Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 9/5 and Beyond

It's the first full weekend of September and it is packed! There are so many unique events this weekend from special food fests, ZINEmercado, great music, and tons of great Literary events (highlighted by our own Elizabeth Niarchos Neukirch)! So plan accordingly and try do as many exciting and fun things as you can before the fall months catch up to us.

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

ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

THIS WEEKEND!

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - 8 (& BEYOND)

Taste of Chicago 2024 @ Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Jackson & Columbus, 11:00am – 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The big, over-the-top mainstay food celebration of Chicago
SO WHAT: It may happen every year to mixed results, but you can still find some great things at the Taste of Chicago. There is a hefty list of 50+ food vendors participating in this year’s Grant Park takeover. There are tons of musical acts playing for free including Atlas Genius, Yahritza y Su Esencia, CeeLo Green, Toyacoyah, Andrew Sa, Elizabeth Moen, Cabeza de Chivo and more! There's actually quite a bit going on this year so take a look at their map for an idea of the scope of this annual food fest!
NOW WHAT: Make your way to Grant Park and have yourself a good time. Getting into the Taste of Chicago is free, but of course you’ll have to shell out for food and this year there will be no food tickets, so bring your card!

Throwback Music Fest @ Gladstone Park, 6030 N Milwaukee Ave, Friday 4pm – 10:30pm, Saturday 10am– 10:30pm, Sunday 11am – 8pm, All ages
WHAT: A little trip back in time
SO WHAT: Throwback Music Fest brings together some incredible live musicians playing the amazing songs of the 50s, 60s, 70, 80s, and 90s! Enjoy some great tunes as well as a pet costume parade (Saturday), a classic car show (Saturday), Miss Throwback contest (Sunday), a Hero Celebration (Sunday), and tons of kids' activities all weekend long! Check out the full schedule of activities and performances over at their website!
NOW WHAT: There is a suggested donation of $5 per adult. Proceeds from the fest go to the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund.

Taste of Greektown @ 315 S Halsted St., Friday 4pm – 10pm, Saturday & Sunday Noon – 10:00pm, All ages
WHAT: A chance to taste some of the best food Greektown has to offer
SO WHAT: The 34th Taste of Greektown lets Hellenic pride take center stage at this acclaimed annual culinary fest. The whole festival is a love letter to Mediterranean culture, blending Old World traditions with a 21st century freshness. Fantastic food and spirits from neighborhood eateries will be the main attraction, but plenty of music and entertainment including DJs and games for kids and families will also be a highlight!
NOW WHAT: Just head over to Greektown and get ready for a feast!

The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 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!
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $20!  The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 & 8

Evanston Folk Festival @ Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, 11am - 8:30pm
WHAT: Two Days of incredible folk music!
SO WHAT: Evanston Folk Festival is the latest festival from the amazing Space Presents and they be bringing an amazing lineup of folk artists to Dawes Park in Evanston. The festival lineup feature a wide range of folk acts from the legendary like Patty Griffin and Robbie Fulks to newer acts like Afro Appalachian folk artist Mon Rovia.There's also so much local flavor added to the mix with Free Range, Nora O'Connor, Andrew Sa, Corky Siegel, The Sullivan Sisters, Minor Moon & V.V. Lightbody (which we highly recommend you check out their respective albums, The Light Up Waltz and Make a Shrine or Burn It), Dom Flemons, Mark Dvorak, Sones De Mexico, and Sons of the Never Wrong. Check out our full preview here!
NOW WHAT: Two day passes are sold out, but there are still single day tickets available! Saturday tickets are 59.50 while Sunday tickets are $69.50.

Thirsty Ears Music Festival 2024 @ Wilson Ave Between Hermitage and Ravenswood, Saturday  2pm – 11pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm, All Ages
WHAT:The eighth 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.

Printers Row Lit Fest @ South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street, 10:00am – 6:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A two-day fest all about books!
SO WHAT: The Printers Row Lit Fest, presented by the not-for-profit Near South Planning Board, is the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest! They will be celebrating their 39th year with all the outdoor vendors, activities and celebrations for book lovers that you'd expect. You can check out the schedule of events here! And don't forget to check out even more Lit events here!
NOW WHAT: It’s free!

Renegade Craft Fair @ Wicker Park, Division Street between Damen and Ashland, 11:00pm – 7:00pm, all ages
WHAT: A craft fair focused on independent makers!
SO WHAT: Hundreds of independent crafters and makers will be at Renegade Craft Fair's Flagship Fair celebrating DIY spirit for two amazing days! This is the 21st year and with a sprawling 400+ makers, it's sure to be a great one! Head over to their event page for a full vendor list and more info!
NOW WHAT: The event is free and open to the public, but there is a suggested entry of $5 The contribution supports Renegade Craft’s vision of an accessible, equitable, & inclusive creative economy for all. Additionally, 10% of the contribution goes to The Nature Conservancy, to help protect our planet & home.

Lakeview Taco Fest @ Southport between Addison and Roscoe, 11:00am – 10:00pm,
WHAT: All the tacos you could ever want in one place
SO WHAT: The glorious taco will get the spotlight it has long deserved at the Lakeview Taco Fest. Whether you’re looking for a hard or soft shell tortilla filled with meat, chicken, guacamole, fish, mushroom, duck or any of the other imaginative ingredients, this festival is for you. The Southport Corridor, on Southport between Addison and Roscoe, will be host to special beer and taco pairings, crowd-pleasing luchadores, plenty of music, and a chance for visitors to text vote for Chicago’s Best Taco.
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation, which benefits the Friends of Lakeview. Check out their website for a full lineup of vendors, music, and entertainers that will be making your weekend better.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

ZINEmercado 2024 @ Comfort Station, 2579 N Milwaukee Ave, 11:00am – 6:00pm, all ages
WHAT: ZINES!
SO WHAT: Join Comfort Station in Logan Square for another edition of the annual ZINEmercado. As always this fantastic festival will feature zines created by artists, writers, musicians, and photographers from around the country and even a few from outside the US! Of course there will be music provided by DJs and beat makers throughout the day, so head out and discover some new amazing art.
NOW WHAT: It’s free!

Hecho En Arts & Craft Fair @ 18th Street between Ashland and Paulina, 10am-6pm, all ages
WHAT: An annual event supporting both the BIPOC Artist community and the Pilsen Arts & Community House organization.
SO WHAT: "Hecho En" Art Fair is focused on the Artists, Artisans and Makers of the city's diverse communities. these wonderful makers and creators will be lined on 18th Street, between Ashland and Paulina Avenues exhibiting many art styles, cultures, and colorful unique products. There will also be plenty of local musicians on hand performing throughout the day, an artist doggie parade, bilingual book reading, a musical puppet performance, and live painting!
NOW WHAT: Just head over to the market and prepare to discover some amazing artisans!

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & 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 $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience

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 and Lincoln Hall!
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!

Chicago Humanities: 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. Their year may be over, but certainly be on the lookout for updates for next year's season as their website is constantly updated with new talks.

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 2023

University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included The Price Sisters, Brian Conway, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, Ruby John, Sean "Mack" McDonald, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!

Julian Ramirez