8/26: Free Eastern Blok Concert at Webster Wine Bar
The Chicago-based world fusion jazz ensemble Eastern Blok performs at Webster Wine Bar (1480 W Webster Ave) at 9pm . Their inventive re-interpretations of old standards and innovative original compositions are a by-product of the artful blending of many diverse styles with jazz including classical, Macedonian, Bulgarian, and Serbian folk, Klezmer, rock and a smattering of Middle Eastern flavorings as well. Read More
8/27: Venezuelan Movie Screening and Food – Rock Paper Scissors
Enjoy traditional Venezuelan food plus wine and beer followed by the screening of the 29th Chicago Latino Film Festival box office hit ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ (Piedra, papel o tijera). Read More
8/28: Logan Square International Film Series
In my book, this is one of the reasons why Logan Square is the coolest neighborhood in Chicago: it offers a free outdoors International Film Series featuring classic & emerging foreign films from every corner of the globe, all in their original languages (with English subtitles). All movies are screened every Wednesday at 8pm on the Comfort Station Lawn (2579 N. Milwaukee Ave); in case of bad weather, the movie will be screened inside the Comfort Station. This Wednesday, you will have the chance to see one of my favorite movies: The Motorcycle Diaries. Read More
8/28: 2013 Jazz Club Tour
The Jazz Club Tour takes its patrons for a ride to venerable jazz clubs, small joints, and community centers throughout Chicago. Explore and enjoy the longstanding bebop traditions of the Jazz Showcase in the South Loop, the upscale environs of the Drake Hotel’s Palm Court and Coq d’Or, and everything in between. All you have to do to join the fun is buy a promotional button ($25) that gives access to all participating clubs as well as trolley transportation between clubs. Read More
8/28: Red Baraat at World Music Wednesdays
This Wednesday at 8:30pm, The Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N Lincoln Ave) presents Brooklyn’s band Red Baraat, a pioneering eight-piece band that has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound – a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, brass funk, and hip-hop. Free with a $10 suggested donation
8/29-9/01: Chicago Jazz Fest
Join hundreds of thousands in celebrating Chicago’s rich jazz history in this free event, the first of which began as a tribute to Duke Ellington in 1974. Currently the largest, free festival of its kind in the world, the Chicago Jazz Festival regularly draws top names in the genre. The festival’s mission is to showcase Chicago’s vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages. Read More
8/29: Salsa at Lincoln Park Zoo
Dance to live music beneath the stars at Lincoln Park Zoo. This new event, held on the rooftop café in the heart of the zoo, features performances by Latin dance bands and group instruction by leading salsa dance instructors. This Thursday, the event will feature the Celia Cruz Tribute Band. Dance lessons by Saladeen from Chicago International Salsa Congress. Read More
8/29: Fandanguero & Soulphonetics-Tropical Addictions Series at The Dock Montrose Beach
Free. All Ages. By the beach. Read More
8/29-31: West Indian Folk Dance Company presents “Marley” – One in a Million (Bruce Hayden Theater – Malcolm X College – 1900 W Van Buren St)
This lyrical piece is set to a medley of the Rasta icon’s best-loved music, with a fusion of traditional and contemporary choreography designed to spotlight the meaning behind those songs. Featured is a jazzy reggae-type dance style which underscores the other side of Marley, the global relevance of his message, and what his work means to the World. Read More
8/30-9/02 Taste of Polonia
Music, food, and movies from Poland will be showcased at Copernicus Center this weekend (5215 W Lawrence). Read More
8/31: Fiesta Boricua
The 20th Anniversary of Fiesta Boricua a.k.a. Bandera a Bandera will be celebrated this weekend. This is a festival honoring Puerto Rican traditions, heritage & culture.Read More
8/31: Son Jarocho International Exchange Project
In a special concert that marks the opening of the new Ruiz Belvis Center, Afrojarochos will be joined by members of the world renown Muntu Dance Theater Ensemble and the community based Puerto Rican ensemble, Buya. This concert will demonstrate the popular interpretation of African and mestizo culture in the context of maintaining traditions in “the new world” and in extraordinary circumstances – as the practice of maintaining ones “roots” has been routinely discouraged and even outlawed throughout centuries. 2pm at Calles y Sueños (1900 S Carpenter St). Read More
8/3-9/2: African Festival of the Arts
Annually during Labor Day Weekend, the Festival grounds in Chicago’s Washington Park come alive in a simulated African village. Attendees are transported across the Diaspora with interactive demonstrations, vibrant drumming, historical artifacts, colorful and rich fabrics, informative health and wellness workshops, as well as fascinating entertainment. Read More
Chicago Urbanite 