Chicago Blues Festival
This year’s Chicago Blues Festival features headline performances by Taj Mahal and The Phantom Blues Band. Celebrations for 75 years of Billy Branch and 55 years of Alligator Records round out the lineup. With dozens of live music acts, you have three days to enjoy performances across four stages. The festival takes place in Millennium Park from noon to 9 p.m. on June 5-7. Access is free, and entrances are located at Michigan Avenue and Washington, Madison, Randolph, and Monroe Streets. More details are available at ChicagoBluesFestival.us.
Pokémon GO Fest
This weekend, the Pokémon GO Fest takes place in Grant Park, hosting augmented-reality gameplay activities. Expect to encounter special eggs, hatch candy, and stardust. This event follows its previous stop in Tokyo and precedes its next in Copenhagen. The festival runs through June 7 at 337 E. Randolph St. Tickets are priced at $33 and can be found at pokemongo.com.
American Writers Festival
Filling the summer reading gap, the American Writers Festival features events like Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Kraus talking with Susan Orlean and discussions on free speech and poetry. It spans two days, held at the American Writers Museum on June 6, and at the Harold Washington Library Center on June 7. Admission is free, including museum entry on Saturday. Visit americanwritersmuseum.org for the full schedule.
Danielle Allen at Newberry Library
For those interested in historical insights, Danielle Allen from Harvard discusses the Declaration of Independence at the Newberry Library, alongside R. Scott Stephenson. The event features artifacts like the recreation of George Washington’s tent. It is part of the library’s United States 250 Initiative and occurs on June 6 from 2-3 p.m. in Ruggles Hall. Registration is required at newberry.org.
Bleachers Concert
Jack Antonoff’s band Bleachers performs indie rock music at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Known for producing major artists, Antonoff offers shows on June 5 and 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $75.20 at saltshedchicago.com.
Melissa Etheridge at Brookfield Zoo
Melissa Etheridge kicks off the Brookfield Zoo’s “Roaring Nights” concert series on June 7 at 7 p.m. The event includes zoo access prior to the show, with carousel and Ferris wheel rides. Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased at brookfieldzoo.org.
Fond of His Mother: Queer-Coded Hitchcock
To celebrate Pride Month, Music Box Theatre screens Hitchcock thrillers with queer representations. It starts with “Strangers on a Train” and includes “Rebecca,” “Rope,” and “Psycho,” running through June 27. Tickets from $13 are available at musicboxtheatre.com.
Midwest Haunters Convention
For Halloween enthusiasts, the Midwest Haunters Convention provides ideas for spooky decorations. Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, it spans June 5-7. Tickets start at $40 at midwesthaunterscon.com.
57th Street Art Fair
Visit the 57th Street Art Fair to meet artists and view their creations. This event in Hyde Park features live music and kids’ art activities. It runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 6, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 7. More information can be found at 57thstreetartfair.com.
Shimmering Summer at Chicago Botanic Garden
Experience “Evanescent,” a sculpture installation of iridescent bubbles at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The installation opens June 6-7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and continues through September 20. Tickets are priced from $12.95, with free entry for children ages 2 and under. Visit chicagobotanic.org for more details.
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to [email protected].