FroSkate, a BIPOC-led skate collective that centers female, trans, queer, and gender nonconforming skaters, is celebrating the release of the FroSkate x Nike SB Dunk. The skate shoe drops this weekend, and FroSkate is offering a few opportunities to share the love: a Saturday takeover of Uprise Skate Shop (noon-7 PM at 1820 N. Milwaukee) followed by a chill skate party today at the Burnham Skate Park (in Burnham Park, south of 31st at S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive). From 2-7 PM, there will be music, food, contests, and skating (duh!). Taylor’s Tacos and Lexington Betty Smoke House will have food on hand while DJs Mo Mami, Ilham-Maé, and Diaspora take turns dropping beats. If that weren’t enough, the party continues at Reggies Rock Club (2105 S. State) from 9 PM-midnight. FroSkate’s All Love Afterparty will feature DJ sets by Police State, Sky Jetta, and Bonita Appleblunt. You know it’s really “all love” cuz it’s free–well, to those 18 and up. (MC)
Reproductive autonomy . . . pretty cool, yeah? Like tattoos? Well, from noon-8 PM on Saturday and Sunday, Wild Wind Tattoo (1452 N. Western) is hosting a Flash Walk-In Weekend. No appointments, all walk-ins, exclusively flash, arms and legs only. Why so many catches? So Wild Wind can get a higher volume of clientele to raise funds for the Chicago Abortion Fund. Tattoos start at $100, and you must be 18 or older. Credit cards accepted, cash preferred. Proof of vaccination and masks are required. (MC)
Summer in Chicago continues with two outdoor music festivals on different sides of town offering strong lineups in different genres–and we recommend both! My House Music Festival takes over Harrison Park in Pilsen (1824 S. Wood) this weekend; today’s performers include juke pioneer Gant-Man and tonight’s headliner Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, a legendary writer and producer of many favorite tracks in the Chicago house and acid house worlds and one of the original members of WBMX-FM’s Hot Mix 5 DJ team. Festival hours are 3-10 PM today, and in addition to the music, you’ll find food, art, and vending from local businesses. Tickets (required for those 13 and older, but children 12 years old and younger can attend for free along with a paying adult) are available at Cashdrop. (SCJ)
Further north, Access Contemporary Music (ACM) presents the final day for this year’s Thirsty Ears Festival, devoted to classical music and new composition performed summer street festival style. Today’s highlights include a performance by 5th Wave Collective, which focuses on music by women and gender-nonconforming composers, and Origin of Animal, a rotating group of Chicago musicians involved in classical, rock, and other scenes that performs original work and improvisation. The festival is open to all-ages, and features food, vendors, and special family-oriented performances on the Kid Zone stage. Thirsty Ears takes place today from 2-9 PM outside the ACM’s Ravenswood facility (1758 W. Wilson), and a $10 suggested donation will be requested upon entry. Festival proceeds benefit the ACM School of Music. (SCJ)