Summer is in full effect, so why not make the most of it and head out into our beautiful city for some fun events! There is always something going on, whether it's one of the many outdoor festivals or a quick concert at one of your favorite venues. Don't let them pass you by! Just dab on some sunblock and enjoy these concerts, films, markets and more.
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 28th - 30th
Chi-Soul Fest @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Various times, All Ages
WHAT: The Chicago Soul Music Festival is an intergenerational musical conversation of Chicago soul music presented in honor of Black Music Appreciation Month.
SO WHAT: Navy Pier will be filled with some excellent soul music throughout the campus including the likes of Sam Trump, Shawnee Dez, Kaina, JC Brooks, and many more!
Check out the full lineup on Navy Pier’s website.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! enjoy some soul music this weekend!
THURSDAY, JUNE 28th
Cinepocalypse 2018 @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, 1:45pm, All Ages
WHAT: The last day of the Midwest’s largest gathering of genre films and fans
SO WHAT: If you have any interest in the wide world of genre filmmaking, than this event is perfect for you. There are so many guests, films, and events going on throughout the weeklong 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: Individual tickets for the final day of films are available! Cap off this festival with the rest of the midwest's genre film fans!
Millennium Park Music Series: Sons of Kemet & Mélissa Laveaux@ Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, 6:30pm, 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 and local artists that are more than worthy of such an impressive spotlight. Tonight the series will feature British jazz group
Sons Of Kemet and the soulful singer songwriter
Mélissa Laveaux!
NOW WHAT: All shows in this series are free and will start at 6:30pm rain or shine.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29th
Har Mar Superstar Sings Sam Cooke @ Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave.. 6:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: A very special evening with Har Mar Superstar
SO WHAT: Har Mar Superstar, the musical pseudonym of Sean Tillman, has been making people dance their butts off with his special brand of R&B lined songs. This special evening will see Tillman don a new set covering the legendary Sam Cooke’s songs all night long!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $18 for this magnificent show!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 30th & JULY 31st
Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival @ Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 10:00am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT:
The 8th annual Chicago Botanic Garden
SO WHAT: The festival showcases the work of 95 unique artists in a pristine setting overlooking a lake, spectacular gardens and 385 acres of majesty. All of the artwork embodies a botanic theme, use, or material. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to see the masters at work, with interactive art demos and booth chats taking place all weekend long!
NOW WHAT: The festival opens at 4pm Friday, June 29, with a special Chicago Botanic Garden Members Preview, and is then open to the public June 30 and July 1. The preview party is exclusive for members of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
SATURDAY, JUNE 30th
Rooftop Vintage Market @ Roosevelt Collection Shops, 150 Roosevelt Rd, 10:00am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A vintage Market at Roosevelt Collection Shops, in partnership with Twisted Vintage Decor!
SO WHAT: Peruse some of the finest vintage and handmade goods from local vendors, enjoy live jazz and snack on a variety of artisan food options in between it all.
You can check out the full vendor list on their event page.
NOW WHAT: It’s free to enter! Stop by and pick up some cool items!
Tour de Fat 2018 @ Humboldt Park, 1400 N Sacramento Ave., Noon - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A party with New Belgium
SO WHAT: The New Belgium Tour de Fat is a traveling beer, bikes, and bemusement festival! You’ll be able to costume up and party down with Best Coast handling the live music and the Tour de Fat ensemble cast of performers including Daredevil Chicken, Handsome Little Devils, Sedan Halen, and KOLARS adding in to the fun.
NOW WHAT: This is an all-ages event so get your costume ready for all the fun!
Tickets are $15 and kids 12 and under are free! A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to West Town Bikes, a local non-profit organization. Bike ride registration opens at 10:00am at Humboldt Park Boat House parking lot, 1301 N Sacramento Ave., and the ride starts at 11:00am.
Bird's Eye View by Mr. City Printing @ All Star Press, 2775 N Milwaukee Ave, 6:00 - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another fantastic exhibition at All Star Press!
SO WHAT: IPaintMyMind is happy to invite St. Louis-based designer and artist, Tony Frankenberg, of Mr. City Printing to show his most recent works, a topographical print series that celebrates hallmark locations that make up our nation’s most treasured mountain ranges, from the Grand Tetons to the Grand Canyon. There will also be an exclusive release of three Chicago-map prints in alternative colorways that will be posted in the run-up to the show
NOW WHAT: This opening reception is free as always.
SUNDAY, JULY 1st
Token 6 @ Emporium Arcade Bar Logan Square, 2367 N Milwaukee Ave, Noon
WHAT:
Token 6 is the 6th pop-up event of local comics, music, video games and art brought to you by
Really Easy Press
SO WHAT: Head out to one of the funnest bars in the city and spend your Sunday picking up awesome local comics, illustrations, and music at Emporium Logan Square. There is a huge lineup of vendors waiting for you, so check them out over at the
Token 6 event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free
serpentwithfeet / Lee Mo / Jordan Zawideh (DJ set) @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: New sounds to start your July
SO WHAT:
serpentwithfeet‘s debut album is glorious. An eclectic and avant garde mix of soul and R&B that is indebted to elements of gospel and pop music,
soil is one of those first albums that will stick with you and deserves to be heard live. Joining him will be the soulful sounds of
Lee Mo and Jordan Zawideh will be spinning records all night.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $14 for this beautiful evening.