There’s more to do this weekend in Chicago than Pitchfork. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Fri 7/15: Drew Fees, Felonious Monk, and other performers try to get a laugh at A Dope Ass Comedy Show, housed in North Bar (1637 W North). 9 PM
Fri 7/15: The weekend-long Chicago Open Air beer and music festival opens at Toyota Park (7000 S Harlem, Bridgeview), with loud names like Slipknot and Disturbed headlining—consider it your anti-Pitchfork. Times vary, see website
Sat 7/16: More than 100 Black authors cover six blocks at this year’s “Gathering of the Griots,” the Soulful Chicago Book Fair (Cottage Grove to King Drive on 61st). The event also features live performances of slam poetry and spoken word. 10 AM-8 PM
Sat 7/16: At MSI After Hours: Brick Bash, the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore) hosts a big, ol’ party featuring a live podcast by Adam Reed Tucker, curator of the institution’s Lego sculpture display. 7-10 PM
Sat 7/16: Three days of country music and BBQ converge at Windy City Smokeout (Grand and Chicago River), featuring Dinosaur BBQ, Pappy’s Smokehouse, and the Salt Lick. Fri 2-10 PM, Sat-Sun noon-10 PM
Sun 7/17: Stop by the Rockabilly-themed Vintage Garage Chicago (5051 N. Broadway), featuring live music by Rosie & the Rivets. 10 AM-5 PM
Through 9/5: Transport back to Elizabethan England with more than 30 acres of 16th-century-themed games, rides, arts, crafts, food, and music at the Bristol Renaissance Faire (12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wisconsin). Sat-Sun 10 AM
For more stuff to do this week—and every day—check out our Agenda page.