Friday, August 7 Mark Bazer’s popular talk show returns to the Hideout tonight for The Interview Show Summer Barbecue with guests Dave Reidy, author of The Voiceover Artist, the band Jones Street Station, writer/director Kris Swanberg, and chefs Cosmo Goss (Publican) and Erling Wu-Bower (Nico Osteria). Goss and Wu-Bower grill on the patio after the show.
Saturday, August 8 The annual Bud Billiken Parade, the largest African-American community parade in the country, kicks off at 10 am at King Drive and Oakwood Blvd. Watch and cheer as blocks of floats, politicians, marching bands, and tumblers make their way to Washington Park for the traditional post-parade picnic.
Sunday, August 9 It’s time for the fourth annual Monster Food Truck Rally at the Plant. Eat, drink, shop the farmers’ market, and take a tour of Chicago’s innovative zero-net energy incubator for sustainable food businesses.
Monday, August 10 Always wanted to get a look at Frankie Knuckles’ turntables? It’s your last chance to check out Move Your Body: The Evolution of House Music, which chronicles the evolution of Chicago’s home-grown sound from 1972 to the present. The Chicago Cultural Center exhibit closes Sunday, August 16; on Thursday there’s a panel discussion titled “Making Safe Space with Counter Culture: Exploring Gender and Sexuality in Chicago House” at 6 pm.
Tuesday, August 11 Stage Left and ComedySportz host their annual search for the world’s worst 10-minute play with DrekFest 2015. An august panel of judges including playwright Ike Holter and critics Kerry Reid and Kris Vire will assess the merits of “Me and My Tragic Brothers: Or, “Whence Cometh Fuckitude?” and other offerings at 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, August 12 Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club, featuring the last surviving members of the group that sparked the craze for old-school Cuban music, stop at Ravina tonight for their final Chicago appearance on the Adios Tour.
Thursday, August 13 Coming to a neighborhood near you: Chicago Summerdance. Tonight from 6-7 at the Humboldt Park Boathouse, take a salsa lesson with the Salsa Dance Academy and then test out your moves from 7-9 with live music from Rica Obsession.
Belt has some great events scheduled for September, and members receive discounts on tickets. Hint, hint.
