CHICAGO ā Spend the last weekend of March at an assortment of spring celebrations, from egg hunts and Easter Bunny meetups to a Central Asian Nowruz celebration at an Andersonville tea house.
There’s also a comedy showcase at a South Loop rock club, a fresh pasta making class at Eataly and an all-women mariachi performance at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Here’s a roundup of 15 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Tight Knit Community
Noon-5 p.m. Friday
Connect Gallery, 1451 E. 53rd St.
Spend Friday afternoon knitting and crocheting with neighbors. Attendees can bring their own supplies and projects, or just their ideas. Alongside supplies like yarn, hooks and needles, there will be music, drinks and refreshments provided. This free event is hosted with South Side Radio Live.
Chicago Jazz Piano Festival
7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave.
Acclaimed pianists Benito Gonzalez and Ptah Williams will perform at PianoForte Studios this weekend to inaugurate the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival, which runs through May 10 and spotlights six revered jazz pianists. Tickets start at $45 online.
African Diasporic Dance Classes
10 a.m. Saturday
Red Clay Dance Company, 808 E. 63rd St.
Red Clay Dance Company offers rotating class series for dancers of all levels, whether they’re beginners or pros. Each class dives into a different style of dance and the history, culture and music that surrounds it, from West African to tap to Dunham to hip hop. This weekend will explore African Diasporic genres. Tickets are $20 per drop-in class, and discounts and group rates are available. Buy them here.
South Loop Easter Egg Hunt
Noon-2 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave.
There will be more than 15,000 candy- and prize-filled eggs hidden around the Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens this weekend. After searching for them, families can enjoy a petting zoo, photo opportunities, games and more. This event usually sells out, and walk-ups are not allowed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $15 for children and free for infants under a year old. Get yours here.
Easter EggStravaganza
Noon-2 p.m. Saturday
Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park Ave.
There will be an egg hunt, games, snacks and Easter baskets at this family-friendly event with the Chicago Park District.
Fresh Pasta Making Workshop
3-4:30 p.m. Saturday
Eataly, 43 E. Ohio St.
Learn how to make fresh pasta under the guidance of an Eataly chef at this hands-on workshop. Guests will get to make their own dough, roll it out and form shapes like Cavatelli, Fusilli and Trofie. There will also be a cooking demonstration by the chef, and a wine pairing to complement the final dish. Tickets are $90 online.
Spring Egg-Stravaganza
7:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
Families can hunt for Easter eggs, snap photos with the Easter Bunny, take free rides on the zoo’s carousel, enjoy kid-friendly musical performances and more at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza. Sign up to attend for $25 here. Infants under 12 months get in free with an adult.
Ravenswood Manor Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m. Saturday
Ravenswood Manor Park, 4626 N. Manor Ave.
Kids and their families can search around Ravenswood Manor Park for Easter eggs filled with candy, and two lucky winners will contain tickets to win a golden bunny. There will also be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny in the park’s gazebo. Attendees should bring their own baskets to gather eggs.
An Evening Of Mariachi
7 p.m. Saturday
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
Mariachi Sirenas, Chicagoās first all-women mariachi band, is performing at the National Museum of Mexican Art this weekend. The show celebrates the museumās new mariachi exhibit and its Sor Juana Festival, which honors the great Mexican writer Sor Juana InĆ©s de la Cruz. Tickets are $35 online.
Punk Rock Comedy Show
7 p.m. Saturday
Reggies Chicago, 2109 S. State St.
Chicago-based comedians Michael Johnson and Marc LeValle are taking the stage at Reggies this weekend ā and “if youāre thinking a rock club doesnāt sound like a place for comedy, youāre right itās not, thatās what makes it enjoyable.” The two seasoned performers will showcase their talents at a free show Saturday night. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
Nowruz Performance Night
7 p.m. Saturday
Eli Tea Bar, 5507 N. Clark St.
Celebrate the Central Asian holiday Nowruz, which rings in the new year and the start of spring, with a night of cultural performances. Local artists will share their music, poetry, dance and stories at an Andersonville tea house. Tickets will be available at the door on a sliding scale of $5-20. Cash is preferred.
Asian Improv aRts Midwest
8:30 p.m. Saturday
Elastic Arts Foundation, 3429 W. Diversey Ave.
Asian Improv aRts Midwest is hosting a creative showcase this weekend, featuring two artist duos. First up is an acoustic duet by Tatsu Aoki and Jim Baker, who have been stalwarts of the Chicago music community for decades. There will also be an electronic new music duo called Nireus, which ties classic music and electronic and experimental sounds. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students. They will be available at the door. Learn more here.
Heart Of Chicago Soul Dance Party
9:30 p.m. Saturday
Hideout, 1354 W. Wabanasia Ave.
Dance your worries away with neighbors and music lovers at this Saturday night party. It’s hosted by Heart of Chicago Soul Club, a local group of women obsessed with collecting vinyl of rare northern soul music from the 1960s-70s. Tickets are $15 online. Attendees must be 21 and older.
Trans Day Of Visibility Mutual Aid Mini Mart
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
The Little Pickle, 3703 W. Fullerton Ave.
In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, this market will spotlight transgender artists, creatives and service providers from around the city. Participants will donate 10 percent of proceeds to Point of Pride, which provides health and financial support to transgender people, and other transgender liberation causes. Masks are required. RSVP here.
The Great Boutelli’s Big Easter Magic Show
2 p.m. Sunday
Sideshow Gelato, 4819 N. Western Ave.
The Lincoln Square magic show returns weekend as The Great Boutelli produces doves out of thin air and performs a variety of other tricks. This show features seasonal twists though, with candy, chocolates, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Tickets start at $15 online.
Soundtrack Symphony
3 p.m. Sunday
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
Players from various Chicago music groups will be playing soundtracks from classic video games, films and anime series, including Zelda: Breaths of the Wind & Tears of Kingdom, Call of Duty: Cold War, Attack on Titan, Lord of the Rings and more. Performers represent the University of Chicago Game Music Ensemble, Jade Chinese Music Ensemble and University of Chicago Pep Band. The concert is free to attend and open to the public.
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