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10 THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO THIS WEEKEND

  • Dasha Diachenko
  • Sep 1, 2017
  • 4 min read

WOOGMS LABOR DAY PARADE

The Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOGMS) motto is: “Everybody marches, nobody watches.” Ringing true for the group’s Labor Day Parade, folks are set to line the streets like Lakeview like it's Mayberry for this D.I.Y. event. Throw on some red, white and blue, grab a flag and join in!

The parade takes off at 11 a.m. Monday and it’s free, naturally. The parade route starts at the intersection of Pine Grove and Wellington, proceeding north to Barry, east to Sheridan, then south to Diversey to wrap up on Lake Shore Drive. http://www.44thward.org/local-events/ CHICAGO FRINGE FEST

The 8th annual Fringe Festival boasts two weekends of 47 shows and over 200 performances from theatre, dance, puppetry, comedy and spoken-word groups from around the country. For the “un-tried and the weird,” Fringe welcomes everyone to enjoy its inclusive spaces, not discouraging free speech – or nudity for that matter. But don’t worry – there’s Kids Fringe, too. With its own wide variety of family-friendly performances and activities, Fringe is proof that individuality and uniqueness are just more fun.

$10 per show for adults, plus a one-time $5 Fringe fee; kids just $5. Times vary based on show, but you can find options on Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, and again Sept. 9-10. Jefferson Playhouse, 4766 N. Milwaukee Avenue. http://chicagofringe.org/ WYCLEF JEAN PERFORM

Washington Park has been turned into African arts villages for the annual African Festival of the Arts. Travel from Nubia to Timbuktu through showcases of traditional drumming, literature, hand-crafted goods and more all weekend long. While you may be going for the art – stay for the music. The legendary Wyclef Jean (pictured) will perform, as well as one of disco’s preeminent acts Heatwave, Afrobeat artist Wizkid and rapper Taylor Bennett (Yes, Chance’s younger brother).

$15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Various discounts for seniors and children under 5 are free. 10 a.m. Friday-Monday. 5100 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.

https://www.aihusa.org/african-fesitval-of-the-arts/ "TATTOO" EXHIBIT

The Field Museum’s “Tattoo” exhibit is in its final days this weekend. Tracing the history of tattooing as well as the medium’s impact as an art form, folks can see tattooing’s evolution over time, including its roots in native rituals, through large-scale photos displayed and different tools used in addition to hearing from various tattoo artists that contributed to the exhibit. If you’re lucky to be there when the shop is open, you can catch a live demo of someone being tattooed in-house.

$15-$22. Through Monday. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/discover/on-exhibit/tattoo/

POETRY READING: INFINITE GENDERS

Writers identifying as trans, gender nonconforming and nonbinary read works from Transworks Poetry’s “Infinite Genders: You Can’t Read With Us.” The group, which began as a book club, is currently in partnership with Chicago House and Social Service Agency and Literature For All of Us. Friday evening’s reading will include: FLOTUS Cheyenne, Lucy Diavolo, Lucky Hinkle, Katie Jackson, Angelina Nordstrom, and Jes Scheinpflug

Free. 7:30 p.m., Friday. Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark Street.

http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/poetry-reading-infinite-genders FIESTA BORICUA

The 24th annual Fiesta Boricua on Division Street’s Paseo Boricua corridor celebrates the best of Puerto Rican talent, music and culture. Events begin Friday, with the unveiling of a new mural by artist Osvaldo Budet in honor of recently released Puerto Rican political prisoner, Oscar Lopez Rivera. Live music, pro-wrestling demonstrations and Domino matches will be taking place all weekend long, in addition to a back to school carnival with rides, educational tents, arts and crafts, games, interactive activities with Ciclo Urbano and free school supply giveaways.

$15-$25. 12-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2739 W. Division Street. http://www.prcc-chgo.org/annual-events/fiesta-boricua/

TASTE OF POLONIA

Claiming the title of “Largest Polish Festival in the country,” Jefferson Park’s Taste of Polonia is four days of pierogi, polka and more! There are plenty of other events and vendors to check out to show off more of your Polish pride (whether you're Polish or just Polish for the weekend’s festivities). Kid-friendly entertainment options include kindie tunes, story times, a bounce house, kids’ fitness classes and karate and dance demos.

$5-$10, free for kids 12 & under. 5 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. Saturday through Labor Day. Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue. https://topchicago.org/ MIDNIGHT CIRCUS IN THE PARK

Bringing the circus to the people in Chicago’s green spaces –a crobats, clowns, artists and more will take over Hamilton Park with their “little big top” and plenty of fun the whole family can enjoy. The civic-minded circus reinvests much of its proceeds back into the parks, totaling more than $850,000 in the past decade. The circus performs at one park per weekend through October 15, but don’t sleep on getting tickets – they usually sell out fast.

$5. Kids under 2 free on parents’ laps. Tickets to later dates typically cost $20. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd Street. http://midnightcircus.net/

CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL

Chicago’s Jazz Fest kicked off Thursday, but there are still plenty of fantastic events to check out through Sunday. Former street band Rebirth Brass Band blends elements of jazz and reggae for a high-stepping bang of a musical experience, the one and only Sheila Jordan is performing alongside The Steve Kuhn Trio, Roscoe Mitchell’s Quartet will honor 50 years of Nessa Records and there will be an “Ellabration” –celebrating 100 years of the queen, Ms. Ella Fitzgerald.

Check out Tribune critic Howard Reich’s picks.

Free. Performances start at 12 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Cultural Center at Millennium Park (and various spots across the park), 201 E. Randolph Street. http://jazzinchicago.org/jazzfest/

NORTH COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL

Artists from Gucci Mane to Ween descend upon Union Park, glowsticks in-hand. Fans of house, EDM, hip-hop and jam bands typically show up in glitter and body paint, hula hoops and totem poles are welcome and there will be plenty of vendors to keep folks occupied between sets. In addition to Gucci and Ween, North Coast will also host Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, STS9 and Skepta among others.

$59-$600. 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 1501 W. Randolph Street. www.northcoastfestival.com

 
 
 

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