Weekend Events Around Town: 8/19 – 8/21

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Chicago Air & Water Show
It’s the 53rd annual Chicago Air & Water Show. Head to North Avenue Beach to watch the largest free air and water show in the U.S. This year, headliners include three branches of the U.S. military: the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, and the U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs. Herb Hunter, a.k.a. “the voice” of the show, serves as announcer as he has for over 20 years, with a narration that manages to make the spectacle of planes and parachutes even more exciting. Attend the show this Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

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Lakefront
North Avenue Beach
Chicago, IL 60614
Saturday, August 20 & Sunday, August 21: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Theatre Festival at Mary-Arrchie Theater
Enjoy 3 days of over 50 theater groups and performers at the 22nd annual Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Theater Festival, a celebration of the life of political prankster and protester Abbie Hoffman as well as of the anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festivities begin at Daley Plaza, where participants will meet to walk over to the theater on Angel Island for 58 continuous hours of comedy, music, and more. The entertainment begins on Friday at 2:00 pm and runs non-stop until Sunday at midnight. Audience members can come and go as they please by purchasing a day pass for $10 or a weekend pass for $25.

Mary-Arrchie Theater
735 W. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60613
Friday, August 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm through Sunday, August 20 at 12:00 pm

Explorers Stream Sampling at the Shedd Aquarium
Don’t just look at the fish—get in the water with experts from the Shedd Aquarium. Targeted at kids ages 5 to 14, in Explorers Stream Sampling, participants learn data collection in the North Branch of the Chicago River. They gather water quality information, observe habitats and collect aquatic insets. Light snacks and equipment is provided. The event is this Saturday, and admission is $15 to $20.

John G. Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
Saturday, August 20: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Jersey Shore: The Musical at Studio BE Theatre
Sketch comedy group 4 Days Late transforms one of the most hypnotizing reality TV shows of today into a musical with all the characters everyone hates to love and loves to hate—Snooki, the Situation, JWoww and more. Complete with original songs and choreography, the world premiere of this unofficial musical depicts the cast as they live it up at the club before being confronted by their worst fear—anonymity. See how the characters cope with the possibility of a life without fame this Friday through Saturday. Tickets range from $15 to $20.

Studio BE Theatre
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
Friday, August 20 & Saturday, August 21: 7:30 pm

Millennium Park Revealed by the Chicago Architecture Foundation
Whether you’ve lived in Chicago all your life or have only been here for a day, you’ve probably seen Millennium Park, but you’ve never experienced it like this. Learn how dentists played a key role in the creation of the park, as well as why the Park constitutes the world’s largest roof garden and how Kathryn Gustafson’s Lurie Garden serves as a symbol of Chicago history. You’ll not only explore the Park, but also learn the many historical quirks behind this Chicago landmark. The tour is this Sunday, and admission is free for members, up to $16 for non-members.

Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop and Tour Center
224 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
Sunday, August 21: 3:30 pm

The Late Live Show with Joe Kwaczala at The Second City
Attend the finale of The Late Live Show with Joe Kwaczala this Saturday. A weekly tradition, the show consists of classic talk show tropes—a monologue, sketches, an interview, and music. Although it won’t air on your TV, it is taped in front of a live studio audience, so you can head to the show’s YouTube page to view past clips and get a sense of the absurdity and satire that has made The Late Live Show a Chicago staple for the past three years. The final performance is this Saturday, and admission is free.

The Second City’s de Maat Studio Theater
1616 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Saturday, August 20: 11:59 pm

Mark Bradford at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Self-described “modern-day flaneur” Mark Bradford has his first survey exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Exploring his work from 2001 to 2010, the exhibit contains sculpture and painting, as well as a fully illustrated catalogue of the work along with an essay by the curator, an interview with Bradford, and three commissioned essays by specialists. Bradford’s work primarily explores cities and their culture. He looks at various stereotypes and the interactions of class, race, and gender-based economies to create dynamic, layered pieces that map out a multi-dimensional, cultural landscape. The exhibit is on display Friday through Sunday, and general admission is $12.

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Friday, August 19, Saturday, August 20, & Sunday, August 21: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

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