Popular Weekend Events in Chicago (July Updated)

Information Source: SIU Alumni Association | eventbrite

Spring is a time for transformation and renewal, often accompanied by letting go of that which no longer serves us. Join FTS certified forest therapist, Sarah Schroeder-Lebec, for a morning of resourcing, release, and resilience in the forest. We will gather in community, practice Shinrin Yoku together, and engage in rituals of release and renewal as we orient to the healing power of mother earth and her inhabitants. The event will culminate in a tea ceremony, and participants are offered opportunities for sharing and connection but encouraged to participate in whatever way is most comfortable for them. Participants need not be physically fit for this experience, but should be comfortable walking on uneven ground in a forest environment. Participants who are not comfortable sitting on the ground, on logs, or standing for long periods of time should bring something to sit on. *THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE, SO DRESS ACCORDINGLY AND BRING YOUR SENSE OF WONDER! Information Source: Sarah Schroeder-Lebec | eventbrite

Welcome to the Creator Collective Photography Workshop ! Join us for an evening of creativity and learning on April 8th at 2 :00 PM in the heart of 4245 N Knox Ave . This in-person event is perfect for photographers of all levels looking to improve their skills and connect with like-minded individuals. Get ready to explore new techniques, share your work, and be inspired by the vibrant photography community. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to grow as a photographer and have fun doing what you love! Through a blend of theory, practical exercises, and hands-on guidance, participants will learn the fundamentals of photography, including camera settings, composition techniques, and post-production basics. All ages are welcome! Sponsored by 2112 and Comcast Information Source: CreatorCollectiveChi | eventbrite

Part of The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival 2025 THE MUSES Book, Music, and Lyrics by Liam P. Mulligan Directed by Becca Hollaway Music Directed by Nick Sula William Albright, a struggling opera composer, finds that his best friend and muse, Laura, is engaged to an electrician after being gone on a week-long Spring Break trip. On Laura’s wedding day, William appears before the wedding to tell her how he loved her, and then he leaves her to begin a five-year search for closure filled with 8 doppelgänger “Lauras” based on the Greek Muses. Information Source: Kokandy Productions | eventbrite

Join us at Merz Apothecary for our first herbal workshop! For 150 years, Merz Apothecary has been a trusted source for wellbeing and personal care in Chicago. We're excited to offer this new workshop as part of our 150th Anniversary celebration. Explore herbs in a new way during this hands-on, interactive workshop. You'll learn about the history of herbs and teas at Merz Apothecary, the difference between an herb, tea and a blend, the benefits of using herbs & teas in your daily routine and how to build your own blend. Choose from an overall wellness blend, a seasonal/astrological blend or a relaxation blend. With the guidance of our Herbs & Teas Specialist & Tea Blend Formulator, Lisa, and using our high-quality herbs, you'll get to build, test and tweak your own creation. Enjoy herb & tea consultations and private shopping after the workshop. Light bites and refreshments provided. Information Source: Merz Apothecary | eventbrite

#dosomethingdifferent REGGAE SUNDAY // The #1 Caribbean Party In The City! THE SPRING BREAK EDITION Get ready to groove to the best reggae beats and feel the Caribbean vibes all night long. Join us on Sunday 6th, April 2025 at **BASSLINE || 2239 - CHICAGO** for an unforgettable experience. Dance, sing, and enjoy an amazing Caribbean experience with friends and fellow reggae lovers. Music by DJ RINGO + DJ TYN MAN with special guest Don't miss out on the hottest party in town - see you there! Information Source: A Culture Shock: #dosomethingdifferent | eventbrite

The Bi Wives Club is a comedy showcase for the outsiders who hide in plain sight. There’s nothing interesting about fitting the mold, and we have happily stopped trying. The comedians of The Bi Wives Club fill your night with hilarious stories, relatable rants, and plenty of silliness to go around. Not bi? No problem. Nobody’s wife? Doesn’t matter. Join the club! We’re here for fun , we’re here for community , and we’re here to celebrate and laugh at all the ways that we just aren’t quite what people expect us to be. This comedy showcase will have an ASL interpreter ! Doors at 6pm with a one hour happy hour before the show starts at 7pm. Dorothy remains open after the showcase until last call at 11pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door . 30 early bird special tickets are offered at $12/ea ! Dorothy is 21+ and requires physical ID for all to enter. Dorothy is also ADA accessible with elevator access on Campbell Ave. If you are a guest who requires elevator access, please wait by the black door on Campbell Ave with our logo in the window and call our staff to assist: 773-770-3799 Please note: refund requests are honored until 24h before the show (4/5, 7pm). No other refund requests will be accepted. -------------------- ABOUT THE HOSTS Christen Manville (she/her) has an unmatched ability to inhabit discordant perspectives with ease and understand the world from all angles. She is as comfortable at an X-rated experimental puppet show as she is at your grandmother’s 80th birthday party. She’s a lovable and playful comedian who can unite audiences in the stickiest of dive bars and the swankiest of theaters. Christen is witty, insightful, and warm. Her comedy reminds audiences that they're not alone in pushing their heavy boulders up their steep Sisyphean hills. Christen is an award winning comedian, and an accomplished host and show producer. To some, her most enviable accomplishment is finding a rare gem of a husband at a dive bar comedy open mic night. Every show with Christen is like a party with your best friends. To see pictures of her dog and her bike, follow her Instagram @christmanville. Kayla McCaffrey (she/her) is a Chicago-based comedian, improviser and actor. She has performed at Second City, iO Theater, Annoyance, Laugh Factory and at festivals Loons on the Lake, Detroit Comedy Festival and Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam. Born and raised in the small town of Marlborough, Connecticut, she has made it her life mission to be the bi wife she is today. Recent to marriage, she still navigates herself in the role of a wife, an inner child, a dog mom and a vegan. She can't wait to marry all of you, yes, you, too. You can catch more of her regularly performing on iO's resident company Megalodonna and of course her internationally recognized team Wolf Town. Follow her Instagram @jkaylalol Kris Lantzy (she/her) is a Chicago comedian and actor. She has performed theatre, sketch and stand-up comedy all over the city. Kris tackles topics like queer parenting, what to do when everyone thinks your wife is your sister, and how best to steal fancy cheeses through her playful comedic lens. Her recent stage credits include Outlaws with Avalanche Theatre Company, Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom with Bower Theatre Company, and her one-woman show SUREthing at NYC and Chicago Sketch Festivals. Because once you see her perform, you’re gonna want more, go ahead and follow her @theekrislantzy on Instagram. Information Source: Dorothy | eventbrite

The Book Of O: Chapter 50 Come join us for the milestone Chapter 50 of The Book Of O! This in-person event will be held at 401 N Wabash Ave , a cozy and welcoming venue for book enthusiasts. Get ready for an evening filled with engaging discussions, book signings, and maybe even some surprise guest appearances. Don't miss out on this special gathering celebrating all things literature! Information Source: Omarr G Events | eventbrite

In a rare performance, Pakistani musicians Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and the Saami Brothers join forces with Zeb Bangash to explore the spiritual healing power of khayal music. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is a distinguished classical vocalist, belonging to a lineage of musicians that spans over 800 years. A master of the khayal and dhrupad genres, Ustad Saami is a revered figure in the Delhi Gharana, known for his profound knowledge of classical ragas and his deep, resonant voice. His contributions to South Asian classical music have made him a living legend, and his performances are not just concerts—they are spiritual experiences that bridge the past and present, connecting audiences across cultural and temporal divides. Ustad Saami, the last living practitioner of a mesmerizing ancient 49-note microtonal vocal scale, is a master of both khayal—a genre of Indian classical vocal music—and qawwali, a form of devotional music performed by Sufi musicians. He is returning to SAI and will be joined by his sons, the Saami Brothers, for this special event that carries forward the family’s khayal and qawwali music legacy. Joining the family is Pakistani pop sensation of Coke Studio fame, Zeb Bangash, who is one of Ustad Saami’s star students. She will open the show by debuting a khayal work. *The Center for Cultural Vibrancy is a presenting partner for this performance. Information Source: South Asia Institute | eventbrite

Pysanka artist, Elena Diadenko, will be leading a workshop on the art of Ukrainian pysanka. The traditional art of decorating eggs, is a deeply symbolic and intricate practice, renowned for its use of floral and geometric patterns. All materials are included in the price of this workshop including a traditional kistka and wax. These designs are not just beautiful; they carry profound meanings tied to Ukrainian culture, religion, and folklore. Pysanka, derived from the Ukrainian word pysaty meaning "to write," involves applying wax to an egg in intricate patterns and then dyeing it in layers. The designs themselves are highly symbolic, with each motif carrying specific meanings that have been passed down through generations. Information Source: Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art | eventbrite