Spring is finally here (technically) and C2E2 weekend will be in full swing. So why not add to the pop culture indulgence with some other fun geeky, nerdy, and downright fun events throughout the weekend! From zines and bingo to science and cosplay, there is so much going on just waiting to be enjoyed. So get out there, go to a few concerts, check out some amazing art, and make this weekend worthwhile!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THE WHOLE WEEKEND, MARCH 21st - 24th
Impromptu Fest 2019 @ Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams St., Suite 350A, Thursday - Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 3:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The first weekend of this excellent festival!
SO WHAT: Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, the second
Impromptu Fest will take place the next two weekends in the brand-new Guarneri Hall in downtown Chicago. Hosted by
New Music Chicago, Impromptu Fest will showcase Chicago’s rich and vibrant contemporary art music scene with eight concerts featuring 16 Chicago ensembles performing new music by 22 Chicago composers.
Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 single concerts; $60 for a four-concert pass; $100 for a pass to all eight concerts. Half price for students. For more information, check out
Impromptu Fest.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21st
Adler After Dark: Geek Chic @ The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr., 6:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: This edition of Adler After Dark is honoring the women who have inspired, challenged, and pushed boundaries in your favorite pop-culture franchises, as well as real women working in STEM fields!
SO WHAT: Adler After Dark is celebrating heroic pop culture women to help kick off your C2E2 weekend! You'll get the chance to listen in on local comic creators discuss your favorite female characters in a special panel discussion, take a photo in front of an larger-than-life comic panels with your femme heroines and check out a special Pop-up Program and more! Boulevard Brewing Company will be on hand to celebrate the launch of their new year-round Space Camper IPA and enter for a chance to win Space Camper-branded merch and a special event poster from 12 Line Studio! Chicago Nerd Social Club will also be running an amazing Cosplay Contest, so cosplay is highly encouraged! (
Be sure to review their Cosplay and Costuming Weapons Policy)
NOW WHAT: Kick off your C2E2 weekend with the best party in the galaxy at Adler After Dark!
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for members. Make it a night to remember!
Cole DeGenova & Nasty Snacks @ Emporium Arcade Bar Wicker Park, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave, 8:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A free show at an arcade bar!
SO WHAT: Celebrate the release of
Cole DeGenova‘s latest single “Full Grown” at the excellent Emporium Wicker Park! De Genova’s sound dances around genre with effortless easy, combining elements of soul pop, jazz, slam poetry, and some punk rock flair with extraordinary success. It’s impossible not to have good time listening to DeGenova. Joining him will be the nine piece musical explosion
Nasty Snacks with their infectious future funk madness.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head out and enjoy these local acts doing what they do best!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd - 24th
Saturday at C2E2 2018. Photo by Aaron Cynic
C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo @ McCormick Place South Building, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Saturday & Sunday 10:00am - 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm All Ages
WHAT: The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2 – is a comic book and pop culture convention spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games in downtown Chicago.
SO WHAT: It's three days of everything you ever wanted to know about nerd culture and geek stuff in a totally cool and inclusive atmosphere. There will be panels, workshops, speakers, and a whole lot of cosplayers. It's honestly the most fun you'll have exploring your every nerdy whim!
Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available for
$75 for the whole weekend (goes up to $85 at the door) if you buy ahead of time. Single day tickets are also available!
Foto Mercado @ Mahoney at Ace Hotel Chicago, 311 N Morgan St, Friday night opening reception 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Satrday & Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The second year of this photo focused event!
NOW WHAT: Foto Mercado, curated by Adam Jason Cohen and ZINEmercado (Oscar Arriola and CHema Skandal), is a 3-day exhibition and market celebrating the traditions and physical aspects of printed photography. Prints, zines and books will be on sale through local and national artists and vendors with an accompanying exhibition in the gallery. There will also be panne held throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Check out their event page for a full list of vendors!
SO WHAT: It’s free!
FRIDAY, MARCH 22nd
Homeshake & Yves Jarvis @ Metro, 3730 N Clark St, 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Soulful tunes to make you evening better
SO WHAT: Homeshake is the musical pseudonym Peter sagar. Sagar’s sound has experience an evolution from his guitar-forward indie-pop to an overwhelming addictive lo-fi R&B. His latest album,
Helium, Sagar pushing the lo-fi R&B tones even further. Recording the album in his apartment,
Helium invites experimentation and intimacy, creating even more lush aural textures to whisk you away. Joining Homeshake will be the equally beautiful voice and sound of
Yves Jarvis.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $17 for this great Metro Show!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd & 24th
Women's Comics Month 2018 @ Challengers Comics + Conversation, 1845 N Western Ave, 11:00am - 5:00pm
WHAT: A month long celebration of women in comics!
SO WHAT: Women’s Comics Month Returns to Challengers as they celebrate Women and Non-Binary creators for the entire month of March. Every Saturday and Sunday will feature 2 creators stopping by an sharing their work and tlking shop with those interested in creating comics of their own!
Check out their event page for a full lineup of creators!
NOW WHAT: It’s free, head over, pick up some comics, and meet excellent writer and artists!
SATURDAY, MARCH 23rd
Pachanga- ¡Despierta! @ East Room, 2354 N Milwaukee Ave, 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Pachcanga is back for an evening full of dancing, art, and fun times!
SO WHAT: ¡Pachanga! is changing things up with a speial edition of their monthly concert series! Pachanga will be welcoming Sound Culture (Future Rootz), LoveBug, DJ Mateo, Memo Duarte, Roger McFly, and Dewey Depp spinning tunes alongside local
Latin music performers Madera Once! There will also be a piñata making workshop, a Tianguis Artist Market, and more!
Check out all the details on their event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry is $10 with RSVP
SUNDAY, MARCH 24th
The Funky Brunch w/ Classixx @ Headquarters Beercade, 213 W Institute Pl, Noon - 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: It's the return of The Funky Brunch with Classixx!
SO WHAT: The Funky Brunch, presented by Paradigm and
Headquarters, is on a mission to make America funky again and for their return they've enlisted the help of some great DJs!
Classixx will be on hand to create some great dance music vibes that are poised to be the perfect way to spend your Sunday!
NOW WHAT:
Tickets are available for $20 and are rising! Get in on this day of brunch and dancing as quick as you can!
Chicago Zine Fest Bingo Fundraiser 2019! @ Hamburger Mary's Chicago, 5400 N. Clark St., 7:00pm - 10:00pm
WHAT: Chicago Zine Fest presents their annual Bingo fundraiser
SO WHAT: CZF Bingo, now 8 years running, is always a lively night of fun, friends and, of course, zines! Each round of bingo offers a chance to win awesome prizes from CZF's friends at
Field Notes,
Quimby's Bookstore,
Women & Children First Bookstore, and more! Get to Hamburger Mary's early for a full menu of dinner and drinks! Hamburger Mary's is Cash Only.
NOW WHAT: There is an entry donation of $15 which includes one bingo card pack, good for multiple rounds. You can double down for only $10 more and purchase an additional pack of bingo cards. All proceeds benefit CZF.
