THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Embracing Our New Season!
Believe it or not, autumn has officially arrived this past Thursday and it’s the last weekend of September already! But, there’s plenty of events throughout Chicago’s various neighborhoods this weekend to help us embrace our new season!!
Chicago’s upbeat jazz scene will be prominently featured this weekend during the 16th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival dedicated to the city’s most critically acclaimed artists along with nationally and internationally recognized talent. This remarkable free festival will be presented on 11 stages with over 34 bands in a variety of settings throughout the Hyde Park neighborhood (South Woodlawn Avenue and Midway Plaisance) for over 18 hours of free, nonstop jazz performances! Come celebrate jazz’s great legacy and bright future on Chicago’s South Side. Afterall, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival is the essence of a first-class festival!!
Celebrate in the streets at Goose Island’s annual end-of-summer 312 Block Party on the pavement outside of its Fulton Street Brewery (1800 W. Fulton St.) on the Near West Side. Wrapping up this Saturday (gates open at 4 p.m.), this year’s event brings together a stacked lineup of performers for some great music, some great food vendors such as Goose Island Clybourn Pub, Harold’s Fried Chicken, Yum Dum and more, plus a great lineup of $5 beers! I’d say it’s time to party!!
Returning for its 19th year of seasonal revelry this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.-7 p.m.) is the St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest taking place in and around St. Alphonsus Church (1429 W. Wellington Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood. This autumn fest features Bavarian foods along with the requisite selection of suds, brats, and pretzels; craft beer tasting (separately ticketed); two stages of Bavarian music and cover bands; and the family friendly KinderFest! As they say, bring on autumn and pull out the lederhosen!!
Check out Chicago Gourmet’s new addition to its four-day slate of programming and events, Prost! In The Park this Sunday (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) on the rooftop of the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop. This newest event brings a German flair inviting local chefs to go “überboard” with riffs on classic German delights and is hosted by Monteverde’s chef Sarah Grueneberg. There will also be plenty of fun cocktails for your sipping pleasure, foamy steins of beer, and oom-pah bands! It’s sure to be a can’t miss event!!
The 2nd annual Oktober-Family-Fest returns to The Northman Beer & Cider Garden (233 E. Riverwalk) in The Loop this Sunday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.). Live music kicks off at noon along with face painting, balloon twisting, and a craft and go table! And of course, plenty of Oktoberfest food and drinks for the entire family!!
Come and enjoy this weekend’s Randolph Street Market Festival at Plumbers Hall (1341 W. Randolph St.) in the West Loop. It’s one of Chicago’s Top Festivals with continuous live music, great foods, sensational treasures, and is a mecca shopping experience for interior designers, Hollywood set decorators and many others. This event is both indoors and outdoors (rain or shine) with over 200 vendors offering art, antiques, vintage, global goods and more! After a three-year hiatus, it’s time to hunt for those new and old treasures again!!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
