Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 8/11 and Beyond

We're halfway through the month and there are tons of really fun events for everyone to do this weekend.

It's feeling a little more normal to go out since Chicago dropped the masking and vaccination proof mandates on February 28 (for better or worse) and events are rolling in. While it may seem like we're at the tail end of things, many venues still have their mask and vaccination requirements for the foreseeable future. So if you do plan to go out this weekend, make sure you check out the venue's policies and take initiative. Wear a mask, social distance, and get your vaccination shots and your booster even if the venue/event doesn't require it. And if you still feel that wearing a mask is a must (like many still do), then please wear one. Protect yourself and those around you. If you still don't feel entirely safe to go out (and quite honestly, who can blame you?) you can always stay in and support these places from home.

Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11th

WHAT: A little taste of France in Wrigleyville!
SO WHAT: French Market will be a perfect way to spend your Thursday evening with its casual, European flair and wide variety of vendors. Each day of the market will feature 20+ vendors! Whether your looking for some tasty treats, hand made goods, or just a good time in the setting summer sun, French Market is there for you! Plus there will be a kids craft corner to keep the kid’s imaginations growing. You can bring your blanket on the grass or pick a patio table to sit back and enjoy the live music each week! Check out the music schedule below!

NOW WHAT: Entry is free, just bring your totes and stock up on some amazing food and wares!

THURSDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 11th - 14th (& BEYOND)

ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $33 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 12th - 14th (& BEYOND)

Retro on Roscoe @ Roscoe/Damen, 2000 W. Roscoe St., Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: 24th annual Retro on Roscoe festival!
SO WHAT: Enjoy all everything Retro on Roscoe has to offer this weekend! Shop unique artisans, antique vendors, and cool merchants before heading to grab some tasty treats. There is also a family area offering activities for all ages, an Antique and Classic Car and Motorcycle show, and three stages featuring some fun bands playing all your favorite throwbacks and oldies!
NOW WHAT: There is a $15 suggested donation for admission to Retro on Roscoe, which benefits Roscoe Village Neighbors

The Neo-Futurists' The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7:00pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an  ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it's actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person! With plenty of COVID precautions in place, you'll be able to enjoy the funny, disgusting, profound, terrifying, irreverent, and downright entertaining show with friends! Plan ahead as vaccination cards will be checked and booster will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $10! Head over to their website to see all they have planned now that in-person audiences are a thing again! If you're still a little anxious about going out, The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th

Radical Used Book Fair @ Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave , 11:00am – 3:00pm,
WHAT: Paperbacks $2, hardbacks $4. Bring your own reusable bags. 
SO WHAT: The book sale will be outdoors in the driveway and will be rescheduled if it rains. Our comrades from Prison & Neighborhood Arts Project will be on hand selling baked goods as part of their Black August Bake Sale, with proceeds going to commissary funds for incarcerated community members in Illinois.
NOW WHAT: Book sale proceeds will benefit the Socialism Conference scholarship fund. Admission is free but please rsvp to attend.

Turck-a-thon Fundraiser @ Twitch, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
WHAT: A fundraiser to help Chicago radio personality William C. Turck in his stroke recovery
SO WHAT: Bill Turck is the author of four books and has hosted three radio programs over the years, including Revolution & Beer (WCPT), Helter Skelter (Que4 Radio), and Playtime with Bill Turck & Kerri Kendall (WCGO). He currently hosts the Playtime Playcast and the Chicago Writers Association Chicago Writes podcasts. He suffered a stroke in May and needs fund to support his rehab. Friends from the arts, media, and activist communities are coming together to provide well-wishes, performances, and interviews honoring Turck and supporting his recovery.
NOW WHAT: View the fundraiser via the Multiformat Network at https://www.twitch.tv/multiformatnetwork. Contribute to Turck’s GoFundMe page here. 

Summer Fireworks @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, 10:00pm – 10:10pm
WHAT: Enjoy the spectacle of fireworks all summer long
SO WHAT: Take a trip to Navy Pier and check out their dazzling display of fireworks!. Each show features dramatic and popular music soundtracks with some special occasion soundtracks sprinkled throughout the season.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!  Just make your way to Navy Pier, find a spot, and enjoy the show !

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 13th & 14th

Thirsty Ears Music Festival 2022 @ Wilson Ave Between Hermitage and Ravenswood, Saturday  2:00pm – 10:00pm, Sunday 2:00pm-9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT:The seventh annual Thirsty Ears Festival
SO WHAT: Thirsty Ears Festival is Chicago’s only street fair centered on classical music. Hosted by Access Contemporary Music, performers will feature music from the whole classical spectrum, from baroque to contemporary. Check out their full line up here!
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation for the fest! All proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.The first 100 people to arrive each day get a swanky swag bag so get there early!

My House Music Festival 2022 @ Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St, 3:00pm– 10:00pm
WHAT: My House Music Festival is back for another year of House Music!
SO WHAT: My House Music Festival is a great two-day experience of excellent music in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. There will be tons of family friendly activities, live art, performances, and access to local food, alcohol and merchandise vendors. Performers include Dj Sneak, Farley Jack Master Funk, and many more! You can check out the full lineup of DJs, vendors, and more here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $30 per day, $50 for a weekend pass, and $125 for weekend VIP. Guests 12 & under enter for free with accompanying, ticketed adults!

THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND

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: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues!

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall 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.

Back on the Big Screen and Virtual Cinema @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave and 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 really to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies including with Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Emily the Criminal, and more! But if you want to watch some first-run movies at home, you can still watch great movies and support them online! They are currently screening films via their The Music Box Direct series! There are 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!

New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & 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 always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Be on the lookout for updates to the upcoming season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.  Here is a taste of what coming in September!

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 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLZdrtsaHis

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.

Julian Ramirez