A Bite-Sized Taste of Chicago

by Emma Slings & Suzanne Hanney, from prepared materials

All photos provided by City of Chicago DCASE

Join over 30 food vendors and more than 25 performers at Grant Park, by Buckingham Fountain, 301 S. Columbus Drive, as the scaled down, “Bite-sized” Taste of Chicago returns after two years! Indulge in frozen treats and bite-sized meats; then cleanse your palate at the designated beer hall, wine tent, or cocktail lounge. Admission to the venue and concerts is free. Presented by John Deere, The Bite-sized Taste of Chicago will be Friday, July 8 - Sunday, July 10 from Noon - 8 p.m. Details at tasteofchicago.us.

“The Taste of Chicago is a wonderful tradition that showcases the diversity of our dynamic restaurant community. It’s one of my favorite summertime pastimes,” said Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “This year’s Taste in the neighborhoods and Grant Park will offer a special bite of the city’s restaurant scenes and the reason why we are the greatest culinary city in the world.”

This is your last opportunity to enjoy Chicago-based delicacies at this summer’s Taste of Chicago. This year’s previous Taste of Chicago events were in the neighborhoods of Austin, Pullman, and Little Village on three consecutive Saturdays in June.

Vendors

This year’s food vendors include:

• Auntie Vee's Kitchen

• Billy Goat Tavern

• BJ's Market & Bakery

• Buona Beef

• Chicago's Doghouse

• Churro Factory

• Connie's Pizza

• Cynthia's Gumbo Express Inc

• Decadent Flavor

• Don Paleta

• Doom Street Eats

• Eli's Cheesecake Company

• Esperanza Kitchen Delights

• Haire's Gulf Shrimp

• Harold's Chicken

• Healthy Substance

• Josephine's Cooking

• La Cocinita Food Truck

• Mr E Chef Catering LLC

• Mr. Quiles Mexican Food

• Ms Tittle's Cupcakes

• Porkchop

• Prime Tacos

• Franco’s Ristorante

• Robinson's No.1 Ribs

• Seoul Taco Chicago LLC

• SJL Inc DBA Arun's Thai Restaurant

• Taco Sublime

• Tandoor Char House

• The Original Rainbow Cone

• The Sole Ingredient Catering LLC

• Yum Dum

• Whadda Jerk

There will be no Taste tickets this year. Cash or credit cards will be accepted at each vendor's booth.

SummerDance

As you celebrate the food and music of Chicago, step into the rhythms of East Coast Swing and Afrobeat with Chicago SummerDance at Taste. Sessions start at noon Friday, July 8, with Line Dancing featuring the Cha-Cha Slide and continue throughout the day with Steppin’, Polka Hop, and Footwork, four dance styles born right here in Chicago.

Saturday’s sessions start at 11:30 and Sunday’s start at noon, each with new styles of dance to learn. Music for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are by DJ Mwelwa, May I Have This Dance, and DJ Kimani Rashad, respectively.

Music

This year’s lineup includes a broad range of music, from DJs to rock bands. Big names like Nelly and Aterciopelados will be performing, as well as newer artists, using Taste as a breakout spot. Divided between two stages with over 25 performers, you’re sure to hear something pleasing to the ear while munching on what’s pleasing to the tongue. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) presents daily headliners for the Taste Main Stage in part of its program to support Chicago makers and dreamers. Below is the list of performers, hosts, and partnering groups.

Goose Island Stage

Friday, July 8

10:45 am - 1 pm DJ Janesita & Bandwidth Chicago

DJ, producer and host of Radio Muévelo, DJ Janesita will be coming to the Taste of Chicago.

BandWith Chicago provides access to performing arts instruction and ensemble play to underserved Chicago youth.

12: 30 - 2:15 pm DJ Ayana Contreras

Ayana Contreras is the director/director of Content at Vocalo Radio in Chicago, the first Urban Alternative formatted radio station in the U.S.

4 - 5 pm Happy Hour Karaoke with The People’s Stage

Happy Hour karaoke is partnering with The People’s Stage, a karaoke and dance bar.

5 - 6 pm Stroll Exhibition hosted by Lizzie G and DJ Breathlezz

Lizzie G Entertainment strengthens the bond between youth and learning with music and motivational speaking. DJ Breathlezz specializes in deep house, hip-hop, house, R&B, reggae, and trap.

6 - 8:30 pm Trqpiteca

This Chicago-based artist duo and production company aim to create better opportunities for artists who identify as LGBTQIA+. Experience what DJs Natalie Murillo and Jacquelyn Carmen Guerro are all about at the Taste.

Saturday, July 9

10:45 am - 2 pm DJ Johnny Jones Lingo Chicago & Lane Tech Varsity Band

DJ Johnny Jones is all about “DJing, entertaining, and rocking a crowd!” He and the Lane Tech College Prep Varsity Band will perform midday.

12:30 - 2 pm Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration

2 - 3:30 pm DJ Lady D

Trailblazer DJ Lady D is a host and producer of The Chicago Connection, as well as a deejay and remixer for big names and events around the world.

DJ Lady D

3:30 - 4:30 pm Happy Hour

Karaoke with The People’s Stage

4:30 - 6:30 pm Sadie Woods

Recipient of the 2020 City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Esteemed Artist Award is Sadie Woods, an artist, independent curator and DJ.

6:30 - 8:30 pm DJ Mike P (see Taste Main Stage, Friday, July 8)

Sunday, July 10

10:45 am - 12:15 pm DJ Chuck Wren & Lakeside Pride

Marching Band Host of the ska radio show “Everything Off-Beat,” DJ Chuck Wren will be joining the Lakeside Pride Marching Band as it reflects the legacy of the original Chicago Gay Pride Band.

Lakeside Pride Maching Band

12:15 - 2 pm DJ Machede

DJ Machede wears many hats – from production manager to educator – but he will be DJing for you at Taste.

2 - 3:30 pm DJ Selah Say

Closing out the Taste of Chicago at Grant Park is Selah Say, a Chicago-based DJ and performer. Listen to her blend broad ranges of music, from classic rock to '60s Nigerian funk, as you close out the weekend.

Taste Main Stage

Friday, July 8

Host and DJ for the evening: DJ Mike P

DJ Mike P is a Chicago-based international traveling DJ, who has DJed for many celebrities, institutions, communities and corporations. He has traveled with various artists for tours but has a home foundation here in Chicago.

DJ Mike P

5 pm Shaylyn B & John the Author

Shaylin B is a singer, songwriter, and dancer originally from Chicago. Performing since 5 years old, she’s been in the Tony Award-winning musical, "Lion King" on Broadway, as Young Nala at the Minskoff Theatre. She performed as Lil Inez in 3D Theatricals' production of "Hairspray" and has continued putting out her own music.

John The Author is a rapper, entrepreneur and activist from Chicago known for his variety in beats.

6 pm AMI

AMI is a talented performer, music director, songwriter, and producer who has collaborated with artists such as Lizzo and SZA. Her passion for music pushes her beyond the limits of genre.

7:15 pm Nelly

Nelly is an American rapper, singer, and entrepreneur known for his hit songs “Hot in Here,” “Dilemma” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather.” His work is featured in six consecutive Top Ten albums and collaborates with other well-known artists such as Florida Georgia Line in “Lil Bit.”

Nelly

Saturday, July 9

Host and DJ for the evening: Sandra Treviño

Sandra Treviño is a music journalist and DJ based in Chicago. She covers Latin alternative music, art and culture; and hosts and produces live radio broadcasts.

5 pm Vivian Garcia & Pinqy Ring

Vivian Garcia is a Chicagoan influenced by her parents’ Cuban roots in music. Since performing boleros and rumba flamenca covers in 1999 and studying music in Spain, Garcia has branched out to a blend of folk and blues music.

Native Chicago performer Pinqy Ring is a two-time recipient of Chicago’s Individual

Artist Grant and was the first hip-hop artist to complete a residency at the Ragdale foundation.

6 pm Girl K

Girl K is an indie-pop quartet that, as member Kathy Patino says, “[aims] to comfort you and validate you” through their music.

7:15 pm Aterciopelados

Aterciopelados is a Colombian rock band known for standing firm in the classics while constantly reaching for the future for 11 albums. Familiar within the Latin American alternative music scene, Aterciopelados will be taking its talent to the Taste of Chicago.

Aterciopelados

Sunday, July 10

Host and DJ for the evening: Miss Alex White (White Mystery)

Part of the brother-sister rock’n’roll duo of White Mystery, Miss Alex White is a Chicago native who has performed with her brother Francis S.K. around the world. As DJ of the evening, Miss Alex White is bringing to Taste what Pitchfork calls, “jovial rock’n’roll delivery and DIY sensibility.”

5 pm Rebecca Brunner & Marina City

Rebecca Brunner, a former contestant on Season 13 of "The Voice," is a soulful singer/songwriter and piano player.

Marina City is an alternative indie rock band that brings life back into wellknown throwbacks and more.

6 pm Local H

Local H formed an alternative rock duo out of a high school friendship. In three decades of performing, Local H has put out many successful albums and joined Metallica’s sold-out tour.

7:15 pm Drive-By Truckers

Drive-By Truckers is a band from Georgia that travels around the world with its southern rock/alternative country music. its latest album, Welcome 2 Club XIII, is a reflection of its freewheeling energy that will come to the Taste of Chicago this July.

Drive-By Truckers