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Your Week: Music, Art, and Summer Fun 🌻
This issue is sponsored by Prestinger Law
Only 32% of Americans have an estate plan. I’m Cameron Pestinger, founder of Evanston-based Pestinger Law. Clients appreciate my approachable, supportive estate planning process—and often say they would have planned sooner if they’d known the process would be so seamless. Let’s get you into the 32%. 
In this issue:Make sure to check the event before heading out in case of changes or cancellations!
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| | Monday, July 14Hatchet Burger Pop-UpTime: 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Location: Oskar/Custer Oasis
Hatchet Burger is back with a special guest at Custer Oasis. On the menu is their signature smashburgers, chicken Caesar wraps, seasonal vegetable chimkin patties, and tots. 
Eat Their Words: KitchenTime: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $45.00 - $57.50
Location: Hive Center for the Book Arts
This food-focused book club explores Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto through a culinary and literary lens. The evening includes dinner, drinks, and book-themed activities inspired by the novel.
Tuesday, July 15July Free Day at Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations MuseumTime: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
The museum offers free admission all day along with an Indigenous Artist Pop-Up Market featuring local makers and vendors.
Phil Perkins at Donovan’s GarageTime: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
Location: Donovan’s Garage - Alley behind 1135 Cleveland St
Trumpeter Phil Perkins returns to Donovan’s Garage with bassist Jim Cox, drummer Dushun Mobley, and guitarist Donovan Mixon. The group will play jazz standards and improvisations in the alley behind Mixon’s home studio. Part of a free summer series featuring top Chicago jazz players.
Wednesday, July 16Evanston Plein Air Festival Paint Out: Noyes StreetTime: 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Along Noyes Street
Artists paint outdoors along Noyes Street from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM as part of a live plein air competition. An awards ceremony follows at 6:30 PM at 927 Noyes St.
Tell Your StoryTime: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $30.00
Location: Hive Center for the Book Arts
In this guided workshop led by Lisa Baron, participants will explore personal storytelling using writing prompts and reflection. Open to all levels.
Out On Custer Happy HourTime: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: La Principal
Out North hosts a 21+ happy hour at La Principal’s patio with extended drink specials and space reserved for LGBTQIA+ community gathering. Allies and community partners are welcome to celebrate together. Attendees are responsible for their own food and drink.
Stitch at SketchTime: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Sketchbook Brewing Evanston
This open meetup welcomes embroidery, mending, and cross-stitch enthusiasts to stitch together in the Sketchbook Tap Room.
Thursday, July 17Evanston Plein Air Festival Paint Out: Downtown EvanstonTime: 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Around Downtown Evanston
Artists paint downtown from 12:00 to 5:00 PM as part of a live plein air competition. An awards ceremony follows at 6:30 PM at LeTour.
Mid-Summer Neighborhood Art WalkTime: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Chicago Ave & Grove St
Businesses along Chicago Avenue and Grove Street display a range of artwork for an evening stroll through neighborhood galleries and shops.
Happy in the Garden HourTime: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: $35.00 and up
Location: Ward Farm
This evening fundraiser for Evanston Grows features live music by the Chris Greene Quartet, food and drinks, and an opportunity to explore Ward Farm with friends and neighbors.
Downtown Summer Sounds: Funkadesi featuring Pavithra AnandTime: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Fountain Square
Funkadesi performs a global fusion set featuring Bollywood, Desi, reggae, and funk influences. Free kids' activities available, presented in partnership with Ridgeville Park District.
Clay Planter WorkshopTime: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $85.00
Location: Joanna Kramer Ceramics
This workshop from Joanna Kramer focuses on creating custom clay planters and trays using hand-building techniques. All materials, including clay, tools, and glazes, are provided, and participants' pieces will be ready for pickup a few weeks later. Open to all skill levels, ages 16 and up.
Northwestern Summer Cinema: WickedTime: 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Arts Green - Northwestern University
Northwestern University’s Summer Cinema kicks off with a screening of Wicked on the Arts Green lawn south of Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Before the movie, guests can enjoy family activities including a glitter tattoo artist, free glowsticks, and popcorn. Check-in begins at 6:30 PM. RSVP here for a free blanket!
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| | All WeekDowntown Evanston Waldo Scavenger HuntTime: July 1st - July 31st
Cost: Free
Location: All over Downtown Evanston
Throughout July, kids and families can hunt for Waldo in local businesses across Downtown Evanston using a special Waldo Passport. Passports can be picked up at participating local businesses or downloaded and printed at home. Participants who collect 20 or more business stamps can enter a prize drawing at a celebration party on August 2 at Bookends & Beginnings.
Main-Dempster Mile Waldo Scavenger HuntTime: July 1st - July 26th
Cost: Free
Location: All over the Main-Dempster Mile
The Find Waldo scavenger hunt returns to the Main-Dempster Mile, inviting participants to search for Waldo in local businesses throughout July. Passports will be available starting July 1 at participating stores, and prizes will be awarded for collecting store stamps. A final celebration and prize drawing will be held at Booked on July 26.
Monday, July 14Crown Outdoor StorytimeTime: 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 MyselfTime: 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 15Frog on a Log StorytimeTime: 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. Kids and caregivers are invited to gather on the rainbow rug for this fun, musical storytime.
Time for TwosTime: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Time for Twos is a storytime filled with song, picture books, puppets, and rhymes for 24 to 36 months with parent, grandparent or caregiver.
EPL On the Fly! - Fleetwood-Jourdain ParkTime: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Park
Drop by to say hello and do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge, weather permitting.
Wednesday, July 16Kids Story TimeTime: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Included with admission
Location: Gichigamiin Indigenous Museum
This session features The Gift of the Great Buffalo by Carole Lindstrom. Kids will enjoy songs, movement, a read-aloud, and a short gallery visit tied to the story.
EPL On the Fly! - Mason ParkTime: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Mason Park
Drop by to say hello and do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge, weather permitting.
Thursday, July 17The Young and the RestlessTime: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
This indoor storytime features songs and rhymes for infants and toddlers. Families can sing along to familiar tunes like We Are the Dinosaurs and more. For ages 0-2.
EPL On the Fly! - Elks ParkTime: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Elks Park
Drop by to say hello and do a STEAM/craft activity, grab a book and participate in EPL's Summer Reading Challenge, weather permitting.
Teen Anime ClubTime: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Love anime and manga? Join EPL in the Loft for Teen Anime Club. Talk about your favorite show, taste delicious Japanese snacks, and learn a couple of animation tricks too.
Sponsored by Sauna ClubSummertime 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. 
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| Upcoming Concerts and Live Music |
| Click the included links for info and tickets!
Monday, July 14
Tuesday, July 15 Pierce Crask at Celtic Knot Public House, 5:00 PM, No cover Chicago Duo Piano Festival – Faculty Extravaganza at Nichols Concert Hall, 7:00 PM, $30.00 Phil Perkins at 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 Cedric Burnside at Evanston SPACE, 8:00 PM, $33.90 - $47.17
Wednesday, July 16
Thursday, July 17
Friday, July 18
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20
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| Trivia and Game Night Roundup |
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Monday, July 14
Tuesday, July 15
Wednesday, July 16 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 Trivia at The Fat Shallot, 7:00 PM, No cover
Thursday, July 17
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| | | | Thursday, July 24Downtown Summer Sounds with Joel Paterson Swing Quartet and Traffic Jam SwingTime: 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, long-time dance teacher, 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, swing, and blues perfect for dancing.
Thursday, July 24 - Sunday, July 27Evanston Sidewalk Sales WeekendTime: See the links for times
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Evanston, Main-Dempster Mile, and Central Street
Sidewalk sales run Thursday through Sunday for Central Street, and Friday through Sunday for Downtown Evanston, and Main-Dempster Mile. See the links for each area for details on additional activities and music. Friday, July 25Paws and Claws Book Club: Poets SquareTime: 6:45 PM
Cost: $25.00 without book, $45.00 including book
Location: Paws and Claws Cat Rescue
The rescue's new book club discusses Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats by Courtney Gustafson. Readers can pick up the book in advance through the group.
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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 Please share our newsletter if you like it! Was this email forwarded to you? You can sign up here!
Have an Evanston event you’d like us to consider including in an upcoming newsletter? Submit it here. |
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