Compiled by Ashmar Mandou
There are endless things to do across the City and with summer in full swing there are no excuses to stay indoors this weekend.
Chicago Blues Festival
Chicago Blues Festival (June 9 – 12), 2022 marks the first citywide Chicago Blues Festival bringing top talent to downtown and the neighborhoods where Blues originated in Chicago, including Soul City Blues in Austin (June 11) and Bronzeville Blues (June 12); in addition to Blues on the Riverwalk (June 9-10); a “Women in Blues showcase” in Millennium Park (June 12) and special tributes to Blues legends: Erwin Helfer, Bob Stroger, Gene Barge, Cicero Blake, Willie Henderson, and Mary Lane. For more information, visit www.millenniumpark.org.
Old Town Art Fair
The Old Town Art Fair takes place on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, 2022 in the heart of the charming Old Town Triangle Historic District. There will be 200+ nationally acclaimed artists, an estimated 10,000 art lovers, a Garden Walk, Live Music, Food Court and Children’s Corner. Gates open Saturday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.oldtownartfair.org.
The Sofrito Manifesto
The book The Sofrito Manifesto by the artist Bernardo Medina, will open in Chicago an exhibition of over 60 photographs that highlight the colors and flavors of the kitchen of the Puerto Rican grandmothers. Starting June 9, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in Chicago will open the doors to this pop-up exhibition along with the presentation of The Sofrito Manifesto book. The exhibition will consist of photographs printed in different sizes of those featured in the book and some unpublished ones for the delight of visitors. For more information, visit www.nmprac.org.
Wells Street Art Festival
Explore stunning and innovative works of art the 47th annual Wells Street Art Festival, on Wells Street between North Avenue and Division, June 11-12, Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A diverse mix of over 140 juried local and national artists showcase a wide array of inspiring works that visitors can admire and take home. A $10 suggested donation upon entry benefits Old Town Merchants & Residents Association.
Puerto Rican Festival
The Fiesta Patronales/Puerto Rican Fest will feature some of the best Puerto Rican musical talent and genres from Bomba and Plena, to salsa, including the legendary Salsero; Lalo Rodriguez. The Festival will run from Thursday June 9th to Sunday June 12th. The Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade will step off at 2pm on Division and Western Avenue; proceeding west on Division Street through the heart of the Puerto Rican commercial and cultural community- in Humboldt Park-culminating on Sacramento and Division. For more information, visit www.prcc-chgo.org.
