Chicago will host a variety of events this weekend, including music festivals, art shows, and cultural celebrations. The activities are scheduled throughout the city and reflect ongoing celebrations for Black History Month and Lunar New Year.
The University of Chicago Folk Festival is marking its 66th year at Mandel Hall in Hyde Park with performances in genres such as blues and Cajun music. Attendees can participate in free workshops during the day, jam sessions, dance lessons, and discussions. Tickets are $20 for older adults, $5 for students, and $30 for the general public. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.
On Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Jazz Institute of Chicago presents its Winter Jazz Fair. The event includes concerts from musicians like Robert Irving III and Bobbi Wilsyn, panel discussions on jazz’s future and activism within the genre, as well as local vendors. Admission is free.
BUILD’s art gallery in Austin will feature a group show with works from Chicago artists on Friday evening. The exhibit will run until March 20.
In Bronzeville, artist Al Burt returns with his solo exhibition “The Fabric of Us” at Gallery Guichard on Friday night. The collection highlights 100 years of Black History Month through portraiture. There will be an artist talk at 7:30 p.m.
Sons of the Never Wrong celebrates their 35th anniversary with a concert at Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square on Friday night. Tickets are $45.
Timber Lanes Bowling Alley in North Center hosts live music from Bart Attacks for their 500th show on Friday night; admission is $20 including bowling.
Saturday offers several markets and cultural events across neighborhoods:
– The Chicago Vendor Market takes place in Bucktown supporting small businesses.
– Uptown’s Argyle Street holds its annual Lunar New Year Celebration with a parade, family activities at Bezazian Library, and red envelope giveaways.
– Asian Pop-Up Cinema presents a free screening of “Escape from the 21st Century” at the Chicago Cultural Center.
– Urban Sketchers host a sketching meetup at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum; registration includes museum admission.
– Da Book Joint bookstore in South Shore collaborates with EAR Foundation for a Black Excellence Forum focusing on resilience and legacy within Black communities.
– Empty Bottle teams up with Goose Island Beer Company for an outdoor dance party benefiting Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
– Reckless Records in Wicker Park offers an early listening party for Mitski’s new album alongside collaborative art projects.
– Sidetrack Video Bar features Jai Ho’s Bollywood dance party with drag performances; attendees are encouraged to dress “Romantic In Red.”
– Color Club in Avondale hosts Make Out Party led by Jefferey Thomas featuring musicians, dancers, poets, and storytellers; tickets are $30.
– Three Avenues Bookshop invites crafters to share supplies during an open craft night.
– Giant Penny Whistle launches Fast Tracks Dance Party focusing on high-tempo music genres.
Sunday’s schedule includes:
– Wild Onion Market holds a blanket tying workshop supporting Live Like Roo Foundation which assists families whose pets have cancer.
– Revolution Brewing hosts C2E2 Pop-Up Party where visitors can test board games developed by local designers alongside guest judges from game companies such as Cards Against Humanity.
– ALTAR Community organizes Better Together Sunday Retreat aimed at women seeking conversation and connection; tickets cost $22.22.
– ETA Creative Arts Foundation celebrates African Culture Day with food sampling, storytelling workshops inspired by oral traditions, dance experiences, puppet-making stations—tickets are $15.38.
– Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club stages a Lunar New Year Market highlighting Asian-American and Pacific Islander vendors along with lion dance performances; first fifty attendees receive red envelopes and drink coupons.
– Hamburger Mary’s partners with Artemis Singers chorus for Sunday bingo fundraising event to support next year’s Sister Singers Network gathering.
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