CHICAGO — April showers bring May flowers, and plenty of spring festivities around the city.
Kick off the month with Cinco de Mayo celebrations, tours through Pilsen and Little Village with Chicago historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, a Critical Mass bike ride through the South Side, a pop-up makers market and more.
There’s also a Kentucky Derby party at an Irish pub, a new theatrical adaptation of “Bluey” on stage at the Auditorium Theatre, a massive record sale and Chicago Humanities Festival events.
Here’s a roundup of 25 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
West Town First Friday
5-8 p.m. Friday
West Town Chamber of Commerce, 1819 W. Chicago Ave., and other venues
The West Town Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art for a new exhibit opening Friday evening. In conjunction with West Town First Friday, a time when local art galleries stay open late, the month-long exhibit will kick off with a family-friendly opening at 1819 W. Chicago Ave.
Neighbors can also visit participating art venues that will be open until 8 p.m., such as Vertical Gallery, Fulton Street Collective, The Chicago Fine Art Salon, ARC Gallery, Mariane Ibrahim Gallery and more. Find more information here.
Southside Critical Mass Chicago Bike Ride
5:45-10 p.m. Friday
Start at the south end of Nichols Park, 1300 E. 55th St.
Join fellow Chicagoans and cyclists for a monthly social bike ride through the South Side, which takes places on the first Friday of each month April-November. The group normally travels at a moderate pace of 15-20 miles per hour. Participation is free, but all riders are responsible for their own bikes, masks, helmets, water, bike locks, bike lights and other gear.
The goal of Critical Mass is to uplift cycling as a method of transportation in Chicago and “to make our neighborhoods more bikeable and … liveable.” Learn more here.
‘Bluey’s Big Play’
6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive
Chicagoans can step into the world of Australian heeler dog Bluey through “Bluey’s Big Play,” a new theatrical adaptation of the International Emmy-winning children’s show. The play features an original story by “Bluey” creator Joe Brumm, new music by “Bluey” composer Joff Bush and puppetry.
Buy regular and resale tickets through Ticketmaster. Learn more about the production here.
LEGO & Libations
7 p.m. Friday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Neighbors are invited to enjoy cocktails and build their own LEGO set at KOVAL Distillery Friday evening. The goal is to “learn how to think like a designer.” All LEGO materials will be provided.
Tickets are $15-20 online.
Sound Meditation At The Zoo
9 a.m. Saturday
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
Led by facilitator Jay Taylor, Chicagoans can wind down with an hour-long sound meditation at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s wildlife center. Surrounded by the sounds of singing bowls, guests will be guided through light breathing exercises, meditation and reflection.
Tickets are $40 online.
Marché Privé
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Marché Privé is a new luxury pop-up market and daytime social for Chicago entrepreneurs who are Black, Indigenous or people of color. It’s hosting its inaugural themed showcase this weekend in honor of Derby Day, featuring more than 15 local vendors, a bar and music by a DJ. Attendees are encouraged to wear derby-inspired attire.
Learn more and RSVP online.
Old Town School Of Folk Music Record Sale
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Music Direct, 1811 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
The Old Town School of Folk Music is collaborating with Music Direct for a two-day record sale featuring thousands of donated LPs, rare 78s, books, CDs, DVDs, records and equipment. Saturday also features a live performance by Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen of Dolly Varden from 1-3 p.m.
Each purchase will help support the Old Town School of Folk Music’s resource center and its library of books and recordings. Learn more here.
Cosmic Cinco de Mayo
Various times Saturday
Chitiva Wicker Park Bucktown, 1948 W. North Ave., and Chitiva South Loop, 1250 S. Michigan Ave.
Enjoy games, music and themed drinks in honor of Cinco de Mayo at Chitiva locations in Wicker Park and South Loop. There will be games, music, tacos, “cosmic margarita” slushies and other plant-infused mocktails.
Wicker Park festivities are 11 a.m. Saturday through 1 a.m., and South Loop festivities are 3-11 p.m. Saturday.
Derby Day Party
11 a.m. Saturday
River Shannon, 425 W. Armitage Ave.
Watch the Kentucky Derby while enjoying drinks, hat contests and giveaways. Learn more here.
Dear Mama Pop-Up Shop
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Mt. Pisgah Social Hall, 4622 S. King Drive
This early Mother’s Day pop-up shop features local vendors and a variety of food by 40+ Double Dutch sister Del, who will be serving jerk eggrolls, jerk tacos, salads and more. Guests are invited to bring their own jump ropes and try out hula hooping.
Learn more here.
Spring Market For Makers
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Shop more than 120 artisans and small businesses at this family-friendly market. There will also be food, drinks, photo opportunities and complimentary tote bags for ticket holders. Kids 12 and under get in free, and pets are welcome.
Learn more and buy tickets for $8-15 online.
Cinco De Mayo Tours With Dilla
1-3 p.m. Saturday and 2-4 p.m. Sunday
Chicago Women’s Park & Garden, 1801 S. Indiana Ave.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a two-hour bus tour of Pilsen and Little Village, two of Chicago’s oldest neighborhoods, led by Chicago historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. Dilla will cover their histories dating to the 1800s, from the “Bohemian Czechs who laid out the streets … to the burgeoning Mexican communities of today.” Sites include Benito Juarez High School, the 16th Street murals, the Mexican Museum of Modern Art and Thalia Hall.
Tickets are $48 online.
Dog Days Adoption Event
1-5 p.m. Saturday
Sidetrack The Video Bar, 3349 N. Halsted St.
Enjoy drinks while meeting adoptable dogs and pets at this event by Alive Rescue. There will be dog swag and treats for “canine customers.” Attendees must be 21 and older with a valid ID to enter.
Learn more here.
Dr. Todd Boyd: Hip Hop History From The Notorious Ph.D.
2-3 p.m. Saturday
Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.
Dr. Todd Boyd, a professor and author who has studied race and popular culture in America, will be delving into hip-hop’s history, legacy and influence on American life with Chicago artist Open Mike Eagle. The two will delve into the genre’s highs, lows, past and present in a Chicago Humanities Festival presentation, followed by a book signing with Boyd.
Learn more and buy tickets for $15-25 online.
May Family Saturday At The Logan Center For The Arts
2-4 p.m. Saturday
Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
This month’s Family Saturday at the Logan Center for the Arts follows a “Marine World” theme and features a variety of family-friendly activities. There will be arts and crafts with Live Arts Studio, creative movement with Kenwood School of Ballet, puppetry with Nitzana Lazarus and more.
Learn more and find the schedule here.
Celebrate Her: Women In The Arts
4 p.m. Saturday
Ka’Lab Bronzeville, 501 1/2 E. 47th St.
This interactive pop-up is celebrating women in the arts with music and dance performances — from poetry to rap, jazz to folk, dance to group song to drag artist — plus presentations by local women-owned businesses.
Learn more and buy tickets for $15 online. Drinks, light appetizers and tacos will be available for purchase.
Golden Hour: A Drum & Bass Dance Party
5-8 p.m. Saturday
Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave.
Golden Hour is a jungle dance party with live music and food and drink specials. This weekend features live sets from artist collective Drum & Bass Identity, or DnBid.
Admission is free. Learn more and RSVP here.
Ronnie Malley: A Musical Reflection
7 p.m. Saturday
Co-Prosperity, 3219 S. Morgan St.
Chicago native and Palestinian musician Ronnie Malley will perform an original new work, “On This Earth,” for the Chicago Humanities Festival this weekend. An expert oud player, Malley uses his Middle Eastern lute to bridge his American and Palestinian identities. His upcoming repertoire features sacred and secular Andalusian music, Middle Eastern music and Palestinian folk songs.
Learn more and buy tickets for $15-25 online.
Teen Open Mic
7 p.m. Saturday
Armitage Concert Hall, 909 W. Armitage Ave.
This monthly open mic with the Old Town School of Folk Music offers a space for teenagers to perform and share their talents with one another.
Learn more and buy tickets for $3 online.
‘Sheherazade’
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave.
Acclaimed Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend through “Sheherazade,” a musical suite based on the Middle Eastern folktales of “One Thousand and One Nights.”
Tickets start at $49 online.
Star Wars Night With Chicago Fire FC
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
“May the 4th be with you” as Chicago Fire FC takes on New England Revolution this weekend. To honor the Star Wars-themed occasion, the first 5,000 fans will get a limited edition of Chicago Fire FC flag featuring Yoga. There will also be various themed activations and surprises revealed as the game approaches.
Learn more and buy tickets and resale tickets here.
Read & Run Chicago: ‘Becoming’
9-11:30 a.m. Sunday
Boxville, 330 E. 51st St.
Take an easy-paced 5.5-mile jog through Bronzeville and Hyde Park with Read & Run Chicago, a local running book club. The group will lead runners through the neighborhoods, stopping at locations that shaped Michelle Obama’s life as a South Shore student and Loop lawyer, as outlined in her book “Becoming.” After the tour, attendees can head back to Boxville for a raffle, coffee, bites and books.
Learn more and sign up for $0-10 online.
Mother’s Day Native Art Market
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
American Indian Center, 3401 W. Ainslie St.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, the American Indian Center is hosting a market with Native artisans, Indian tacos and fry bread, plus Native dance and drum performances starting at noon. Attendees can find gifts for mother figures in their lives while immersing themselves in Native culture.
Learn more here.
Taco Fest: Cinco De Mayo
2-8 p.m. Sunday
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Hyde Park music and events space The Promontory will have DJs spinning reggaeton, Afrobeat, hip hop, R&B and other tunes all day. There will also be five taco vendors serving up Mexican cuisine, cocktails, live body painters and more.
Tickets are $20-35 online.
Outcast Jazz Band’s Big Band Dance Party
5 p.m. Sunday
Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicagoans can enjoy a night of music and dance with Outcast Jazz Band, an 18-piece group that’s been swinging their way through Chicagoland ballrooms and events for over 40 years. This weekend’s party will offer swing dance lessons and pay homage to the classic big band sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more.
Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door.
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