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This Week in Evanston + Folk Fest Giveaway 🎟️
The Evanston Folk Festival is back for its second year on September 6–7 and we can’t wait. Single-day tickets recently went on sale, and the Evanston Folk Festival has given us two to give away! Enter the giveaway here by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, July 30. The winner will be notified by Friday, August 1.
This issue is sponsored by Pestinger 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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| | All WeekLakeside Sauna SessionsTime: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM Wednesday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Sunday
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 Wednesday–Friday, and 9:00 AM & 9:30 AM Sunday. Bring water, a towel, and comfy clothes for easy changing. 
Monday, July 28Hatchet BurgerTime: 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Location: Oskar-Custar Oasis
Hatchet Burger returns featuring smashburgers, chimkin patties, tater tots, plus a special pork pâté chaud with micro greens and gooseberry mostarda.
Mod-a-Tee Monday!Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Participants will repurpose old t-shirts into items like tote bags, headbands, or redesigned tops. Materials and tools will be provided. For ages 13 and up.
Open Mic at SketchbookTime: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: No cover
Location: Sketchbook Brewing Evanston
An open mic night inviting performers of all kinds to share music, poetry, comedy, or stories on stage.
Free Craft Night with Maggie LeiningerTime: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Art Makers Outpost
This craft night offers space to work on projects or try out weaving with guidance from resident textile artist Maggie Leininger.
Tuesday, July 29Cookbook & Puzzle SwapTime: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Visitors can trade cookbooks or puzzles, or simply pick something up with no swap required. Donations accepted in advance at the second floor desk.
Wednesday, July 30MIC Summer Sing-AlongTime: 7:30 PM
Cost: Free to attend, $15.00 to sing
Location: Nichols Concert Hall
Sing with the Music Institute Chorale or come to listen as they perform Beethoven’s Mass in C and Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. All are welcome for this one-night event.
Thursday, July 31Downtown Summer Sounds with Mixx Company BandTime: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Fountain Square
Mixx Company Band plays R&B, soul, funk, blues, and smooth jazz as part of the Downtown Summer Sounds series. Free kids' activities available, presented in partnership with Ridgeville Park District.
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| | Monday, July 28Crown 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 29Time for TwosTime: 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 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.
EPL On the Fly! - Fleetwood-Jourdain ParkTime: 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.
Teen Writing WorkshopTime: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday through Friday
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library
This 4-day workshop invites teens in grades 6–12 to explore writing fundamentals, respond to prompts, and share feedback while working on a story of their choosing.
Wednesday, July 30Kids Story TimeTime: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Included with admission ($6.00 - $8.00)
Location: Gichigamiin Indigenous Museum
This storytime features We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, plus toddler board books, music, and a gallery talk tied to the story.
EPL On the Fly! - Mason ParkTime: 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.
Thursday, July 31The Young and the RestlessTime: 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 ParkTime: 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.
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| Upcoming Concerts and Live Music |
| Click the included links for info and tickets!
Monday, July 28
Tuesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 30
Thursday, July 31 Downtown Summer Sounds with Mixx Company Band at Fountain Square, 6:00 PM, Free Rick Biordi Band at Double Clutch Brewing Company, 7:00 PM, No cover Groove & Co. at The Fat Shallot, 7:00 PM, No cover Anna Ash and Malena Cadiz at Evanston SPACE, 7:30 PM, $16.26 - $29.43 Stephen Parisi Trio at Ward Eight, 8:00 PM, No cover
Friday, August 1
Sunday, August 3
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| Trivia and Game Night Roundup |
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Monday, July 28
Tuesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 30 Evanston Chess Club at Levy Center, 6:30 PM, annual fee of $65.00 Residents/$85.00 Non-Residents Trivia at Firehouse Grill, 7:00 PM, No cover
Thursday, July 31
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| | | | Saturday, August 16 - Sunday, August 17Evanston Art & Big Fork FestivalTime: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday Cost: Free Location: Downtown Evanston
This two-day street festival features work by 150 juried artists along with live music, food vendors, and a kids art zone.
Thursday, August 21Downtown Summer Sounds with The Jake Sanders QuintetTime: 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. The Jake Sanders Quintet will follow with a live set of swing and classic jazz.
Saturday, August 23Fountain Square LitFestTime: All day
Cost: Free
Location: Fountain Square
This literary festival features author readings, writing workshops, bookmaking, and live music. Presented by Bookends & Beginnings and the Guild Literary Complex.
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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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