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Make your final week in July one to remember. There’s plenty to do in Chicago this weekend, from Wakandacon’s follow-up, the Poetry Block Party, a massive mural live-painting and more.

Wakandacon

It’s Wakanda Forever, not Wakanda One Time — so of course Wakandacon will return to the city this weekend following the breakout success of last summer’s debut event. The three-day convention is a family friendly, Afro-futuristic event that showcases artwork, community, technology and conversations that relate directly to issues within the Black diaspora, featuring vendors, organized discussions and activities, Afro fashion and cosplay, and much more. While Wakandacon borrows its name from “Black Panther,” the event programming reaches beyond the comic and movie. 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive D; $35-$85; wakandaconforever.com

The rock venue Empty Bottle, located at 1035 N. Western Ave., has hosted the Windy City Soul Club dance party for almost 11 years.
The rock venue Empty Bottle, located at 1035 N. Western Ave., has hosted the Windy City Soul Club dance party for almost 11 years.

Windy City Soul Club at Empty Bottle (last edition)

The final Windy City Soul Club at the Empty Bottle? Yep, you read that right. This weekend marks the end of an era, as one of the city’s most popular dance parties will bid farewell to its flagship venue with one last Saturday night full of soul. There’s no word yet on where WCSC plans to pop up in its post-Bottle life, so stay tuned. Until then, this weekend offers a chance to dance and celebrate this trip to the bottom of the Bottle. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., $5; facebook.com/events

Alanna Scoggins writes a message in chalk at the Chicago Poetry Block Party on July 30, 2016.
Alanna Scoggins writes a message in chalk at the Chicago Poetry Block Party on July 30, 2016.

Chicago Poetry Block Party

Put some verve in your verse at a poetry party — no, really, the Chicago Poetry Block Party features artwork attractions for all ages including live music, poetry readings and open mics, writing workshops, visual art selections and plenty of games. Poet performers hail from a dozen different states, and the musical performers include Chicagoans Lester Rey, avery r. young, DÉCIMA and Ayanna Woods directing the CBPB house band. 3-8 p.m. Saturday, National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., free; poetryfoundation.org/events

(c) 2018 Galdones Photography User Upload Caption: Interior of Bar Biscay in 2019. (Provided by Alix Gocal) - Original Credit: HANDOUT
(c) 2018 Galdones Photography

User Upload Caption: Interior of Bar Biscay in 2019. (Provided by Alix Gocal)
– Original Credit: HANDOUT

Last Saturday Discotheque

Bar Biscay wants you to dance (and drink) this weekend like it’s the 1970s, baby! The fusion restaurant will transform into a dance hall after dinner service for its Last Saturday Discotheque event series. On the final Saturday of every month, the bar will break out its disco dance floor for a post-meal dance party, plus special porrons and vermouth flowing until the spot’s 2:30 a.m. closing. This weekend’s event features DJ Big Dumb Caesar, aka Archie Powell of Archie Powell & the Exports, spinning Casablanca Records stars like Cher, Donna Summer and Bootsy Collins. ’70s-era attire is encouraged. 11:59 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Bar Biscay, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., no cover; barbiscay.com

JC Rivera paints a mural at the Paulina Brown Line “L” stop that had been commissioned for the “Low-Line” project and was later accidentally removed by the city. Rivera will participate in the Titan Walls event this weekend.

Titan Walls

You’ve probably sampled the goods from at least one of the vendors at the West Loop’s three-headed District Brew Yards space — Burnt City Brewing, Around the Bend Beer Co. and Bold Dog Beer Co. — but maybe you haven’t made it over to the West Loop to have a bite. This weekend offers a perfect chance: Local art activation agency Muros will throw its Titan Walls event there, an eight-hour flash-installation mural project featuring six Chicago artists covering the facility’s 1,900-square-foot south wall. The admission cost covers a sandwich and side from the brewpub, and plenty of beer will be flowing. All proceeds benefit Chicago mental-health nonprofit Hope for the Day, and you can find the full list of artists online. Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, District Brew Yards, 417 N. Ashland Ave., $10; muros.co/titan-walls

It's a (used-)book-lover's paradise this weekend when Newberry Library hosts its annual book fair.
It’s a (used-)book-lover’s paradise this weekend when Newberry Library hosts its annual book fair.

2019 Newberry Book Fair

Find some new pages to turn at the 2019 Newberry Book Fair, hosted by the Newberry Library. The event features more than 130,000 used books, mostly for $3 or less. The selection includes cookbooks, foreign language books and everything in between. Noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Newberry Library, 60 W Walton St., free; newberry.org/newberry-book-fair

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Kevin Coval speaks briefly during Wordplay, a youth open mic event at Young Chicago Authors.
Kevin Coval speaks briefly during Wordplay, a youth open mic event at Young Chicago Authors.

wndr museum after-hours, hosted by Young Chicago Authors

Young Chicago Authors will team up with the wndr museum for an after-hours special that will include performances by YCA poets, a live DJ, the entire wndr experience, plus more special activities. 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, wndr museum, 1130 W. Monroe St., $32; showclix.com/event