19 Of Our Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 20, 2016 3:12PM
Jazzin at the Shedd returns Wednesday. Photo via Shedd Aquarium's Website.
It's another beautiful, summery week in Chicago. Make the most of it with these awesome events—many free!
MONDAY JUNE 20
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues with performances from DJ Spooky’s Rebirth of a Nation and Chicago-based jazz improviser Kelan Phil Cohran’s Summer Solstice Ensemble. These free concerts (once known as Downtown Sound and World Class Jazz) take place every Monday and Thursday on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
GOOSE ISLAND MIGRATION WEEK: Goose Island brings a week-long celebration of beer to Lincoln Park this week with different events each day. Get things started with the Brewers Workout on Monday at Webster Place Athletic Club. For more details, visit Goose Island’s website.
TUESDAY JUNE 21
MAKE MUSIC ALL DAY: Make Music Chicago brings 200 free events to 100 locations all over Chicago all day. Marking the summer solstice, you can catch free pop-up performances at many unexpected places all over downtown and throughout different neighborhoods from sunrise to sunset. For the full schedule, visit Make Music Chicago’s website.
AWESOME IMPROV SHOW: Second City's got a really awesome new improv show for kids and it’s called Really Awesome Improv Show. Kicking off today, the 11 a.m. matinee performance time is perfect for getting the little ones out of the house and into something entertaining. Tickets are $12.
MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER FILM SERIES: Millennium Park’s Summer Film Series kicks off after dark with a screening of Ferris Bueller's Day Off on the 40-foot LED screen at Pritzker Pavilion. The much-loved Chicago-based film was released 30 years ago this month. Other titles playing at this weekly series throughout the summer include Grease, Finding Nemo and Purple Rain. See the DCASE website for the full schedule. Free.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 22
JAZZIN AT THE SHEDD: The Shedd Aquarium's after-hours event returns for the season. They’ll start Jazzin’ with live music and cocktails every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the huge terrace overlooking the lakefront. This year they’ve partnered with Shoreline's Classic Lake Tour for cruises to see the Navy Pier fireworks. Tickets are $18.
WINE + WARDROBE: Join Master Sommelier Alpana Singh at Seven Lions for a special wine tasting event with Drew Harris of Shop Your Closets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Harris will offer wardrobe tips, including de-cluttering techniques, styling tips, and go-to closet organization rules. The event also benefits Deborah’s Place, a non-profit supporting single women experiencing homeless women, with donations from their wish list. Tickets are $45.
THURSDAY JUNE 23
Photo courtesy of The NeoFuturists.
30 QUEER PLAYS IN 60 STRAIGHT MINUTES: The Neo-Futurists are back doing what they do best, presenting a special Pride edition of their improv show "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind." Watch and marvel as they perform "30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes" this weekend. Tickets to Thursday’s performance are $25 and benefit The Broadway Youth Center. All other performances are standard TML... ticket pricing ($9 + the roll of the die or $20 in advance with a roll-back refund at the door).
HYDE PARK JAZZ BENEFIT: The Hyde Park Jazz Fest’s 10th Anniversary Gala & Benefit Concert starts at 6 p.m. at the Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts. The evening will culminate in a performance from the Ken Peplowski Quintet. Tickets are $150.
DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: The Millennium Park Summer Music Series continues with performances from funk and soul saxophonist Maceo Parker and local indie band Marrow, featuring former members of Kids These Days. These free concerts (once known as Downtown Sound and World Class Jazz take place every Monday and Thursday on the Pritzker Pavilion stage at 6:30 p.m.
WINE + VINYL: The bring-your-own-vinyl night is back, this time at Freehand Chicago. Drinks at the cozy listening party will be provided by Broken Shaker Chicago. Free. RSVP here.
JAMES BEARD DINNER: Chefs from Spiaggia, mfk, Osteria Langhe and Autre Monde all collaborate for a Friends of James Beard Dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event benefits the culinary James Beard Foundation Programs and Scholarships. Tickets are $175. For reservations, call Autre Monde at 708-775-8122.
PASTORAL ROCK: Eyes on the Lines, the proper full-length follow-up to 2014's Way Out Weather sees Steve Gunn continuing along a gently psychedelic path. Gunn's songs are intricate adventures that twist and turn but always remain on course, as far as making a cohesive musical statement. Gunn will take you on a magnificent journey, and while you might not immediately see the final destination it never escapes his vision. Gunn plays Thursday night at Schubas and tickets are $15.
FRIDAY JUNE 24
Photo via SummerDance's website.
SUMMERDANCE: Swing, Salsa, Steppin’, Ballroom...learn it all at SummerDance. This is the 20th Anniversary season of the outdoor music and dancing series which kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park. Dancers of all levels are welcome for free one-hour lessons followed by live music and dancing. Visit SummerDance’s website for the full schedule.
LOGAN SQUARE ARTS FEST: Live art and live music are the focus at this weekend’s Logan Square Arts Festival. Screaming Females and Blitzen Trapper are among the bands headlining, and street artists like Rada and Cyfn will be doing live canvases. The fest also has family friendly activities and so much more throughout the day. Admission is a $5 suggested gate donation.
AMPERBASH: Ravenswood’s Ampersand Wine Bar celebrates their first anniverary with a wine walk from 5 to 9 p.m. Other local businesses will also get in on the block party like Bang Bang Pie Shop, Amy’s Candy Bar and District. Tickets are $30 in advance.
Photo via the Art Institute's website.
NIGHT HEIST: The Art Institute’s Evening Associates step it up a notch from the museum’s usual after-hours event for the sixth annual Night Heist benefit. The 1930s-inspired event will feature eight specialty cocktails created by top mixologists like Paul McGee of Lost Lake, Danny Shapiro of Scofflaw and more. 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $175.
SUPER BIG GAY HAPPY HOUR: Get prepped for Pride with "No Pride: A Super Big Gay Happy Hour" at Uptown Underground. Jeff-Award winning actor Rob Lindley teams with Chuck Larkin on piano for a show about life’s ups and downs. Special appearance by Miss Chic Filet. 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.
JETSET: Imagine you're in Saint-Tropez at ROOF on theWit as they transform the space for their JetSet Weekend. Each month they pick a different jet-setter destination and music, drinks and food follow the theme. DJs Flipside, Impulse and Pierce Fulton will provide the tunes all day all weekend. Cover charge is $10 for ladies, $20 for guys.