Three whole months of must- dos
JUNE
Story Arc Sketch Comedy Festival Sketch group Vienna Juvenile hosts this brand- new festival combining theater and sketch comedy. 6/ 1- 6/ 10: Thu 8 PM, Fri- Sat 8 and 10 PM, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 773- 3275252, viennajuvenilecomedy.com, $ 15, $ 25 for all- night pass, $ 50 for five- day pass.
Pug Party The goal of this celebration is simple: gather as many pugs in one place as possible. Hundreds of pups are expected to attend this year’s event, which includes food, drink, adoption information from the Milwaukee Pug Rescue, and cute overload. Sat 6/ 3, noon- 5 PM, Park Tavern, 1645 W. Jackson, 773- 4852100, pugparty.com, $ 8, $ 5 for kids, free for dogs. “The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg” Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has collaborated with Kanye West and Louis Vuitton, and now his anime- inspired paintings are on display in Chicago for the first time. High- rollers can attend the opening gala on Sat 6/ 3— which features a performance by Janelle Monáe— for $ 250-$ 2,500; the rest of us will just
have to take in the artist’s work examining globalization, media culture, and the continued threats of nuclear power in less glamorous company. 6/ 6- 9/ 24, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago, 312- 280- 2660, mcachicago. org, $ 12, $ 7 students and seniors, free for kids 12 and under and members of the military, free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays. Chicago Vegan Food and Drink Festival
A dining and drinking fest where everything is 100 percent vegan— even the live entertainment. Nosh includes hot dogs, doughnuts, waffles, and southern fried chicken ( er, chickun). Sat 6/ 10, 11 AM- 7 PM, Grant Park, S. Columbus and E. Jackson, vegandrinkfest.com/ chicago, $ 15, free for kids 12 and under. Chicago Alternative Comics Expo For the sixth year this gathering ( better known as CAKE) celebrates local independent comics with a weekend of workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, and panel discussions. This time around guests include Gabrielle Bell ( Cecil and
Jordan in New York), Kevin Budnik ( Handbook), Emil Ferris ( My Favor
ite Thing Is Monsters), and Ben Passmore ( Your Black Friend). Sat 6/ 10- Sun 6/ 11: 11 AM- 6 PM, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, cakechicago.com.
Pilsen Food Truck Social This festival features more than two dozen local food trucks in one place— Boo Coo Roux, Piko Street Kitchen, and Tamale Spaceship among them— with live music from Guapachosos, Los Gold Fires, and Sonorama, and even more to eat from local brick- andmortar restaurants, for those who prefer their food not on wheels. Sat 6/ 10- Sun 6/ 11: 11 AM- 10 PM, 18th and All port, pilsenfoodtrucksocial.com, $ 5 suggested donation, $ 20 sampler ticket.
Activate: Off Street The theme of the Chicago Loop Alliance’s first alley party of the season is “rec room of the block.” The night features a pop- up barber shop, a matchup of professional ping- pong players, a breakdancing battle, a mural by Chris Orta and Jose Quezada, body painting, music from Ifficial Reggae Movement and the Four Star Brass Band, and plenty of drinks. Thu 6/ 15, 5- 10 PM, Sullivan Center Alley, Monroe between State and Wabash, loop chicago. com/ activate.
Chicago Pride Fest This two- day street fest is just a warm- up for the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25. The Boystown takeover kicks off with a Pride Pageant, local street vendors, and three stages of music with performances by Taylor Dayne, Thelma Houston, and Kristine W. Sat 6/ 17- Sun 6/ 18: 11 AM- 10 PM, Halsted between Belmont and Addison, northalsted. com, $ 10 suggested donation. The Shermer Club: A John Hughes Fest Last year’s celebration of Ferris
Bueller’s Day Off sparked this spinoff event featuring screenings of six of the writer- director’s films followed by Q& As with those involved, including Howard Deutch, Anthony Michael Hall, Andrew McCarthy, and Lea Thompson. 6/ 22- 6/ 25, various times and locations, theshermerclub.com, $ 30 per screening, $ 50-$ 85 for a one- day pass, $ 350 for a four- day pass.
Chicago Whiskey Wine & Spirits Beach Festival Enjoy 60 wines, whiskeys, and other spirits at this lakefront party featuring live entertainment, food trucks, and a souve
nir tasting glass. Sun 6/ 26, 12: 30- 3: 30 PM and 4- 7 PM, Montrose Beach, 4400 N. Lake Shore, playerssports.net, $ 10-$ 30, $ 25-$ 55 for VIP.
JULY
Chosen Few Picnic The annual two- day house- music party returns for the 27th year with performances from Steve “Silk” Hurley, Craig Loftus, and more, with sets by the Chosen Few DJs all weekend long, of course. 7/ 1- 7/ 2, Jackson Park, 6300 S. Lake Shore, chosenfewdjs.com, $ 25$ 135, $ 50-$ 160 for two- day pass.
Chicago Margarita Festival This year’s two- day margarita festival features giant Jenga, beach volleyabll, live music, food trucks for sustenance, and plenty of margari
tas available for tasting. Sat 7/ 8- Sun 7/ 9, noon- 10 PM, Navy Pier, 600 W. Grand, chicagomargaritafestival.com, $ 20, $ 65 VIP, $ 6-$ 8 per drink ticket, $ 40 for five- margarita drink ticket.
Summer Dance- Offs This month as part of the Chicago Park District’s SummerDance program, venues across the city— including Garfield Park ( 100 N. Central Park), Washington Park ( 5531 S. Russell), Hamilton Park Cultural Center ( 513 W. 72nd), and Austin Town Hall Park ( 5610 W. Lake)— host step and footwork competitions. Start practicing now. 7/ 87/ 29: Thu 2- 5 PM, various locations, cityofchicago.org/ city/ en/ depts/ dca/ supp_ info/ chicago_ summerdance. html.
New Dances Thodos Dance Company members John Cartwright, Abby Ellison, Alex Gordon, Hattie Haggard, Thomas Jacobson, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, Brennen Renteria, and Luis Vazquez present new works as part of the choreography incubation program’s final year. Sat 7/ 15, 7: 30 PM and Sun 7/ 16, 3 PM, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773- 935- 6875, thodosdancechicago.org, $ 14-$ 40.
Firefly Ball Off the Street Club hosts this night of music, dancing, food, and drinks in the Art Institute’s Modern Wing to raise money so kids who live in violent areas of Chicago can go to summer camp. Fri 7/ 21, 7- 11 PM, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan, offthestreetclub.com/ firefly- ball, price TBD.
10 Year Anniversary Awesome
Tour! It’s been a decade since Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! first aired, so Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim are hitting the road to celebrate. The duo present standup, sketches, video clips, and musical numbers as part of what is sure to be a bizarre live performance. Fri 7/ 21- Sat 7/ 22: 8 PM, the Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, jamusa. com/ the- vic, $ 47.50.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival For the sixth year this festival offers more than 70 specialty beers from more than three dozen breweries, plus live music and snacks. Tickets include a taste of 15 brews and a glass to take home. Sat 7/ 22- Sun 7/ 23: 11: 30 AM- 4 PM, Webster and Sheffield, chicagoevents.com/ events/ chicago- craft- beer- fest, $ 45, $ 40 in advance.
Roger Waters The Pink Floyd legend comes to Chicago on his solo Us + Them tour. You’re gonna wish you were here. Sat 7/ 22- Sun 7/ 23: United Center, 1901 W. Madison, 312- 455- 4500, unitedcenter.com, $ 55-$ 599.
Fiesta del Sol This Pilsen Neighbors Community Council fund- raiser is known as the midwest’s largest Latino festival. The weekend in the sun features live music, carnival rides, educational booths ( including the Civil Rights of Immigrants Booth), and food from local eateries like El Nuevo Taconazo, Pancho’s, Sabor y Sazon, and Taqueria La Cuidad. 7/ 27- 7/ 30: Thu 5- 10 PM, Fri- Sat 11 AM- 11 PM, Sun 11 AM- 10 PM, 1400 W. Cermak, 312- 666- 2663, fiestadelsol.org, free entry, $ 45 for an unlimited ride pass.
Tour de Fat Nothing goes together like bicycles and beer. At least that’s what New Belgium Brewing’s traveling tour wants us to think. The fest features a costumed bike parade, the famous car- for- bike swap, circus
performers, and music from the Roots, not to mention tons and tons of beer. Proceeds benefit West
Town Bikes. Sat 7/ 29, 4- 9 PM, Hunington Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White, newbelgium.com/ tour- de- fat, $ 25, free for kids 12 and under.
AUGUST
Chicago Hot Dog Fest A celebration of the Chicago dog and Vienna Beef featuring bites from local vendors along with a performance by Robert Cornelius & Friends paying
tribute to Prince. 8/ 11- 8/ 13: Fri- Sat 11 AM- 9 PM, Sun 11 AM- 8 PM, Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark, 312642- 4600, chicagohotdogfest.com, $ 5 suggested donation.
Bud Billiken Parade Chance the Rapper serves as grand marshal for this year’s parade, themed “Honoring Hometown Heroes.” The day also features local bands, drill teams, marching units, and floats. A picnic follows. Sat 8/ 12, 10 AM, King Dr. and Oakwood, budbillikenparade.org.
Belle & Sebastian The Scottish band performs in Chicago ahead of the release of a new album later this year. Wed 8/ 16, 7 PM, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 312- 462- 6300, thechicagotheatre. com, $ 37.50- $ 59.50.
Tacos y Tamales Festival This inaugural street fair is inspired by tian
guis, outdoor Mexican markets, and includes authentic Latin American and Mexican food, art installations, local vendors, music and dance performances, and a beer garden. Fri 8/ 18- Sun 8/ 20: noon- 10 PM, 16th and Peoria, chicagotacofest.com, $ 5 suggested donation.
Wizard World Comic Con Nerd out to the max with four days of science fiction, fantasy, film, horror, anime, manga, cosplay, comic books, card games, and celebrity appearances. Among those in attendance this year: Charisma Carpenter, John Cusack, Dulé Hill, and Gene Sim
mons. 8/ 24- 8/ 27: Thu 5- 10 PM, Fri noon- 7 PM, Sat 10 AM- 7 PM, Sun 10 AM- 5 PM, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont, wizardworld.com/ comiccon/ chicago, $ 40-$ 60 one- day pass, $ 94.95 four- day pass.
Taste of Greektown A celebration of Greek culture in— where else?— Greektown. There’s plenty of drinks, dancing, and food from neighborhood restaurants like Artopolis, Parthenon, and Santorini. 8/ 25- 8/ 27: Fri 4- 11 PM, Sat- Sun noon- 11 PM, 400 S. Halsted, tasteofgreektown.com. Villapalooza This all- ages festival celebrates nonviolent spaces for arts, music, and community. Past performers have included the likes of Los Crudos, Dos Santos Anti- Beat Orquesta, and M. A. K. U. Soundsystem. Sat 8/ 26, time TBA, 26th and S. Central Park, villapalooza.org.
Wisconsin Bat Festival Take a road trip for this celebration of our furry,
winged nocturnal friends. Sat 8/ 26, 9 AM- 5 PM, Mitchell Park Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 414- 257- 5611, milwaukeedomes.org.
Chicago Triathlon Lucky for you, there’s a whole summer ahead to train for this annual test of endurance. All participants are invited to the Chicago Triathlon Multisport & Fitness Expo at the Hilton Chicago ( 720 S. Michigan) on Fri 8/ 25 and Sat 8/ 26. Sun 8/ 27, 6 AM, Monroe Harbor, 700 S. Lake Shore, chicagotriathlon.com, $ 145.
Chicago Fringe Festival The city hosts 50 local, national, and international innovative performing arts acts, complete with workshops and events focusing on dance, theater, music, and more. 8/ 30- 9/ 10, various times and locations, chicagofringe.org, $ 10.