It's another fantastic weekend in September and there are so many unique events this weekend from great music at the always fun and often notorious Riot Fest, great movies, and plenty of wonderful literary events throughout the weekend and rest of the month (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
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing "REGULARS"A Solo Show by PITR! Plus you can check out some of their prints from their Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works! You can also see "Saturday Morning Fever” featuring the works of Griffin Goodman through their virtual gallery! And don't forget to check out the virtual edition of JC Rivera's new exhibition "Still Undefeated" ! Or the All Decked Out virtual show!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- Galerie F has a fun stock of prints from concert posters, pop culture prints and more!
- Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stocks and on display in their gallery space!
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery. Plus Keith Haring!
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely
- “Mold-A-Rama™: Molded for the Future” @ Museum of Science and Industry
- Art on the Mart
- Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.
- NOW- 11/30 Green City Market @ Lincoln Park on Saturdays and Wednesdays!
- NOW - 10/31 Chicago: Home of House Exhibit @ Navy Pier
- NOW - 10/27 Wicker Park Farmers Market on Sundays!
- NOW - 10/27 "007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond" @ Museum of Science and Industry
- NOW - 10/27 Wolff's Flea Market @ Allstate Arena on Sundays!
- NOW - 10/13 Mercury Canine Cruise
- NOW - 10/31 "Titanic: The Exhibition"
- NOW - 10/31 Rooftop Cinema Club Fulton Market @ The Emily Hotel
THIS WEEKEND!
- NOW - 9/22 Black Restaurant Week
- NOW - 11/3 Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up @ 1265 W Le Moyne St
- 9/20 - 9/22 Long Grove Apple Fest
- 9/20 -9/22 Monster Jam @ Allstate Arena
- 9/20 Oksoberfest @ Lincoln Park Zoo
- 9/20 WBEZ Presents: Vocalo's Summer Finale @ Millenium Park
- 9/20 SeptemberFest @ Eatly
- 9/21 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival @ Set in Stone Gathering Space
- 9/21 Beer in the Woods @ La Bagh Woods
- 9/21 World Dumpling Fest @ Illinois Centennial Monument
- 9/22 Oui Run 5K @ Lycée Francais de Chicago
- 9/22 Chicago River Swim @ Ohio Street Beach
- 9/22 Andersonville Vintage Market
- 9/22 Hans Zimmer @ United Center
THURSDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 - 21 (& BEYOND)
Englewood Jazz Fest @ Hamilton Park and Cultural Center, 513 W 72nd St, Thursday 6:00pm, Friday 6:00pm, Saturday Noon, all ages
WHAT: The 24th anniversary of the Englewood Jazz Festival!
SO WHAT: The Englewood Jazz Festival will be celebrating its 25th year with sensational jazz artists performing at Hamilton Park and Cultural Center. Check out the schedule below!
- Thursday, September 19, 2024 (indoors - Fieldhouse)
- 6:00 pm: Junius Paul
- 7:00 pm: Jahari Stampley
- Friday, September 20, 2024 (indoors - Fieldhouse)
- 6:00 pm: Jeremiah Collier
- 7:00 pm: Nicole Mitchell
- Saturday, September 21, 2023 (outdoors)
- 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Panel Discussion: Black South Side Jazz Presenters
- 1:00 to 2:00 pm: The Young Masters Under the direction of Ernest Dawkins
- 2:15 to 3:15 pm: Cory Wilkes
- 3:30 to 4:30 pm: Greg Ward
- 4:30 pm: Spirit of Jazz Award
- 4:45 to 6:00 pm: Encore of Paul Robeson: Man of the People
- 6:00pm – Live the Spirit Residency Big Band: Ernest Dawkins Live!
NOW WHAT: The whole event is free and a wonderful way to experience Chicago jazz!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - 22 (& BEYOND)
Riot Fest 2024 @ Douglass Park, 1401 S Sacramento Dr, 11:00am – 10:00pm, all ages
WHAT: It’s another edition of the three-day fest of punk, rock, hip-hop and everything in between!
SO WHAT: This year’s very different festival season is coming to an end soon but not before one of the most raucous and notorious events: Riot Fest! Earlier this year they announced a move to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview before reaffirming their Douglass Park home! This awesome three-day festival brings together the loudest and most fun sounds in the music world for a wild time. This year’s headliners include Fall Out Boy, Marley Brothers, Beck, Pavement, Taking Back Sunday, Slayer, Sublime and the farewell sets from NOFX! However the undercard is nothing to scoff at with fantastic acts including Tierra Whack, Cursive, St. Vincent, Waxahatchee, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, and tons more! Add in the carnival, Arcade and Skate Ramp sections, and every other oddity you can imagine and you have a perfect weekend!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available! Don't miss out on this fantastic festival!!
World Music Festival Chicago @ Various Locations, Various Times
WHAT: A little taste of music from around the world
SO WHAT: World Music Festival Chicago brings award-winning artists from around the world to share their amazing music for this citywide, multi-venue festival. Across 10 days and 11 venues, the World Music Festival Chicago will feature artists from all over the world This is their 24th year of live, in-person performances, and they will also be celebrating 12 years of Ragamala, the largest all-night-long presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States.
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Head over to their website to check out this year’s schedule and RSVP for all the shows you want to see!
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 21 & 22
Chicago Live! @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Saturday Noon – 9:30pm, Sunday Noon -6pm
WHAT: Take a look at some of the amazing acts and artists.
SO WHAT: This weekend is the fourth annual Chicago Live! The event showcases Chicago's incredible arts and cultural organizations with over 110 artists performing across an upgraded FIVE of Navy Pier's stages. Head over to their event page for their full lineup, which includes performances from Jeff Tweedy, Liquid Soul, Oliv Bllu, and more!
NOW WHAT: Check out the full schedule here! It’s all free !
Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Festival @ Washington Park, 2400 S State St, 11am- 9:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: A food lovers festival!
SO WHAT: The Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Festival will be serving op some amazing food and fun this weekend with a long list of vendors and performances going on all day! Enjoy a wide mix of music while enjoying some delicious meals!
NOW WHAT: Entry is a $10 donation and there is a VIP advance ticket for $65 ($100 at the gate) that includes Back Stage Access,VIP Beer Garden, Seats in the VIP pavilion, Free Festival Magazine/Discount from most vendors and free water and snacks between 6 pm and 7 pm.
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Reeling: the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival @ Music Box Theatre (opening night only) – 3733 N Southport Ave; Chicago Filmmakers – 1326 W Hollywood Ave; & Landmark Theater - 2828 N Clark St, various times
WHAT:This LGBTQ+-focused festival returns in both in-person theater screenings and online!
SO WHAT: Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. The festival always delivers a great range of films from award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts. Since things are a little better now, there will be both in person screenings and events in addition to the streaming options from the last couple of years. Head over to their website for more info!
NOW WHAT: See info on all the ticket options and passes here. Individual tickets for the Landmark Theater and Chicago Filmmakers screenings are $15 and a Full In Person pass is $150! Tickets for the Opening Night at Music Box Theatre are $15 for the film, $50 for the film and pre-party. Single film streaming tickets are $11 and an all-access streaming pass is $80. Virtual film screenings are September 27 through October 6.
Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations,and are ready for all your movie needs u with some excellent films like The Substance, Omni Loop, Chicago International Film Festival Presents: BIG ART FILMS, The Double Life of Vèronique featuring a post-film conversation with Greg Gonzalez, midnight screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Boys in the Sand and more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theatres in the city!
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!
- 9/20 - Hocus Pocus - 7:30pm
- 9/20 - Halloween (The Original!) - 11pm
- 9/21 - The Notebook-8pm
- 9/21 -Nightmare on Elm St. - 10:30pm
- 9/22 - Jurassic Park - 7:30pm
- 9/22 - Halloween (The Original!) - 10pm
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
- September 19 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- September 19 - The Brothers Comatose + Michaela Anne @ Lincoln Hall
- September 20 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Tommy Kladis @ Schubas
- September 20 - M. Ward + Leslie Stevens @ Lincoln Hall
- September 20 - Amelia Moore iCRYONTOUR! + Julia Cooper @ Schubas
- September 21 - Sam Burchfield & The Scoundrels + Wim Tapley & The Cannons @ Lincoln Hall
- September 21 - Huron John + DBMK + Nick Wagen @ Schubas
- September 22 - femdot. @ Schubas
- September 22 - Shovels & Rope + Al Olender @ Lincoln Hall
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.
- 9/26 The Interview Show: Edward Burns + Elizabeth Moen @ FitzGerald's
- 9/29 Pilsen Day Art & Experiences @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/29 Law Roach: How to Build a Fashion Icon @ Thalia Hall
- 9/29 The Forces Shaping Immigration with Geraldo Cadava @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/29 Documenting Lowrider Culture and Community @ National Museum of Mexican Art
- 9/29 aja monet @ Thalia Hall
- 10/2 Kate McKinnon: Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 10/5 A Conversation with Connie Chung @ UIC Dorin Forum
- 10/5 Anna Marie Tendler: Men Have Called Her Crazy @ UIC Dorin Forum
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!