Cinepocalypse 2018 @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, 7:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: The Midwest’s largest gathering of genre films and fans
SO WHAT: If you have any interest in the wide world of genre film making, than this event is perfect for your. There are so many guests, films, and events going on throughout the week long fest that I can’t possibly list them all here. So why not check out Steve Prokopy’s rundown of the events and get ready for the most fun you’ll have at a film festival!
NOW WHAT: The four day GA pass (June 21 – 24) is $125 and the full fest pass is $175!
THURSDAY, JUNE 21st
Make Music Chicago 2018 @ Dozens of venues, parks, and sites throughout Chicago, 10:00am - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: On the first full day after the solstice, Chicago will be one of 800 cities in 120 countries around the world whose citizens will band to together to celebrate music.Make Music Chicago is a free, city-wide, DIY music festival that occurs every June 21st. It’s part of a world-wide day of music making based on the French Fête de la Musique.
SO WHAT: All musical styles will be celebrated. There will be solo and ensemble performances, guest DJs, sing-alongs and play-alongs, programs geared toward children, and opportunities to learn how to play instruments. Events will take place all over Chicago throughout the day.
NOW WHAT: It is free. Full information can be found at makemusicchicago.org.
https://thirdcoastreview.com/2018/06/21/chicago-curated-weekend-6-21-6-22/
Millennium Park Summer Music Series: The Aces & The New Respects @ Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, 6:30pm - 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another year of the fantastic Millennium Park Summer Music Series
SO WHAT: This year’s exciting lineup continues to take cues from both internationally known performers to local artists that are more than worthy of such an impressive spotlight. Tonight the series will feature the fun indie rock of the The Aces and The New Respects’ infectious blues rock!
NOW WHAT: All shows in this series are free and will start at 6:30 p.m. rain or shine.
Emily Blue / Tim Atlas / Anna Agosta @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont Ave, 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Cool tunes that will definitely get stuck in your head.
SO WHAT:The night will be filled with unique sounds for the likes of Tim Atlas and his breezy pop songs, Emily Blue‘s infectious and vivid pop sound that is a delight to experience, and the soulful voice of Anna Agosta!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door for this fun lineup!
Sinner Songwriter Record Release w/Phillip-Michael Scales, Mutts, Forks of Ivy @ Emporium Arcade Bar, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave, 8:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Some of Chicago’s finest on one amazing bill!
SO WHAT: Phillip-Michael Scales will be celebrating the release of his EP, Sinner Songwriter, at one of the coolest venues in town. It’s full of his catchy and thoughtful songwriting, blending his passion of indie rock with his passion for bluesy soul. Joining him will be the always fantastic blues rock outfit Mutts and engaging sounds of Forks of Ivy!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5 for this magnificent show!
River Whyless & Jalen N'Gonda @ Lincoln Hall, 3159 N. Southport Ave. , 8:00pm, 18+
WHAT: An excellent show for your Thursday night!
SO WHAT: River Whyless will be on tour in support of their new album Kindness, A Rebel. The band of endlessly talented musicians and songwriters will be putting their newly evolved sound, adding rock, psych, and jangle to their existing folk sound, on display! Joining them will be the riveting and soulful sounds of Jalen N'Gonda!
NOW WHAT:Tickets are only $15 for this great lineup!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd - 24th
Ruido Fest @ Addams/Medill Park, 1301 W 14th St, Friday 2:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another great year of this fantastic Latin alternative music
SO WHAT: Ruido Fest is back and will be celebrating Latin music and culture this summer! The fest brings together the arts and music scene in Chicago’s Latino community for three fun days with an impressive lineup of musicians from all over the Spanish-speaking world. Some of the amazing acts will include Ana Tijoux, Gaby Moreno, Kinky, Caifanes, Los Ángeles Azules, Panteón Rococo, and many more. Check out the full lineup on their website.
NOW WHAT: Single day and three day passes are currently available!
Logan Square Arts Festival @ Logan Square Park, Friday 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 12:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Art in the heart of Logan Square at the intersection of Milwaukee Ave, Kedzie and Logan Blvd.
SO WHAT: The Logan Square circle will once again be welcoming the best live music, art, crafts, comedy, kids activities, and more for the Logan Square Arts Festival! The music lineup will include Priests, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), No Age, oddCouple, and so many more. You can see the full lineup of musicians and events here!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
FRIDAY, JUNE 22nd
The Boys of Fairytown @ City Lit Books, 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd., 6:30pm - 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Jim Elledge, author of The Boys of Fairy Town: Sodomites, Female Impersonators, Third-Sexers, Pansies, Queers, and Sex Morons in Chicago’s First Century, discusses his book with Chicago author June Sawyers.
SO WHAT: Elledge’s book is a history of gay Chicago told through the stories of queer men who left a record of their sexual activities. Some were public figures, like reporter John Wing. Henry Gerber, who created a “homophile” organization, was almost invisible. African American ragtime pianist Tony Jackson wrote his song, “Pretty Baby.” about his male lover. Chicago’s anti-“indecency” movement demanded the arrest of female inpersonators and striptease artists. The Boys of Fairytown tells the story of a virtually unknown history of gay life in Chicago before it was legal.
Elledge is the author of 24 books, including his most recent: Henry Darger, Throwaway Boy: The Tragic Life of an Outsider Artist. Sawyers, born in Glasgow, is a writer and editor of many books on topics ranging from Celtic music to the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.
NOW WHAT: The Boys of Fairytown (Chicago Review Press, $30) was released June 1. Free event.
Surgeons In Heat / Dan Rico / Jaill / Wavy ID @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave., 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: An excellent concert for a couple of record releases
SO WHAT: Surgeons in Heat, a Milwaukee based indie pop outfit, will be celebrating the release of their highly danceable R&B-influenced album Bored Immortals! Joining them will be Dan Rico who is also celebrating a record release of his own (Dreamy), Jaill with their psych pop tunes, and the devastatingly sexy soundscapes of wavy ID!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10, get yourself to this show!
Red Bull Music Presents: Queen! @ Metro, 3730 N Clark St., 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Dance your worries away at the Metro!
SO WHAT: This special PRIDE edition of Queen!, preented by Red Bull Music, will feature regulars like Steve “Silk” Hurley, Garrett David, Michael Serafini , as well as performances by Joe Smooth, Dajae, Shaun Wright, DJ Rae Chardonnay, as well as the legendary CeCe Peniston as a special guest! Also, this is the first time Queen will be 18+!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5 in advance!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 23rd & 24th
1st Annual Chi-Town Hot Sauce Expo @ Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL, 10:00am - 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The intersection of tasty pleasure and indescribable pain
SO WHAT: Come to Toyota Park for this two day fiery foods festival to get the ultimate endorphin rush. The weekend promises to be like no other. There will be free hot sauce tastings from around the world, The Stage of DOOM, Guinness Book of Records Reaper Eating Contest, craft beers, specialty cocktails & tons more! Check out everything going on at this devilish tasty event!
NOW WHAT: General admission is $10 in advance, $15 day of. There are also special packages still available!
Mamby on the Beach @ Oakwood Beach, 4100 S Lake Shore Dr., Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Music + Beach = Fun
SO WHAT: Chicago’s only beach side summer music festival is back for another year of great music under the sun! The eclectic festival will take place once again on the grassy-field and sand-swept coast of Oakwood Beach and will feature a great lineup of artists including Common, Spoon, Grizzley Bear, Russ, and Cold War Kids! Check out the full lineup here and get ready for one of the best festvials in Chicago!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the festival are available now! Tickets for single day tickets for Saturday or Sunday start at $69 for general admission and go up to $109 for VIP passes. Two day passes are also available at $99 for general admission and VIP passes for $149 (which includes a Tiki Lounge, a premium drink menu, preferred viewing areas, and lake access), but these prices will rise so jump on them quickly.
SATURDAY JUNE 23rd
Crate Diggers Presents: 606 Sessions @ 606 Records, 1808 S Allport St., Noon - 8:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: 606 Records will be hosting Discogs & Crate Diggers for an all day event at the shop celebrating vinyl culture and community!
SO WHAT: There will be DJs spinning tracks all day long, free giveaways, free pizza and Lo Rez Brewing beer!! You an also get 10% off all instore purchases + free domestic shipping all weekend via their Discogs store and at www.606records.com!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Check out the full lineup and get to this fun day at 606 Records!
Out of Space: Rebirth Brass Band @ Temperance Beer Co., 6:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: In honor of their 10th year providing the north Chicago suburb a place to see spectacular shows, SPACE will be presenting Out of Space, a series of outdoor concerts all summer long throughout Evanston.
SO WHAT: The multiple meaning, pun titled Out of Space will be welcoming an impressive lineup of musicians to venues like Temperance Beer Co., Canal Shores, and SPACE’s inaugural Big Evanston Block Party at the intersection of Chicago and Dempster.
This evening will feature the Rebirth Brass Band and their blend of traditional New Orleans sounds with some hip hop and funk influences, creating music that makes any occasion feel like a party.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $30 for this great part of the Out of Space Series
ANCHR Magazine Presents: Jude Shuma, The Slaps, Rookie @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave,, 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Another one of those great ANCHR curated shows
SO WHAT: Our friends at ANCHR have assembled a mighty fine show for your Saturday night featuring Jude Shuma‘s irresistible lo-fi jangles, the undeniable allure of The Slap‘s sad beach blues, and the most rocking new band in Chicago: Rookie!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door!
SUNDAY, JUNE 24th
Chicago Print Crawl @ Various locations, Noon - 8:00pm, All Age
WHAT: An chance to experience Chicago’s printmaking scene
SO WHAT: Join Chicago’s first ever free self-guided tour of printmaking production, publishing, exhibition and sales venues throughout the City of Chicago! It’s a choose your own adventure tour. Maps are available online and at all 19 locations. And you can wrap up your day with and after party/art market at Sputnik Press Cooperative starting at 6:00pm!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Check out the full lineup here and download the map!
49th Annual Chicago Pride Parade
WHAT: A four mile long parade route celebrating LGBT community.
SO WHAT: If you haven’t been to a Pride Parade in Chicago, I highly suggest it. It’s a dizzying display lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer expression at its most lavish and proud heights. The parade travels for four miles where everyone gets the freedom joyously express their sexual and gender identities. It’s fun, frantic, and downright enjoyable experience. More than anything it continues to fight the oppression of the LGBT community in the best possible way: through unabashed acceptance.
NOW WHAT: Head to any part of the parade route before noon and get ready for a fun time. Then hang out and celebrate all day.
Emily Blue / Tim Atlas / Anna Agosta @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont Ave, 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Cool tunes that will definitely get stuck in your head.
SO WHAT:The night will be filled with unique sounds for the likes of Tim Atlas and his breezy pop songs, Emily Blue‘s infectious and vivid pop sound that is a delight to experience, and the soulful voice of Anna Agosta!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door for this fun lineup!
Sinner Songwriter Record Release w/Phillip-Michael Scales, Mutts, Forks of Ivy @ Emporium Arcade Bar, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave, 8:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Some of Chicago’s finest on one amazing bill!
SO WHAT: Phillip-Michael Scales will be celebrating the release of his EP, Sinner Songwriter, at one of the coolest venues in town. It’s full of his catchy and thoughtful songwriting, blending his passion of indie rock with his passion for bluesy soul. Joining him will be the always fantastic blues rock outfit Mutts and engaging sounds of Forks of Ivy!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5 for this magnificent show!
River Whyless & Jalen N'Gonda @ Lincoln Hall, 3159 N. Southport Ave. , 8:00pm, 18+
WHAT: An excellent show for your Thursday night!
SO WHAT: River Whyless will be on tour in support of their new album Kindness, A Rebel. The band of endlessly talented musicians and songwriters will be putting their newly evolved sound, adding rock, psych, and jangle to their existing folk sound, on display! Joining them will be the riveting and soulful sounds of Jalen N'Gonda!
NOW WHAT:Tickets are only $15 for this great lineup!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd - 24th
Ruido Fest @ Addams/Medill Park, 1301 W 14th St, Friday 2:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another great year of this fantastic Latin alternative music
SO WHAT: Ruido Fest is back and will be celebrating Latin music and culture this summer! The fest brings together the arts and music scene in Chicago’s Latino community for three fun days with an impressive lineup of musicians from all over the Spanish-speaking world. Some of the amazing acts will include Ana Tijoux, Gaby Moreno, Kinky, Caifanes, Los Ángeles Azules, Panteón Rococo, and many more. Check out the full lineup on their website.
NOW WHAT: Single day and three day passes are currently available!
Logan Square Arts Festival @ Logan Square Park, Friday 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 12:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Art in the heart of Logan Square at the intersection of Milwaukee Ave, Kedzie and Logan Blvd.
SO WHAT: The Logan Square circle will once again be welcoming the best live music, art, crafts, comedy, kids activities, and more for the Logan Square Arts Festival! The music lineup will include Priests, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), No Age, oddCouple, and so many more. You can see the full lineup of musicians and events here!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!
FRIDAY, JUNE 22nd
The Boys of Fairytown @ City Lit Books, 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd., 6:30pm - 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Jim Elledge, author of The Boys of Fairy Town: Sodomites, Female Impersonators, Third-Sexers, Pansies, Queers, and Sex Morons in Chicago’s First Century, discusses his book with Chicago author June Sawyers.
SO WHAT: Elledge’s book is a history of gay Chicago told through the stories of queer men who left a record of their sexual activities. Some were public figures, like reporter John Wing. Henry Gerber, who created a “homophile” organization, was almost invisible. African American ragtime pianist Tony Jackson wrote his song, “Pretty Baby.” about his male lover. Chicago’s anti-“indecency” movement demanded the arrest of female inpersonators and striptease artists. The Boys of Fairytown tells the story of a virtually unknown history of gay life in Chicago before it was legal.
Elledge is the author of 24 books, including his most recent: Henry Darger, Throwaway Boy: The Tragic Life of an Outsider Artist. Sawyers, born in Glasgow, is a writer and editor of many books on topics ranging from Celtic music to the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.
NOW WHAT: The Boys of Fairytown (Chicago Review Press, $30) was released June 1. Free event.
Surgeons In Heat / Dan Rico / Jaill / Wavy ID @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave., 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: An excellent concert for a couple of record releases
SO WHAT: Surgeons in Heat, a Milwaukee based indie pop outfit, will be celebrating the release of their highly danceable R&B-influenced album Bored Immortals! Joining them will be Dan Rico who is also celebrating a record release of his own (Dreamy), Jaill with their psych pop tunes, and the devastatingly sexy soundscapes of wavy ID!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10, get yourself to this show!
Red Bull Music Presents: Queen! @ Metro, 3730 N Clark St., 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Dance your worries away at the Metro!
SO WHAT: This special PRIDE edition of Queen!, preented by Red Bull Music, will feature regulars like Steve “Silk” Hurley, Garrett David, Michael Serafini , as well as performances by Joe Smooth, Dajae, Shaun Wright, DJ Rae Chardonnay, as well as the legendary CeCe Peniston as a special guest! Also, this is the first time Queen will be 18+!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5 in advance!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 23rd & 24th
1st Annual Chi-Town Hot Sauce Expo @ Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL, 10:00am - 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The intersection of tasty pleasure and indescribable pain
SO WHAT: Come to Toyota Park for this two day fiery foods festival to get the ultimate endorphin rush. The weekend promises to be like no other. There will be free hot sauce tastings from around the world, The Stage of DOOM, Guinness Book of Records Reaper Eating Contest, craft beers, specialty cocktails & tons more! Check out everything going on at this devilish tasty event!
NOW WHAT: General admission is $10 in advance, $15 day of. There are also special packages still available!
Mamby on the Beach @ Oakwood Beach, 4100 S Lake Shore Dr., Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Music + Beach = Fun
SO WHAT: Chicago’s only beach side summer music festival is back for another year of great music under the sun! The eclectic festival will take place once again on the grassy-field and sand-swept coast of Oakwood Beach and will feature a great lineup of artists including Common, Spoon, Grizzley Bear, Russ, and Cold War Kids! Check out the full lineup here and get ready for one of the best festvials in Chicago!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the festival are available now! Tickets for single day tickets for Saturday or Sunday start at $69 for general admission and go up to $109 for VIP passes. Two day passes are also available at $99 for general admission and VIP passes for $149 (which includes a Tiki Lounge, a premium drink menu, preferred viewing areas, and lake access), but these prices will rise so jump on them quickly.
SATURDAY JUNE 23rd
Crate Diggers Presents: 606 Sessions @ 606 Records, 1808 S Allport St., Noon - 8:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: 606 Records will be hosting Discogs & Crate Diggers for an all day event at the shop celebrating vinyl culture and community!
SO WHAT: There will be DJs spinning tracks all day long, free giveaways, free pizza and Lo Rez Brewing beer!! You an also get 10% off all instore purchases + free domestic shipping all weekend via their Discogs store and at www.606records.com!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Check out the full lineup and get to this fun day at 606 Records!
Out of Space: Rebirth Brass Band @ Temperance Beer Co., 6:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: In honor of their 10th year providing the north Chicago suburb a place to see spectacular shows, SPACE will be presenting Out of Space, a series of outdoor concerts all summer long throughout Evanston.
SO WHAT: The multiple meaning, pun titled Out of Space will be welcoming an impressive lineup of musicians to venues like Temperance Beer Co., Canal Shores, and SPACE’s inaugural Big Evanston Block Party at the intersection of Chicago and Dempster.
This evening will feature the Rebirth Brass Band and their blend of traditional New Orleans sounds with some hip hop and funk influences, creating music that makes any occasion feel like a party.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $30 for this great part of the Out of Space Series
ANCHR Magazine Presents: Jude Shuma, The Slaps, Rookie @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave,, 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Another one of those great ANCHR curated shows
SO WHAT: Our friends at ANCHR have assembled a mighty fine show for your Saturday night featuring Jude Shuma‘s irresistible lo-fi jangles, the undeniable allure of The Slap‘s sad beach blues, and the most rocking new band in Chicago: Rookie!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door!
SUNDAY, JUNE 24th
Chicago Print Crawl @ Various locations, Noon - 8:00pm, All Age
WHAT: An chance to experience Chicago’s printmaking scene
SO WHAT: Join Chicago’s first ever free self-guided tour of printmaking production, publishing, exhibition and sales venues throughout the City of Chicago! It’s a choose your own adventure tour. Maps are available online and at all 19 locations. And you can wrap up your day with and after party/art market at Sputnik Press Cooperative starting at 6:00pm!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Check out the full lineup here and download the map!
49th Annual Chicago Pride Parade
WHAT: A four mile long parade route celebrating LGBT community.
SO WHAT: If you haven’t been to a Pride Parade in Chicago, I highly suggest it. It’s a dizzying display lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer expression at its most lavish and proud heights. The parade travels for four miles where everyone gets the freedom joyously express their sexual and gender identities. It’s fun, frantic, and downright enjoyable experience. More than anything it continues to fight the oppression of the LGBT community in the best possible way: through unabashed acceptance.
NOW WHAT: Head to any part of the parade route before noon and get ready for a fun time. Then hang out and celebrate all day.