It feels like I've been writing about rainy days and
Twin Peaks for weeks now. Don't let the upcoming wet days discourage you from enjoying this pre-Memorial Day weekend. Go out and enjoy this great list of events. And don't forget to keep watching
Twin Peaks (or in my case re-watch). Seriously, it's so good it hurts
Let's get our umbrellas out and get this weekend started!
THURSDAY, MAY 25th 
Charlie Virgo and Celine Neon @ The Elbo Room, 2871 N Lincoln Ave, 8:00PM
WHAT: A night of some amazing music
SO WHAT: Charlie Virgo's style mixes ecstatic rock sound with old school vocals that can only be accurately described (in this case self described) as punk rock Sinatra. Joining them will be Chicago's own
Celine Neon with their pristine grime pop that is sexy, dancy, and will become your new musical obsession.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this great night of music are only $10!
Hinds / Thick Business / Dehd @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, 8:30PM
WHAT: Red Bull Sound Select continues their eclectic music series with this great show at Empty Bottle
SO WHAT: This series of shows focus on local sounds handpicked by local tastemakers. The lineup this time around is curated by the Empty Bottle and will feature an amazing lineup including psychedelic rock from
Thick Business, pop perfection form local band
Dehd, jangly rock for the amazing
Hinds!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 at the door or $5 with RSVP. Entry is first come first serve for this 21+, so get their early and enjoy!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MAY 26th & 27th
NRBQ @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 8:30PM
WHAT: Another great show at the Hideout
SO WHAT: This legendary band has come a long way since their inception, but one thing that hasn't changed is the band's overwhelming great sound and set-list-less performances. Come see them in this inmate venue that has always supported this magnificent band.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this essential Chicago night of music are $20!
Tickets for Friday are here and the
Saturday tickets are here
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MAY 26th - 28th
Mole de Mayo @ Pilsen (on 18th St. between Ashland & Blue Island), Friday from 5:00PM - 10:00PM, Saturday & Sunday Noon - 10:00PM
WHAT: Mole variations
SO WHAT: Mole de Mayo is a three day event celebrating the Mexican food staple mole. The fest will include a Mole cook-off where local restaurant chefs will compete for the Mole de Mayo’s Best Mole Award and the People’s Choice Award! Along with the traditional mole booths sharing their delicious concoctions, this outdoor festival will feature three stages of live music, Lucha Libre (wrestling), and plenty of artisans and vendors selling their goods. Check out the full lineup of events here!
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested $5 donation for individuals or $10 for families for this sauce-y festival
FRIDAY, MAY 26th
Movie Poster Remakes @ Galerie F, 2415 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Movie posters recreated in new and exciting ways
SO WHAT: This new gallery at
Galerie F will pay tribute to beloved movies, from classic films to the current crop of blockbustr. NACO, one of the many artists in Movie Poster Remakes, curated the artists taking part in these re-interpretations of popular movies. You can expect a diverse range of stunning visuals (prints and originals) with work from illustrators designers and street artists! The lineup will include, ACTION!, Alexis Moulds, CHema Skandal!, Chris Duran, CHRISPY, Enrique Reyes, FEDZ, Ivan Vazquez, JH Jones, Jonathan Carradine, Kawaii Suga, Kayla Mahaffey, Kristina Smith, KOZMO, Laura Gomez, Lisa Gray, Liz Flores, MATR, NACO, Nicole Malcom, Penny Pinch, (ROHO), Tracee Badway, and Veronica Martinez!
NOW WHAT: This opening reception event is family friendly, free, and is sponsored with delcious beers by Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and hydration by Essentia Water!
Broods @ House of Blues, 329 N Dearborn St, 6:00PM
WHAT: Broods return to Chicago
SO WHAT:Brother and sister duo
Georgia and Caleb Nott have been very busy. Since the inception of their band Broods three years ago, the pair have release an EP and two fantastic full length albums on top of a very consistent tour schedule. Broods music exemplifies the best of electropop, with Georgia's lead vocals mingling wonderfully with Caleb's multi-instrumental talents.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available online for this cool show!
Happyness / Parent / Secret Bad Boy @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: Great music from across the pond (and two band from our own town)
SO WHAT: Happyness' unique re-imagining of US college rock sound is incredibly catchy and does a great job at keeping that laid back fun sound feeling alive and surprisingly fresh. They are touring in support of their sophomore album
Write In and will be joined by local bands
Parent, who dole out warped lysergic rock & roll, and the soulful sounds of
Secret Bad Boy.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this show are only $10!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY MAY 27th & 28th
Randolph Street Market Chicago @ Plumber's Hall, 1340 W Washington Blvd., 10:00AM - 5:00PM
WHAT: Randolph Street Market Chicago season opener
SO WHAT: Celebrate another year of this market with the Outdoor+Indoor Summer Season Opener Garden Party! The market runs on the last full weekend of the month from May-September so you can experience 300 vendors with the best of unique vintage, antique & repurposed furniture, art, decor, ephemera, vintage fashion for men/women, fancy foods, global goods and much, much more. There will be market bars, cabana, and shade shack for lounging in between booth visits and live music up each day to make for a fun time! You can see their full lineup of activities on their website!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the market are $8 for general admission
Mayfestiversary! @ Dovetail Brewery, 1800 W Belle Plaine Ave., 11:00AM - 10:00PM
WHAT: A
neighborhood party to celebrate Dovetail's one year brewing anniversary and the two-year anniversary of Begyle's taproom
SO WHAT: Dovetail and Begyle breweries are setting up for two days of amazing beer, live music, the finest food trucks this city has to offer. You'll also get a chance to browse through and purchase unique goods from local artisans and join your fellow neighbors in a great time! heck out the full lineup of music and food over at their event page.
NOW WHAT: Entrance to the fest is free!
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Foundations Of Music
SATURDAY, MAY 27th
the kates @ The Book Cellar, 4736 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: Comedy to help you get through the week
SO WHAT: the kates, an all female comedy showcase, features a semi-monthly line-up of the city's funniest, most talented comedians as well as emerging female comic performers. The show, produced by
Kelsie Huff, encourages its comedians to express their hilarious viewpoints unapologetically and have done so with great results! This edition of the kates will feature Portia Turner, Janice Rodriguez, Catlyne Lasser, Jan Slavin, Angelica Davila, Elyse Nylin, Mary Rose O'Connor, and Elizabeth Bird. the kates founder
Kelsie Huff will be hosting the showcase.
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation for this PG-13 show, so stop by for some laughs!
SUNDAY MAY 28th
Third Coast Percussion @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave., 8:30PM
WHAT: Chicago percussionists experimenting with new music
SO WHAT: Third Coast Percussion is a Grammy Award-winning, artist-run quartet of classically-trained percussionists from our very own Chicago. Currents is the group's musical laboratory, a program that allows them to try new music and approaches for the first time. The music in the program will include Katherine Young
's "just water, no lemon
", José Martínez's "Two Questions About Time" , Annika Socolofsky's "bellow", Third Coast Percussion
's "Reaction Yield", and Johannes Fischer's :what is any ocean but a collection of drops". Joining Third Coast Percussion will be guest violinist Annika Socolofsky.
NO WHAT:
Tickets for this show are $20 