Theater
- Midsommer Flight presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” a romantic comedy filled with witty dialogue and a plot that revolves around intra-family conflicts, gender roles and lovers who must overcome obstacles. Beth Wolf directs. From June 26-Aug. 2 at six city parks beginning (June 26-28) with Chicago Women’s Park and Garden, 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. For a complete schedule, visit midsommerflight.com.
- Black Button Eyes Productions stages Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s darkly comic solo show “St. Nicholas.” Kevin Webb stars as a cynical, alcoholic Dublin theater critic, obsessed with a young actress, who becomes entangled with a coven of modern-day vampires. Ed Rutherford directs. From June 26-July 26 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit blackbuttoneyes.com.
- Oak Park Festival Theatre opens its season with two classic plays running in repertory: Oscar Wilde’s romantic romp “The Importance of Being Earnest” (June 30-Aug. 14) and Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy “Hamlet” (July 1-Aug. 15). Outdoors in Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Tickets: $40. Visit oakparkfestival.com.
- Magician Ondřej Pšenička returns with “52 Lovers,” which showcases his inventive approach to close-up card magic that blends his quirky humor, subtle surrealism and technical mastery into an unforgettable performance. From July 1-Aug. 26 at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. Tickets: $44, $50. Visit chicagomagiclounge.com.
Dance
- “Circle of Apathy” is a new dance project from Chicago-based dance ensemble House of DOV that explores the cycles of growth and disintegration intrinsic to nature. “Through creative process, we’ve sought to understand our own place within the greater ecology of our landscape, and to experience the human body as a metaphor and microcosm of the natural world,” says creative director Drew Lewis. Features live music by Family Junket. At 7 p.m. June 27 and 3 p.m. June 28 at Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest. Tickets: $20+. Visit gortoncenter.org.
Music
- English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has long said that becoming a dad shifted his music career ambitions. So it’s not surprising that he announced on his current tour’s opening night that when the run concludes, he plans on stepping away to “do the dad thing” and spend time with his two young daughters. Catch him while you can. Myles Smith and Ellie Banke open at 5:30 p.m. June 27 at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Dr. Tickets: $103+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- When you pair nice guy crooner Josh Groban and Chicago’s own Jennifer Hudson, it’s a tour that lives up to its tag “Two Legendary Voices, One Unforgettable Evening.” The powerhouse vocalists will each perform solo sets and duets, including a stunning version of “Unchained Melody.” At 8 p.m. June 27 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets: $37+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Legendary British band Cymande tours behind its 2025 release “Renascence,” which picks up where the 1974 album “Promised Heights” left off. The band’s eclectic mix of funk, soul, rock, reggae, African music, calypso and jazz has been sampled by many rap artists. At 7 p.m. June 25 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $60.95. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
- Kurt Vile’s recent release “Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me” is a love letter to the city he never left, even as his career took him around the world. Vile, who’s been called “the slacker poet of modern indie rock,” merges meandering balladry and horizon-chasing road songs. Vile performs with his band the Violators at 8 p.m. June 26 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $50+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Museums and galleries
- Kenzi Shiokava’s first solo museum exhibition features more than 50 sculptures made across five decades. His sculptural practice revolves around the recovery and transformation of cast-off materials. Through intuitive acts of carving and arranging, the artist unearths what he describes as the “inner movement” of everyday objects, revealing their spiritual vitality and reinvigorating them with life. From June 27-Jan. 31 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Admission: $19, $22; 18 and under free. Visit mcachicago.org.
- For decades, Marya Veeck has been busy running August House Chicago, a Roscoe Village gallery and studio that offers painting and drawing classes for adults and children. And while her work has been included in shows elsewhere, she’s never had a solo exhibit of her own work at her home gallery. That changes with “View From a Room,” running through Aug. 1, which features Veeck’s colorful still-life paintings that capture unique snapshots of memories. (And, yes, her father is Chicago baseball legend Bill Veeck.) Opening reception from 6-9 p.m. June 26 at August House Studio, 2113 W. Roscoe St.
Movies
- Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport, is opening its new Theater 3 space to the public on June 26. The creation of the 98-seat theater involved converting two commercial storefronts just south of the Music Box entrance. Theater 3 has stadium seating and is capable of showing both digital and 35mm films. The new space opens with two new 4K restorations: Guy Maddin’s “Careful” and Philip Hartman’s “No Picnic.” (Also, Theater 2 reopens after being closed since April for renovations.) Tickets: $13. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
- Millennium Park Summer Film Series gets underway with a screening of Roland Emmerich’s 1996 alien invasion thriller “Independence Day” (6:30 p.m. June 30). Upcoming films include “Ratatouille,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Sinners” and more. Tuesdays through Aug. 18 at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Admission is free. Visit millenniumpark.org.
Family fun
- The Shedd Aquarium is offering Kayak for Conservation, eco-tours where you can paddle the North Branch of the Chicago River guided by Shedd nature experts. Learn about innovative efforts to improve the health of the river for wildlife and how you can be involved. Tours for beginners and more experienced kayakers are available for those 14 and older (14-17 must be accompanied by an adult) Fridays-Saturdays to Sept. 26. Meet at Kayak Chicago, 1220 W. LeMoyne St. Tickets: $65. Visit sheddaquarium.org.
- Playmakers Laboratory presents its Celebration of Authors Gala, a family-friendly, interactive festival and fundraiser. Includes a brunch buffet, beverages, games, silent auction, photo booth and performances of stories written by Chicago students during the past school year. From 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 27 at National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Tickets: $77.55, $51.80 for ages 4-15. Visit playmakerslab.org.
Festival fun
- A celebration of diversity and a great fun time, the Chicago Pride Parade steps off from Sheridan Road and Broadway at 11 a.m. June 28 and ends at Diversey Parkway and Cannon Drive. One of the oldest parades in the country, this year’s theme is Free to Be Proud. Grand Marshals include journalist and historian Tracy Baim, civil rights leader Mona Noriega, philanthropist and community advocate Evette Cardona and the Alliance of Illinois Judges, the state’s LGBTQ+ judges’ association. For more information, visit pridechicago.org.
- Logan Square Arts Festival features music on two stages (Porches, Bad Bad Hats, Catie Turner, The Dead Bolts, Sophia Cruz and more), art exhibitions, food and beverages from neighborhood restaurants and breweries and a vendor’s market. From 5-10 p.m. June 26 and noon-10 p.m. June 27-28 around the Centennial Monument, 3150 W. Logan Blvd. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit logansquareaf.com.
- Millennium Art Festival features 110 artists showcasing paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, clothing and more. Plus food trucks, music, a kid-friendly art tent and art demonstrations. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 27-28 at 180 N. Stetson Ave. Admission is free. Visit amdurproductions.com.
- Main Street Fair is a summer celebration in Evanston that brings back the spirit of the city’s beloved Custer Street Fair. Expect a day of local art, music on three stages, a children’s area, food and community fun. From 11 a.m.-9 p.m. June 27 in the 700 block of Main St., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit mainstreetfair.org.
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