Chicago's best young violinists and cellists in concert, a German spring celebration, & lively street fests; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Merit School of Music Presents STRINGTACULAR
A true cross-section of our diverse city, the Merit School of Music’s Suzuki-Alegre Strings music program brings together talented students from myriad ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who share one love: music. On Saturday, June 2, the public is invited to a free celebration of these talented young musicians, as the Merit School presents STRINGTACULAR at Pilsen’s Harrison Park Fieldhouse. The concert features over 200 students currently enrolled in Merit’s Suzuki-Alegre program, which fuses the traditional Japanese Suzuki method of music instruction with the lively flair of Latino culture. Headlining Saturday’s program is the Suzuki-Alegre Strings Ensemble, a group of 18 of the program’s most talented violinists and cellists, recently returned from a trip to the 16th Suzuki Method World Convention in Matsumoto Japan. Again, the event is FREE to the public. For more information about the program, click here or call (312) 786-9428. For a preview of what to expect from Saturday’s production, check out Chicago Tonight’s story on the Suzuki-Alegre String Ensemble and watch them perform live in-studio.
Harrison Park Fieldhouse
1824 S. Wood St.
Chicago, IL 60608
For another weekend event that’s easy on the wallet, head downtown to Millennium Park for the fifth-annual Millennium Art Festival. Featuring works from over 130 artists and artwork of nearly every medium imaginable – ceramics, fiber, blown glass, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, painting and much more – the festival is located at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street, just steps from “The Bean” and the Art Institute. If you get hungry while browsing, snacking opportunities abound with authentic Turkish, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine on-site. The festival also features live music performed by local musicians Cirrus Falcon and Mark Adamczyk. To learn more about the festival and the artists in attendance, click here.
Lake Street at Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
Put on your lederhosen, grab a stein full of golden beer and some crispy schnitzel, and head to Lincoln Square to celebrate the arrival of spring, German-style. Located in the heart of Chicago’s German community at Lincoln and Leland Avenues, Mayfest returns to Chicago, and with it traditional German dancing, crafts, authentic foods and libations. Just as it is celebrated in the motherland, the festival features dancing around the Maypole (Maibaum), decorated to highlight the history and art of the local village, and the crowning of a Mayfest “queen.” Festival admission is free, but if you wish to imbibe and sample the German fare, don’t forget your wallet. Festivities last from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Friday; 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturday; and 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sunday. For more information on the festival, click here.
Lincoln Square
4700 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
“They Seek A City: Chicago and the Art of Migration, 1910-1950”
Like many other American cities, the story of Chicago is also the story of the migrations and immigrations of diverse groups of people, who came to the city seeking a better life. As each of these groups made Chicago their home and shaped the city we know today, they chronicled their experiences through art. A rich collection of this artwork is on display at the Art Institute, but this weekend is your last chance to catch a glimpse. “They Seek A City: Chicago and the Art of Migration, 1910-1950” is open to the public through Sunday with a general admission pass to the Art Institute. The museum is open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm; admission is priced at $19 for youth, seniors and students, and $25.50 for adults. To learn more about the exhibit and to purchase advance tickets, click here. Also, check out Chicago Tonight’s recent story on “They Seek a City.”
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
Expecting an estimated 75,000 attendees, one of the city’s largest street festivals returns to Wicker Park for a seventh straight year. The Do-Division Street Fest is the quintessential summer street festival, featuring live music, designer garments and jewelry, and even a family-friendly festival corridor. The festival has music on two main stages and a series of DJs and live acts, like Night Moves and The Ragtones, will help keep the party going strong all weekend. For the Family-Fun Fest, Do-Division has partnered with the Museum of Science and Industry, which means a variety of science-themed activities for families planning to bring the little ones along. The festival lasts from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday, and from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Though there is no required admission fee to enter the festival, a $5 donation is requested to benefit the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce and several nearby elementary schools. To learn more about the festival and to view a full live music schedule, click here.
Street Fest: Division Street from Damen to Leavitt
Family Fun Fest: Hoyne from Crystal to Potomac, and Crystal from Hoyne to Damen
Do Fashion Fest: Hoyne from Division to Crystal
Sidewalk Sale: Division Street from Damen to Ashland (no street closure)
