12 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 1, 2016 5:53PM
Mark de Clive-Lowe performs at Millennium Park on Thursday. Photo courtesy of DCASE.
Wine, film, music and art make up just a few of our favorite events in the city this week.
MONDAY AUGUST 1
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: Popular Swedish indie folk singer Jose Gonzalez will take the stage Monday evening at the Millennium Park Summer Music Series. Also performing are Tall Heights, another folk-inspired group joined with cello and acoustic guitar. These free concerts take place most Mondays and Thursdays on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY AUGUST 2
ECLECTIC READING SERIES: It’s time again for that eclectic Tuesday Funk reading series at Hopleaf. The monthly reading series features works from Ryan Bartelmay, Ines Bellina, Vojislav Pejovic, Angel Simmons and Connie Voisine this time around. 7: 30 p.m. Free.
FEMALE FILMMAKERS NIGHT: It’s the annual Female Filmmakers Night at this month’s Midwest Independent Film Festival First Tuesdays event. The evening will feature films from premieres and festival winners directed by women from throughout the Midwest. Many of the filmmakers will also participate in a post-screening discussion. Also just announced, Saturday Night Live alum Julia Sweeney will headline the Producers Panel beginning at 6 pm. Films begin at 7:30 p.m. at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema. Tickets start at $10.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: National Night Out builds relations between police officers and the people that they serve at a fun community event. The night comes at an important time with high tensions around officer involved shootings all over the country lately. Meet local officers and find ways to encourage safety and deter crime together. Check CPD’s website for an event in your district.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3
Photo: Errisson Lawrence Costumes: Kym Barrett © 2015 Cirque du Soleil.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: 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. The show opens Wednesday and runs through Tickets start at $42.
WINE TASTING: Try six different South American wines at III Forks Prime Steakhouse at a tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. Be a "Sommelier for a Day" as wine specialist Jessica Marshall-Bruckner guides guests through the samples. Hors d'oeuvres from Executive Chef Cedric Harden are also included. Tickets are $20 per person. Call 312.938.4303 for reservations.
Photo courtesy of City Winery.
WINE + COMEDY: Find the perfect mix of wine and laughter at City Winery on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Comedian/Sommelier Patrick Ney (Second City, Chelsea Lately) presents the High Spirits Comedy + Wine Tasting Show that includes a crash course in wine type, region, year and label and interactive blind tastings. Other Chicago based comedians will also perform standup during tastings. Tickets are $45. Shows are at 6:30 p.m. both nights with an additional later show on Thursday.
STORIES ON THE MOVE: The Active Transportation Alliance and Heritage Bicycles General Store host the transportation-themed storytelling event Stories on the Move beginning at 7 p.m. Hear tales of getting around from Sharon Feigon (Shared Use Mobility Center), Alan Gagne (Heritage Bicycles) and more before participating in the open mic portion. A $5 donation gets you a complimentary New Belgium beer.
THURSDAY AUGUST 4
Image via Bowie Ball's website.
BOWIE BALL: Bowie Ball is back at Berlin this Thursday. Celebrate the life of the legend with “Bowiesque” DJ sets from Heaven Malone and Maewest and get glammed up in their makeover booth. “Bowieoke” is also expected at midnight. Lucy Stoole will serve as the mistress of ceremonies for an evening of glam, glitter and rock. RSVP here for reduced cover before 11 p.m.
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: The free Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues on Thursday with performances from Sudanense native and solo artist Sinkane and New Zealand musician, composer and producer Mark de Clive-Lowe. Both artists utilize jazz and electronic music in their genre blending compositions. These free concerts take place most Mondays and Thursdays on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY AUGUST 5
Photo courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
HOT DOG FEST: 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.
ART ALLEY: The Loop Alliance art and music series ACTIVATE continues with a theme of “SEE” in Couch Place Alley. View the alley walls in a new way as artists transform them into canvases. There are also deals available at nearby bars, restaurants, retailers and cultural institutions. RSVP in advance for one free beer or wine. Free.