CHICAGO — Happy almost Friday!
This weekend will be a scorcher, with temperatures in the 90s. Here are a few ideas for things to do indoors and outdoors.
Explore ‘Happy Place’. A traveling exhibit fresh out of Los Angeles features endless confetti, rubber ducks and rainbows. It’s described as very “Instagrammable,” so charge your phone before popping by Happy Place, which opens on Thursday and runs through Aug. 6. Tickets start at $30. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday – Sunday, 1004 N. Elston Ave.
Celebrate Gemini’s Arrival. A sister boutique to Division Street’s Penelope’s named Gemini will host a grand opening party on Saturday with complimentary drinks, free gifts with any purchase and 15 percent of all sales going to nonprofit group The Young Center, which support immigrant children’s rights. Party hours are 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday, 1911 W. Division St.
Cats As Inspiration. A group art exhibit, “I See Cat People,” honors the impact cats have on their owners. Heaven Gallery curator Eric Ruschman said the 11 artists participating “make, and have made, completely arresting artwork about the potency of companionship; how complicated, beautiful, and tragic it can be when we’re in the thralls of it, and also what remains when we lose it.” A free opening night reception runs from 7-11 p.m. Friday, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Floor.
BYOB(ike) To Tour de Fat. After a year out of the neighborhood, Tour de Fat returns, this time to Humboldt Park’s park. New Belgium Brewing’s 19th annual traveling carnival of bikes, beer and live music will also include a pre-party group ride that’ll wind though local streets, with costumes encouraged. Parade starts at 11 a.m. (registration begins at 10 a.m.), main hours are noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 1301 N. Sacramento Ave.
Hang At Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods. Chef Brian Jupiter’s seafood towers and oyster po’ boys, plus a coin-operated carousel horse in the window are among the many highlights at a new corner spot from the owners of neighborhood mainstays Frontier and Lottie’s. Replacing the former Beachwood Inn, Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods opened last weekend. Hours are 4 p.m.-2 a.m., 1415 N. Wood St.
Express Yourself. An outdoor open mic in Wicker Park’s namesake park welcomes comedians, storytellers and musicians of all ages. Sign up starts at 5:45 p.m., the free show runs from 6-8:45 p.m. Friday in the park’s field, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Score Fresh Foods. Peruse fresh veggies, cheeses, meats and specialty items, like bagels, samosas, coffee and crepes at the Wicker Park Farmers Market. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Rooftop Shufflin’. Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club debuted its much-anticipated rooftop court and lido sun deck on Wednesday. The “challenge court” is free to play on, and winners get to keep the court as long as they keep on winning. There’s also several rooftop seats and a full bar. Weekend hours are 5 p.m.- 2 a.m. Friday, noon-2 a.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, 1750 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Movie In the Park. Grab a blanket and wind down the weekend in Eckhart Park, which plans to show “Grease” on an outdoor screen, beginning at sundown, roughly 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 1330 W. Chicago Ave.