Dear Neighbor,
Squeeze out every last drop of summer this weekend in Rogers Park. Whether you’re looking for great food, a unique arts experience, or al fresco theater, our neighborhood has it all. Bring your friends!
4th Annual Rogers Pork Festival
When: Saturday, August 5th (12:00 noon-9:00 p.m.)
Where: Jarvis Square (1500 block of Jarvis, between Ashland and Greenview)
Join me as we mark the beginning of August with the 4th annual Rogers Pork Festival. I am proud to be one of the main co-sponsors of this annual summer food and music festivals in the heart of Rogers Park’s Jarvis Square neighborhood. Vegetarians and meat-lovers alike will find delicious options with food vendors Flying Tacos Food Truck, The Amazing Kale Burger, and R Public House.
In addition to the incredible food, Rogers Park artists and businesses, including Centered Studios and Theatre Above the Law, will offer activities for the entire family, including DIY t-shirt tie-dying, personal massages, live music, and more.
Entry into the festival is free, with VIP tickets available for $20. VIP access includes entry into the H2Vino VIP Tent, specialized bartenders, reserved seating for all performances, and a glass of rosé. VIP space is limited, so purchase the tickets as soon as possible!
All of the proceeds from the Rogers Pork festival will go to A Just Harvest, a Rogers Park non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger. A Just Harvest works to provide equal economic and social opportunities, regardless of class, race, or gender status, and is always looking for more volunteers.
Final Weekend of Theo Ubique’s Lonesome Losers of the Night
When: Friday, August 4th (8:00 p.m.); Saturday, August 5th (8:00 p.m.) and Sunday, August 6th (7:00 p.m.)
Where: No Exit Café (6970 N. Glenwood)
As August begins, Theo Ubique’s summer production of Lonesome Losers of the Night draws to a close. The production has been running in the Glenwood Avenue Arts District since mid-July, and this weekend will be your final chance to enjoy Theo’s renowned Summer Songbook Series. Tickets are $34, with discounts offered for students and seniors.
For an additional $25, Heartland Café will provide a full three course meal 90 minutes prior to the show. Vegetarian options are available and dinner reservations can be purchased online only, not at the door. Dinner reservations are not required to see the show, so make the experience your own and buy tickets soon! Show times are as follows:
• Friday, August 4th (8:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, August 5th (8:00 p.m.)
• Sunday, August 6th (7:00 p.m.)
Theo Ubique is one of the most well-known theaters of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District and is the proud recipient of two 2017 Jeff Non-Equity Awards. Please support our local arts and cultural community by seeing this production in its final weekend.
Opening Exhibit Wilderness and Household
When: Friday, August 4th (6:00-9:00 p.m.)
Where: Roman Susan Art Gallery (1224 W. Loyola)
Enjoy Roman Susan’s newest exhibit, Wilderness and Household, as depicted by multimedia artists Yhelena Hall and Michael Hall. Explore their interpretations of life as they use woodworking, metalworking, and much more to represent their thoughts. The exhibit runs until August 26th and admission is free.
Yhelena Hall received her MFA at the State University of New York at New Paltz and Michael Hall received his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Both are nationally renowned artists who have exhibited their work at prestigious galleries, such as Current Space in Baltimore, Maryland and ArtHelix in Brooklyn, New York.
Great Musical Performances at Red Line Tap
When: Friday, August 4th (9:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight)
Where: Red Line Tap (7006 N. Glenwood)
Why spend hundreds of dollars fighting the crowds at Lollapalooza when you can hear some of the best bands in Chicago right here in Rogers Park. For only $5 at the door, you can see FOUR great musical performances at Red Line Tap. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., so come early to get a good spot to enjoy the show.
Rock to the music of Pleasantries, a Chicago-based rock group influenced by experimental rockers such as Frank Zappa and Ween. Next hear from Paper Hero, a progressive metal band that is also based in the City of Chicago. The Chicago progressive pop band, Max Plankton, follows with clever and catchy lyrics sure to keep you entertained. Last, but certainly not least, will be D A M J A X, a singer/songwriter combination with David Anthony Marshall and Jack Mazzenga.
With such a diverse group of featured music genres, you are bound to find sound you like!
Red Line Tap is a Rogers Park staple, hosting regular open mic nights and other live music. In addition to great music and great performances, Red Line Tap also has plenty of drink specials throughout the week. Check out what Red Line Tap has to offer!
Bison? Bison. Bison! at Touhy Park
When: Saturday, August 5th (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
Where: Touhy Park (7348 N. Paulina)
Enjoy this free family-friendly and interactive performance of Bison? Bison. Bison! at Touhy Park. This play, performed by Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble, puts an interesting twist on the life of Bison as they search for a permanent home, hoping to end up ultimately on Mars. The play encourages awareness of nature and conservation through a folk-rock operetta lens.
The Blue Goose Theatre Ensemble is a travelling theater group based in Chicago dedicated to educating in a creative and memorable manner. In conjunction with the Chicago Park District, the theater group is performing in parks throughout Chicago. Make sure you take in this great performance!
I hope you enjoy another glorious weekend in Rogers Park.
Sincerely,
Joe Moore