
On this week’s agenda: 20 years of Jazzin’ at the Shedd, the return of the Argyle Night Market, a Pitchfork after party next to the festival itself, the longest annual freshwater sailing race, and the Chicago Craft Beer Festival. Enjoy yourself and, as always, check Groupon for even more great
things to do in Chicago.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd
The Loop | Wednesdays through September 3
Now in its 20th season, Jazzin’ at the Shedd continues to add a touch of hipness to Chicago’s underwater headquarters. Each summer Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the lakeside terrace fills with cocktails and live jazz, funk, and blues sets. You can also explore the habitats of the
Shedd Aquarium’s more than 32,000 aquatic animals on your “sea legs.”
(1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.; $16-$18; buy tickets here)
Argyle Night Market
Uptown | Thursday, July 17
The shopfronts of Argyle Avenue bustle past sunset during the second annual Argyle Night Market, which happens every Thursday through September 4. In addition to fresh produce and crafts inspired by the neighborhood’s Vietnamese heritage, you can also grab bites from acclaimed area eateries including
Sun Wah BBQ,
Tank Noodle, and
Beijo de Chocolat. The market runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
(Argyle Avenue between Kenmore Avenue and Sheridan Road; free)
Dum Dum Girls
West Loop | Saturday, July 19
As Beck ends his headlining set at Union Park’s Pitchfork Music Festival, head over to the
Bottom Lounge for a lady-centric after show sponsored by
CHIRP Radio. Los Angeles’s Dum Dum Girls show off their dreamy, Pretenders-inspired sound in the headlining set, with opening duties by noise-pop darlings
Speedy Ortiz and
Ex Hex.
(1375 W. Lake St.; $13; buy tickets here)
Parade of Boats
The Loop | Saturday, July 19
Originally held in 1898 with just five brave vessels, the
Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac is now one of the largest freshwater sailing races in the world. This Saturday, kick off the 106th running at
Ashore Thing, the official Parade of Boats viewing party at Navy Pier. Starting at 10 a.m., you can sip cocktails and offer words of encouragement to this year’s over 330 boats before they set off on their weekend-long journey.
(600 E. Grand Ave.; free with RSVP)
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
Lincoln Park | Saturday and Sunday, July 19–20
Between
Lagunitas Brewing Company moving to town and area brewers netting four gold medals at the World Beer Cup, 2014 has been a good year for Chicago beer. Some of those same award winners—we’re looking at you,
Two Brothers Brewing Co.—will pour samples at the third annual Chicago Craft Beer Festival. Expect more than 100 beers from
Revolution Brewing,
Half Acre Beer Company, and other regional breweries.
(Sheffield Avenue between Webster and Fullerton Avenues; $40–$45 for 15 beer tickets; buy tickets here)
Image credits: Jazzin’ at the Shedd photo by Brenna Hernandez, courtesy of Shedd Aquarium; Dum Dum Girls photo by Malia James; Race to Mackinac photo by MISTE Photography.