I hope everyone had a fun and safe pre-fourth of July weekend. I'm still recovering from the holiday. Not so much from partying (of which there was a fair bit) as it was working and utter lack of sleep. But that won't stop me from recommending some great events for you this weekend.
Now, there plenty of events going on this weekend, but I'm going to start with the most obvious because no matter how enormous this thing is, it still merits a mention and visit. So here goes:
THE WHOLE WEEKEND, JULY 7-10
The Taste of Chicago @ Grant Park, 337 E Randolph St, Thursday and Friday 11:00AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00AM to 9:00PM
WHAT: The big over the top mainstay I previously mentioned.
SO WHAT: Food is the obvious main attraction and there is way more of it than any reasonable human being can handle. Every taste bud will be satisfied and then some. Besides food there is plenty to do, including a little shopping at the market and checking out some fantastic bands, the big headliners at the Perillo Stage and the local acts at the Bud Light Stage. I would highly suggest making time see the local musician because the lineup is pretty stacked. I don't want to single any day or group out but there just so happens to be a block of time on Saturday (2:40-6:20pm) where a few bands (Glass Lux, Impulsive Hearts, Celine Neon) are playing and it should not be missed.
NOW WHAT: Food is pricey, but at least the entertainment is mostly free.
THURSDAY, JULY 7th
Luna/Deeper @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St , 8:30PM
WHAT: The return of Luna’s ’99-’05 lineup
SO WHAT: Luna came to be after Dean Wareham’s departure from Galaxie 500 and allowed his ever brilliant voice to continue. Filled with a fragility and a sincere beauty, Luna satiated fans of Wareham’s previous band. When Luna broke up in 2005, they left a hole in the indie rock world. Ten years later, the band got back together after an off the cuff suggestion by Britta Phillips in an interview where she hinted they would be returning. The group embarked an a grand tour, stopping at HOB Chicago last year and now you get another chance to see this wonderful band. This Luna lineup is made up of Dean Wareham and Sean Eden on guitar, Lee Wall on drums, and Britta Phillips on bass. They will be joined by local band Deeper, who’s sound is a nice match to Luna’s spacey tunes.
NOW WHAT: Go to Thalia Hall and bask in the musical light of Luna.
Tickets are $20
FRIDAY JULY 8th
Exhibit Opening for Magical Girls by Brett Manning and Reasonable Expectations New Works by Jay Ryan & Ben Chlapek @ Rotofugi, , 7:00PM
WHAT: The first day of another magnificent exhibition at Rotofugi, 2760 N. Lincoln Ave.
SO WHAT: Rotofugi is best place for vinyl figures and pop culture art in town. The shop in font is a rainbow of toys, figures, and statuettes while towards the back the gallery is filled with amazing works from equally amazing artists. This time around, print-maker extraordinaire Jay Ryan and wonderful artist/designer Ben Chlapek take over the main gallery with their unique and instantly recognizable art. The Side Gallery will be occupied by the beautiful paintings of Indiana-based artist Brett Manning.
NOW WHAT: Embrace your inner (or outer) art aficionado and appreciate some great artwork
Opening Reception for Resonant Objects @ Logan Center, 915 E 60th Street, & Arts Incubator, 301 E Garfield Blvd., 6:00PM
WHAT: An art exhibit focusing on the social and spatial conditions of the artists’ South Side surroundings.
SO WHAT: Resonant Objects showcases the work of Chicago-based artists Greg Bray, Aquil Charlton, and Nazafarin Lotfi during their participation in the University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life and Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture Artists-in-Residence Program.
NOW WHAT: Enjoy the opening reception of this interesting exhibition, which will be on display at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th Street,
and Arts Incubator, 301 E Garfield Blvd and will run until August 8th.
Check out the website for more details.
SATURDAY, JULY 9th
Tour de Fat @ Palmer Square Park, 2200 N Kedzie Ave., 10:00AM
WHAT: A bike parade through Humboldt Park and Logan Square that culminates at Palmer Square Park
SO WHAT: New Belgium Brewing Company puts on a bike ride and concert for all ages. There will be plenty of beer and food to go around and chances to win prizes like a New Belgium bike and even trade your bike for a new car. Let's not forget Mucca Pazza and Dr. Dog jamming out providing the perfect music for a bike parade.
NOW WHAT: Full Schedule is available here, where you can register to donate and get some exclusive swag or just head out their with your bike and join in on the festivities.
SATURDAY, JULY 9th - SUNDAY, JULY 10th
Then Came The Fall @ Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W Washington St., 4:00PM
WHAT: A staged reading
Then Came the Fall, written by Nahal Navidar and directed by Azar Kazemi
SO WHAT: Indian summer delivers hope and light on a gorgeous morning in Brooklyn Heights. Nasrin, an Iranian-American PhD student, and Donovan, an elevator repairman, plan for a bright future together, but when explosions from the other side of the Hudson shake their world, the ashes of fear and hatred quietly creep in and haunt Donovan’s mind. In a post 9/11 xenophobic environment where intolerance is the new status-quo, the couple finds themselves questioning if they will survive the fall. At a time when Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric is at a high point, Silk Road Rising’s staged reading examines what happens when intolerance is the new normal.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased
online.
