WGN’s Dean Richards offers a look at some of the shows and events taking place around Chicagoland this weekend.
First up, the city’s last big summer music festival this weekend also has one of the most star studded lineups. Weezer, Green Day, Blink 182, Jack White, The Beach Boys, “Weird Al” Yankovic and many more all descend on Douglass Park for the 20th annual Riot Fest through Sunday.
Blink 182
Rap superstars Ludacris and Timbaland headline the Tacos and Tequila Festival at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva on Saturday night.
Ludacris
Chicago’s very own blues legend Buddy Guy plays a free concert as part of the Chicago Live! Festival at Navy Pier on Saturday night.
Buddy Guy
Pop star Jessica Simpson comes to the Genesee Theater in Waukegan on Saturday night.
Singer songwriter Pete Yorn plays Thalia Hall on Friday.
On stage, the American Blues Theater presents the world premiere of its new play “Things With Friends” which deals with twilight zone-like events at a dinner party. See it now through Oct. 5.
Original “Rent” cast member, Anthony Rapp performs at the City Winery on Sunday night.
The country’s longest running LGBTQ+ Film Festival kicks off this weekend and runs through Sept. 28. “Reeling” will feature 38 feature films, 59 short dilms and 10 short programs at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema.
For laughs, Saturday Night Live cast member Sarah Sherman returns to the stand-up stage at the The Vic Theatre on Saturday night.
Funnyman Gary Gulman plays the Athenaeum Theatre on Saturday.
Standup Arnez J is at the Improv in Schaumburg all weekend.
WGN’s Very Own Mike Lowe hosts a fundraiser for colorectal cancer research at Zanies in Rosemont on Sunday.
For outdoor fun, raise your glass at the Friendly Confines with the first ever Oktoberfest with the Cubs at the Toyota Camry lot on Grace Street all weekend.
Enjoy a taste of Ireland with the Naperville Irish Fest at Naperville’s Central Park through Saturday.
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