Arts & Entertainment Recommendations

Compiled by Emma Slings

A Game With Chicago Bars!

Chicago Handshake Passport Challenge

Transit Tees creates Chicago-inspired products and games; their Chicago Handshake Passport Challenge is an 8-week quest inviting you to explore Chicago. “We’re a Chicago team working hard to create games that build on fun, local traditions while giving our friends and family something to talk about for years to come,” said Transit Tees Owner and Founder Tim Gillengerten. From July 29 to September 22, gather a team or voyage solo as you order an Old Style beer and shot of Jeppson’s Malört to receive a unique stamp from each of the participating bars, including Corner Bar, Nick’s Beer Garden and Web Pub Bucktown. During your adventure, bars will also have limited giveaways of Transit Tees Chicago-inspired products including tees, pints, shots, flags, koozies and more. Get your Chicago Handshake Official Passport for free with the first handshake at a participating bar! And don’t miss the grand finale event on September 22 at Emporium Logan Square! Complete your passport to receive a limited-edition, numbered Challenge Coin with the handshake. Players must be 21+. No more than 2 stamps per person per day. Details at transittees.com.

Art & Democracy!

Weinberg/Newton Gallery: 'All that Glows in the Dark of Democracy'

Join in promoting social justice causes by visiting the Weinberg/Newton Gallery’s latest exhibit: "All that Glows in the Dark of Democracy." Kicking off the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois’ 2022 Engagement Series on Democracy titled “We the People,” featured artists present their own definition of “democracy” through a range of media and sensory engagement activities. Viewers are encouraged to “think critically about elections, monuments, public and private space and national symbols.” Featured artists include Alejandro T. Acierto, Kandis Friesen, Hannah Givler, Aam Han Sifuentes, Ariana Jacob and Aay Preston-Myint. “Their ideas shaped the exhibition into what it has become – a space that incites attunement, offering tangible ways not only to reflect, reconsider, and respond, but also to listen to a diverse range of viewpoints with diligence and care,” said director Kasia Houlihan. WNG is hosting an opening reception 5-7 p.m. July 29 at 688 N. Milwaukee Ave. For more information, including family-friendly or group events, see weinbergnewtongallery.com. Free and open to the public; reservations via Tock are encouraged. This exhibition runs through October 1.

Hey, Batter, Batter!

Athletes Unlimited

Watch 60 of the best pro softball players in the world at The Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont for the third championship season of Athletes Unlimited Softball. In this group will be 18 Olympian athletes from four countries! Watch big names like Aleshia Ocasio, Amanda Chidester, Sis Bates and Rachel Garcia in games that run from Friday, July 29 until August 28. The first game of this 5-week season is July 29 from 6-10 p.m. Tickets range from $18-$28. Athletes Unlimited is “a new model of pro sports where athletes are decision-makers and individual players are champions of team sports.” These players introduce faster play, new weekly team rosters, and elevated competition. For ticket packages or game times, go to auprosports.com.

The Most Haunted House in the US!

Book Release Party: Jarrett Dapier

Renowned children’s author Jarrett Dapier invites you to celebrate the release of his new picture book with him on August 2! This book, "The Most Haunted House in America," is a spooky-fun trip through the White House! Prepare yourself for surprises as you travel through this musical tour with Dapier’s rhythmic text and detailed illustrations. This event will be enhanced by a live drum line and will have food and beverages for both children and adults. Go to Good Grapes, 821 Chestnut Court in Winnetka, at 6:30 p.m. for this hour-long event, presented by The Book Stall.

Regatta on the River!

Venetian Night

Chicago’s second annual Venetian Night on the River Walk is Saturday, July 30. As boats gather just west of the Merchandise Mart, enjoy Italian-themed entertainment and decor with food from River Walk charters and restaurants. Then turn to the water for the regatta at 8:30 p.m. End the mouth of the river to enjoy fireworks from Navy Pier. Secretary of State Jesse White will be the evening’s Honorary Chairman and Master of Ceremonies. “This is such an honor to bring a fantastic part of our Italian culture to the City of Chicago,” said Lou Rago, president of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation of Chicago. For more information, visit venetiannightchicago.com.

High Heels & High Camp!

Dance Divas

It’s going to be “a unique night of show-stopping glitz and glamour” with the Dance Divas at The Baton Show Lounge, 4713 N. Broadway! Support the health and wellness of Chicago’s professional dance community by attending a show on July 31 or August 1 and enjoying the artistic direction of Harrison McEldowney and Jeremy Plummer with co-chairs Kevin McGirr and Aaron Weiss. Chicago’s leading professional male dancers will put on a night of “high heels and high camp!” Tickets are $50 for bar seating, $75 for main floor seating and $125 for VIP Reception. All proceeds support The Dancers’ Fund and HIV/AIDS initiatives in Chicago. For times and tickets visit chicagodancersunited.org

Dance with the Professionals!

Northside Southside Oneside

Plié with Ballet 5:8, jeté with Joel Hall Dancers or trumpet with Pharez Whitted as Chicago Human Rhythm Project puts on a day of free classes! All ages are encouraged to join introductory classes at the Mayfair Arts Center (8701 S. Bennet Ave.) on July 31 from 1-2:50 p.m. After, enjoy performances from these featured companies until 4:30! Not interested in the classes? Come just for the show! Pre-registration for classes is encouraged! Visit chicagotap. org for tickets. Northside Southside Oneside is a monthly performance series featuring local dance companies every Sunday through October 16 working to establish roots in the community to support economic development through artistic growth.

Disability Awareness Month!

CPL’s Voices For Justice Series: Keah Brown

As part of the Chicago Public Library’s Voices for Justice speaker series, activist Keah Brown will be at the Harold Washington Libary Center (400 S. State St.) on Wednesday, July 27. In celebration of Disability Awareness Month, Brown will discuss her books "The Pretty One" and "Sam’s Super Seats," a soon-to-be-released children’s picture book that tells the story of a disabled girl with Brown’s same disability of cerebral palsy. Brown is a journalist, author and screenwriter who has appeared in Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and more well-known publications. This event is from 6-7 p.m. in the Pritzker Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30. See chipublib.org for more. Come for the good books and stay for the insightful conversation!

A Weekend of Good Stories!

Newberry Book Fair and Storytelling

Plunge your nose into new reads from Chicago’s most popular used book sale! The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., has thousands of books from dozens of genres for sale on Friday, July 29, through Sunday, July 31. Find inspiration in fiction, philosophy, history, cooking and so much more, often $3 or less! Sales are cashless - only debit and credit will be accepted. With the Newberry Bookfair comes Storytelling in Bughouse Square, a free event in Washington Square Park (901 N. Clark St.) with authors and storytellers sharing their work and personal stories. Celebrate the power of storytelling in facilitated Story Circles, browse the Newberry Book Fair, enjoy snacks from food trucks and attend the presentation of the Newberry’s first annual Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award to author Dawn Turner of "Three Girls from Bronzeville." This event is 1-4:30 p.m. on July 30. Tickets are not required, but you can register at newberry.org for event details.