This weekend is nuts. Below as always are my curated picks, but no joke folks, there are so many great events going this weekend that if I were to stuff all my favorites in this post it would be overwhelming. There are great big film events like
opening weekend of the 33rd Chicago Latino Film Festival and one of the more
jam packed weekends of the Palestine Film Festival with many of the director in attendance, but there are also some low key ones like
the 1960s Batman film/poster release and
the silent film showcase with live score at the Music Box Theatre. There are events for
chocolate aficionados,
wine lovers, and a whole weekend for those looking for a
Taste of Iceland. If there was ever a week to
check out the rest of our calendar, it is this week!
Now let's get on with you curated weekend!
THURSDAY, APRIL 20th
Ghostfreehood / Nick DiFabbio Pop-Up and Drink & Draw @ Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., Pop up from 3:00PM - 9:00PM, Drink & Draw 7:00PM - 9:00PM
WHAT: Some
gnarly 4/20 pop-up fun and BYOB drawing in a toy store/gallery
SO WHAT: Baltimore artist Ghostfreehood aka Nick DiFabbio is back in town for a special 6 hours only pop-up where he'll be dropping new pins and prints. Rotofugi will have two checkouts running for this pop up due to the overwhelming crowd of the last time he set up shop at the store. Then later on at 7pm Mary Ruth Butterworth will be hosting a fun evening of drawing, sketching and doodling! You can participate in the creative outlet while enjoying your favorite adult beverages, BYOB. No matter what skill level you reside at, all are welcome! And you can enjoy some free snacks courtesy of Yusho Japanese Grill & Noodle House!
NOW WHAT: Prepare yourself to be dazzled by some awesome pins and prints and then grab your favorite drink and enjoy it responsibly
while partaking in some creativity!
The Spins: Gorillaz's Demon Days @ GMan Tavern, 3740 N Clark St., 7:00PM
WHAT: A night of vinyl goodness
SO WHAT: Vinyl Me, Please is taking over GMan Tavern for their monthly The Spins event, this time featuring VMP's April Record of the Month: Gorillaz's Demon Days! It'll be a night of great music, meeting the local vinyl-loving community, and plenty of drinks. Demon Days sold out the same day it was announced an this event may be the last chance for you to walk away with a free copy of the album!
NOW WHAT: The vinyl friendly event is free, so go out and have a great time!
Mad Dogs & Englishmen featuring Remember Jones @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave., 8:00PM
WHAT: Lincoln Hall presents a recreation of the groundbreaking 1970 live album and tour,
Mad Dogs & Englishmen, starring acclaimed soul sensation Remember Jones and a 20-piece band.
SO WHAT: This dedication to Joe Cocker and Leon Russell will be recreated with the exact personnel from the original tour including a full choir, two drum kits, horn section, piano and Hammond B3, two guitars, and more. The last time Remember Jones was at Lincoln Hall for the Amy Winehouse "Back to Back to Black" revival and those shows sold out very quickly so get your tickets for this one now!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 for this must see recreation!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 21st - 23rd
C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo @ McCormick Place South Building, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr,
WHAT: The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2 – is a comic book and pop culture convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games in downtown Chicago.
SO WHAT: It's three days of everything you ever wanted to know about nerd culture and geek stuff in a totally cool and inclusive atmosphere. There will be panels, workshops, speakers, and a whole lot of cosplayers. It's honestly the most fun you'll have exploring your every nerdy whim!
Check out Marielle Shaw's rundown of the event!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available for
$70 for the whole weekend if you buy them before Friday when they will go up to $80. Single day tickets are also available and you can also get tickets at the door.
CIMMfest: Spring Fling @ 1st Ward at Chop Shop, 2033 W North Ave., Various times
WHAT: A Spring version of the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival to hold you over till the fall
SO WHAT: The ninth edition of CIMMfest will take place in the fall this year, so to help you pas the time CIMMfest will be throwing a Spring Fling. This three day fest will showcase music, movies about music, interesting panels, and tons of dancing at 1st Ward at Chop Shop! Check out the full lineup of events at their website!
NOW WHAT: You can purchase tickets or register from the free events to individual shows from the links above or purchase a weekend pass for $30 here!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 21st and 22nd
Jeff Tweedy @ The Vic, 3145 N Sheffield Ave., Doors open at 7:00PM for both shows
WHAT: Jeff Tweedy returns to the Vic for his yearly pair of shows raising scholarship money for the Montessori school that both of his children attended.
SO WHAT: What has become a magical two nights of the years returns as the Wilco frontman stands solo on stage with an acoustic guitar and performers an all-request setlist. It's the perfect opportunity for die hard Tweedy fans to here some rarities in an inmate setting
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available and range from $50 to $150 for this all ages show.
Friday tickets are here and
Saturday tickets are here!
Lake FX Creative Con @ Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, 10:00AM - 8:00PM
WHAT: A chance for creative professionals to learn more about their craft
SO WHAT: The Lake FX CreativeCon will feature keynotes by industry leaders, 50+ interactive workshops, discussions with national arts leaders, networking opportunities and showcases of local music and film.
You can check out the full schedule here!
NOW WHAT: It's free! Go and discover something new!
FRIDAY, APRIL 21st
The Wedding Present / Colleen Green @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave, 9:00PM
WHAT: Two must see bands
SO WHAT: The Wedding Present have a long and varied career, starting out in the mid 80s in Leeds, England and eventually reforming in the mid 2000s. Their sound remains true to their post punk jangle that made them the name they are today. The amazing
Colleen Green Band whose bright pop with intense guitars will be opening up the night.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 for this great lineup!
Yoko and the Oh No's / The Claudettes @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave., 9:30PM
WHAT: Two great Chicago bands
SO WHAT: This is a perfect lineup of Chicago bands. The Claudettes will play their punk blend of jazz and blues right at 9:30 then Yoko and the Oh No's straight up soulful rock and roll sound will land a little bit after 10:30. This is the only Chicago show for either band for quite a while, so don't miss this show!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, get on this show!
SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd
Record Store Day @ Various Venues, All day
WHAT: Record Store Day, a worldwide event that brings record store staff, customers, and artists together in a celebration of the music community.
SO WHAT: This is the tenth anniversity of RSD where you can go to your favorite participating record store and get exclusive releases, giveaways, and in store performances! This event typically fills up record stores for what is usually their biggest day of the year.
NOW WHAT: Check out our guide to Record Store Day! It's full of great events that will keep you busy all RSD!
The Gold Web / The Bottom Dollars @ Emporium Arcade Bar Wicker Park, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave., 8:00PM
WHAT: Wild costumes, art-glam tunes, and arcade machines
SO WHAT: The Gold Web is Chicago’s art-glam monstrosity. They mix their gonzo theatrical stage shows with their flashy and utter catchy songs that hypnotize you with surreal synths and manic beat. Joining them will be
The Bottom Dollars and their genre amalgamation of psychedelic rock, punk, and a little soul.
NOW WHAT: This 21+ show is completely free!
SUNDAY, APRIL 23rd
Time Out Chicago's Wingfest @ Deuce's and The Diamond Club, 3505 N Clark St., 11:30AM - 4:00PM
WHAT: A festival of wings!
SO WHAT: Get ready to feast on a huge variety of wings at WingFest presented by Time Out Chicago, where we'll sample the delicious wings from some the city’s favorite wing spots. Participating in the event will be Deuce's and the Diamond Club, Monti's, Barn & Company, The Fifty/50, Kimski, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Son of a Butcher, and Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed.
You’ll also get to sip on BuckleDown Brewing beer and Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey. Plus you can watch the Cubs' away-game with a lively crowd!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are are $25 for each session of the fest (Session 1: 11:30am - 1:30pm, Session 2: 2:00pm - 4:00pm). Your ticket will let you try 2 wings from each participating restaurant, 2 D.E.W. & a Brew boilermakers (a shot of Tully and a BuckleDown Brewing beer).
Here, Chicago @ Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave., 8:00PM
WHAT: Storytelling and food to make your night more enjoyable
SO WHAT: Here, Chicago, hosted by Janna Sobel and
Nnamdi Ngwe, is a storytelling show and potluck that has played to sold-out houses over the last five years. Their mission is to bring people together from Chicago's various professional, creative, cultural and social communities to connect and be inspired by each other. This edition of the show will feature Jenny Maguire, Abraham Mellish, Sandra Wortham, and Nestor Gomez! There are also 5 open storytelling spots for audience members who would like to participate and tell their own story.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $11 or free if you bring a pot luck dish. Be inventive and no junk food.
