Chicago Calendar for June 29, 2012
By Kathy Russell June 29, 2012 2:16PM
Updated: July 1, 2012 11:38AM
Here is a look at top Chicago entertainment.
Events include Fourth of July at Navy Pier, “Eastland,” Fourth of July at Ravinia and the Lakeview Street Festival.
The Featured Five
4TH OF JULY AT NAVY PIER: Celebrate the fourth with great food, live performances and Chicago’s only fireworks. Cirque Shanghai — Year of the Dragon Shows are performed 2, 6, and 8 p.m. July 3, and 2, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. July 4. Live musical performances at the Landshark Beer Garden all summer long with a special line-up on the fourth — 1 p.m. April’s Reign (Pop/Rock), 4 p.m. Breakfast Club (80’s Tribute) and 7 p.m. Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press (Pop/Rock). All Active Members of the Military Ride the Ferris Wheel for free. The special extended fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.
EASTLAND: A new musical at Lookingglass Theatre, Water Tower Works, Michigan at Pearson. July 24, 1915 — the S.S. Eastland sits on the Chicago River between Clark St. and LaSalle, overflowing with passengers. Slowly the boat leans to port — and doesn’t lean back. The songs give voice to the victims and heroes of that fateful day. Runs Wednesdays through Sundays through August 19. No show on July 4. Tix start at $30. 312-337-0665. www.lookingglasstheatre.org.
4TH OF JULY AT RAVINIA: The festival grounds, LakeCook and Greenbay Road, Highland Park, open at 3 p.m. The All-American Program begins at 5 p.m. at the Pavilion. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Steven Reineke, Conductor and Ashley Brown, Vocalist, present tunes from The Star-Spangled Banner to a Disney Medly to Proud Mary and much more. Tix are $25, Lawn seats are $10. Box Office: 847-266-5100. www.ravinia.org.
ROCK AROUND THE BLOCK: Anyone and everyone who loves a good Chicago street festival, wants to rock out to some great tunes (two stages) and grub on some of the best food in the city, should stop by The Lakeview Street Festival. It’s from noon to 10 p.m. on both July 7 and 8 at 3200 N. Lincoln at Belmont Ave. Suggested donation is $5. New this year — a VIP wristband, minimum donation of $25, provides access to the exclusive “Star Lounge” at the festival which includes upgraded restrooms, three complimentary beers, free bottled water and a seating area. The fest benefits the West Lakeview Neighbors. www.starevents.com for additional festival information.
28TH ANNUAL OLD ST. PAT’S WORLD’S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY: The fest is from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. both June 29 and 30. Tix are $40/advance, $45/gate and available at www.worldslargestblockparty.com and includes four free beverages. The entry gate is at Madison and Des Plaines in Chicago’s West Loop. Bands include Ben Folds Five, Out for Hours and The Spazmatics on June 29. Lifehouse and No Love For Linus are on June 30. Celebrity Bartenders will serve beverages from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Main Stage bar. Proceeds support the church and the Center for Social Concerns on the Old St. Pat’s campus.
Quick Notes
ZIGGY MARLEY LIVE: On July 2, The Cubby Bear welcomes back icon Ziggy Marley to their stage at 1059 W. Addison St. Tix, $26 in advance and $31 day of, are available at The Cubby Bear box office and www.ticketweb.com. Doors open at 8 p.m., opening act at 9 p.m. Marley at 10:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 and over. www.ziggymarley.com. Cubby Bear at 773-327-1662 or www.cubbybear.com.
ANSEL ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Bert Green Fine Art, 8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1220, exhibits rarely seen photographs that reveal the lost landscape + lifestyle of a prewar Los Angeles. Ends June 30. 312-434-7544.
COOKIE’S 79TH BIRTHDAY: Cookie, a Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, will make a public appearance at Brookfield Zoo at 10:30 a.m. June 30 at Reptiles and Birds exhibit, to celebrate his 79th birthday. Cookie, the charismatic pink cockatoo, arrived at the zoo in 1934. Brookfield Zoo, First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. Metra stop is Hollywood. 866-GoToZoo or 800-201-0784. www.czs.org.
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METRA’S $7 WEEKEND PASS: Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday for all stations. Weekend parking is available at all stations. Note: Boat taxis are available from Union Station to Navy Pier and/or the museum campus, Chinatown and other points along the river or lakefront. Reasonable pricing and fun.
