Haircuts and whiskey. Tequila and ping-pong. EDM and art. Fitness and street festivals. These are things that shouldn’t go together, but somehow do this weekend in Chicago. There’s also a James Beard-themed food festival, a New Orleans–style crawfish boil, an indie bookstore crawl, and a high-minded seminar with Questlove -- not to mention the most unique Q&A session you’re likely to encounter on this plane of existence. Here's everything you need to do in Chicago this weekend.
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Thursday - Friday
Apr 26-27
Various locations
See local street artists set up live installments as you rock to EDM at this music fest in Pilsen’s Lacuna Artist Lofts. Performers include names from the EDM scene like Toadface, DJ Hatcha, and Truth. There'll also be a pre-party at Bottom Lounge and an after-party at Bourbon on Division.
Cost: $20-$60
Cost: $20-$60
Friday - Sunday
Apr 27-May 6
Various locations
This mini version of Chicago Restaurant Week features 130+ local restaurants each creating a customized dish or menu inspired by James Beard, from watermelon mojito grilled whole fish to country fried chicken and sweet potato waffles with bourbon maple syrup.
Cost: Prices vary
Cost: Prices vary
Friday
Apr 27
Soldier Field
This celebration of the hard stuff features 60+ whiskeys, live music from The Mowgli’s, chef tastings from bigwigs like Tony Mantuano, food trucks including Da Lobsta, a cigar lounge, and a pop-up men’s barbershop.
Cost: $75-$125
Cost: $75-$125
Friday
Apr 27
Schubas
This annual event features 20 local Chicagoans (from writers and musicians to filmmakers and artists) who each will have two minutes to answer the following question: “Where do we start?” Answers may be delivered in any form, from spoken word to song to performance and art.
Cost: $10
Cost: $10
Saturday
Apr 28
The Empty Bottle
Check out iconic local folk, bluegrass, and Afrobeat acts like Chicago Afrobeat Project and Lawrence Peters Outfit at this daylong celebration of folk music and community. There will be Lagunitas beer and hooch onsite courtesy of Sugarlands Distilling.
Cost: $15
Cost: $15
Saturday
Apr 28
Various locations
Celebrate national Independent Bookstore Day at Chicago’s second annual Indie Bookstore Crawl featuring special deals and “passport stamps” at each of the 27 participating Chicagoland locations.
Cost: No cover
Cost: No cover
Saturday
Apr 28
Monroe Street, between Morgan & Aberdeen
This fitness-focused “anti-street festival” hosted by Brooklyn Boulders will be offering boot camps, group runs, pilates, and yoga -- a break from the traditional beer- and bratwurst-fueled Chicago street fests.
Cost: No cover
Cost: No cover
Saturday
Apr 28
Spin
Players Sport & Social Group hosts two sessions of tequila, sangria, and spirits tastings at local ping-pong emporium Spin.
Cost: $30-$40
Cost: $30-$40
Sunday
Apr 29
Frontier
If you can’t be in New Orleans for Jazz Fest, the next-best thing is this authentic NOLA crawfish boil with daiquiri/Abita specials and, of course, live music over two afternoon sessions.
Cost: $35
Cost: $35
Saturday - Sunday
Apr 28-29
Various locations
Join authors and cultural icons including Questlove and journalists David Corn and Michael Isikoff for thought-provoking discussions and seminars on topics from reality TV to Russian collusion, with a Questlove-hosted after-party at Cerise.
Cost: Prices vary
Cost: Prices vary
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