Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 4/23 and Beyond

It's looking like a fun final April weekend filled with tons of great film festivals, concerts, movies, and theater shows! So don't let the pleasant weather and great events pass you by. Also don't forget to check out our monthly Lit event roundup and add some of these events to your schedule!

Let's get on with your curated weekend!

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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' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20!  The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Chicago Rum Festival 2026 @ Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N Kedzie Blvd, 1:30pm – 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The Chicago Rum Festival (aka Midwest Rum Fest) is back for another outing!
SO WHAT: Get a taste of the world of rum with this fantastic festival! There are four unique sessions available for rum lovers all skill levels. Whether you're an industry professional, just starting your rum journey, a verifiable rum expert, or somewhere in between, the Chicago Rum Festival has a session ready for you!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available!

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. 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! Check out their talk with Ed Helms below!

• 4/23 A Night With NPR’s Planet Money @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 4/23 Xochitl Gonzalez: Last Night in Brooklyn @ Salt Shed
• 5/3 Joe Abercrombie: The Devils @ Francis W. Parker School
• 5/8 Peter Sagal’s Constitution Sessions: Origins and Original Sins @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 David Axelrod and David French in Conversation @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Lakeview Day Member Reception @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Lakeview - 12:15pm @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Gregory Dreicer Exposes Hidden Histories of Skyscrapers and Infrastructure @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Peter Sagal’s Constitution Sessions: The Warren Court and Its Enemies @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Brick of Chicago Walking Tour: Lakeview - 3pm @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Jelani Cobb: Three or More Is a Riot @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Padma Lakshmi’s All American @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Will Quam: Brick of Chicago @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 Kimberlé Crenshaw: Backtalker @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 5/9 An Unnameable Energy: Why Art Matters Now: An Evening with Jad Abumrad & Lynda Barry @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klDKh51syyY

Chicago Latino Film Festival @ Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N Clark St, various times
WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival is back for their 42nd year!
SO WHAT: Chicago Latino Film Festival gives audiences a look into the work of filmmakers from Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the U.S. As always the festival will feature a variety of shorts and feature films through the entire spectrum of genre, each giving a special insights to unique themes. You can check out the full lineup of films here andcheck out their program scedule PDF here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now! Standard pricing for the film screenings is $17, $15 for seniors/students/ILCC Members, and Monday/Tuesday screenings are $12. The Film Festival Passport, which includes 10 tickets, is $140!

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 it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like The Stranger (2026), Erupcja (Writer/Director Pete Ohs and Producer/Actor Jeremy O. Harris in attendance for a post-film Q&A), Animation Adventures, Prison Break!: Films of Escape, Music Box of Horrors Presents and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!

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. This weekend is the start of their month long festival TNK, so you can check out what those show have going on just above this!

• 4/23 - Schubas Open Mic HOSTED BY SHARRON PALM and SAM SELBY @ Schubas (Upstairs)
• 4/23- Babes in Canyon + Wide Orbit + Camp Bedford @ Schubas SOLD OUT
• 4/23 - Femtanyl + Bejalvin @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
• 4/24 - Femtanyl + Bejalvin @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT
• 4/24 - Rec Hall + Summerdrive @ Schubas SOLD OUT
• 4/25 - Gelli Haha WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GELLI HAHA TOUR 2026 + BIG SIS @ Schubas SOLD OUT
• 4/25 - Gelli Haha WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GELLI HAHA TOUR 2026 + BIG SIS @ Schubas SOLD OUT
• 4/25- Drugdealer + Longplayer @ Lincoln Hall
• 4/26- Abby Powledge The Starting From Scratch Tour + Bridey Costello @ Schubas SOLD OUT

NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows!

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Sor Juana Festival 2026 @ National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St, 7pm, 21+
WHAT: The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the 32nd 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.

• 4/29 A Presentation of My Name is Chabela with Marisol Arnot

NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for this 21+ event and drinks are included in ticket prices

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 Gap Civil, High Fidelity, Lissa Schneckenburger & Garrett Cameron, Ethan Leinwand, Jontavious Willis, Luke Huval Band, Mariachi Flor de Primavera, and 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!