Rarely has anyone in Chicago been at a loss for things to do in the summer. One can imagine such early settlers as Mark Beaubien gathering family and friends (as well as his violin) and strolling the banks of the Chicago River at dusk; families wandering the new Lincoln Park Zoo after it opened in 1868; grabbing excursion boat rides from Municipal (now Navy) Pier when it opened in 1916; giggling and shrieking during visits to such bygone amusement parks as Sans Souci, White City and Riverview. Now, deeply into an era of organized and city-sponsored events and festivals, Chicago is frantically alive with summer activities. We at the Magazine–and we are an aggressively fun-loving bunch–have on the following pages fashioned a subjective selection of the events of summer, when the living (and playing) is easy.
June
1 – “Voyage of a Nation: The Philippines and Vanishing Treasures of the Philippine Rain Forest”
Through Nov. 29 at the Field Museum,
312-922-9410.
1 – “Sounds of Chicago”. Exhibit on musical diversity through Sept. 7 at the Museum of Science and Industry, 773-684-1414.
1 – “Everest”. Museum of Science and Industry, Omnimax Theater, through January 1999, 773-684-1414.
4 – Chicago Children’s Museum. Free every Thursday at Navy Pier, 312-527-1000.
4 – Chicago’s Farmers Markets. Through mid-October at 25 locations throughout the city, 312-744-4006.
4-7 – Chicago Blues Festival. Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
5-6 – Michigan Avenue Arts and Crafts Experience. Michigan Avenue between Adams and Randolph Streets, 312-751-2500.
5-7 – Taste of River North. State Street between Kinzie Street and Grand Avenue, 773-868-3010.
5-14 – Rugrats. Rosemont Theatre, 312-559-1212.
6 – “Songs on Stone: The Lithographs of James McNeill Whistler”. Through Aug. 30 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 312-443-3600.
6 – “Japan 2000: Design for the Japanese Public”. Through Sept. 7 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 312-443-3600.
6-7 – Park West Antiques Fair. In the alleys between Fullerton Avenue and Arlington Place, Clark and Orchard Streets, 773-477-5100.
6-7 – 57th Street Art Fair. 57th Street and Kimbark Avenue, 773-493-3247.
7 – Run for the Zoo & Zoo Fest ’98. Lincoln Park Zoo, 773-404-2372.
7 – Maxwell Street Market. Every Sunday at Canal Street and Roosevelt Road, 312-744-4006.
11-14 – Arlington Summer Kick-off Festival. Family entertainment at Arlington International, 847-255-4300.
10 – Opening of the McDonald’s Fossil Preparation Laboratory Permanent Exhibit Field Museum, 312-922-9410.
12-14 – Chicago Gospel Festival. Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
12-14 – Celebration ’98. Music, food, entertainment at St. Michael’s Old Town, 1700 N. Cleveland Ave., 312-266-1445.
13 – Puerto Rican Parade. Begins at Wacker Drive and Dearborn Street, 773-292-1414.
13-14 – Old Town Art Fair. Lincoln Park West and North Orleans Street, 312-337-1938.
13-14 – Wells Street Art Festival. Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street, 773-868-3010.
13-14 – 33rd Andersonville Midsommarfest. Clark Street at Foster Avenue, 773-728-2995.
14 – Ravinia Festival Opening Day. 2 p.m. Family Fanfare, 5 p.m. Big Band Blockbusters, 847-266-5100.
16 – Family Nights at Navy Pier. Storytelling and other family activities every Tuesday through Sept. 1, 312-595-PIER.
17 – Dancing Under the Stars with Fireworks. Every Wednesday through Sept. 2 on Navy Pier, 312-595-PIER.
17-20 – Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Ravinia, 847-266-5100.
17-21 – The Carnival. Rides, entertainment at the Rosemont Horizon, 312-559-1212.
18 – Party at the Pier. Local bands perform Thursdays through Sept. 3 on Navy Pier, 312-595-PIER.
18 – “Pot Mom”. With Laurie Metcalf, Rom Irwin and Rondi Reed, through July 26 at Steppenwolf Studio Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650.
19-20-Third Annual Summer Solstice Celebration. Museum of Contemporary Art, 312-280-2660.
19-21 – Taste of the Heart of Italy Festival. 2400 S. Oakley Blvd., 773-625-0506.
20 – Jimmy Buffett in concert. Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wis., 312-559-1212.
20 – Chuck Close retrospective. Through Sept. 13 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 312-280-2660.
20 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: Opening Night with Richard Leech in tribute to Mario Lanza, 312-742-4763.
20 – “Mexico Ahora”. Contemporary Mexican artists at the Chicago Cultural Center through Aug. 23, 312-744-6630.
20-21 – Custer’s Last Stand. Arts, crafts and music, bordered by Washington Street, Main Street, Chicago Avenue and Custer Avenue in Evanston, 773-868-3010.
20-21 Hyatt’s ShakesPIER Festival. Navy Pier, 312-595-PIER.
21 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: Darvarova plays Mozart with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
21 – Summer Solstice Sunfest. Music, dance, crafts at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 312-922-STAR.
23 & 24 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: “The Pirates of Penzance” performed by the Grant Park Symphony and Chorus Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
25 – Taste of Chicago. Through July 5 in Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
25-26 – Jimmy Buffett in concert. New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, 312-559-1212.
25-28 – Jazz at Ravinia. 847-266-5100.
26-27 Pearl Jam in concert. Alpine Valley, East Troy, Wis., 312-559-1212.
26-27 – Chicago Country Music Festival. Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
26-28 – Museum Campus Free Outdoor Summer Kick-Off. Music, theater, hands-on activities between the Adler Planetarium and Field Museum, 312-409-4178.
26-28 – Long Grove Strawberry Festival. 847-634-0888.
27- Chicago Highland Games & Scottish Festival. Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, 708-442-7293.
27 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: Paul Robeson tribute at the South Shore Cultural Center, 312-742-4763.
27 – “Ray Yoshida: A Retrospective, 1968-1998” Through Aug. 23 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 312-744-6630.
27-28 – Japan Festival. Chicago Botanic Garden, 847-835-5440.
27-28 – Navy Pier Arts and Crafts Expressions. Gateway Park, Navy Pier, 312-751-2500.
28 – Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade. Starts at Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue, 773-348-8243.
28 – Farmer’s Market. Last Sunday of each month through October at the Lincoln Park Farm-in-the-Zoo, 312-742-2000.
28 – Race to Taste. 5K run and fitness walk, Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
July
1 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: “Stars and Stripes Forever,” Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, at Medinah Temple, 312-742-4763.
1-4 – Ribfest ’98. Knoch Park, Washington and Hillside Streets, Naperville,
630-357-9000, ext. 148.
3 – Independence Day Salute. Concert and fireworks, Petrillo Music Shell, Grant Park, 312-742-4763.
3-5 – 6th Annual African/Caribbean Festival of Life. DuSable Museum Garden, Washington Park, 312-427-0266.
3-5 – Rhythm and Roots Festival. Brookfield Zoo, every weekend through August, 708-485-2200.
4 – “Big Bugs”. A display of 16 dinosaur-size bug sculptures, through Oct. 25 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 847-835-5440.
9 – Yes in concert. New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, 312-559-1212.
9-12 – Brookfest ’98. J.C. Ehlert Park, Brookfield, 773-868-3010.
10-11 – Michigan Avenue Arts and Crafts Experience. Michigan Avenue between Adams and Randolph Streets, 312-751-2500.
10-12 – Taste of Ireland Festival. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 Knox St., 773-282-7035.
10-12 – Arlington Kids Festival. Arlington International, 847-255-4300.
11-12 – Rock Around the Block Street festival. Lincoln, Ashland and Belmont Avenues, 773-665-4682.
14-16 – Kane County Fair. Kane County Fairgrounds, Randall Road between Routes 64 and 38 in St. Charles, 630-584-6926.
16-20 – Tallships Chicago ’98. Navy Pier, 312-595-PIER.
17-18 – World’s Largest Block Party Old St. Pat’s Church, 700 W. Adams St., 312-648-1021.
17-19 – The American Spanish Dance Festival. Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., 773-583-4050, ext. 3015.
18 – The B52’s and The Pretenders in concert New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, 312-559-1212.
18 – Chicago to Mackinac Island Race.
18-19 – Mayor’s Cup Youth Soccer Fest. Montrose Harbor, 312-744-3370.
18-19 – Belmont Arts and Music Festival. Belmont Avenue and Clark Street, 773-868-3010.
18-19 – Edens Art Fair. Edens Plaza, Wilmette, 312-751-2500.
18-19 Chicago Folk & Roots Festival. North Lincoln Avenue between Wilson and Montrose, 773-525-7793.
19 – Space Day. A celebration at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 312-922-STAR.
22 – Cirque du Soleil-Quidam. Through Aug. 23 at the United Center, 800-678-5440.
22-26 DuPage County Fair. DuPage County Fairgrounds near Manchester and County Farm Roads, Wheaton, 630-668-6636.
24 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: “Night of the Mayas,” Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
24 – Jammin’ at the Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo’s evening concert series, 312-742-2283.
24-25 – Janet Jackson in concert. Rosemont Horizon, 312-559-1212.
25 – Venetian Night. Monroe Street Harbor, 312-744-3370.
25 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free Venetian Night concert, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
25-26 – Sense-sations. Gardening Herb Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 847-835-5440.
27 – The Spice Girls in concert. New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, 312-559-1212.
28-Lake County Fair. Through Aug. 2 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, U.S. Highway 45 and Illinois Highway 120, Grayslake, 847-223-2204.
30 – Newberry Library Book Fair. Through Aug. 2 at 60 W. Walton St., 312-255-3510.
30 – Historic Bughouse Square Debates. Washington Square Park, Walton and Dearborn Streets, 312-255-3510.
30 – Fiesta del Sol. Mexican arts and crafts, food, entertainment, through Aug. 3 at 1800-2200 Blue Island Ave., 312-666-2663.
30-31 – Jeweler’s Row Arts and Crafts Festival. Wabash Avenue between Washington and Monroe Streets, 312-751-2500.
31 – Oz Festival. Through Aug. 2, north of Lincoln Park Zoo near the lake, 773-868-3010.
August
1 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: “Symphonic Strauss,” Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
1 – Bughouse Square Debates. Washington Square Park, Walton and Dearborn Streets, 312-255-3510.
4 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, 312-742-4763.
8 – Dog Days of August. Learn about Egyptian astronomy at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 312-922-STAR.
8 – Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic. Starts at Oakwood Avenue and 39th Street and ends at Washington Park, 312-225-2400, ext. 169.
8-9 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: “The King of Instruments,” Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
8-9 – North Halsted Market Days. Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Avenue.,
773-868-3010.
9 – Music Under the Stars. Morgan Park Academy, 2153 W. 111th St., 773-233-3100.
13 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: the Illinois Brass Band and the Wheaton Concert Band, 312-742-4763.
13 – Art on the Block. Food, music and art on State Street between Washington and Randolph Streets, 312-744-8925.
13-16 – Chicago’s New East Side Artworks. Outdoor art fair at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street, 773-404-0763.
14 – Jammin’ at the Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo’s evening concert series, 312-742-2283.
14-15 – Oak Park Avenue-Lake Arts & Crafts Show. Scoville Park, Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street, Oak Park, 312-751-2500.
14-16 – Midwest Bonsai Society’s Show and Sale. Chicago Botanic Garden, 847-835-5440.
14-16 Arlington Arts Festival. Arlington International, 847-255-4300.
14-23-Illinois State Fair. State Fairgrounds, 8th Street and Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, 217-782-6661.
15-16 – Retro on Roscoe Street Fair. Roscoe Street and Damen Avenue, 773-665-4682.
17 – The Divas of Dance. Maria Tallchief, Gwen Verdon and Carmen de Lavallade at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650.
19-20 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: Gershwin Centennial Celebration, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, 312-742-4763.
20 – 18th Annual Terry Fox 5K Run/Walk. Diversey Harbor, 773-868-3010.
22 – Grant Park Music Festival. Free concert: Closing Night with Christopher Parkening, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, 312-742-4763.
22-23 – Chicago Air and Water Show. North Avenue Beach, 312-744-3370.
26-30 – Will County Fair. Peotone, 708-258-3266.
28-Tony Bennett in concert. Ravinia, 847-266-5100.
29 – Shania Twain in concert. New World Music Theatre, Tinley Park, 312-559-1212.
29-30 – Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival in Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
September
3-6 – Chicago Jazz Festival. Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
3-7 – Taste of Polonia Festival Milwaukee and Lawrence Avenues, 773-777-8898.
4-7 – Arlington Country Festival. Musical entertainment at Arlington International, 847-255-4300.
4-7 – Festival de la Independencia Mexicana. Davis Square Park, 4420 S. Hermitage Ave., 773-927-6634.
5 – Ancient West Mexico: Art of the Unknown Past. Through Nov. 22 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 312-443-3600.
7 – Ravinia Festival closing. Tchaikovsky Spectacular, 847-266-5100.
12 – Jammin’ at the Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo’s evening concert series, 312-742-2283.
12 – Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival. Cermak Road and Wentworth Avenue and at Chinatown Square, 312-326-5320.
12-13 – Park Newberry Festival of the Arts. Washington Square Park, Walton and Dearborn Streets, 773-868-3010.
16-17 – Small Business World. Navy Pier Festival Hall B, 312-595-PIER.
17-18 – 12th Annual Arts Expressions. The Atrium Mall, James R. Thompson Center, 312-751-2500.
18-19 – Art on Harrison. Gallery and studio walk on Harrison Street between Austin Boulevard and Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, 708-848-1761.
19 – Julia Margaret Cameron’s Women. Through Jan. 10 at the Art Institute of Chicago, 312-443-3600.
19 – An Arts and Crafts Adventure. Park Ridge Public Library grounds, 312-751-2500.
19-20 – Celtic Fest Chicago. Grant Park, 312-744-3370.
20 – Autumnal Equinox Sunfest. Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 312-922-STAR.
25 – Dia de los Muertos. Through Dec. 6 at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 1852 W. 19th St., 312-738-1503.
26-28 – Park Newberry Festival of the Arts. Washington Square Park, Walton and Dearborn Streets, 312-642-7007.
27 – AIDS Walk 9. Museum Campus, Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive, 312-422-8200.
