Festival season has been having a fantastic start this year and it is now in full force!
Ribfest Chicago,
34th Annual Chicago Blues Festival,
Spring Awakening,
Printers Row Lit Fest (we highly suggest the
PS: You Sound Like Someone I Can Trust - PRLF Book Release), and so many more are happening this weekend. There is no reason to stay in this weekend considering all the amazing events going on!
So let's enjoy the summer weather and get your curated weekend going!
THURSDAY, JUNE 8th
Keith Lesmeister / Ben Tanzer / Toni Nealie @ Curbside Books & Records, 125 S Clark St., 6:00PM
WHAT: A very worthwhile reading at Curbside
SO WHAT: Three great writers will be heading to Revival Hall to read at Curbside Books & Records:
Keith Lesmeister, author of We Could’ve Been Happy Here, a collection of stories; Ben Tanzer, overseer of the lifestyle empire This Blog Will Change Your Life, and author of Be Cool; and Toni Nealie, author of The Miles Between Me, an essay collection about homeland, dispersal, heritage and family.
NOW WHAT: This reading is free, so go out and have a great evening listening to these great writers
Half Gringa / Gia Margaret / Mia Joy / Lykanthea @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave., 8:30PM
WHAT: An in-the-round performance of amazing local musical sensations
SO WHAT: Half Gringa and her folky rock will headline this night of powerful musicians including Lykanthea, a prolific electronic musician who will add a beautiful dreamy sound to the evening; Mia Joy and her ambient soundscapes; and Gia Margaret with her tender instrumentation and utterly mesmerizing vocals.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 for this solid lineup of musicians
FRIDAY, JUNE 9th
826CHI's Prologue 2017 @ American Writers Museum, 180 N Michigan Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: A chance to j
oin Chicago's literati for a swingin' cocktail gala
SO WHAT: This wonderful event will give guest the opportunity to
explore the newly opened American Writers Museum while helping write the future of Chicago's youth. Hosted by 826CHI's Associate Board, the annual fundraiser welcomes Kevin Coval, founder of Louder Than A Bomb: The Chicago Youth Poetry Festival and the artistic director of Young Chicago Authors, as the guest speaker. Prologue guests will enjoy an evening of hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, a raffle of luxe prize packages, and the curious and wonderful stories created by student writers as young as first grade.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $85. All proceeds will support 826CHI, a nonprofit creative writing and tutoring center that offers free programming for more than 2,500 students every year.
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 it's comedians to express their hilarious viewpoints unapologetically and have done so with great results! This edition of the kates will feature Nicky Margolis, Caroline Wooten, Elizabeth O'Neil, Courtney Buckwalter, Jessy Grossman, Jen De Luca, Amanda Cohen, and Katy Nielsen. the kates founder
Soli Santos will be hosting the showcase.
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation for this PG-13 show, so stop by for some laughs!
The Flat Five / OHMME @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St., Doors open at 7:00PM
WHAT: Chicago's musical spectrum at a premier venue
SO WHAT: The Flat Five are the super group that Chicago needs. The band is made up of Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, Kelly Hogan, Nora O'Connor and Alex Hall and their debut album It’s a World of Love and Hope is made up entirely of song by Chicago mainstay Chris Ligon. Their sound is everything you could want from these music masters: sweet and twisted pop songs that will get stuck in your head. Joining them will be Marcie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, the duo now known as OHMME, giving the night a post rock edge as their experimental sounds will surely impress the crowd at Thalia Hall.
NOW WHAT: Just go and experience these two amazing local bands and maybe some Space Juice.
Tickets are $23 for this night of perfect local music
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 11th & 10th
Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) @ Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., 11:00AM - 6:00PM
WHAT: An alternative to the typical comic book fare
SO WHAT: Quimby’s will be co-sponsoring the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE), a weekend-long celebration of independent comics. The event is inspired by Chicago’s long history as home to many of underground and alternative comics’ most talented artists. CAKE is dedicated to fostering the comics community and opening dialogue between independent artists, small presses, publishers, and readers. This cool event will have comics for sale, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the schedule of panels and workshops here.
NOW WHAT: This event is free, so go out and discover the world of alternative comics.
Pilsen Food Truck Social @ 18th Street Between Racine and Throop, Noon - 10:00PM
WHAT: The best food trucks gathered in one place
SO WHAT: Pilsen Food Truck Social returns for their 3rd annual street fest where food trucks are the centerpiece of the event! In addition to all the delicious food, Thalia Hall will be programming the live music stage with a mix of fun and cutting edge music from the like of Nino Divino, Dos Santos Anti-Beat Orquestra, 606 Records DJs, and so much more! An exclusive partnership with Revolution Brewing will also give fest-goers a wide variety of fresh beer. The local businesses of Pilsen will be showcased, with local artisans, retailers, restaurants and non-profits participating in the event. Head to their event page to see the full lineup of food trucks, bands, vendors, and more info.
NOW WHAT: $5 suggested donation for this great all ages event!
Green Music Fest @ Damen Ave between North and Schiller, Noon - 10:00PM
WHAT: The eco-friendly music fest in Wicker Park
SO WHAT: Green Music Fest continues its mission of a better world by making sure Wicker Park gets it's chance to party while leading by example to consider our environmental impact. The 9th annual festival will feature a people-powered bicycle stage, tree adoption, ecologically-crafted brews by Lagunitas, Community EnGREENment Tents, and many more! There will also be a Family Fest area Pet Fest area to get everyone involved! This year's music headliners include JD McPherson, Lucero, July Talk, and Nothing! The undercard is just as amazing with acts like Jay Som, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, The Appleseed Cast, ¡ESSO Afrojam Funkbeat, Bonelang, and so many more. You can check out the full lineup here!
NOW WHAT: Admission is a $10 suggested donation, which gets you an official Green Music Fest stainless steel reusable cup
SATURDAY, JUNE 10th
Bric-A-Brac Records 4 Year Anniversary @ Bric-A-Brac Records, 3156 W Diversey Ave., Noon - 7:00PM
WHAT: Bric-A-Brac Records is turning 4 years old!
SO WHAT: Bric-A-Brac will be taking advantage of their birthday by throwing an all day shindig! Enjoy free pizza, 21 & up hosted Whiskey Gingers courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey, and plenty of great music. Bands start at 4pm and will include Jimmy the Undertaker, Wad, Negative Scanner, and Sweet Cobra.
NOW WHAT: Just had out and enjoy this fun day! First 50 people to ask will get free totebag that includes a limited T-shirt, magnet, Dandelo 8X10, Bric-a-Brac Mixtape, and a Ryan Duggan anniversary print
Rock 'n' Roll Market @ East Room, 2354 N Milwaukee Ave, Noon - 7:00pm
WHAT: Music, vendors, and day drinking
SO WHAT: This is D0312's third year of this a one day pop up: Rock 'n' Roll Market! 60+ Rock 'n' Roll and vintage vendors alongside some of Chicago’s best rock DJs and musicians for an outdoor all day affair. Music will include White Mystery, Flesh panthers, Yoko and the Oh No's, Easy Habits, The Evictions, HoZac Records DJs & CHIRP DJs. Check out the full lineup of vendors here!
NOW WHAT: This market is free with RSVP!
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp @ Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., 3:00PM - 7:00PM
WHAT: America’s largest craft beer festival
SO WHAT: Beer Camp on Tour will take over the stunning Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier with hundreds of craft beers, the city’s best food trucks, live music and the best of times. Hundreds of beers from over 80 breweries will be available to sample while you jam out to
Tropidelic and
J-Livi & The Party.
NOW WHAT: Tickets range from $40 designated driver passes, $55 general admission to enter at 3:00pm, and $75 for VIP early access at 2:00pm.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11th
Semi-Circus presents Murmurations @ Links Hall, 3111 N Western Ave., 7:30
WHAT: An upstart circus company explores mental health and group dynamics with a bunch of circus, a little dance and tons of physical theater.
SO WHAT: This is a one night only preview of the show where the company takes a closer look at human quirks and foibles, exploring psychology through the lens of social interaction, friendship, and sacrifice. The audience cheers on the four characters as they work to overcome their hidden struggles by working together as well as facing their fears and shortcomings. Semi-Circus’s mission is to produce lively contemporary circus that asks big questions about politics, society, culture, environment, economics, war, and all of the factors that shape humanity. And there will be special, hilarious guests, La Vuelta, the two-person circus and theatre company founded by Raquel Torre and Jean Claudio.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, students and industry folk.
