This Weekend The sixth annual Do-Division Street Fest pitches its tents on Division between Damen and Leavitt. This year it runs three days, not the usual two—Fri 6/1 through Sun 6/3—but it’s got the same two stages of live music. The lineups lean toward indie rock, garage, soul, and hip-hop; one is booked by the Empty Bottle Presents (the Damen Stage) and the other by House Call Entertainment (the Leavitt Stage), aka the team from Subterranean and Beat Kitchen. Music kicks off Friday at 6 PM: on the Damen Stage, the bill (headliner first) is the Black Belles, BBU, and Moon Furies; on the Leavitt Stage, it’s JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Todd Hembrook & the Hemispheres, and the O’My’s. On Saturday the music begins at 1 PM; Damen Stage highlights include Peanut Butter Wolf, the Besnard Lakes (see Soundboard), Craig Finn, and Mannequin Men, while the Leavitt Stage hosts Le Butcherettes, O’Death, White Mystery, Brown Bird, the Blind Staggers, and more. Sunday’s music likewise starts at 1 PM, with the Antlers, Pinebender, Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, Teengirl Fantasy, and others on the Damen Stage; Murder by Death, the Soft Pack (see Soundboard), Gypsyblood, and Mutts are among the Leavitt Stage acts.
Do-Division begins at 5 PM on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday; it wraps up at 10 PM each day. Expect lots of food vendors and a huge sidewalk sale—and if you’re bringing the kids, consider setting aside some time for the Do-Division Family Fun Fest, which runs Saturday noon-6 PM and Sunday noon-5 PM on Hoyne between Division and Potomac. It includes a stage with music, dance, martial arts and science demos, and more; among the other diversions on offer are pony rides and punk-rock hairdos for the little ones from Psychobaby. Staff from the Shedd Aquarium will lead educational games and teach children about the importance of conserving marine ecosystems. Admission to the entire festival is a $5 suggested donation, and proceeds go to the West Town Chamber of Commerce, the Division Street Committee, and three local elementary schools. For more, see Fairs & Festivals listings by day, call 312-850-9390, or visit do-divisionstreetfest.com.