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WICKER PARK — Happy Friday!
Here are a few ideas for things to do in Wicker Park and West Town this weekend.
Wicker Park Fest. Some 90,000 revelers are expected to flock to Milwaukee Avenue for the annual fest— extended to three days and kicking off Friday. Catch bands on three stages, including headliners Against Me!, The Get Up Kids, Sir The Baptist and Red Fang (View the band lineup and all fest details here).
In addition to music, Wicker Park Fest also features a family-friendly kids fest in the Walgreen’s parking lot at Wolcott/Milwaukee, art and fashion shows, plus food and drinks. Pro tips: Because North Avenue and Paulina Street gates can get very crowded, you can also enter and leave the fest from gates at Honore, Evergreen, Wolcott and Wood. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, but be advised it gets crowded after dark. Suggested donation is $10. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; in the 1300-1500 blocks of North Milwaukee Avenue.
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 6-9 p.m. Friday in the park’s field, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Instagrammable ‘Art Fun House.’ The traveling 29rooms art pop-up takes over a West Town warehouse this weekend and fills it “with bright colors, neon lights, clouds, flowers, and fun, with messages ranging from politics to gender identity,” the Sun-Times reports. Each of the 29 rooms represents an entirely different experience. Tickets are $39, for a 3-hour time slot, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 1522 W. Hubbard St.
Credit: Alisa Hauser/Block Club ChicagoEat Your Way Along Chicago Avenue. Tex-Mex mainstay Tecalitlian, 1814 W. Chicago Ave., recently converted the car parking lot next to its building into a large sidewalk patio, so grab a bite and margarita there from 11 a.m.- 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, or 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Four blocks east, pop by Calavera, a just-opened Mexican restaurant with ties to Garfield Ridge’s El Patron. Calavera’s hours are 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily, 1438 W. Chicago Ave.
Family-Friendly Block Party. The Lockdown Bar & Grill’s block party offers live metal bands, smoked meats and beer. Proceeds from a suggested $5 donation will benefit Roberto Clemente School of Music, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, 1024 N. Western Ave.
Free Yoga, T-Shirt Tote Bags. Kick off Sunday with free yoga in the park (9-9:45 a.m.) and then peruse fresh veggies, cheeses, meats and specialty items, like bagels, samosas, coffee and crepes at the Wicker Park Farmers Market. This Sunday, local designer Anastasia Chatzka will sew free tote bags using T-shirts, so bring along a shirt to convert into a reusable shopping bag. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
