Going out in Chicago can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s plenty of fun to be had every week without putting a dent in your wallet. We’re making it easier for you by providing a weekly guide to free things to do throughout the city.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
[Re]Rooting at the Commons at Sweet Water Foundation Think-Do House
5749 S. Perry Ave.
Join workshops on woodworking projects, indoor and outdoor gardening and farming, and printmaking meant to help empower neighborhoods. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Register: eventbrite.com
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FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Pre-Earth Day Fundraiser at Estelle’s
2013 W. North Ave., 773-782-0450
Play a seed matching game and plant sunflower seeds to take home while enjoying specials like fried pickle spears ($7) and The Green Thumb, a blend of cucumber vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, cynar, and demerara syrup ($10). The Wicker Park lounge donates $1 from every drink sold to Gardeneers, a Chicago-based nonprofit providing school gardens. 6-10 p.m. estelleschicago.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Waldo’s Forever Fest
Argyle and North Clark Streets
The second annual street festival features a performance by rap and hip-hop artist Big Freedia, DJ sets, drag and comedy acts, food trucks, arcade games, and booths offering information on marijuana legalization and medical marijuana use in Chicago. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. RSVP: do312.com/waldosforeverfest
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
‘Corona’ at Otherworld Theatre Company
3914 N. Clark St., 773-857-2116
See the world premiere of Elizabeth A. M. Keel’s science fiction retelling of the myth of the minotaur. 2:30 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-can at eventbrite.com.
MONDAY, APRIL 22
‘Loop’ at Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave., 800-595-7437
The interactive art installation inspired by the zoetrope allows visitors to sit inside a nine-foot cylinder and watch an animated version of a classic fairytale. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. navypier.org
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer. Have a free event to share? Send the details to [email protected].
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