a one-day block party from 2 to 10 p.m. There will be more than 50 taps ready at this family friendly event, along with live music from local artists Bailiff, Chicago Afrobeat Project and Railway Gamblers. Entry is free and 100% of their beer proceeds from the event go back into the community. VIP passes are available for $30.
Can this cat read your mind? Photo via Harmony House's Facebook page.
PET PSYCHIC FAIR
August 7
Yes, you read that right. Get a 15 minute reading from a trusty psychic at Harmony House for Cats’ Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring a photo of your pet, and ask those nagging questions about your future, or about loved ones (furry or not) who have passed. The fair will also have treats (for pets and humans) and a Whiskers Raffle. Free admission, $20 for readings.
Photo by Aville Chamber.
TASTE OF ANDERSONVILLE DINNER CRAWL
August 10
Get to know Andersonville neighbors and restaurants at the annual Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. There are two crawling routes to choose from: the Salt route, which is vegetarian friendly and stops at Andies Restaurant, Elixir and Fireside Restaurant among others, or Pepper which hits Appellation, Pork Shoppe and more. Don't worry, both crawls include drinks from Koval Distillery. Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 week-of).
NERD COMEDY FEST
August 11 to 14
Nerd culture has become huge, and the 4th Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773 shows just how big it is. Shows, panels and workshops make up the festival with Jackson Bird and the online comedy sensation Team StarKid as the headlining act. Expect cosplay, improv, sketch and more, and those who dress up get a cos-play discount. Tickets start at $10 per show.
Photo via Retro on Roscoe's Facebook page.
RETRO ON ROSCOE
August 12 to 14
It’s the 20th year for Retro on Roscoe, the street festival that celebrates all things throwback. Many decades are represented from the gearheads of the '50s to coverbands of the '80s and '90s like 16 Candles and Too White Crew. Enjoy neighborhood food and other vendors at this family friendly street fest. Entry is a $10 donation benefiting Roscoe Village Neighbors.
Bit Bash 2016 Festival Trailer from Bit Bash on Vimeo.
BIT BASH INTERACTIVE ARTS FESTIVAL
August 13
Gamers will be flocking to the Bit Bash Interactive Arts Festival on Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. at Revel: Fulton Market. The fest puts the spotlight on alternative games and interactive arts every summer from VR to “wacky art installations.” There will also be a lot of local indie developers represented this year. Tickets are $25 in advance.
BUD BILLIKEN PARADE
August 13
The second largest parade in the U.S. takes place the second Saturday of every August down south on King Drive. The Bud Billiken Parade has a long history of uniting the African American community—87 years to be exact—beginning with the Chicago Defender newspaper and charities. The parade commences at 10 a.m. and concludes in Washington Park with a picnic and other treats.
BROADWAY IN CHICAGO SUMMER CONCERT
August 15
Sample many of the productions showing at Broadway in Chicago for free at Pritzker Pavilion at 6:15 p.m. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert features performances from Disney’s Aladdin, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera and many more.
FEST ITALIANA
August 18 to 21
Get a taste of Little Italy at Fest Italiana this weekend. The neighborhood’s legendary restaurants move the feasts outside with other Italian traditions. Musical performances keep with the theme with singers performing performing classic songs from The Rat Pack, the Three Tenors, the Four Seasons and and more. Entry is a $5 suggested donation.
Photo via DCASE.
AIR AND WATER SHOW
August 20 to 21
The 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show hits the skies and the water at North Avenue Beach this weekend, though you'll be able to see (and hear!) the planes all over town. It’s a Thunderbirds year, with the Air Force’s finest show off jaw dropping aerial moves as the main event both days. Also performing are the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, and the F-35 Heritage Flight. Free.
Image via Dance For Life Chicago's Facebook page.
DANCE FOR LIFE
August 20
Dance For Life started 25 years ago as a benefit for dancers suffering from the AIDS virus, and now includes those affected by other critical health issues. The evening at Auditorium Theatre includes performances from top local companies Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet. A special anniversary gala reception precedes the performance at the Hilton with funds raised benefiting The Dancers’ Fund and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance start at $15, and tickets for both the gala and performance start at $250.
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.
ALBANY PARK WORLD FEST
August 20 to 21
More than 70 languages spoken in the Albany Park community, and that diversity is represented in their restaurants, retailers and artists. The 3rd annual Albany Park World Fest brings them all together for one eclectic street fest that includes a sampling of world music and a carnival. Admission is a $5 donation benefitting Albany Park Neighbors.
Photo via Chicago Dancing Festival's website by Todd Rosenberg.
CHICAGO DANCING FESTIVAL
August 23 to 27
The Chicago Dancing Festival celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary this season. The festival features free performances from more than a dozen companies from around the country including local gems like the Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The five-day event takes place at venues all over downtown, including Auditorium Theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pritzker Pavilion, and for the first time, Navy Pier. All tickets are free, but must be secured in advance for some indoor venues. See website for details.
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.
TASTE OF GREEKTOWN
August 26 to 28
Chicago is rich with Greek culture and you can taste it this weekend at the 27th annual Taste of Greektown. Greektown is the center of Mediterranean cuisine in the city with restaurants lined up and down Halstead. The street fest will also have live music and entertainment and is open each day from noon to 11 p.m.
MOTOR ROW BEER + WINE FEST
August 27-28
Motor Row District, which lines Michigan Avenue’s near south side, was once home to car sale and repair shops, but has morphed into a residential and entertainment area. The Motor Row Craft Beer & Wine Fest follows suit, bringing libations and fun to the neighborhood for it’s second year. Fittingly, the fest will feature vintage cars along with live music and entertainment. $5 general gate donation benefits the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance.