Pokémon Go. It's literally everywhere, hell it's right here in this post. Over the weekend the game seemed to infiltrate every aspect of my life. Friends, family, strangers were walking around and asking me if I knew where the Eevee was hiding (I didn't) or if I was looking for Squirtle (I wasn't). I literally passed dozens of people roaming around the city looking for Pokémon and I'll admit, I was intrigued enough to try it. While I feel it's no different than playing a matching colorful jewels/candy/thing-associated game on the train or whatever other fun time-waster has taken over phones, Pokémon Go seems to be fostering a sense of community. People are actually enjoying themselves and aside from a few people abusing the system, I sincerely think it's a good thing. It's a strange mini phenomenon that is bringing people together, one that I feel will unfortunately drift away like most other things in this by-the-moment culture the internet has fostered.
It's ok, though. If it does fade, the whole thing will be a worthy reprieve before most switch to the next thing or return to the mundanity of everyday life.
No more succumbing to the latest albeit interesting and worthwhile trends, let's get your weekend started right.
THURSDAY, JULY 14th
GirlPinGang Pop-Up @ Cafe Mustache, 2313 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00PM-8:00PM
WHAT: A pin and patch collective sharing their wares
SO WHAT: Pins and patches have been getting big the past year with social media sites like Instagram being flooded with new artists make up to the minute culture references with enamel and thread. GirlPinGang collective is made of female pin creators make the some of the coolest pins out there. Creepy Co., Sabretooth Dream, Full Sweatpants, Break Even Worldwide, LastCraft, Salad Days Pins, Reppin and plenty more will be on hand to guide you into upping your flair game.
NOW WHAT: Grab a drink at Cafe Mustache's bar and begin accessorizing like a boss.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JULY 15-17
Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St., Friday: 3:30-10:00 amd Saturday-Sunday: 1:00-10:00
WHAT: A music festival focused on some of the best music you can find today
SO WHAT: Pitchfork have been the taste-makers in the just-under-mainstream community for a while and they know how to put on a good festival. Headliners include Beach House and Broken Social Scene on Friday, Sufjan Stevens and Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds (!) on Saturday, and FKA twigs and Miguel finishing up on Sunday. The rest of the lineup for the whole weekend is as strong as the headliners, with a mix of local wonders (Whitney, Circuit Des Yeux, and Homme to name a few) and must see acts (Carly Rae Jepsen, ANDERSON .Paak & the Free Nationals, Kamasi Washington) . Honestly, this one is a no brainer.
NOW WHAT: Get your tickets here, $65 a day and $165 for the weekend, and brave the heat and likely terrible weather on Sunday for an amazingly fun festival
FRIDAY JULY 15
Street Level Exhibition Opening @ Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00PM-10:00PM
WHAT: A gallery opening that is also celebrating Galerie F's 4th anniversary
SO WHAT: Galerie F is one of the biggest and best supporters of Chicago street art. They support tried and true veterans of the scene and actively look for new artists to join their wonderful community. This gallery opening anniversary show is bringing together a ton of artists they have worked with in the past to create what is looking to be a "best of Galerie F". The confirmed lineup is a who's who of street with art including Mosher, Sentrock,
CHema Skandal! and way to many more to list.
You can check out the full lineup here.
NOW WHAT: This is another free event by Galerie F and their opening are always a blast. If you can make it for this, the exhibition will continue for the rest of the month.
SATURDAY, JULY 16th
Dusty Groove 20th Anniversary @ Dusty Groove,1120 N Ashland Ave., 12:00PM - 5:00PM
WHAT: A block party bash for a great Chicago record store
SO WHAT: It's 20 years of slinging wax to Chicago music fans, so Dusty Grove is taking over Haddon Street at Ashland Ave. for a day filled with plenty of food and drinks.Food will be provided by
Antique Taco, B. Bim Asian Eatery, Dove's Luncheonette, Falafel & Grill, Dark Matter Coffee, Revolution Brewing, Lovely: A Bake Shop, Serrelli’s Sausage, Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar, Pizza Metro, 5411 Empanadas, West Town Bakery & Diner and plenty more. There will also be live entertainment and DJ sets including a reunion of
Jazz In The Alley. Plus there will be awesome giveaways and prizes all day.
NOW WHAT: It's free and family friendly event, so mosey on down to Wicker Park and join in on the vinyl shop love
Striking a Balance: Professionals with a Passion for Writing @ Chicago Publishers Resource Center, 858 N. Ashland Ave., 2:00PM
WHAT: Chicago Publishers Resource Center (CHIPRC) is hosting Striking a Balance: Professionals with a Passion for Writing, which explores how to find balance between passion and paycheck.
SO WHAT: The first event in the series is Aspiring Writers, which centers on writers dreaming of being published to workers who have a 9-5 job and write on the side, and anyone who looking to find a balance between working and writing. A panel of professionals will share insight on getting published including Julia Borcherts, co-founder of Reading Under the Influence live literary series, publicist at Kaye Publicity, and creative writing professor at Columbia College Chicago and National Louis University; and Ben Tanzer, award-winning book author, senior director of acquisitions at Curbside Splendor, and lecturer at Lake Forest College.
NOW WHAT: There will be a $5 donation at the door for the panel and it sounds like it'll be more than worth it.
Wiener-Dog, featuring a Q&A with director Todd Solondz @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: A night that is sure to get weird at the Music Box Theatre
SO WHAT: If you don't know Todd Solondz, you are missing out on one of the strangest and most talented writer/directors out there. Solondz specializes in creating films that feature extremely eccentric and sometimes disturbingly damaged characters interacting with the world around them. Solondz's films can be hard to watch and even tougher to come to terms with, but they are undeniable good.
Weiner-Dog looks at the absurdity of life through the eyes of a weiner-dog as he moves from owner to owner. The cast includes Greta Gerwig, Julie Delpy, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn, and Zosia Mamet,
If dark comedy is your bag, then this is the event of the weekend. Plus Todd Solondz will be in attendance.
NOW WHAT: Get your tickets here and prepare your weirdest questions for Todd Solondz
SUNDAY, JULY 17th
Chinatown Summer Fair @ Chinatown, Wentworth Ave from Cermak Rd to 24th Pl., 10:00AM-8:00PM
WHAT: An iconic event celebrating the beauty of Chinese culture
SO WHAT: Visitors to the event will be able to see the revered Lion Dance Procession as well as partake in Chinese classical dance and music, martial arts demonstrations, and displays of ancient art forms and disciplines. There will be plenty of also New and Old World music performed by local and regional acts, food from award-winning neighborhood restaurants, a Childrens Museum, petting zoo, and a few contests like "cutest baby" and a male "hot legs" competition. It a nice mesh of ancient and modern Chinese culture.
NOW WHAT: The event is free and a nice way to end your weekend
