This weekend is nothing but treble—and a lot of other sounds—with six music fests. Catch country music jams at Windy City LakeShake and classical tunes at Grant Park Music Festival and even play along during Make Music Chicago. Chow down at Taste of Randolph Street, embrace nature at Green Music Fest and dance your heart out at Pride Fest, headlined by Jordin Sparks. If you’re hungry, there are plenty of tasty treats at Oakley Festa Pasta Vino and 6 Corners BBQ Fest. Then wash it down at Chicago Ale Fest and Brew to Be Wild. Oh, and there’s more.
Taste of Randolph Street
When: 5–10 p.m. Friday and noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Randolph Street between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue
How much: $10 suggested donation (VIP tickets available at tasterandolph.com)
The skinny: Chow down on bites from some of the West Loop’s lauded restaurants, including Bar Siena, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and Publican Quality Meats. Catch more than 30 DJs, bands and artists, including Peter Bjorn and John (9 p.m. Sunday, East Stage), Atlas Genius (9 p.m. Friday, East Stage) and Devotchka (9 p.m. Saturday, West Stage) as well as locals Eryn Allen Kane (7:30 p.m. Saturday, East Stage) and The Ivorys (3 p.m. Sunday, West Stage).
Pride Fest
When: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Halsted Street between Addison and Grace streets
How much: $10 suggested donation
The skinny: The Boystown street party is only the start of back-to-back weekends of LGBT Pride festivities (mark your calendars for the parade next weekend). Catch daily drag shows, DJs and a performance from headliner Jordin Sparks (9 p.m. Saturday, Main Stage).
Green Music Fest
When: Noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Damen Avenue between North Avenue and Schiller Street
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Head to Wicker Park for some eco-friendly fun at the eighth annual music fest celebrating sustainable living. Along with arts and crafts vendors, catch live music from Jessica Lea Mayfield (7:45 p.m. Sunday, North Stage), King Khan & The Shrines (9 p.m. Saturday, North Stage) and others. There’s also a bicycle-powered stage where Michele McGuire and Mike Maimone will perform (8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, respectively).
Grant Park Music Festival
When: June 15–Aug. 20 (Concert and open rehearsal dates and times vary. View a schedule at grantparkmusicfestival.com.)
Where: Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
How much: Free lawn seating; pavilion seating prices vary
The skinny: Catch classical music concerts in the park throughout the summer, from renditions of classics such as Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (June 29) to Grant Park Orchestra’s live soundtrack of Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” (July 6). This weekend, catch Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 with Aaron Jay Kernis’ “Whisper, Echo, A Cry” and Michael Torke’s “Book of Proverbs” (open rehearsal: 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Friday. Concerts: 6:30–9 p.m. Friday and 7:30–10 p.m. Saturday).
Brew to Be Wild
When: 6–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon St.)
How much: Saturday tickets are sold out. Friday general admission: $49, designated driver: $20. Tickets: lpzoo.org/brew-be-wild
The skinny: Sample beer from more than 50 breweries, including local outfits Forbidden Root and Half Acre Beer Co. and out-of-towners such as 21st Amendment Brewery from San Francisco.
Fiestas Puertorriqueñas (Puerto Rican Festival)
When: 3–10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Humboldt Park (Division Street and California Avenue)
How much: Free
The skinny: Get in the Latin spirit at this Puerto Rican festival with carnival rides, traditional cuisine, dancing and music. On Saturday, don’t miss the Puerto Rican People’s Parade along Division Street between Western and Sacramento avenues, celebrating its 50th year (2 p.m.).
Oakley Festa Pasta Vino
When: 5–11 p.m. Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday and noon–9 p.m. Sunday
Where: 2500 S. Oakley Ave.
How much: $5–$7 suggested donation
The skinny: The Heart of Chicago celebrates the 26th year of this Italian festival with authentic fare from neighborhood restaurants including Ignotz Ristorante, La Fontanella and Bacchanalia Ristorante. Along with a Florentine-esque craft market, wine for purchase and performers in Venetian costumes throughout the fest, jam out to live music on three stages. Sunday’s plans include Father’s Day festivities with Mass at noon and a tribute to Dean Martin’s 99th birthday.
Chicago Ale Fest
When: 6–10 p.m. Friday and 2–6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park
How much: General admission: $50, designated drivers: $25. Tickets: chicagoalefest.com
The skinny: Moody Tongue Brewing Co., 5 Rabbit Cerveceria and Deschutes Brewery are among those pouring at the second annual beer fest featuring more than 200 brews. Restaurants such as Burger Bar and Gayle’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese will serve snacks for purchase. General admission includes 20 beer tastings and a souvenir glass, and designated drivers can enjoy soda and water included in their ticket price.
Windy City LakeShake
When: 2–11 p.m. Friday–Sunday
Where: Northerly Island
How much: Single-day admission: $99.50. Three-day passes: $225. Reserved seating: $299.50. Tickets: lakeshakefestival.com
The skinny: The country music fest returns for a second year with headliners Lady Antebellum (9:10 p.m. Friday, Main Stage), Tim McGraw (9:20 p.m. Saturday, Main Stage) and Jason Aldean (9:25 p.m. Sunday, Main Stage).
6 Corners BBQ Fest
When: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Milwaukee Avenue, Irving Park Road and Cicero Avenue
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Pork out at the Portage Park fest with ribs, chicken and pulled pork from vendors such as Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs and Porkchop. While chowing down, enjoy live tunes from Led Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir (7 p.m. Saturday), Bandoleros with Latin grooves (4 p.m. Sunday) and others.
Gold Coast Art Fair
When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Grant Park Butler Field (Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive)
How much: $5 suggested donation
The skinny: Browse jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics and more from 300-plus artists, and create your own painting of spirals and splashes on the spin art machine.
Make Music Chicago
When: Sunday (times vary)
Where: Various locations
How much: Free
The skinny: For this citywide fest, musicians of all talents are invited to play in parks and public spaces, with more than 200 performances in 90-plus locations, including a sea shanty sing-along (6 p.m. 131 N. Clinton St.), a harmonica jam session in Welles Park (1:30 p.m.) and free performances at Chicago Symphony Center. Several pianos will be placed in locations such as Mozart Park and Garfield Park Conservatory for public use. For a full list of events, check makemusicday.org/listings/chicago.
Women’s Funny Festival
When: 8-10 p.m. Thursday, 8-11 p.m. Friday, 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday and 2-8 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.)
How much: Individual shows: $15 each. Festival passes: $37.50-$100. Tickets: stage773.com
The skinny: The fifth annual fest brings all the laughs to Lakeview with four days of the funniest ladies around on four stages. Catch local favorites The Kates on Friday (9 p.m. Cab Stage), Improvised Mythology on Saturday (10 p.m. Thrust Stage), Blackfish the Musical on Sunday (8 p.m. Thrust Stage) and many more.
@ohitsheather | hschroering@redeyechicago.com
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