Weekend Events: Festival Season in Full Swing

THURSDAY (Jump to FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY)

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Maifest (through Sunday)
Lincoln and Leland avenues
Celebrate the season with German food and giant plastic steins of beer at this annual tradition in Lincoln Square. Entertainment includes live music on two stages and cultural performances. Don't miss Friday's official opening ceremony, which includes a key tapping and crowning of the May Queen. 5-9:30 p.m. Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday.


Also on tap:

The 3rd Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival  (through Sunday)
Various locations
Of course, a comedy festival hosted by The Onion and A.V. Club has to have a tongue-in-cheek name. See Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Michael Che and others at a handful of locations, including Thalia Hall in Pilsen and Lincoln Hall in Lincoln Park. Times and prices vary. 

Dee Alexander with University of Chicago Jazz X-Tet
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
The Chicago-based vocalist and songwriter performs alongside the Jazz X-Tet from the U of C. Alexander has shared the stage with Ahmad Jamal, David Sanborn, Joshua Redman and others during her career. 8 p.m. Free.

‘I, Malvolio’ (through Sunday)
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 E. Grand Ave.
Tim Crouch’s adaptation of “Twelfth Night” is a one-man interpretation told by Shakepeare’s maligned steward, Malvolio. The story draws the audience into the madness of the Bard’s classic comedy. Times vary. $38.


FRIDAY (Jump to THURSDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY)

(Courtesy of Do Division Street Fest / Facebook)(Courtesy of Do Division Street Fest / Facebook)

Do-Division Street Fest (through Sunday)
Division Street from Ashland Avenue to Leavitt Street
The 10-year anniversary of this West Town festival features two stages of live music, plus DJs, sidewalk sales, food and drink vendors, a dedicated area for kids and more along a 10-block stretch of Division Street. 5-1o p.m. Friday; 12-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $5 suggested donation. 


Also on tap:

Lincoln Park Greek Fest (through Sunday)
St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N. Sheffield Ave.
Try authentic Greek cuisine and see music and dance performances in this showcase of Hellenic pride. 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday. $5 suggested donation.

Caffeine Crawl (through Sunday)
Various locations
Remember when coffee shops weren't dominated by a certain Seattle-born chain? Tour the city's fantastic indie side as 20 local cafes, roasteries, tea shops and bakeries come together to create 11 different tours, whether you prefer to walk, drive or transit your way from stop to stop. Each route includes five to six stops and samples at each. Times vary by route. $34.

Making a Murderer’s Dean Strang and Jerry Buting
The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.
The defense attorneys for Steven Avery discuss the case that garnered widespread attention after the story was adapted for Netflix. Strang and Buting will also talk about the broader implications of the case, including the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. 8 p.m. $39-95.

Chicago Gospel Music Festival (through Saturday)
Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park
The 31st annual showcase of local, national and international gospel performers features Hezekiah Walker, Travis Green, Shirley Caesar, Brian Courtney Wilson, the Chicago Mass Choir and others. Performance times vary. Free.

Taste of Little Village: Flavors of Mexico (through Sunday)
26th Street and Sacramento Avenue
A food-and-music festival highlights nearly a dozen Mexican restaurants, plus live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts and daily cooking demonstrations. Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

The Second City NBC Break Out Comedy Festival (through Saturday)
Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave.
Former "SNL" cast member Tim Meadows hosts this showcase of emerging voices. See sketch, improv and stand-up from Dave Helem, Joel Kim Booster, Lauren Walker, Becca Brown and others. 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $20.


SATURDAY (Jump to THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SUNDAY)

57th Street Art Fair (through Sunday)
57th Street and Kimbark Avenue
Browse ceramics, digital art, fiber art, jewelry, paintings, drawings, woodwork, photography, printmaking and more from 200 local and regional exhibitors at the 69th annual Hyde Park event, billed as the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest. See the map here. 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission.


Also on tap:

The 606 Block Party
Various locations along the 606 trail
The abandoned rail line-turned-walking path celebrates its first birth with two stages of music, plus food and activities for all ages. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

Hyde Park Brew Fest
53rd Street and Harper Avenue
Sample beer and cider from more than 50 breweries at this third-annual festival. Music and food and craft vendors are also on tap. 1-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free admission; beer ticket prices vary.

Wingout Chicago (through Sunday)
St. Michael’s in Old Town, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave.
A block party celebrating chicken wings includes a variety of styles from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 25 Degrees, The Wild Hare and more. Tickets include unlimited wings, one beer and live reggae music. 2-6 p.m. $55.

'En-Lightening: A Show of Color in the Dark'
Gallery Seven, 116 N. Chicago St, Suite 102., Joliet
An artist who is visually impaired will “paint the music” of jazz guitarist John Moulder for this closing night reception of a special exhibition designed to “light the way” for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Celebrity portrait artist and author John Bramblitt will demonstrate his unique technique while Moulder plays guitar. The work of Joliet artist Rita Rogan will also be featured. 6-8 p.m. Free.


SUNDAY (Jump to: THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY)

Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar and Farmer’s Market
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Dozens of vendors from the South Side will be on hand for this indoor market, while Sean Alvarez spins. Brunch menu available; bar will be open. 11 a.m. Free admission.


Also on tap:

Copa America Centario: Jamaica vs. Venezuela (through June 22)
Soldier Field
Soccer fans, get ready. This game honors 100 years of the Copa America tournament, featuring “The World’s Best in the U.S.” Jamaica and Venezuela kick off the competition for Group C on Sunday. Then you can see the U.S. soccer team play the winner of the A3 vs. A4 game. Check the schedule for details. 4 p.m. $50-$375.

Dixie Chicks
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park
After stepping into the spotlight during the late ‘90s boom in country music, the Dixie Chicks went from a small Texas bluegrass group to international stars. Emily Robison, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire are back for their first U.S. tour in 10 years. 7 p.m. $35-$235. 


Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.


Thanks to our sponsors:

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Thanks to our sponsors:

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