It's a holiday weekend for some but that doesn't mean there aren't some exciting events going on! So start finding some room in your busy scheduling in some fun concerts, movies, and more on your schedule!
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 Dead Presidents! 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!
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
- 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! They are currently showing some awesome art from Stay Focused New Works by Netherland
- 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! Right now is the Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Rooted in Mystery
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
- 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.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 18 - 20 (& BEYOND)
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
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 18 & 19 (& BEYOND)
Sor Juana Festival 2025 @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 31st annual Sor Juana Festival, honoring one of Mexico’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
SO WHAT: The Sor Juana Festival brings weeks of special events to the National Museum of Mexican Art! There is a variety of conversations, concerts and special presentations happening every weekend to honor Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
- 4/18 An Evening with Vivir Quintana
- 4/19 Frida Kahlo the Bravest Girl in the World
- 4/26 Going Varsity in Mariachi
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices
THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND
Chicago Palestine Film Festival @ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St, various times
WHAT: An excellent film festival
SO WHAT: Chicago Palestine Film Festival returns with an incredible lineup of films. The films in the festival aim to showcase the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life, allowing viewers to experience a deeper understanding of the Palestinian experience.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are selling out so grab yours ASAP!
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
- 4/17 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM, and SAM SELBY @ Schubas FREE
- 4/17 - Brenn! + Asiris @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
- 4/17 - Yeek + Jenno @ Schubas
- 4/18 - Meet Me Upstairs Presents: Warm Glow + DJ Duke Shin @ Schubas
- 4/18 - Rachel Platten Set Me Free Tour + Ben Abraham + JoJo Dodge @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/18 - IDER + Fire Swimmer @ Schubas
- 4/19 - Mild Minds + Seb Wildblood (live) @ Lincoln Hall
- 4/20 - Vlad Holiday + New Translations @ Lincoln Hall
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!
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 movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations,and are ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like The Ballad of Wallis Island, Secret Mall Apartment, Adventures of Electric Rod Boy, 1-800-ON-HER-OWN, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, the amazing David Lynch: Moving Through Time and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!
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. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website which is constantly updated with new talks. In fact they just announced a good portion of their Spring lineup! And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Take a look at some of their upcoming events below:
- 4/21 David M. Rubenstein and Walter Isaacson on The Highest Calling @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/24 Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality @ Francis W. Parker School
- 4/24 THE ALCHEMY TOUR with Suleika Jaouad, hosted by Jon Batiste @The Salt Shed
- 4/25 An Evening with Bill Callahan @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall
- 4/27 Beyond Closure: A Screening and Conversation @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 4/27 Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy Awakening @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
- 5/14 Nils Frahm in Concert @ The Salt Shed
Check out their talk "Edward Burns Shares a Pint with Chicago" below!
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 2025
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 bohola – Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders; Rhys Jones, Joseph Decosimo & Nokosee Fields; The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen, and Brian Miller; T'Monde; Izaki Metropoulos, Sophia Metropoulos Laouto & Geroge Lawler; Gabe Carter, 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!