14 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 7, 2017 4:12PM
Chicago Picasso image courtesy of the City of Chicago.
Whether you're recovering from Lolla or gearing up for the week ahead, we hope you’re ready for food, films and street fests this week, Chicago!
MONDAY AUGUST 7
MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER MUSIC: The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues on Mondays and Thursdays with free outdoor concerts from notable local and national acts. This Monday take a trip south of the border with singer songwriter and Latin GRAMMY® Award winner Gaby Moreno and Mexican regional electronic music project CENTAVRVS. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. at Pritzker Pavilion.
TUESDAY AUGUST 8
CHICAGO PICASSO ANNIVERSARY: Chicago's Picasso at Daley Plaza has become an instantly recognizable icon of the city since it’s placement in 1967. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, the city is recreating the unveiling of the sculpture in an event dubbed “Everyone’s Picasso” at noon. The restaging ceremony will also include performances from Chicago Children’s Choir, the After School Matters Orchestra.
FULL MOON DOUBLE FEATURE: Enjoy a full moon double feature at this week’s Millennium Park Summer Film Series. Pull up a blanket on the lawn or grab a seat in the pavilion for the free screenings of Ghost (PG-13) and The Shining (R) on Jay Pritzker Pavilion’s 40-foot LED screen. Movies begin at 6:30 p.m.
AFRICAN SAFARI WINE CLASS: BIN 36 owner / beverage director Enoch Shully lived in South Africa until 2012, and he’s going to share his knowledge of regional wines at a special African Safari Wine Class. Sample varietals like Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, and Merlot with “complex and earthy expressions.” Class begins at 6: 30 p.m. and tickets are $35.
TASTE OF CHINATOWN CRUISE: Take a sunset river cruise from Chinatown to the lake while enjoying regional Chinese cuisine. The Taste of Chinatown Summer Cruise will depart Ping Tom Memorial Park at 6 p.m. and will also feature live music from The Francis Wyatt Trio. Tickets are $75.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9
PARK AT WRIGLEY MOVIES: The Park at Wrigley keeps the great American pastime close at heart with a free outdoor screening of The Sandlot at 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Music Box Theatre, the evening will also feature interactive games and comedy from ComedySportz.
Photo courtesy of Bar Roma.
ANDERSONVILLE DINNER CRAWL: The annual Andersonville Dinner Crawl returns this Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will offer two curated dining routes, the “Golden Fork” or “Silver Spoon,” each featuring 11 neighborhood small plate stops, or opt in for access to both routes with “The Works.” Tickets are $30 in advance.
ROCKFORD'S FINEST: Cheap Trick is still releasing albums that hit harder than most band's debut, over 40 years into their career. This year's We're All Alright! keeps the intensity dialed up, with the only look backward being the album's wink at the band's breakout hit "Surrender." Everything else about the LP is a solid argument for Cheap Trick still holding the title of one of America's best working rock bands now or ever. We're not sure why Foreigner and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience would agree to be blown away on a bill they share with someone like Cheap Trick, but maybe the challenge will force all the band to bring their A game when they all play Huntington Bank Pavilion on Wednesday night.
THURSDAY AUGUST 10
MILLENNIUM PARK MUSIC SERIES: Music from Senegal and Syria gets the spotlight at this Thursday’s Millennium Park Summer Music Series free concert. Global artist Youssou N’Dour has a recording career that spans 30 years. Also playing is Bassel & The Supernaturals led by Syrian-American front man Bassel Almadani who captures the crisis of his family in Syria with neo-soul and funk.
The Fly Honey Show, Photo by Megan Lee Miller
FLY HONEYS: This annual sex-positive, body-positive burlesque-inspired experimental cabaret is back for another year, this time at the Den Theatre in Wicker Park. The Fly Honeys bring sexy-as-all-heck dancing and performance art to the stage, celebrating "everybody, no matter what your body," and we expect this year to be no different. The show runs on weekend nights through September 2 with a rotating ensemble of dancers, artists and musicians. Get in on the fierce, feminist show by purchasing tickets here. Shows at 10:30 p.m., ticket prices range from $23-80.
FRIDAY AUGUST 11
Chicago Hot Dog Fest 2017 from Chicago History Museum on Vimeo.
CHICAGO HOT DOG FEST: A whole festival dedicated to hot dogs? Yes, please. Chicago Hot Dog Fest takes place this weekend outside the Chicago History Museum and they’ll have encased meats from Downtown Dogs, Byron’s Hot Dogs, Chicago’s Dog House, Dog House Grill and many more. They’ll also have live music all day long with Sixteen Candles, Mike & Joe and a Prince Tribute by Robert Cornelius & Friends headlining. Admission is $5.
FESTIVAL CUBANO: This year’s Festival Cubano in Riis Park is chock full of cultural music, food, art and even the costume portion of the Miss Teen U.S. Latina Beauty Pageant. A celebration of freestyle and house music kicks off the weekend on Friday night with Cuban-American DJs Julian Jumpin' Perez and Nayobe, and notable musicians like sonero Michael Stuart and timba group David Calzado y la Charanga Habanera are among the fests other headliners. Admission starts at $15.
Image via Retro on Roscoe's Facebook page.
RETRO ON ROSCOE: The family-friendly street fest Retro on Roscoe features live bands and an Antique Car Show that fills the weekend. Come prepared to sing along with the familiar tunes of headliners Too White Crew, 16 Candles, Wedding Banned, Mr. Blotto, American English, Trippin’ Billies and The Boy Band Night. Entry is a $10 donation.
SAUCED NIGHT MARKET: House of Vans will play host to the SAUCED Summer Night Market from 5 to 11 p.m. More than 50 vendors from chefs to artisans and other local talent will come together for an evening of food, drink and live art. Entry is free with RSVP.