THROUGH 8/3
About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New Queer Art
Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion in a celebration of queer art featuring more than 450 pieces from artists around the globe. Times vary, tickets $20, wrightwood659.org
THROUGH 9/8
Tempel Lipizzans
Enjoy the masterful performances of pony choreography featuring eight newborn Lipizzans. Times vary, tickets $30-$75, Old Mill Creek, tempelfarms.com
7/2-9/22
The Recommendation
Experience an intimate viewing of Jonathan Caren’s psychological thriller, adapted by Amy Rubenstein for its Chicago premiere. Times vary, tickets $80-$100, Windy City Playhouse, windycityplayhouse.com
7/7-9/29
Go Down Moses
Witness novelist-photographer Teju Cole add curator to his multihyphenate title with his first exhibit. Times vary, free, Museum of Contemporary Photography, mocp.org
7/11-20
Uncharted Festival
Those on the lookout for up-and-coming playwrights will enjoy this fest designed to spotlight new creators. Times vary, $10 per show, The Den Theatre, thenewcolony.org
7/12
West Side Story with Live Orchestra
Watch the classic film come to life with the CSO accompaniment that will have you feeling pretty and witty and bright. 8pm, tickets $25-$90, Ravinia Festival, ravinia.org
7/12-14
Windy City Smokeout
Sample bites from 20 of the country’s best barbecue pitmasters for a weekend of clean-off-the-bone fun. Times vary, VIP three-day passes $625, United Center, windycitysmokeout.com
7/12-28
20/20
Connecting the worries of the past with hope for the future, About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble offers a 20-year history of LGBTQ struggles and victories. 3pm and 7:30pm, tickets $20, Center on Halsted, aboutfacetheatre.com
7/18
Green City Market Chef BBQ
Taste the cream of summer’s crop with dishes expertly prepared by 100 top Chicago chefs, all featuring produce and products from Green City Market farmers. 5:30pm, tickets $125; VIP tickets $275, Lincoln Park Green City Market, greencitymarket.org
7/19-21
Pitchfork PLUS
Take a break from the crowds in this VIP lounge complete with everything a sophisticated festivalgoer could ask for, from an elevated viewing platform to cellphone charging stations, with acts like Mavis Staples, Belle & Sebastian and HAIM. Times vary, three-day pass $390-$400, Union Park, pitchforkmusicfestival.com
7/20
Emerging Choreographer Showcase
Scope out the next generation of talent in dance and choreography at this final performance of Deeply Rooted Dance’s summer intensive, followed by a reception. 7pm, tickets $25-$150, Logan Center, deeplyrooteddancetheater.org
7/21
Art Institute Block Party
Returning for its second year, this daylong fest features performances, talks and artmaking spread throughout and around one of the greatest art museums in the world. 10:30am-5pm, tickets $10-$25, artic.edu
Assaf Evron, “Untitled (Sodom and Gomorrah),” 2018
7/23-2/16/20
Chicago Works: Assaf Evron
See how this Israeli-born photographer crosses dimensions in both natural and built spaces—including some Chicago skyscrapers. Times vary, free with admission, Museum of Contemporary Art, mcachicago.org
7/26
Postcommodity: With Each Incentive
Join Cristóbal Martínez and Kade L. Twist, plus curator Lekha Hileman Waitoller, to learn more about the indigenous themes throughout this Chicago-exclusive exhibit. 2:30pm, free with admission, Art Institute of Chicago, artic.edu
8/10
Made in Chicago Market
It’s no secret Chicago is home to some of the country’s best artists and craftspeople; take your home-field advantage all the way to the market. 10am-5pm, free, Plumbers Hall, madeinchicagomarket.com
8/10-11
Thirsty Ears
Chicago’s only classical music street festival brings 17 soloists and ensembles to Ravenswood. Times vary, $10 suggested donation, Wilson Avenue from Hermitage to Ravenswood avenues, acmusic.org
8/11
Vinyasa and Vino
If recentering your breath just isn’t cutting it, a postworkout wine tasting should do the trick to refresh and revive at this City Winery yoga practice. 2pm, tickets $35, citywinery.com
8/17
Huge Galdones Workshop
Chicago’s premier food photographer will offer up his tricks of the trade at this exclusive event—photoworthy brunch included. 11am, tickets $65, Travelle at The Langham, travellechicago.com
8/17
Dance for Life Gala
Performances by Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago kick off the evening, followed by a finale by dancers from around the city, and an elegant gala with sumptuous bites at the Hilton Chicago. 6pm, tickets for performance and gala $300-$650, Auditorium Theatre, chicagodancersunited.org
8/18
Medusa
Reexamine your notions of this notorious mythological character for an eye-opening, one-night-only performance as part of Steppenwolf’s LookOut series. 4pm, tickets $15, 1700 Theatre, steppenwolf.org
8/18
Grilling With John Manion
Make the last few weekends of summer count by learning how to host a barbecue straight from Buenos Aires, complete with Argentine wine and cocktails. 3pm, tickets $75, , elchechicago.com
Photography by: Windy City Smokeout photo by jeff marini/windy citysmokeout; the recommendation photo courtesy of windy city playhouse | green city market photo courtesy of green city market | about face photo courtesy of wrightwood 659 | AsSaf evron photos courtesy of the artist/mca | art institute photos by alice feldt and matt dula/art institute |dance for life photo by todd rosenberg photography/dance for life
