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In this issue:

• Featured events

• Kids and family events

• Upcoming concerts and live music

• Trivia and game night roundup

• Weekend preview

• Save the date

  
  

Make sure to check the event before heading out in case of changes or cancellations!

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Featured Events

All Week

Lakeside Sauna Sessions

Time: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM Wednesday - Friday
Cost: $20.00
Location: Near the Church Street Boat Ramp

Start your day with a 30-minute sauna session by the lake. Quiet time is observed during the early sessions: 7:00 AM & 7:30 AM. Bring water, a towel, and comfy clothes for easy changing. See the graphic above the Live Music section below for the special discount being offered to Around Evanston readers in July.

Monday, July 21

Candlelight Yoga

Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $14.00 Residents/$18.00 Non-Residents
Location: Robert Crown Community Center

This relaxing and restorative candlelight yoga class is meant to bring peace and calmness to your mind and body.

Tuesday, July 22

Tuesday Repair Cafe

Time: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Volunteers from Climate Action Evanston help repair small appliances, electronics, clothing, bikes, and more. Participants work alongside fixers to troubleshoot broken items.

Christmas in July Bingo Cabaret Extravaganza

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: No Cover
Location: Double Clutch Brewing

Muffy Fishbasket hosts a Christmas in July Bingo Cabaret Extravaganza.

Wednesday, July 23

Story Vroom Vroom: Evanston’s Storytelling Party

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (list opens at 6:00 PM)
Cost: Free
Location: Double Clutch Brewing

This monthly open-mic invites anyone to tell a story, with speakers drawn at random. The evening also features music, games, and unexpected twists.

Thursday, July 24

Downtown Summer Sounds with Joel Paterson Swing Quartet and Traffic Jam Swing

Time: 5:30 PM dance lesson, 6:00 PM music starts
Cost: Free
Location: Fountain Square

The evening begins with a free swing dance lesson from Traffic Jam Swing, Chicago’s nonprofit supporting swing, Lindy Hop, and jazz era dances. Melissa, president of Traffic Jam Swing and co-founder of Around Evanston will be leading the lesson. After the lesson, guitarist Joel Paterson and his quartet perform a mix of jazz perfect for dancing.

Narrative Collage

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Participants will learn how to set a mood and suggest a story through collage with artist James Hosking. Archival or contemporary materials can be brought to build a scene.

Hot Flash Dance Party

Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: $33.90
Location: Evanston SPACE

DJ Mary Nisi spins a high-energy mix of pop, hip-hop, disco, punk, indie rock, and R&B at this early dance night for women and women-identifying folks.

Kids and Family Events

Monday, July 21

Crown Outdoor Storytime

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library

This outdoor storytime features 30 minutes of stories and songs, followed by playtime with water tables, chalk, and toys.

All By Myself

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Designed for ages 3–5, this storytime invites kids to attend on their own without parents or younger siblings. The session includes stories, songs, and crafts to support growing independence. There is another session at 2:00 PM.

Tuesday, July 22

Time for Twos

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Storytime filled with song, picture books, puppets and rhymes for 24 to 36 months with parent, grandparent or caregiver.

Frog on a Log Storytime

Time: 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Booked

Frog on a Log is a twice-weekly storytime for children up to age 5 and their caregivers, featuring songs and stories led by Booked’s own Mr. Gus on his ukulele.

EPL On the Fly! - Fleetwood-Jourdain Center

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Center

Drop by to do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge, weather permitting.

Anime Trivia

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library

Middle schoolers can test their anime knowledge in a trivia contest with snacks, prizes, and a shot at the anime champion crown. Open to grades 5–9.

Wednesday, July 23

Let's Learn and Sing in Japanese

Time: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Ms. Doremi leads a session of seasonal songs, movement, and stories introducing young children to Japanese language and culture. Best for ages 0–5.

Kids Story Time

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free with admission ($6.00 - $8.00)
Location: Gichigamiin Indigenous Museum

This session features Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith, plus toddler board books, music, and a gallery talk connecting the story to an exhibit.

EPL On the Fly! - Mason Park

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Mason Park

Drop by to do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge, weather permitting.

Read to a Therapy Dog

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library

Kids in grades K–5 can practice reading aloud during a 15-minute session with therapy dog DeSoto.

Thursday, July 24

The Young and the Restless

Time: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

An indoor sing-along storytime for infants and toddlers up to age 2.

EPL On the Fly! - Elks Park

Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Elks Park

EPL is joining The Purple Line Players - drop by to say hello and do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge.

Nature Tots & Tunes

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Baker Park

The Ecology Center hosts an outdoor evening with live animals and nature activities for young children. Families are welcome to bring blankets and snacks.

Northwestern Summer Cinema: A Minecraft Movie

Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Arts Green - Northwestern University

The Summer Cinema series continues with A Minecraft Movie on the Arts Green lawn at Northwestern. The event includes family-friendly activities, a caricature artist, free ice cream, and popcorn starting at 6:30 PM. RSVP for a free blanket!

Sponsored by Sauna Club

Summertime sauna? Still real good. Book 2 sessions in July and get your 3rd free with code AROUNDEVANSTON at mysaunaclub.com. Come beat the heat with the heat.

Upcoming Concerts and Live Music

Click the included links for info and tickets!

Monday, July 21

• Blue Monday: Mike Wheeler at Evanston SPACE, 8:00 PM, $20.63

Tuesday, July 22

• Pierce Crask at Celtic Knot Public House, 5:00 PM, No cover

• Finom (Starlight Concert Series) at Kamen Park West, 6:00 PM, Free

• Donovan’s Garage at Donovan’s Garage - Alley behind 1135 Cleveland St, 7:00 PM, Free (donations encouraged)

• Irish Music Session at Sketchbook Brewing Evanston, 7:30 PM, No cover

• Albert Castiglia at Evanston SPACE, 7:30 PM, $22.79 - $36.06

Wednesday, July 23

• 45 RPM (Concerts on the Ridge Series) at Ridgeville Park, 6:00 PM, Free

• Honey Whites & whitewolfsonicprincess at Evanston SPACE, 7:00 PM, $20.63 - $33.90

• Dad or Alive at American Legion Post 42, 8:30 PM, No cover

• Sam Robinson Quintet at Prairie Moon, 9:00 PM, $7.00

Thursday, July 24

• Joel Paterson Quartet (Downtown Summer Sounds) at Fountain Square, 6:00 PM, Free

• Bad Sneakers Orchestra w. Special Guest Howard Levy at Evanston SPACE, 8:30 PM, $20.63 - $27.27

Friday, July 25

• Nicholas Tremulis and the Prodigals at Evanston SPACE, 8:00 PM, $27.27 - $47.17

• Josh Johnson at Celtic Knot Public House, 9:00 PM, No cover

Saturday, July 26

• Hot Flash Dance feat. DJ Mary Nisi. A Punctual Party for Rowdy Women at Evanston SPACE, 7:00 PM, $33.90

• The Wankers at American Legion Post 42, 8:00 PM, No cover

Sunday, July 27

• Sunday Jazz at the Square at Fountain Square, 11:30 AM, Free

• Irish Music Session ft John Williams & friends at Celtic Knot Public House, 3:00 PM, No cover

• Kat Edmonson at Evanston SPACE, 7:00 PM, $27.27 - $47.17

Trivia and Game Night Roundup

Monday, July 21

• Jeopardy! Bar League at Celtic Knot Public House, 7:00 PM, No cover

• Trivia at Double Clutch Brewing, 7:00 PM, No cover

Tuesday, July 22

• Game Night at Evanston Games & Cafe, 4:00 PM, No cover

• Trivia Night at Evanston Pour, 6:00 PM, No cover

• Bier Hall Bingo at Double Clutch Brewing, 7:00 PM, No cover

• Trivia at Bob's Pizza, 8:00 PM, No cover

Wednesday, July 23

• Evanston Chess Club at Levy Center, 6:30 PM, First visit is free, annual fee of $65.00 Residents/$85.00 Non-Residents

• Trivia at Firehouse Grill, 7:00 PM, No cover

Thursday, July 24

• Trivia w. Whaddayaknow? at Evanston SPACE Lobby, 7:00 PM, No cover

Weekend Preview

All Weekend

• Central Street Sidewalk Sale

• Downtown Evanston Sidewalk Sale & Chalk Art Contest

• Main-Dempster Mile Sidewalk Sale

Friday

• CIERA Astronomer Evenings

  
  

Saturday

• Block Party: After Dark

  
  

Save the Date

Did you do something fun this past week? Or take a great pic of our city? We’d love to hear about it! Send us a note or picture, and we may include it in the newsletter!

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back in your inbox on Thursday.

-Jonathan and Melissa

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