Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Bud Billiken Parade
Touted as the largest Black parade, the 96th annual Bud Billiken Parade will march through Bronzeville this weekend. Led by this year’s grand marshal, “Chicago P.D.” star and Harvey native LaRoyce Hawkins, the two-mile parade features more than 200 bands, dance teams and performers from across the country. After the parade, check out the It Takes a Village Back to School Festival in Washington Park, featuring free hairstyling, health screenings and live performances. Bud Billiken events support $25,000 in scholarships and thousands of free school supplies.
10 a.m. Aug. 9 on Martin Luther King Drive from 35th to 51st Streets; details on the free event at budbillikenparade.org
Northalsted Market Days
Can’t wrap up summer without another Northalsted party. Entertainment spans across four stages, more than 250 vendors line the streets and, of course, there’s food, drink and drag.
5-10 p.m. Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 9-10 on Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street; $20 suggested donation; details at northalsted.com
Jeezy
After 20 years on the scene — no longer Young — the Georgia trap star rolls into the Chicago Theatre with a live performance of his debut album. Backed by the Color of Noize Orchestra and DJ Drama, Jeezy will play “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101.” It’s the album that put him — and hit song “Soul Survivor” — on the map.
8 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets at jeezyofficial.com
Wilco
The beloved Chicago band plays two sets with an intermission at The Salt Shed. As you’d expect, it’s long sold out … but where there’s a Wilco, there’s a way? You could also consider grabbing tickets to Jeff Tweedy’s solo show on Sept. 7 at Gallagher Way or his full band show with Macie Stewart on Nov. 1 back at The Salt Shed.
6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Salt Shed Fairgrounds, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets for all shows at wilcoworld.net
Jeff Tweedy performs with his band Wilco at the Riviera Theatre on March 23, 2023. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune)
Windy City Comedy Fest
Love comedy? You’ve got plenty to see this weekend. Kerryn Feehan and Dwayne Kennedy top the lineup at this weekend’s Windy City Comedy Fest. Dozens of comics from Chicago and beyond will perform at a series of showcases across the city, culminating in an installment of Roast Battle Chicago at the Den Theatre on Aug. 10.
Through Aug. 10 at various venues; tickets and details at windycitycomedyfest.com
Soulful Chicago Book Fair
Meet authors and celebrate Black literature at the Soulful Chicago Book Fair. Music, storytelling, poetry and more will be on offer. Bring the whole family: Children’s books are part of the program.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 9 on 61st Street between Cottage Grove Avenue and King Drive; details on the free event at soulfulchicagobookfair.com
The Fest for Beatles Fans
Have you always wished you could visit a Beatles Ashram? Now’s your chance. You just have to go to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. You’ll be surrounded by fellow Beatlemaniacs and have the opportunity to hear from the likes of producer Peter Asher, The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty, Bad Company’s Simon Kirke and tour manager and “Miss O’Dell” inspiration Chris O’Dell. (Or, as the fest’s website states, “Worked at Apple, was at Rooftop Concert.”) WXRT’s Terri Hemmert serves as master of ceremonies, as she has since 1978.
Through Aug. 10 at Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; tickets from $90 at thefest.com
Keir Dullea as astronaut Dave Bowman in director Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” (Warner Bros. via AP)
Music Box 70mm Festival
Yes, you have a giant TV, but nothing compares to the big-ness of experiencing a 70mm film in the theater. See for yourself through Aug. 21 as the Music Box Theatre has put together a lineup of films deserving of the format’s grandeur. There’s something here for nearly every moviegoer. Yes, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Cleopatra,” but also Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.” Rounding out the lineup: “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Dunkirk,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Dark Crystal.”
Through Aug. 21 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets $15 at musicboxtheatre.com
MudGirl Run
Looking for a messy challenge? Women of all ages and fitness levels are invited to participate in MudGirl Run, a three-mile course featuring 17 obstacles and a whole lot of mud. It promises a day of empowerment and aims to raise money for the Pink Army Foundation, a charity supporting breast cancer survivors.
7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9-10 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove; tickets from $48 at mudgirlrun.us
Illinois Free Wednesdays at the Field Museum
It’s summertime! Specifically, the Summer of Sue, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Field Museum’s beloved T. rex. So skip work and head down to Museum Campus. The Field offers free basic admission to Illinois residents every Wednesday this month. Be sure to bring proof of residency.
Wednesdays through Aug. 27 at Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; details at fieldmuseum.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.