12 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 4, 2017 5:05PM
Lollapalooza fans are really happy to be there, photo by Annie Lesser
Lollapalooza dominates the weekend in Chicago, but there's still plenty going on for those not interested in rocking out in Grant Park.
FRIDAY AUGUST 4
LOLLAPALOOZA: The music festival behemoth continues it's four-day run in Grant Park this weekend. Day One may have ended with a rain deluge and evacuation (check our our Thursday coverage here), but the music will go on with headliners Chance the Rapper, The Killers and Arcade Fire still to play. Be sure to read our Lolla survival guide and preview of can't miss acts to get you through the weekend. If you just can’t bear the thought of braving muddy grounds and inebriated crowds, don’t forget about the Red Bull TV live broadcast and all those official Lolla aftershows at venues all over town. Many of the acts playing the festival also play smaller clubs too numerous to list here.
VIRGIN HOTELS AFTERPARTIES: The party doesn’t end when the headliners stop at Lollapalooza. Virgin Hotels Chicago hosts free afterparties all weekend with special guests like Arcade Fire’s Win Butler, Stefan Ponce, The Walters and Hood Internet. Events begin at 9 p.m. each night and entry is first come, first served.
OUTER-DIMENSIONAL MC: Kool Keith is a legend. It could have been enough for him to be a founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, one of the earlier hip-hop groups to mix the commercial with the oddball to create something unmistakably their own. Post-MCs, Keith has had a wide-ranging solo career that shows him unwilling to sit back and relax, as he's adopted numerous aliases and hopped around stylistically as the muse has driven him. Our personal favorite project of his was the Dr. Octagon collaboration Keith did with Dan The Automator, Dr. Octagonecologyst, a wildly surrealistic ride equal parts future vision and psychedelic twists of wildly inventive wordplay. Kool Keith brings his show to 1st Ward at Chop Shop on Friday night, and Chicago's own hip-hop legend-in-the-making ShowYouSuck is one of the openers; so be sure to get there early.
JEFF FEST: Jeff Fest shows off the northwest neighborhood of Jefferson Park at their 17th annual community event. The event in Jefferson Memorial Park features something for the whole family, with wine tastings and kids' activities plus live music from the likes of The Buckinghams, Too White Crew and 16 Candles. Admission is a $5 donation benefitting the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce.
SATURDAY AUGUST 5
EDGEFEST: Edge = Edgewater at the annual EdgeFest. The North Side neighborhood is on display during the street fest with beer tents, eats and live music all weekend. Don’t miss Saturday’s Pet Parade at 11 a.m. Entry is a $5 suggested donation at the gate.
FLOODFEST: There are many ways to keep the party going once the lights go out at Lollapalooza. Head across the street to Chicago Athletic Association Hotel for FLOODfest where Gus of alt-J, Flint Eastwood, Grace Mitchell and Sylvan Esso will hold court with DJ sets and live performances inside Stagg Court. RSVP for free entry and complimentary Deep Eddy vodka drinks and Stumptown coffee courtesy of FLOOD Magazine.
THE HOUSE CHICAGO BUILT: While you’ll find plenty of EDM on Lollapalooza’s Perry’s stage, you won’t hear any of Chicago’s signature house music. The House Chicago Built is looking to rectify that with a concert at Estate. DJs Jesse Saunders and Michael Serafini, among others, will perform at the event, which is hosted by house-music community organization Manifest. Funds will go towards preserving Frankie Knuckles's record collection. Tickets are $20.
HOUSE THEATRE OPEN HOUSE: Check out what The House Theatre is working on at their free open house on Saturday. They’ll present short selections from five projects and offer tours of various creative spaces at the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Refreshments will be served. RSVP for free admission.
FRUIT AND NUT ROLL: Take a bike ride with Garfield Park Conservatory and learn about the region’s fruit and nut trees. The free “roll” begins at Douglas Park Field House at 9 a.m. and is BYOB (bring your own bike). There will also be bikes generously provided by Working Bikes.
SUNDAY AUGUST 6
Image courtesy of Harmony House for Cats.
PET PSYCHIC FAIR: Harmony House For Cats holds their annual Pet Psychic Fair fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Find out about your love life and loved ones (feline or human) who have passed during readings for $20. They’ll also have snacks, shopping and a raffle. Admission is free.
SAFEHOUSE TALES OF THE COLD WAR: Meet a real life spy at a special luncheon at SafeHouse Chicago at 11 a.m. The event will include presentations from Werner Juretzko, a former G-2 Intelligence Service Operative for the U.S. Army who was held prisoner by the KGB, as well as Francis Gary Powers Jr., the son of a famous CIA U-2 pilot shot down and captured by the Soviets. Tickets are $25 and include a buffet lunch.
MADE IN CHICAGO MARKET: The Reader hosts another Made in Chicago Market at Plumbers Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday. Celebrate and shop local vendors and makers in apparel, housewares, food and drink and more. Free.