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20 Things To Do This Weekend In Chicago: Air And Water Show, Bud Billiken Parade And Cubs Vs. Sox…
CHICAGO — Whether you are in the mood for shopping, dancing, good food or living out your dreams of singing in front of thousands of people, Chicago has it all this weekend.
The Chicago Cubs and White Sox play rivalry games this weekend for sports fans. Catch the annual Market Days fest on Northalsted, or be a part of history at what is set to be the world’s largest karaoke event at Salt Shed. Round out the weekend with a trip to the Hyde Park Handmade Market Sunday.
Here’s a roundup of 20 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Fest Of Us
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday
Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave.
Epiphany Center for the Arts is hosting a series of music, art and politically inspired events in advance of the Democratic National Convention. Admission is free.
Thursday
World’s Largest Karaoke
5-10 p.m. Thursday
The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.
Empty Bottle and Salt Shed have teamed up to host what’s being billed as the world’s largest karaoke party, where attendees will have the chance to sing in front of around 5,000 people. Admission is free. RSVP online.
The I Gotta Guy Sausage Festival
6-10 p.m. Thursday
Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St.
This 16th annual sausage festival has live entertainment, raffles, a silent auction, food, drinks and more. It benefits the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, which works to advance the understanding and treatment of Schaaf Yang Syndrome. Tickets start at $125. Buy them here.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
6:30 p.m. Thursday
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
For the final Millennium Park Summer Music Series concert, three Grammy-winning and nominated artists will take to the stage: U.K. songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae; musician, rapper, singer and producer Terrace Martin; and singer, songwriter and producer James Fauntleroy. Admission is free.
KOVAL Comedy
6:30-9 p.m. Thursday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
KOVAL Distillery and Chicago Comedy Works have teamed up for a new monthly comedy series. Every second Thursday of the month, comics will perform at the distillery to raise money for local nonprofits. This week will benefit Chicago’s oldest continuously operating food pantry, Common Pantry. Learn more and buy tickets for $25 online.
Windy City Comedy Fest Preview
7:15 p.m. Thursday
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Catch a preview of the Windy City Comedy Fest with comics Kirsten Toomey, Junior Stopka, Dwayne Kennedy and host Ariel Julie. This one-night event also helps raise money for the annual fest. Tickets are $15-$35 online.
Movies In The Parks
8:30 p.m. Thursday
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Movies in the Parks is collaborating with the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to provide a screening of “Sonic The Hedgehog 2” on their front lawn. Parking is free at the museum’s garage for all attendees. Admission is free.
Saturday
Bud Billiken Parade
10 a.m. Saturday
4500-5500 blocks of Martin Luther King Drive
This year’s Bud Billiken Parade marks 95 years of celebrating Black Chicago with a two-mile procession and barbecues, picnics and back-to-school giveaways. Learn more here and here.
Women in Blues: Music & Conversation
2-4 p.m. Saturday
Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, 4339 S. Lake Park Ave.
Panelists from the music industry will host a conversation on the history of women in blues music. Admission is free.
Dance For Life
6 p.m. Saturday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.
Dance For Life is an annual event that will feature nine Chicago dance companies and benefit the Chicago Dance Health Fund and AIDS Foundation Chicago. Tickets are $45-$125 for the performance only, or $500 for the performance and after-party. They can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling 312-341-2300 or online at auditoriumtheatre.org.
Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour
7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
The Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Comedian Jack Tucker will take the stage for two comedy shows at The Den Theater. Tickets ranging from $27-$50 are available at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling 773-697-3830.
Sunday
Hyde Park Handmade Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Promontory Lounge, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., 2nd floor
Shop handmade desserts, jewelry, skincare products, home decor, spices and more by South Side creators at this family-friendly market. There will be lounge areas, workshops and a live DJ. Find more information and a full list of vendors here. Admission is free.
12th Annual Back-To-School Celebration
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday
Roseland Community Hospital, 45 W. 111th St.
At this free event, the Roseland team will give away 400 book bags and serve hot food and boxed lunches to families on a first-come, first-served basis. The afternoon will offer performances by the Jesse White Tumblers and top dance groups from Chicago. The event will also feature 25 vendors and community partners, a live DJ, a bouncy house and raffle prizes. Community members will have access to physical exams, vaccines, hygiene kits and a mobile dental van for checkups. There will also be job opportunities and access to the hospital’s community closet, which offers free new and gently used items to residents.
1619 Project
3 p.m. Sunday
Baffes Theatre at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.
A new musical by Ted Williams III, “1619: The Journey of a People,” commemorates the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America. This poignant production takes audiences on an evocative journey through history with a dynamic cast of singers, actors, spoken word artists and dancers. “1619” also runs 2 p.m. Aug. 17 and 3 p.m. Aug. 18. Tickets are available online for $20.
End Hunger Games
3-6 p.m. Sunday
Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell St.
At this fundraising event for local food bank Friendship Center, guests can participate in a series of games to help end hunger and enjoy food and raffles to help provide for those facing hunger in Chicago. Adult tickets for $35 and youth tickets for $15 are available online.
Pink Elephant Revue
5-7 p.m. Sunday
Tiny Tapp, 55 W. Riverwalk
Pink Elephant Revue — a soul, jazz and R&B collective featuring Meagan McNeal, Julia Danielle, Keya Trammell, Joyce Hurley, Sam Mitchem and Zion Ali — plays a free live music set at Tiny Tapp on the Chicago Riverwalk.
