14 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 18, 2017 5:28PM
Blue Angels image via Chicago Air & Water Show's Facebook page.
The roar of the Air & Water Show will serve as the city's main event this weekend, but there's a lot of other fun to be had!
FRIDAY AUGUST 18
TACOS Y TAMALES FESTIVAL: Based on the open air Mexican market known as tianguis, the second annual Tacos y Tamales Festival hits Pilsen this weekend. Of course there will be boatloads of tacos y tamales from Chicago and Latin America, but also art installations, merchant vendors, Modelo cerveza and live entertainment. Entry is a $5 suggested donation benefiting the Frida Kahlo Community Organization.
FESTA ITALIANA: Get a mouthful of Italian culture at Festa Italiana this weekend in Little Italy. The neighborhood’s classic restaurants will serve up meatballs, cannoli and more while Italian-American song and dance entertains. Four stages put classic Italian singers alongside rock bands and DJs.
LINCOLN SQUARE GREEK FEST: Father Apostolos Georgiafentis & Father Chris Mihalopoulos welcome one and all to St. Demetrios’ annual summer festival celebrating Hellenic culture. Lincoln Square Greek Fest celebrates the parish’s 89 years in the neighborhood with authentic Greek food, music, dancing and family-friendly festivities over three days. A $5 donation is requested for entry.
VIDEO RELEASE: Chicago's Razorhouse is steeped in the history of the Chicago music scene. So it feels fitting they'd release a tribute video to Regan "who was a fixture in Chicago’s punk and LGBTQ bar scene from the late 1970s until her death in 1997." Mark Panick's Nick Cave meets Industrial vibe perfecty soundtracks this tribute, and the band will play GMan Tavern Friday night to celebrate the video's release.
SATURDAY AUGUST 19
CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW: That zooming and roaring you hear in the air in the third week of August is preparation for the 59th Annual 
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
DANCE FOR LIFE: Eight dance companies band together for this year’s Dance for Life Chicago including world renowned locals Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance and Giordano Dance. The annual benefit performance supports The Dancers’ Fund, which provides assistance to members of the dance community coping with critical health and life issues, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The performance at Auditorium Theatre is preceded by a gala reception and buffet dinner at the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom (tickets sold separately) beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets to the performance only start at $15.
PILSEN FEST: Celebrate diversity, solidarity and unity at this weekend’s Pilsen Fest. The Latino community’s outdoor street fest welcomes artists, musicians and food culture from around the city.
Photo courtesy of Morton's Steakhouse.
WINE DINNER: Morton's Steakhouse on Wacker welcomes Rombauer Vineyards for an interactive wine experience beginning at 6:30 p.m. Representatives Reagan Rombauer Blackwood and Bob Knebel will be hosting the five-course dinner that includes Fried Oysters, Grilled Lamb and Filet Oscar. Tickets are $125. To reserve a spot, email Colleen Dunne at mtwkcsm3@ldry.com or call 312-201-0464.
GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: Paper Bullets were a shining light in the mid aughts Chicago scene, so we're excited that Traci Trouble and her coterie of, um, troublemakers, is back. Even if it might only be for one night, we're excited to take in this straight up heavy dose of rock and/or roll. Check them out at Township on Saturday night.
SUNDAY AUGUST 20
Image via Sangria Festival's event website.
SANGRIA FESTIVAL: Sangria may just be wine, juice and fruit, but it also represents the beginning of a carefree fiesta. Sip on some sangria while enjoying paired cuisine at the weekend’s Sangria Festival in Humboldt Park. They’ll have live music and flamenco dance performances that will make you feel like you’ve landed in a tropical destination. Tickets start at $20.
SOUTH SHORE SUMMER FEST: The South Shore Cultural Center hosts the neighborhood's 7th annual South Shore Summer Fest from 3 to 8 p.m. The afternoon fest features local food, art and musical acts like '70s R&B and funk legends Cameo and smooth soul crooners LeVert.
Image courtesy of Vintage Garage Chicago.
VINTAGE GARAGE: Vintage Garage Chicago has a new theme for August: Vintage Weddings. In addition to the usual vintage furniture, decor and apparel, this month’s sale will put a focus on nuptials with wedding dresses, china, glassware and more. They’ll also have appraisals available from noon to 4 p.m. The sale is open at Broadway and Argyle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5.
SOUNDTRACK OF THE CITY: Old Town School of Folk Music presents the “Soundtrack of the City: Country Skyline” with a free concert on Navy Pier this weekend at 6 p.m. Hometown artist Robbie Fulks & Friends will play on the Polk Bros Performance Lawns’ Lake Stage honoring the city’s country music history.
WINE SHOWDOWN: ENO Wine Room’s tasting experience puts Old World up against New World during two sessions: 3 and 6 p.m. Expert sommeliers will lead the Wine Showdown pointing out differences between the varietal classifications. Cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates will also be served. Tickets are $55.