Shakespeare in the park, a bug zoo, and a fun-run at Soldier Field; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.
Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival
Get outside and enjoy the first weekend of August at the annual Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival. Attendees will browse the work of 140 artists while listening to live jazz, folk, bluegrass, power-pop, and acoustic tunes on Evanston's beautiful lakefront. Those who work up an appetite during the event can visit the food court at the southwest end of the festival grounds. The food court will offer a wide range of snacks from Anthony's Italian Ice, Tamales Express, Mustard's Last Stand, Uncle Zorba's and more.
A children’s craft tent will also offer kids the opportunity to make tissue flowers, paper airplanes, and Pipe Cleaner Insects. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday August 3-4 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Dawes Park in Evanston, located at Sheridan Road at Church Street. Admission is free. For more information about the event, click here.
Dawes Park
1700 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201
This week on Chicago Tonight, Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joined us to review three shows that are currently on Chicago area stages. A highlight from that list was Mojada at Victory Gardens Theater. In a world premiere of an old tale with a modern twist, Mojada delivers a re-imagination of Euripides' Medea that takes place in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The modern take on the Greek myth tackles American immigration, family, tradition, mysticism, and the explosive moment when they all collide. The story was written by MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Luis Alfaro, the playwright of last season’s critically acclaimed Oedipus el Rey. Referring to Alfaro, Hedy Weiss says, “he has transformed that tale of exile and catastrophe into a powerhouse of modern mythmaking that now unfolds in the backyard of a shabby two-story brick building in Pilsen.” Tickets for the show, which runs 2 hours and 20 minutes, cost from $30-$60. There is one intermission, and the production is recommended for ages 14 and up. For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, click here.
Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Program: The Comedy of Errors
This weekend, grab a lawn chair and head over to Loyola Park in Rogers Park to catch a popular Shakespeare comedy. After a successful debut last summer, the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks Program has returned for a second season. This summer, the cast is performing William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Executive Director Criss Henderson and actress Lanise Antoine Shelley joined us on Chicago Tonight this week to talk about the summer tour, which includes 26 performances in 18 different neighborhoods parks. The 75-minute comedy was adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director and choreographer David H. Bell. People of all ages will enjoy this wacky tale about a man and his servant who search for their long-lost twin brothers after landing in a foreign land. According to Hedy Weiss, “the opening show in West Town’s Eckhart Park, drew families, singles, dogs and Mayor Emanuel and his kids onto the grass in front of the handsome stage that can be folded into a truck.” The shows, which are free, take place through August 25. This weekend, performances will take place at Loyola Park, at the Farwell Entrance, on Friday, August 2 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, August 3, at 6:30 pm. Another performance will take place at Hamilton Park on Sunday, August 4 at 4:00 pm. For more information, click here.
Loyola Park
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.
Chicago IL 60626
Hamilton Park
513 W. 72nd St.
Chicago IL 60621
Lollapalooza isn’t the only “palooza” going on in Chicago this weekend. Young bug enthusiasts should join in on the fun during the fifth annual Bugapalooza at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Whether it’s butterflies, caterpillars or slugs that interest your child, this celebration has all kinds of critters for kids to explore .This year’s agenda includes the opportunity to feed critters in the bug zoo, the chance to discover how bees produce honey, and an evening butterfly release. Face painting, arts & crafts, and light snacks will also be offered during the family-friendly evening. Because Bugapalooza has been so popular in past years, the museum has moved the starting time to the early evening this year so more families can join in on the fun. Bugapalooza takes place from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm on Friday, August 2 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The event costs $11 for adult members, and $10 from adult non-members. For children, the event costs $9 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
The Biggest Loser RunWalk Chicago
If you’re a fan of NBC’s The Biggest Loser and you like to run, lace up your running shoes and head to Soldier Field on Sunday, August 4 for the Biggest Loser Run/Walk. Race participants will run along Chicago’s lakefront with The Biggest Loser trainer Dolvett Quince, and five former contestants. This is part of The Biggest Loser RunWalk Race Series, a non-intimidating race series designed to challenge America to get fit. Whether you’re an avid runner or a beginner, this event has a distance for you. The event includes a 5K Run, 5K walk, 15K Run, 15K Walk, and a Kids Fit 1 Mile Fun Run. During the event, racers and spectators can also enjoy live music from Nashville recording artist Dan Evans.
On race day, vendor booths open at 6:30 am. The 5K and 15K races begin for all runners and walkers at 8:00 am, and the kids 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 11:00 am. The start/finish line is at the Stadium Green at the Soldier Field Parklands, and the race lineup will take place on Waldron Street Drive near the intersection of Museum Campus Drive.
Online registration is currently open, but once online registration closes, participants can still register in-person at the packet pickup on Saturday, August 3 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at Village Market in Chicago. You must bring a photo ID to pick up your own race bib and timing chip at packet pick-up. No one else can pick up your packet for you. Registration for the races cost $10 for kids, and between $45 and $65 for adults. For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Packet Pickup/Registration:
Village Market
320 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Race Day:
Soldier Field
1410 Museum Campus Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
