Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
“An Evening With Frances Ford Coppola”
Didn’t see Frances Ford Coppola’s $120 million film “Megalopolis”? Or maybe you did and it left you with a few questions? Now’s your chance to hear Coppola’s take on it, straight from the iconic filmmaker himself. Starring Adam Driver, the 2024 film — which the Tribune called “a last-call declaration of principles” — will be shown and followed by a conversation with Coppola.
7 p.m. July 25 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $65.59 at msg.com
“Broadway Night: The Magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein”
Watch Broadway stars Mamie Parris, John Riesen and Lisa Vroman perform Rodgers & Hammerstein showstoppers with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Selections include “Do Re Me” from “The Sound of Music,” “Shall We Dance” from “The King and I” and the title song from “Oklahoma!” As presented by the Grant Park Music Festival, “Some Enchanted Evening,” indeed.
6:30 p.m. July 25 and 7:30 p.m. July 26 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.; free but reserved seating available from $39 at grantparkmusicfestival.com
Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors
The past is gone, but something might be found … at Ravinia this weekend. If you pine for the ’90s, this lineup will send you reeling back to the Clinton era. Blues Traveler (“Run-Around”), Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”) and Spin Doctors (“Two Princes”) join together to offer a night of jammy alt-rock pop.
6 p.m. July 26 at Ravinia Festival, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park; tickets from $49 at bluestraveler.com More Top Picks Best E Readers With Large Screens For Seniors
“Chicago’s Soul: The Words and Music of Gwendolyn Brooks and Curtis Mayfield”
Celebrate the legacies of two Chicago greats — poet Gwendolyn Brooks and soul musician Curtis Mayfield — at this 90-minute concert. NPR’s Cheryl Corley will serve as narrator, while singer-songwriter Lucy Smith leads the band. Presented by the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks.
5 p.m. July 26 at Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd St.; 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.; and 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.; details on the free event at lucysmithjazz.com
“Look! Look!”
If you missed it at the Chicago International Puppet Theater, you’ve got another chance. Vanessa Valliere — she’s worked with Manual Cinema and marching band/street theater phenom Mucca Pazza — presents three vignettes involving puppets, clowning, dance and a ukulele. Co-starring Lindsey Noel Whiting, it’s billed as a celebration of “the weirdos.” It’s part of the Steppenwolf Theatre’s LookOut Series featuring works by Chicago artists.
8 p.m. July 25-26 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St.; tickets $28 at steppenwolf.org
“The Basement Yard”
Need a couple buddies? Hang this weekend with Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez as they bring their long-running podcast to the Chicago Theatre. Their show usually plays like two pals from Queens yammering about whatever comes up — “The Grinch,” Pop-Tarts, moose — and cracking themselves up.
8 p.m. July 26 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $72.35 at thebasementyard.com
Wicker Park Fest
A quintessential example of a Chicago summer street festival, Wicker Park Fest takes over Milwaukee Avenue this weekend. The footprint is bookended by two stages; find vendors, a kids fest, a pet fest and an arts area jam-packed in between. Fest entry fees support the Wicker Park & Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, while kids and pet fest activities support Friends of Burr Elementary School, Chicago Rescue Authority, One More Dog Rescue and the Wicker Park Dog Park.
5-10 p.m. July 25 and noon-10 p.m. July 26-27 on Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Paulina Street; $10 suggested donation; details at wickerparkbucktown.com
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
Or, if you’d prefer to live out your summer street fair dreams on another diagonal street closer to the lake, Lincoln Park has you covered. Yes, it’s called Taste of Lincoln Avenue, but it goes beyond the food and liquor tastings. Expect a kids carnival, a dog parade, a lineup of Midwestern bands and arts and crafts.
4-10 p.m. July 25 and noon-10 p.m. July 26 on Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton Avenue and Altgeld Street; $10 suggested donation; details at tasteoflincolnchicago.com
Words of Wonder Literary Festival
The prolific, John Newbery Medal-winning author Kwame Alexander headlines the Words of Wonder Literary Festival. Now in its fourth year, WOW is proving itself to be the little lit fest that could, offering a family-forward celebration of reading. In addition to Alexander, illustrator London Ladd and author-illustrator duo Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome, the festival features interactive workshops, story-inspired performances, book vendors and more.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 26, Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center, 10201 S. Cottage Grove Ave.; details on the free event at wowlitfest.com
Out of Space 2025
The festival put on by SPACE of Evanston and the venue owner 16” on Center, now in its fifth year, runs all weekend in Skokie. Headliners include Shakey Graves, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and The Decemberists.
Through July 27 at Illinois Science & Technology Park, 4900 Searle Parkway, Skokie; www.outofspaceconcerts.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to [email protected].
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