Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 8/18 and Beyond

We're getting to the final weeks of 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 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 18th - 21st (& 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 19th - 21st (& BEYOND)

Ruido Fest @ Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St,11:00am – 10:00pm
WHAT: Another great year of this fantastic Latin alternative music
SO WHAT: Ruido Fest is back and will be celebrating Latin music and culture this summer! The fest brings together the arts and music scene in Chicago’s Latino community for three fun days with an impressive lineup of musicians from all over the Spanish-speaking world. Some of the amazing acts will include Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Cypress Hill, Cuco, babasonicos, Carla Morrison, Maldita Vecindad, and many more. Check out the full lineup on their website.
NOW WHAT: Single day and three day passes are currently available!

Glenwood Ave. Arts Fest @ Glenwood Ave Arts District, N Glenwood Ave & W Morse Ave, Friday 6:00pm -10:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 9:00pm, Sunday 11:00am – 7:00pm
WHAT: Art, music, food, and more in Rogers Park!
SO WHAT: The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest is a free arts festival featuring over 100+ artist, open studios, and live entertainment on two outdoor stages. Attendees can view and purchase these artists’ wonderful artworks directly from the creators. Enjoy all the performances and art demonstrations alongside some tasty street food and craft beer! Musica performance include Screaming Females, Psalm One, LowDown Brass Band, Esso Afrojam Funkbeat, Funkadesi, White Mystery, Neptune’s Core, and more!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!

The Light: Nights Out in the Parks Tour @ Douglass Park (1401 S Sacramento Dr, 6:00pm Thursday), LaFollette Park (1333 N Laramie Ave, 5:00pm Friday), & Hamilton Park (513 W 72nd St, 5:00pm Saturday),
WHAT: Collaboraction's The Light closes out their 2022 Summer Nights Out in the Parks ToThursdayu r with three performances
SO WHAT: The Light is a growing ensemble of outstanding youth artists and change-makers, blending together art and activism in a wonderful way. All six members of Collaboraction’s inaugural 2021-22 cohort - dancer/actor Nate Buescher, spoken word artist Marcus Jackson, dancer/athletes Phallon and Kyra Pierce, and singer-songwriter Ella Rae  - will perform alongside new members making their Light debuts: Earl Hester, CJ Dahgod, Sydney Sanaa and Bigg Ceno.
NOW WHAT: The shows are free! just bring a chair or blanket to take a seat and enjoy the show!

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 20th

15th Annual Oak Park Micro Brew Review @ Downtown Oak Park, 100 N Marion St, Oak Park, 2:00pm – 6:00pm
WHAT: Brews, bites and tunes at the largest zero-waste craft beer fest in the Midwest!
SO WHAT: This awesome Micro Brew Review features unique and inventive brews from dozens of Illinois craft breweries for you to try! Additionally their will be plenty of live music and small plates from local restaurants available!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $60 for the main tasting event! You'll get a 6oz tasting glass and 40 tasting coupons! There are also tickets that give you VIP access ($250 for 2) and entry to the Iron Brewer competition ($80)! for Enjoy a great beer festival and help raise funds for Seven Generations Ahead, an environmental non-profit working to promote healthy and sustainable communities.

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 !

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21st

Sundays on State @ State Street from Lake to Monroe, 11:00am – 8:00pm
WHAT: From Lake to Monroe, State Street becomes an open street full of surprises!
SO WHAT: Neighbors from every Chicago community and beyond are invited to Sundays on State, an  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!

PorchFest Roscoe Village @ Between Addison and Wellington and from Ravenswood to Western, Various Locations, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, All ages
WHAT: Some fun music out on the porch
SO WHAT: PorchFest Ros coe Village is a community-building festival featuring local musicians performing on front porches across 10+ front porches throughout the afternoon! Lakeview residents volunteer their porches to host the concerts by local musicians throughout the afternoon. Head over to their event page for a full lineup of artists participating in the fest!
NOW WHAT: Register on Eventbrite to receive an event map with porch locations and showtimes sent via email the day before the program. Registration is $15 per person or $40 for a group of 4, ans children 12 and under are free!

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, Anonymous Club, midnight screenings of Friday the 13th Part III 3D 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