Arts & Entertainment
A Jazz Festival and Film Noir: 4 Arts Picks for Your Labor Day Weekend
“Sweet Smell of Success” (Provided)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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Monday is Labor Day, which means we’re about to have a three-day weekend: another 24 hours to rest, recharge and explore whatever we’d like. Fortunately, as the city celebrates the holiday and workers get to stay home, the local arts and culture scene will still be going strong. Whether it’s music, theater or art, you’re in luck for things to do this extended weekend.
Music: Chicago Jazz Festival — Millennium Park, Chicago Cultural Center
One of the best Labor Day traditions in the city is the Chicago Jazz Festival, which provides a bounty of free jazz concerts at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. The festival runs from Thursday through Sunday, and each day is packed with eclectic talent. Selected headliners include Robert Glasper, Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap Duo, the Miles Electric Band and more. Peruse the whole schedule here.
Art: African Festival of the Arts — Washington Park
Head to Washington Park’s Sunken Garden for the African Festival of the Arts, which is happening Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Expect food, arts offerings, performances, readings, fashion showings and much more. This year’s theme is “Crowning the African Spirit,” and it “honors the rich artistic, cultural, and spiritual traditions that connect people of African descent around the world.” You can buy tickets here.
Theater: “Mean Girls” — Paramount Theatre
When Tina Fey was writing her iconic movie “Mean Girls,” she was inspired by the north suburban high schools of Evanston Township and New Trier when she made the fictional North Shore High School its setting. The film has been adapted into a musical since 2017 and now treks over to Aurora’s Paramount Theatre for a new run. Buy tickets here.
Film: “Noir City: Chicago” — Music Box Theatre
Starting Friday, the Music Box Theatre and the Film Noir Foundation are teaming up to screen 19 movies in their series “Noir City: Chicago.” The festival runs from Friday through Sept. 10 and is jam-packed with classics like “Sweet Smell of Success” and Robert Altman’s “Kansas City.” You can check the full schedule here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
