This weekend in Chicago, discuss fashion and justice at Columbia College Chicago. Sample some of the best cocktails, from the city’s most well-known restaurants and bars. Support the Gray Matter Experience in their first annual fundraiser. Experience 4/20 with Big Freedia and more at the 2nd Annual Waldo Fest. Get more details on fun and unique events taking place this weekend in Chicago below.
Fashion:
Open Lecture- Fashion & Justice: Creative Interventions
Friday | April 19th | 6:00 p.m.
Hokin Hall, Columbia College Chicago | 623 S. Wabash Ave. | Free
Kim Jenkins (Parsons School of Design) and Dr. Jonathan Michael Square (Harvard) (in conversation with Dr. Lauren Downing Peters) will discuss how the creative practices of curating and zine-making can serve as entry points for contemplating how marginalized and radicalized communities understand themselves and their place in the world. This lecture is free and open to the public and is a great event for any life long learner interested in art and design. Register to attend the fashion and culture focused event for free here.
Cowboy Junktion Pop-Up Shop
Sunday | April 21st| 7:00 p.m.
EZ Inn | 921 N Western Ave. | Free
Check out Ace High Vintage along with Crystal Gravy this weekend at EZ Inn, a local dive bar in Ukrainian Village. The pop-up shop is inspired by rock n’ roll, western, and other vintage clothing. Grab your partner and saddle up for this unique vintage ride. For more details, visit the Facebook page.
Food + Drink:
Chicago Cocktail Social
Thursday | April 18th | 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Galleri Marchetti| 825 W Erie St. | $45 – $65
Sample some of the best cocktails in the city by the best bartenders around at the Chicago Cocktail Social. The 6th annual event will provide the opportunity for guests to get close with these talented individuals as they create and prepare craft cocktails that are second to none. This year, the cocktail-focused event will feature talented bartenders representing bars such as Good Measure, The Heavy Feather, Leviathan, Ludlow Liquors, Merchant and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website here.
Boozy Brunch at Vice District Brewing
Sunday | April 21st | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Vice District Brewing Company | 1454 S Michigan Ave. | $40
Just in time for Easter Brunch in Chicago, the Black-owned and staple South Loop brewery Vice District will host a boozy brunch this Sunday. The event will feature soul food by local Chicago Chef Levi Kensey, along with Vice style bottomless sangria’s from the namesake brewery. Vice District Brewery bring welcomes friends and family both familiar and new for an afternoon of socializing, soul food, and sangria. To purchase tickets, visit the event page here.
Community:
Gray Matter First Annual Fundraiser
Thursday | April 18th | 6:00 p.m.
mHUB | 965 West Chicago Ave. | $100
Gray Matter Experience, will host its first annual fundraiser this April at
Arts + Culture:
2019 Chicago Culture Ball
Saturday | April 20th | 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago| 163 E Walton Pl.| $50 – $125
Celebrate Chicago’s purveyors of the culture—those who have demonstrated excellence in fashion, arts, music, business or entertainment at the first Chicago Cultural Ball. The event honors Chicago’s most influential people who are making changes locally and around the world. For more information, and to attend the event, visit Chicago Culture Ball.com.
Waldo’s Forever Fest with Big Freedia
Saturday | April 20th | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
W Arglye and N Clark St. | Free
Do312 presents the 2nd annual Waldos Forever Fest. The street festival takes place on the block of Argyle and Clark in Andersonville, providing a full day of music, education, and fun for cannabis lovers – and anyone that loves a good time. From morning ‘til night, the event will feature a curated cast of vendors, musicians, cultivators, educators, and munchie food truck court. For more details and history about this cannabis inspired culture event, visit the event page.