(Courtesy of I Heart Halal)
1. Engage
A bazaar, interactive cooking and lifestyle demonstrations, and panel discussions highlight the I Heart Halal festival. Dedicated to Halal living, the event includes a food hall, Indonesian cultural dance performances, a high-end modest fashion show and a concert by Wasalu Muhammad Jaco – also known as Lupe Fiasco.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Navy Pier, Festival Hall A and B, 600 E. Grand Ave. $10-$20 (good for all three days); $5-$10 for kids ages 2-13 (good for all three days); $50-$100 All Access and VIP (includes exclusive programming and samples) / MAP
2. Snake
Have you ever wanted to drape a boa constrictor around your shoulders? Or hold an alligator? You can do that and more at Reptile Fest, where you can learn about more than 200 different species of reptiles and amphibians from around the globe.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Northeastern Illinois University, Physical Education Complex, 3600 W. Foster Ave. $11; $8 for kids ages 3-11; free for kids under age 3 / MAP
(ReptileFest / Facebook)
3. Toast
Nearly 200 craft beers, wines and tasty bites are on the menu at Tinley Park Brew & Vine. Enjoy live music while sipping selections from a commemorative beer or wine glass. Admission includes 12 tasting tickets for beer, wine or food. (Additional tasting tickets can be purchased.)
Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. $35; $55 VIP (includes one-hour early admission, 24 tasting tickets and exclusive selections); $10 designated driver / MAP
(Free-Photos / Pixabay)
4. Hail
Cheer on the Windy City Rollers as they take on the Arch Rival Roller Derby in a Double Header. Up first: Windy City’s Third Coast versus Arch Rival’s Fleur Delinquents, followed by a match between Windy City’s Second Wind and Arch Rival’s St. Lunachix. Food trucks, drinks, raffles and a photo booth are also on tap.
Details: Matches at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at Vertiport Chicago, 1339 S. Wood St. $20-$25 per bout; $34 for both bouts / MAP
(Windy City Rollers / Facebook)
5. Sample
The four-day Taste of Iceland festival showcases the country’s cuisine, music, literature and films at events across the city. Attend a cocktail class (Thursday) to make your own libations using Icelandic liquors and seasonal ingredients. Discover up-and-coming Icelandic filmmakers at the Shortfish film festival (Saturday). Hear Icelandic artists Hildur, who won the 2017 Iceland Music Awards Pop Song of the Year, and Kaelan Mikla, a post-punk band, perform (Saturday).
Details: Hours vary. Thursday-Sunday. Cost of events and location vary.
6. Preserve
How are you treating planet Earth? Organizers of this year’s Earthfest want attendees to reflect on how their day-to-day choices impact the planet, with an eye toward the future. Join citizen science projects and meet with climate change experts to learn about the latest research. BYO plastic bags to participate in a community art project that recycles them into a woven art piece. (Don’t have any plastic bags? No problem, the planetarium will have some on hand.)
Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. Free with general admission / MAP
(qimono / Pixabay)
7. Groove
The Great Lakes Steelpan Festival brings the sounds of Trinidad and Tobago to Woodstock, Illinois. Watch pannists of all ages perform from local and visiting bands, including Sterling Betancourt, a native of Trinidad and former member of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra, and the Woodstock-based Potts & Pans Steelband.
Details: 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Creekside Middle School, 3201 Hercules Road, Woodstock. $10 bleacher seating; $15 floor seating / MAP
8. Slurp
More than 20 vendors serve up homemade soups at the Pozole Cook Off. Get your fill and vote for your favorite entry. Winners will be crowned at 8 p.m. and receive a tour of Lo Rez Brewery and a growler of their favorite beer.
Details: 5 p.m. Saturday at Lo Rez Brewing, 2101 S. Carpenter St. Free / MAP
(alphacreativa / Pixabay)
9. Rock out
Dozens of pop bands from across the globe perform at International Pop Overthrow, including local Gal Gun (Friday) and Canadian rock trio Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold (Saturday).
Details: Performance times vary. Friday through April 20 at LiveWire Lounge, 3394 N. Milwaukee Ave. $10 / MAP
Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold (Credit: Mystery Man Photography)
10. Chuckle
How far would you go to get your child into college? In the wake of the college admissions scandal involving Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, “Admissions” is a timely satire about race, politics, college applications and quotas.
Details: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday through May 12 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. $25-$42 / MAP
“Admissions” stars Kyle Curry (left) as Charlie, an outstanding white male student left shattered when his application to Yale is deferred. Meighan Gerachis plays Charlie’s mom Sherri, the diversity-focused director of admissions at Charlie’s prep school who learns just how far she’ll go to help get her son into college. (Photo credit: Charles Osgood)
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.
