Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!
Sleepwalk With Me at the Music Box Theatre
“This American Life” host Ira Glass will be hosting two special night screenings of his first film that he co-wrote and co-produced, Sleepwalk With Me. The film follows an aspiring stand-up comedian, whose anxiety about his relationship and struggling career manifests into a sleepwalking disorder. Winner of a 2012 Audience Award at Sundance, comedian Mike Birbiglia wrote, directed and stars in this film. For two nights, Ira Glass will be introducing the new film and conducting a Q&A after the screening. Tickets for the special screening hosted by Glass are sold out except for Friday Aug. 31 at 2:00 pm. All other screenings will be sold day of at the door. The film is playing at the Music Box Theatre from Aug. 31 – Sept. 6. Tickets are $12.
Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
North Coast Music Festival
See the best in electronic, hip hop, jam band, indie rock and more this weekend at Union Park for the North Coast Music Festival. Other highlights include Groupon’s Silent Disco where everyone will be dancing wearing headphones that are streaming what the DJ is mixing. The festival takes place Friday from 3:00 pm -10:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 – 10:00 pm. One-day passes are $50. Headliners for the festival include:
- Friday: STS9, Axwell, Paul Oakenfold
- Saturday: Girl Talk, Umphrey's McGee, Atmosphere
- Sunday: Pretty Lights, Steve Angello, Big Boi
Union Park
1501 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60606
Ravenswood Remix
Come support local, independent artists at this recycled art fair. The show features live entertainment plus over 50 artists who make their items from used, found or recycled materials. The two-day event benefits local school art programs and features workshops for people of all ages. Learn how to make recycled fashion accessories, plan a green wedding, refashion old t-shirts and more. Headlining performers include White Mystery and BBU on Saturday, and Like Pioneers and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on Sunday. The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2, from 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm. There is a $5 suggested donation.
4100 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
Chicago Jazz Festival
Celebrate Chicago’s rich jazz history this weekend at the free Chicago Jazz Festival. Since 1979, the festival's mission is to showcase Chicago’s vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages. The event takes place at multiple venues downtown including the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Grant Park. Visit the Chicago Jazz Festival website for the full schedule of performances. The festival continues through September 2.
And celebrate the Labor Day weekend with these special events going on Monday, Sept. 3.
Cirque Shanghai: The Year of the Dragon
Catch Cirque Shanghai’s final performance this Labor Day. Year of the Dragon is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring talented Chinese acrobats. This year’s production features incredible acts, including Bike Balances, Hoop Diving, Group Chair Stack, Teeterboard act and the Wheel of Death. Plus, China’s premier daredevil motorcycle troupe, “Imperial Thunder,” returns with five motorcyclists. Performances run approximately 75 minutes at Navy Pier’s open-air theater. Tickets range from $15.50-29.50. The final shows take place Monday, September 3 at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
2012 Annual African Festival of the Arts
The Annual African Festival of the Arts is a colorful celebration of arts and culture from across the African Diaspora. Learn from interactive demonstrations, historical artifacts, health and wellness workshops and vibrant entertainment. Celebrate with your family this Labor Day weekend at Washington Park. African cuisine will include dishes from Nigeria, Senegal and the Caribbean. The festival also features an arts pavilion, children’s area and a theater pavilion with daily screenings of short and full-length films produced mostly by African and African American filmmakers. Live entertainment headliners are:
- "Awakening" - Friday - MC Lyte
- "Afro Soul" - Saturday - George Clinton
- "Praise Dance" - Sunday - Inspired House Music by the Chosen Few
- "Our Own Time" - Monday - Lyfe Jennings
Tickets are $20 at the gate, and discounts are available for families and weekend passes. The festival takes place from Aug. 31 – Sept. 3. The schedule of events is still TBA.
Washington Park
5100 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
