Weekend Events Around Town: 4/19 – 4/21

Movies and music galore, Harlem Renaissance murals, and an Earth Day celebration; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Four days of vibrant films and live music descend on Wicker Park and Logan Square this weekend, for the Fifth-Annual Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest). The festival takes place in the theaters, art galleries and bars of two of Chicago’s most eclectic and artistic neighborhoods, and offers attendees the chance to explore the latest in musical and film culture from around the globe. For Rolling Stones fans in particular, this installment of CIMMfest is a real treat: Among many films and musical acts hitting stages all weekend long is CIMMpathy for the Stones, a compilation of 10 concert films and documentaries celebrating 50 years of The Rolling Stones music on film. The retrospective includes a screening of The Rolling Stones Charlie is my Darling - Ireland 1965, which documents the Stones first professionally filmed concert, and two other rare concert films never before seen by Chicago audiences. View a conversation with two of filmmakers, who have made a career out of unearthing and restoring lost Stones concert footage. Tickets are $50 and include admission to all screenings and concerts. For more information on purchasing tickets, click here. And for the full line-up of screenings, concerts, DJ sets and Q & A sessions with artists and musicians, click here.
Using bright colors and contrasting textures, artist and muralist Hale Woodruff brought to life dramatic scenes, like the 1839 slave revolt aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad. Through his murals, Woodruff drew attention to the hardship that Africans and African Americans faced over hundreds of years. But much of Woodruff’s art, including six large murals, have remained largely unseen outside of Alabama’s Talladega College, where the pieces were commissioned. That is, until now. Thanks to the Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago audiences have a rare opportunity to view the important work of this Harlem Renaissance artist. Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at Talladega College, opened March 23 at the Chicago Cultural Center and the exhibit will remain open to the public through June 16. Admission to the exhibit is free. To read more about Woodruff’s career, to view a slideshow previewing the artwork on display, and to learn more about another painting of Woodruff’s on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, click here. For more information about the exhibit, click here.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., 4th Floor Exhibit Hall
Chicago, IL 60602
Earth Day is just around the corner (Monday, April 22) and those looking for a way to celebrate all that Mother Nature has given us should head to Millennium Park Saturday for a picnic in her honor. Sponsored by the Nature Conservancy and their “All Hands on Earth” campaign, “Picnic for Earth” is one of many gatherings around the country and world encouraging people to celebrate our planet by making environmentally sensitive choices, from taking shorter showers to making responsible food choices. Featuring several demonstrations by Food Network chefs the Hearty Boys, Saturday’s picnic will focus on teaching guests how to cook meals that are both good for the planet and good for their health. Renowned chefs will offer cooking demonstrations and share recipes with attendees. And of course, eating is involved – the $25 admission fee gets you access to three cooking demos, lunch prepared by the Park Grill and music performed by the indie-rock outfit Blind Pilot. Festivities last from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday in the Park’s Chase Promenade-South Tent. For more information on purchasing tickets, directions and more information, click here.
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Ave. 
Chicago, IL 60602
Do you fancy yourself a connoisseur of fine wine, in particular, a nice pinot noir? If so, make your way to Navy Pier’s Lakeview Terrace for the 6th Annual Pinot Days Chicago festival. The event offers guests a chance to sample 150 different pinots from every important domestic pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to Oregon, Carneros to the Santa Lucia Highlands, and the Anderson Valley to the Sonoma Coast. The festival offers food pairings and the chance to interact with many of the winemakers eager to talk about their craft. Of course, all this food and wine pairs nicely with some of the best views in the city, available atop Lakeview Terrace. Tickets to the festival are $75. For more information on purchasing tickets, directions and a full list of wine offerings, click here.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
In light of the severe storms that have soaked Chicago the last several days, you may be curious exactly how such extreme weather and other natural phenomena develop. If so, check out Science Storms - an exploration of the chemistry and physics behind some of nature’s most stunning and dangerous weather events - now on exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit offers guests a chance to control virtual avalanche simulations, make their own miniature tornadoes and participate in over 50 other hands-on experiments. Admission to the museum is $18 for adults, $17 for seniors and $11 for children ages 3 to 11. Chicago residents receive discounted admission - $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $10 for children. To purchase tickets online, click here. For more information on other exhibits currently on display, and museum hours, click here.
Museum of Science and Industry
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637

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