Whether you’re staying in Evanston to cram in some precious academic credits or taking a stab at living in the real world in Chicago, there’s plenty to keep you entertained … and as it turns out, much of it involves eating and listening to music outdoors, and much of it costs zero dollars. Here’s a little taste of what’s to come in the month after exams.
June 12-14Chicago RibfestLincoln Park, 10 – 5 pm
You’d have to be a turkey (or have serious fun-blocking dietary restrictions) to miss a giant joyous three-day long block party dedicated to hoovering through trays of ribs. Head to Lincoln Park to try putting a dent in the 65,000 pounds (!) of delicious ribs that’ll be cooked up.
June 12-14Chicago Blues FestivalGrant Park, 12 – 7 pm
After you’re done doing snow angels in barbecue sauce at Ribfest, relax and recline into a “hurts so good” kind of food coma at the Chicago Blues Festival, replete with five stages and dozens of blues acts with kicky names (ever notice that blues acts always have kicky names?).
June 15Edible Audible Picnic: Pit Er PatMillennium Park, 12:00 pm
The first in a series of noontime musical performances presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Pit Er Pat should provide a nice soundtrack to lunch and a good excuse to loiter under Frank Gehry’s bandshell.
June 20-21Chicago SummerfestLincoln Park, 12 – 9 pm
Wander around arts and crafts booths in Lincoln Park and learn about the neighborhood on guided historical and architectural tours … OK, maybe better to save this one for when the family is in town. Don’t worry, there’s food and music, too.
June 22Edible Audible Picnic: Soul / Funk Record PartyMillennium Park, 12:00 pm
June 22New Music Mondays at Millennium Park: Dirty Projectors and The Sea and CakeMillennium Park, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Plan another day of music and eating (Sense a theme here? Me neither). First break out the cooler for the perfectly summery soul/funk record party, then come back later with your hipster game face on for the Dirty Projectors and The Sea & Cake.Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what a hipster game face is.
June 26Free screening of “Kung Fu Panda”Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park dusk
Discover your inner young moron and watch a bunch of celebrity-voiced animals solve some meaningless, thin plot problem…oh, I mean, FUN! Innocent fun. Aww.
June 28Edible Audible Picnic: Black Moth Super RainbowMillennium Park, 12:00 pm
June 28Chicago Gay Pride ParadeStarts at Halsted & Belmont, 12:00 pm
Since 1969, people have dressed up all wonderful and wacky to celebrate Chicago’s LGBT community. Toss on all those party favors you’ve accumulated throughout the school year and hug everyone in sight.
June 29New Music Mondays: The Feelies and Icy Demons Millennium Park, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
July 1Eat a Luther at the Luther Vandross Tribute BandPetrillo Bandshell Taste Stage, 1:45 – 3 pm
You must do this. There has literally never been a better time or reason to pay your respects and eat a Luther (a cheeseburger prepared on a Krispy Kreme donut-bun) than at the free Luther Vandross Tribute Band performance in Grant Park. Don’t you dare wimp out.
