10 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 30, 2017 5:05PM
Image courtesy of Special Events Management.
Street fests, a film fest, music and more have the city hoppin' this weekend.
FRIDAY JUNE 30
WINDY CITY RIBFEST: Robinson Ribs, Chicago BBQ Company, Rancho Mateo and more will be serving up deliciousness in Uptown this weekend at the 9th annual Windy City Ribfest. The fest also has live music from funk and soul groups JC Brooks Band and Get Up With the Get Downs and others. Entry is a $5 gate donation benefitting Business Partners and The Chamber for Uptown.
70MM FILM FESTIVAL: The Music Box Theatre says thousands of pounds of film will be shipped across the country for this year’s 70mm Film Fest. Some of the top titles for this year’s festival include West Side Story, Top Gun, Hook, Interstellar and a brand new 70mm DTS print of 2001: A Space Odyssey commissioned by the Music Box. For a full list of films and showtimes, visit the Music Box’s website. The festival runs through July 13.
Changes. Photo by Josh Hawkins.
SCI-FI TAP OPERA: Chicago Tap Theatre presents a sci-fi dance opera inspired by the music of none other than David Bowie. This is the third remount of Changes twisting science fiction serials and tap dance with new arrangements of Bowie’s music. Changes runs through July 16 at Stage 773. Tickets are $37.
RATBOYS RELEASE PARTY: Chicago's Ratboys' new album GN (a.k.a. Goodnight) sees the band adding unexpected new dimensions to their repertoire. Previously the band, built around the core duo of Julia Steiner and Dave Sagan, specialized in the fields of lo-fi indie pop, constructing winning little numbers that were powered by charm and fuzz pedals. On GN, Ratboys turns their skills toward a full-blown technicolor production when compared with their previous work. The music is more ambitious without ever losing sight of the easy, loping charms that endeared the band to us in the first place. The band's live shows have grown similarly tighter and more accomplished, so expect the group to be a force to behold when they play Schubas Friday night to celebrate the release of GN.
Photo courtesy of Chosen Few DJs.
SATURDAY JULY 1
CHOSEN FEW PICNIC + REUNION: Chicago is the home of house music, and the weekend’s Chosen Few DJs Picnic & Music Festival at Jackson Park celebrates its heritage. This is the 27th annual picnic featuring deejays all day long including Alan King, Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders and more. Tickets are $25 in advance ($35 on site).
FESTIVAL OF LIFE: The 25th Annual African & Caribbean Festival of Life lights up Union Park this weekend with music, food and culture. Reggae, gospel, house music and R&B each get a day at the fest, and there’s fun for the whole family with carnival rides and arts and crafts. Tickets start at $25 for a single-day pass.
LIVE ON LINCOLN: With Star Events and Silver Wrapper behind the Live on Lincoln, you can bet that the musical lineup is going to be stacked. Synth-pop band Polica, funk band The Motet and local soul group Chicano Batman will be a draw at the two-day Lakeview festival in it’s inaugural year. Local vendors will also be out in force selling wares and eats. Admission is $10.
SUPERMODEL MEET + GREET: Victoria’s Secret Angel Miranda Kerr will be at the Sephora on Michigan Avenue promoting her new skincare line, Kora Organics from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fans have the opportunity to have a photo taken with Kerr, learn about the line and take home a free deluxe sample. Wristbands for the 1 p.m. photo op will be handed out beginning at 10 a.m.
WARRIOR GAMES: Witness true feats of physical and spiritual strength at the Department of Defense Warrior Games this week at Museum Campus. The Paralympic-style event showcases the resilient spirit of our nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. The games kick off on Saturday with a concert hosted by Jon Stewart at Soldier Field featuring performances from Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and more. Tickets for the concert start at $40 (discounted tickets available on Groupon), but admission to most of the Warrior Games events are free. Visit their website for more information.
SUNDAY JULY 2
Image courtesy of The Capitol Steps.
THE CAPITOL STEPS: Political staffers-turned-comedians The Capitol Steps make an appearance at City Winery this Sunday at 7 p.m. They've been making fun of the establishment since 1981 as one-time staffers for Senator Charles Percy. Now they travel the country doing more than 500 shows a year, and let's be honest, there's got to be more source material now than ever. Tickets start at $42.