Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 9/2 and Beyond

While everything seems to be open like the old days, there is still that looming presence of the Delta variant in the background threatening all we've done to get back to normal. So much so that we're back to having to wear masks indoors. Now if you're anything like me, that means not much has changed since you've been wearing your mask indoors the whole time anyway.  But now we have to be doubly careful to keep COVID numbers down and be diligent of the new recommendations and rules. So if you do plan to go out this weekend make sure you check out the venue's policies and quite honestly, take initiative. Wear a mask, social distance, and get your vaccination shots even if the venue/event is lax. Protect yourself and those around you. Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend! In addition to all the previous and following events, we highly recommend you check out all the music performances that are part of DCASE's Chicago in Tune! This new citywide festival celebrates music in the key of Chicago during the 2021 Year of Chicago Music. This month is meant to bring us all together through the whole spectrum of music events in a variety of venues. Check out all the participating venues and shows over at their website!

THURSDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd - 5th

Out of Space @ Temperance Beer Co, 2000 Dempster Street, Evanston, 5:00pm-10:00pm WHAT: Evanston Space’s incredible series of outdoor concerts, Out of Space, is back! SO WHAT:  The multiple meaning, pun titled Out of Space will be welcoming an impressive lineup of musicians to Temperance Beer Co.!  Check out the lineup below!
  • September 2 : Big Boi & Twista Big Boi‘s impact on hip-hop is undeniable. Whether it’s through his time with Andre 3000 as Outkast or his prolific solo career which has included a stint with Phantogram as Big Grams, Big Boi is an icon worthy of all the praise he’s received and more! His live shows are lively affairs so I can’t think of a better way to kick off Temperance Beer Co.’s slice of the Out of Space series! Joining him will be Chicago legend Twista!
  • September 3: Drive-By Truckers and JD McPherson This pairing of Drive-By Truckers and JD McPherson are a match made in heaven. Drive by Truckers have been stunning fans of true southern rock with their outspoken and distinctly American songwriting. JD McPherson’s retro menagerie of sound, from rock and roll to rockabilly to rhythm and blues, is a perfect tone setter for what is sure to be a riotously fun night at Temperance.
  • September 4: Son Little, Ohmme, & Title TK DJs This evening at Temperance Beer Co orginally was meant to be headlined by Neko Case. Unfortunately a case of Covid hit a member of the tour and they had to cancel their appearance. In a true case of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade; this evening will feature a fun block party with music from Son Little, Ohmme, & Title TK DJs! The new block party event is FREE!
  • September 5: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic w/ Liquid Soul These stalwarts of out-of-this-world soulful funk are the perfect way to cap off this Out of Space weekend. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic have been dishing out their grooves for decades now and have apparently no signs of stopping. 2019 was meant to be the last year of Clinton’s magical touring antics, but luckily there’s another chance to catch these great musicians at work! Joining them will be the local jazz, hip-hop, funk, freestyle fusion ensemble Liquid Soul!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for each night (except the free block party) of this half of the Out of Space Series

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd

Bnny & Squirrel Flower @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, doors 8:30pm, show at 9:30, 21+ WHAT: The much awaited record release party for Bnny's Everything! SO WHAT: We're huge fans of Bnny and have been anticipating the release of a full length album from Jess Viscius ! After years of teasing that it would take a while and a slight name change (dropping the u), Everything is out! Everything was written over several years, touching up the loss of her partner and their relationship, making for one of the most affecting albums of the year.  Joining her will be Squirrel Flower, who also just released an fantastic album in Planet (i)! NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $10 for this must-see show!

THURSDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd & 3rd

Fulton Street Collective Jazz Series @ ​Fulton Street Collective & Their YouTube channel, 1821 W. Hubbard St, Suite 307, or the coziest spot in your home, 8:00pm WHAT: Some excellent jazz for your evening SO WHAT: Fulton Street Collective are back with in person events, but they are still determined to give Chicago its much needed dose of jazz at home! Most of their shows are also streaming so you can see and hear the beautiful music on their YouTube channel! Below are just some of the upcoming shows from the collective. NOW WHAT: The shows are free online, but in person there is a $15 suggested donation unless noted! Also you should definitely support Fulton Street Collective by becoming a member!

THURSDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd - 4th

Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+ WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas! SO WHAT: Things have opened back up for the most part and two of our favorite venues are stacking up some stellar lineups! Check out what Schubas has going on this weekend. NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas and enjoy this great lineup of shows! Please note: proof of vaccination is required for entry to all shows at Lincoln Hall and Schubas in Chicago. Click here for more information on this policy.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd - 5th

North Coast Music Festival 2021 @ SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, 2:00pm - Midnight, WHAT: A lot of EDM for your Labor Day Weekend SO WHAT: NCMF has transformed over the years, changing venues and musical styles in the past few years. It has now reached its full on EDM era with three days of nonstop dance music. Headliners for this year’s festival include Kaskade, Louis the Child, Griz, Ganja White Night, Zed’s Dead, and Rezz! The rest of the lineup looks great too with a Bonobo DJ set, San Holo, Whethan, and many more! Check out the full lineup on their website! NOW WHAT: Tickets are $248.52 for the 3-day pass and 88.57 for single day passes! Please note: everyone entering the festival will be required to show either a proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of your first day of attendance. If you do not show proof of vaccination or a negative test result, you will not be let into the festival. Roscoe Village Burger Fest @ Belmont and Damen, 2000 W Belmont Ave, Friday 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am - 10:00pm, all ages WHAT: Fire up the grills for a good ole burger party! SO WHAT: Roscoe Village Burger Fest returns for its 14th mouth-watering year of delicious burgers! This year’s vendors include Byron’s Hot Dogs, Fatso’s Last Stand, Houndstooth Saloon, Reggies Chicago, Select Cut Steakhouse, and Tandoor Char House. Add in two stages of music, arts and crafts, and the action-packed “Kids Zone” area, and you got yourself a certified good time! Weekend visitors even have the opportunity to vote for Chicago’s Best Burger! NOW WHAT: The $10 suggested donation benefits the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th

New Music For Winds @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave, or in the most musically inclined room in your home, 8:30pm WHAT: An amazing show for your weekend! SO WHAT: Constellation has been putting on some incredible shows during the pandemic and this weekend is no different! Whether you decide to stay home and watch the livestreams or head out to the venue and enjoy the live music in person, Constellation is a great way to spend the night! Check out some of the upcoming shows below! NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 (unless noted), head out and enjoy the incredible shows this weekend! There is also a streaming option for most of Constellation;s shows, so if you stay home, be sure to donate to support Constellation!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 28th & 29th

Pilsen Fest 2021 @ Harrison Park & the Intersection of Blue Island and 18th Street, Noon - 10:00pm WHAT: A festival celebrating the culture of the Latino community SO WHAT: Pilsen Fest  is back with two days of excellent music and art! Enjoy an art pavilion where you can buy a buy a book of the 20+ artists featured (100% of book proceeds will go towards Benito Juarez’s Joseph Jr. Paying it Forward Scholarship.) Musical acts will include a special concert from Molotov and Kinky on Saturday at Harrison Park (1:00pm – 9:00pm) and Las Femmes on Sunday! Stay tuned for the full lineup over at their event page. NOW WHAT: It’s free! Entry for the Saturday concert at Harrison Park is limited to those who are fully vaccinated by August 21, 18+, and have registered for a free ticket at their Eventbrite page!
ARC Music Festival @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, 2:00pm - 10:00pm WHAT: A new fest enters the packed September festival season SO WHAT: ARC Music Festival is holding the very first edition of their festival in Union Park! The fest has its sights set on connecting the global electronic music scene including modern house music icons, Chicago’s own originators, international techno artists and multi-genre live performances. There are some great sets to catch including Eric Prydz, ZHU, Fisher, Luciano, and many more! NOW WHAT: Single day tickets start at $154 and two day passes at $249! There are Global and Icon VIP passes available as well!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th

20th Annual Fifth Third Bike the Drive @ Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, 5:30am -10:00am WHAT: Grab your bike and a few friends and family for a ride on a car-free Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive! SO WHAT: Whether you’re new to biking, a seasoned veteran, or just having fun biking with the kids, Fifth Third Bike the Drive is an event to remember! This unique opportunity lets you check out the sweeping views of the lake and skyline right on road!  Enjoy fresh air and the wind on your face on as much of the 30-mile course as you’d like and then hang out at the post-ride festival in Grant Park.  Rentals are available for those with out a bike! For more information check out their website! NOW WHAT: General Admission is $60 for adults in advance, $70 day of. Youth tickets are $18. Fifth Third Bike the Drive is a fundraiser for the Active Transportation Alliance, a non-profit advocacy organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicagoland. Please Note: Regardless of vaccination status, please wear a mask in the festival and rest stops and whenever you can’t maintain a distance of 6 feet from others.
Sundays on State @ State Street from Lake to Madison, 11:00am - 8:00pm WHAT: From Lake to Madison, State Street becomes an open street full of surprises! SO WHAT: Neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond are invited for this interactive block party that will let you safely enjoy art, culture, active recreation, retail, bars, restaurants, and local attractions! Experience everyone’s neighborhood, the Loop, like never before! NOW WHAT: This fantastic way to spend your Sundays this summer is FREE! Sundays on State will strictly follow all public health guidelines in place at the time of each event. Pilsen Vendor Market @ Pilsen Art House, 1756 W 19th St., Noon - 5:00pm WHAT: A socially distanced mini handmade market! SO WHAT: This is a weekly market for artists and makers to come together, make new friends and sell their wonderful wares. NOW WHAT:Entry is free, just be sure to wear your mask as they are required!

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

Back on the Big Screen and Virtual Cinema @ Music Box Theatre, unsurprisingly at your home, any time you want to watch a movie WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is currently open to the public, so if you feel comfortable you can go out and have a theater experience this weekend with The Lost Leonardo ,The Green Knight, Pitchfork Music Film Series, the fun Music Box Garden Movies, and more! But if you want to watch some first run movies at home, you can still watch great moves and support them online! They are currently screening films via their The Music Box Direct series! There also tons of select titles available on their new platform! NOW WHAT: Digital tickets are $12, in person screenings vary, so sit back and enjoy!
Film Center from Your Sofa @ The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute, your couch or preferred movie watching spot in your place, pretty much any time WHAT: The Film Center at Home SO WHAT:The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute is open again and they are continuing their excellent series Film Center from Your Sofa. This is a fun way to stay in digital touch with the Film Center and watch some great films from the comfort of home! Head over to their listings and start watching--in person or from your sofa! NOW WHAT: Digital tickets are $12, so sit back and enjoy! Pitch In for the Parks! @ Various local parks, Various times, all ages WHAT: A good way to keep your community nice and clean! SO WHAT: The nonprofit Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) is currently in the second season of its citywide volunteer effort “Pitch In for the Parks!” to help keep the city’s 600+ public parks clean. The program is open to anyone who wants to host a clean-up group or join an existing event from the interactive map on the CPF website. CPF is providing trash pick-up supplies, volunteer coordination and safety guidelines to supportthe parks’ ongoing maintenance from June through October. NOW WHAT: Clean-ups continue at parks citywide June-October. Anyone can host a Pitch In clean-up group or join a free volunteer event on their calendar.   
New Talks and Video Archives @ Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people! SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival is back with some  in person events! They always bring some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Their website is constantly updated with new talks, so check out the wealth of upcoming and previous events in their archives! Below is just a taste of what is coming in the next few weeks NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2021.
Lyric Opera Streaming On Demand @ Your favorite streaming device, the most lavish spot in your home WHAT: The Lyric Opera at home SO WHAT: Revisit some of your favorite Lyric moments, or experience for the first time performances you've missed.Check out their website for schedule of upcoming shows. Currently streaming is Luisa Miller (2019), The Queen of Spades (2020), and Die Walküre (2017). NOW WHAT: It's free!! The Great Grow Along @ Your home, next to your soon-to-be-thriving home garden, Friday 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm - 3:45pm WHAT: A chance to make your thumb a little greener SO WHAT: The Great Grow Along was a three-day virtual garden festival that will provide gardeners with 40+ hours of sessions with plant pros to help up everyone's growing game! There will be learning tracks to guide you through the talks and they have made the festival's content available on demand to watch at your own pace over the next six months! NOW  WHAT: Tickets are $29.95 for this great collection of gardening talks! Fun Times with Local Museums @ the comfort of your own home, a various collection of websites, whenever you want a little dose of educational fun, All Ages WHAT: A chance to explore and help out some great local museums during these quarantine days SO WHAT: Our incredible Museums editor Mariel Bokor has compiled a great list of interesting programming available from museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, MSI, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium during this stay at home time. It also notes which are closed for the season and how you can help support them during these times! NOW WHAT: Check out our most recent update on what museums are doing as they reopen and continue their online presence!
The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral 30 Digital Plays in 60 Analog Minutes @ The Neo Futurists' Patreon, one episode a week, 14+ WHAT: Quick plays online! SO WHAT: The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral! 30 Digital Plays in 60 Analog Minutesis the online adaptation of the Neo-Futurists', ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Since live audiences are still a no-no, this is the perfect way to experience this fun project from home! They also just released45 Plays for America’s First Ladies, a series of 1-5 minute plays that adopt a variety of shapes, tones, and theatrical conventions centered around the lives of the women who have served in the role of First Lady. NOW WHAT: Join the Neo Futurists' Patreon page for either $3, $5, or $9 a week (with added incentives in the higher tiers) and enjoy the 30 plays in an hour every week! Concerts Live-streams and Local Shows Archives @ Your House, Any time you please, All Ages WHAT: There's tons of concerts from Chicago's yesteryear available online for your enjoyment! SO WHAT: Oh My Rockness and Do312 has done a fantastic job of cataloging some of the upcoming live-streams from the awesome musical acts out there! Check out Oh My Rockness' listings here, Do312's roundup of shows here, and tune in to these great shows from the comfort of home! Do312 have also shared some past Chicago shows that are certainly worth a watch. There are also so many great local concerts recorded for posterity and what better time to check them all out than during this self isolation period. Audiotree has a fantastic and huge list of sessions with links to band's websites and merch to help support them even more. In addition to our previous recommendations like Fran, Tasha, KAINA, Divino Nino, and The Ophelias, we also recommend ROOKIE, Emily Blue, Sen Morimoto, Beach Bunny, Tennis, and Gia Margaret! Then head over to their record concerts from Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and beyond to check out Orville Peck, of Montreal, and so many more! JBTV is also a fantastic resource for sessions from bands that have come through Chicago! Just take a look at this playlist of Blind Melon's '95 set at Metro! NOW WHAT: Stay home, watch some live music, and be sure to check out your favorite artists' social media, you never know who might be live streaming next! Video Games @ Your home PC or Console, As long as it takes, Just check the game rating WHAT: Video-games for all! SO WHAT: Check out our games page for some recommendations of what games to download (and avoid) while we're stuck at home. If you're a PC user, head over to the Epic Games store as they will be releasing a few new FREE games for you to download ! There are also tons of free games on Twitch Prime waiting for you to download! NOW WHAT: Wash your hands and dive head first into some fun games! Bring the Zoo to You @ Brookfield Zoo's Facebook page, when you want to see some animals besides your pets or specifically 11:00am, All Ages WHAT: A great way to make your kids' time at home entertaining and educational NOW WHAT: Join Brookfield Zoo on Facebook every weekday at 11:00am for a "Bring The Zoo To You" Facebook Live featuring one of their animals as well as plenty of educational, informative insight from one of our Animal Care Specialists. If you can't make it at 11, that's okay. The video will be saved afterward on Facebook as well as on their YouTube channel. SO WHAT: Just jump in to the chat at their Facebook page to learn something new https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K42ZUUBeHSY
Masque of the Red Coronavirus! @ Black Button Eyes Productions, Any time on your computer or mobile device. For 18+. WHAT: Written by Black Button Eyes Productions producing artistic director Ed Rutherford, this short satirical piece is available online free as a combined script-and-video experience. SO WHAT: In addition to reading the play, you will see various Chicago artists act out portions of the script on video, recorded remotely. The event includes puppets, burlesque, original music, fire dancing and more in a brief, darkly comedic confection. With the Red Coronavirus running rampant across the countryside and a vaccine still months away, what's a Prince to do? Lock himself in a secure bunker in an undisclosed location along with a cohort of his top donors, of course. To prevent him and his rich supporters from becoming bored, the Prince has also brought a few artists into the bunker to entertain the crowd. But as the hour grows later and the night grows weirder, it's clear that something else has also invaded the party. NOW WHAT: Settle down for an evening of magical weirdness. Click here and begin reading and watching the videos.
#ARC#ARC Music Festival#Big Boi#bike the drive#bnny#burgers#Chicago in Tune#Constellation#drive by truckers#George Clinton
Julian Ramirez