Labor Day Weekend is upon us! While the last remaining days of summer are looking a little rainy, that shouldn't stop you from exploring all the events our city has to offer. Festivals, readings, comedy and more are ready to fill your weekend with some fun! So get your umbrella, brave the weather, and enjoy!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ALL WEEKEND LONG, AUGUST 30th - SEPTEMBER 2nd
Chicago Jazz Festival @ Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph St, All Ages
WHAT: Five days of free jazz (pun intended)
SO WHAT: The Chicago Jazz Festival is a fantastic Labor Day Weekend tradition that celebrates all forms of jazz with free amazing live musical performances. The festival’s mission is to showcase the vast jazz talent of Chicago alongside national and international artists to help further the awareness of this beautiful musical genre. Headliners this year include Dianne Reeves, Maceo Parker, Kurt Elling featuring Marquis Hill and Jeff “Tain” Watt, and Chicago native Ramsey Lewis performing his last live performance in Chicago before his retirement.
NOW WHAT: The festival is free to enjoy, just head there early and bask in the sounds of some great musicians. You can check out
the full schedule here.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th
"CHIPRC is Closed" image by Rachal Duggan
ChiPRC is Closed @ Chicago Publisher's Resource Center, 858 N Ashland Ave, 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: After five years, Chicago Publisher’s Resource Center is closing its doors
SO WHAT: This night of readings will be celebrating the hard work from ChiPRC’s volunteer workshop facilitators and coordinators: Liz O’Connell-Thompson, Ben Spies, Alex Nall, Jonathan Stutz and Cynthia Elizabeth. Additionally they will be giving away books and zines from their shelves, putting out snacks and drinks and thanking everyone for a great run.
NOW WHAT: The show is $5 or more to show some gratitude to this awesome place!
Story Club South Side: Minor Chord @ Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St, 6:30pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Storytelling for all!
SO WHAT: This month of Story Club South Side will feature performers under 21 telling true personal tales about being young in this old, old world. The evening will start with a free workshop with Story Club producers for anyone who has a story followed by the Story Club South Side’s Minor Chord show (co-hosted by Andrew Marikis and Iery Marquez) including stories from the students of Pathways in Education — Ashburn Campus, an alternative high school that is part of a network of nonprofit public schools and learning programs that partner with local school districts to reengage at-risk youth.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are
$5 in advance of the show, $10 at the door. All donations received at this show will benefit Pathways in Education!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 31st - SEPTEMBER 2nd
The Great American Lobster Fest @ Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave., Noon - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The fifth annual festival of lobster goodness at Navy Pier
SO WHAT: The Great American Lobster Fest is three full days of fresh lobster flown in from the east coast that will be accented by some
great live music performances including Bassel and the Supernaturals and an array of tribute bands. There will also be plenty of fun family-friendly activities and unique shopping experiences for you to indulge in!
NOW WHAT: Entry to to the festival grounds is free!
Meal tickets for the fest are currently available for $44 and $119 for VIP!
North Coast Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, 2:00pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Summer’s Last Stand!
SO WHAT: North Coast Music Festival, the music festival that combines rock, hip hop, and a massive dose of DJs will be taking over Union Park for three days of nonstop partying. The lineup is looking pretty fantastic with amazing headliners including
Miguel,
DJ Snake,
Axwell Λ Ingrosso, the legendary
Jamiroquai!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for North Coast Music Festival: Summer’s Last Stand are currently available! Three-day passes are sold out, but single-day passes start at $70 or general admission and $80 for VIP. So if you’re looking to end summer with a fun festival, NCMF is looking like a sure bet!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, AUGUST 31st & SEPTEMBER 1st
Vice District Homewood Grand Opening! @ Vice City Brewing, 18027 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, Friday 4:00pm -10:00pm, Saturday 2:00pm - 4:00pm, 21+
WHAT: The South Loop brewery expands its reach to Homewood
SO WHAT: Vice District Brewing has been working hard to get its Homewood location up and running and it's finally here! Two hour-long sessions through the day will include Vice District swag, a tour, and a special small batch beer release that will only be available for these two days!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $25 for the two hour session! A portion of the proceeds from the grand opening weekend will be donated to a local organization.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31st
Picnics on the Porch: Kelly Hogan & Scott Ligon @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 6:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Summer evenings on the Hideout porch
SO WHAT: This head down to The Hideout to enjoy an intimate performance right on their front porch.This evening will include the wonderful tunes of local legends and Hideout mainstays Kelly Hogan & Scott Ligon! Their neighbors, the midwestern-focused Local Foods, will be on site selling picnic boxes with their fresh-from-the-farm ingredients.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 at the door!
Giorgio Moroder / Little Boots / Echodroides @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 7:30pm, 17+
WHAT: His name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everyone calls him
Giorgio.
SO WHAT: Giorgio Moroder, the iconic producer of '70s disco's greatest hits will be stopping by the gorgeous Thalia Hall to spin some tunes and get you dancing the night away! Joining him will be the electro pop sounds of
Little Boots and the local electronic grooves of
Echodroides.
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $30 for GA floor tickets!
100% Off Bands: The Hazy Seas, Strange Foliage, Engine Summer @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave, 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Another completely free show you need to go to
SO WHAT: How can you resist a free show with this great lineup? You have
The Hazy Sea's dishing out their sun-soaked and surf rock for you to jam out, the noisy garage rock sounds of
Strange Foliage, and the dreamy and psych punk of
Engine Summer!
NOW WHAT: It's free, so just get there, grab a few drink specials, and enjoy the local tunes.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
Higher & Higher: Soul Summit vs. Windy City Soul Club @ Cerise - Virgin Hotels, 203 N Wabash Ave, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: The last Higher & Higher of the season!
SO WHAT: This finale will feature DJ sets from Soul Summit and Windy City Soul Club as they compete in a DJ Battle for the ages! The event will include BBQ menu with delicious selections from Chicago Dogs to veggie kabobs, ice cream treats, and ice cold cocktails from Monaco
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 for this dance party!
The Flat Five @ FitzGerald's Nightclub, 6615 W Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Only the best band in town setting the mood for the start of your Labor Day weekend!
SO WHAT: The Flat Five are the super group that Chicago needs. Made up of Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, Kelly Hogan, Nora O'Connor and Alex Hall, the band's debut album It’s a World of Love and Hope is made up entirely of songs 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.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $18 for this perfect weekend concert!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd
Hannibal Buress Presents a Sunday in September @ Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St., 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Comedy and music filling up the Chicago Theatre!
SO WHAT: Hannibal Buress will be taking over the Chicago Theatre and putting on one hell of a show in his hometown. In addition to his own amazing comedy, Buress will be inviting Lil Rel Howery to share his brand of comedy along with Vic Mensa providing some jams.
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $40 and are completely worth it!
Jordanna / Sports Boyfriend / Glitter Moneyyy / Yomi @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave., 8:00pm, 18+
WHAT: An amazing show at a fun venue!
SO WHAT: Ever see a lineup so good that you almost don’t believe it? Well here’s a perfect example as one of our favorite soulful singers
Jordanna headlines this great evening including the unique indie pop of
Sports Boyfriend, the equality-demanding hip-hop of
Glitter Moneyyy, ethereal sounds of
Yomí!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $12!
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