Chicago's only ax-throwing center celebrates its opening this weekend. Credit: Courtesy Bad Axe Throwing

Mammoth art festival Expo Chicago is all the rage, but it’s not the only game in town. Here are some more weekend recommendations:

Through 9/25: The Filter Photo Festival features weekend of workshops, exhibits, and portfolio reviews at galleries across the city.

Through 10/1: Artemisia Theatre hosts Her Story Is Our Story, its annual festival of feminist plays at Edge Theatre (5451 N. Broadway). This year’s lineup features six new works including Inda Craig-Galván’s Black Super Magic Mama and Traci Godfrey’s Sweet Texas Reckoning. Thu-Sat 7:30 PM

Drink lots and lots of beer with the Goose Island folks during the 312 Urban Block Party.
Drink lots and lots of beer with the Goose Island folks during the 312 Urban Block Party.Credit: Courtesy Goose Island


Fri 9/23-Sat 9/24: Goose Island hosts the 312 Urban Block Party at their Fulton Market location (1800 W. Fulton) that features an array of local food vendors (Happy Lobster, Tamale Spaceship, Hot Doug’s, and more); live music from Whitney, Dawes, and Against Me!; a make-your-own jorts station; and plenty of beer. 5-10 PM

9/23-9/25: The city’s new (and only) ax-throwing center, Bad Axe Throwing (165 N. Loomis) celebrates its opening with an open house offering a chance to try out the sport for free. Axes are provided, but you can bring your own food and drink. Fri 6-11 PM, Sat 2-11 PM, Sun 2-8 PM

Sat 9/24: At Pig, Swig, and Record Dig at Schubas (3159 N. Southport), shop for LPs and CDs from local record stores—like Bucket o’ Blood, Reckless, and Saki—while enjoying music by DJs Lady Lea and Doug Hall, beer from Anchor Brewing, and a whole suckling pig. Noon-4 PM

Get in a good Hillary discussion just before the debates at Women & Children First.
Get in a good Hillary discussion just before the debates at Women & Children First.Credit: AP


Sat 9/24: In These Times hosts the panel discussion Hillary Clinton’s Faux Feminism at Seminary Co-op Bookstore (5751 S. Woodlawn) featuring Liza Featherstone, Doug Henwood (My Turn: Hillary Clinton Takes Aim at the Presidency), and Yasmin Nair and Kathleen Geier, contributors to False Choices. 4 PM

Sat 9/24: Chirp Radio’s Bobby Evers is the DJ at the helm of the adult contemporary slow dance party the Lite FM, a night of soft rock from the 70s, 80s, and 90s at Crown Liquors (2821 N. Milwaukee). 9:30 PM

Crown Liquors will be filled with slow jams on Sat 9/24.
Crown Liquors will be filled with slow jams on Sat 9/24.Credit: Rosario Zavala


Sun 9/25: Paper Moon Pastry and Bake and Destroy host Vegan Vortex, a pop-up market at LAMA HQ (3519 W. Fullerton) featuring all the vegan and cruelty-free snacks, clothing, and bath products you could ask for. There’s also live music, a Bloody Mary bar, and tarot readings. 11 AM-3 PM

Sun 9/25: The Roald Dahl Celebration at 57th Street Books (1301 E. 57th) honors the author’s 100th birthday with games and treats inspired by his books and a rhyming contest. 2 PM

For more stuff to do this weekend—and every day—check out our Agenda page.