You’ll Want to Bookmark This Weekend’s Lineup ⭐

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In this issue:

• Featured events

• Kids and family

• Concerts and live music

• Trivia and game night roundup

Check the event details before heading out in case of changes/cancellations!

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Featured Events

All Weekend

Man Cub

Time: 7:30 PM Thursday - Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday
Cost: $8.00 - $20.00
Location: Wallis Theater

Written by Douglas Maxwell and directed by Christopher Michael Richardson, Man Cub tells the surreal and poignant story of a teenager who might be turning into animals. As his everyday life unravels, Paul grapples with identity, family, and the strange transformation overtaking him.

The Vintage Affair – A Pop Up of All Things Vintage

Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday and 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday
Cost: Free
Location: 915 Chicago Ave

Hosted by Choice Edition, this two-day pop-up sale features a curated collection of vintage treasures spanning from the mid-century to Y2K. Shoppers can browse clothing, accessories, vinyl, furniture, and more from multiple vendors, with selections chosen for their unique style and quality.

Honeypot: Black Southern Women Who Love Women (Preview)

Time: 7:00 PM Saturday, 3:00 PM Sunday
Cost: $10.00 - $30.00
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre

Presented by Northwestern's Wirtz Center, Honeypot is a theatrical adaptation of E. Patrick Johnson’s award-winning book, co-directed by D. Soyini Madison and Tim Rhoze. Blending oral history with magical realism and poetry, the production explores the real-life experiences of queer Black women in the American South, delving into themes of love, family, faith, and identity.

Thursday, May 15

Cloth + Home 3rd Anniversary Party and Trunk Show

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday and 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday
Cost: Free
Location: Cloth + Home

Cloth + Home celebrates three years with a two-day trunk show featuring unique work by independent designers. Highlights include handmade jewelry by Indie-Pendant, ceramics by Joanna Kramer, apparel by Parron Allen, and hand-stitched handbags by Volta Atelier.

Evanston Arts & Craft Beverage Crawl

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: $39.00 walk-up
Location: Multiple small businesses in SE Evanston

Visit pop-up art galleries curated by Evanston Made inside shops along Main, Dempster, and Chicago Avenue. Browse artwork, meet local artists, and sample craft beverages from Chicagoland with tasty pairings. Enjoy live entertainment along the way, take home a goody bag, and find a new local piece of art to take home!

Diary of a Gay Disaster

Time: 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM Thursday and Friday
Cost: Free
Location: John J. Louis Hall

This original musical comedy by Rachael Mailer blends humor and heart in a series of queer misadventures. Admission is free, with donations supporting The Trevor Project.

Friday, May 16

Expressive Arts

Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $45.00
Location: Levy Senior Center

This hands-on workshop encourages artistic exploration through various materials including watercolors, pastels, and crayons. Participants will draw inspiration from still life, other artists, and personal themes to create expressive works in a supportive environment.

The Pickle Ball

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: $35.00 for one, $60.00 for two, or $15.00 for an alcohol-free ticket
Location: Ridgeville Park District

An evening of local brews (including pickle beer), Parson’s Chicken & Fish, live music from Mike & Jess, fire pits, games, and everything pickle. There’ll be a costume contest, dink-net competitions, pickle ‘ritas, a raffle, and pickle flights from The Pickle Guys and Jersey Pickles. Each ticket includes a sandwich (chicken or veggie), snacks, unlimited brews, and a raffle ticket.

Saturday, May 17

Downtown Evanston Farmers Market

Time: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM, early shopping at 7:00 AM for seniors and those with disabilities
Cost: Free
Location: University Place and Oak Ave

Now in its 50th season, the Downtown Evanston Farmers Market features over 70 local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and more. Weekly events include live music and collaborations with local arts groups.

Mack's Spring Market

Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Mack's Bike & Goods

Mack's annual Spring Market features used bicycles for sale, local art, coffee from Mack’s and Outside Coffee Evanston, and live music.

Flea Market

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Community Center - Tennis Courts

This outdoor flea market features vintage fashion, handmade crafts, antiques, books, gadgets, and other one-of-a-kind finds.

2025 Evanston Garden Fair

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ackerman Park

Hosted by the Lincolnwood Garden Club of Evanston, this annual fair features locally grown plants for sale and expert advice from master gardeners. All proceeds benefit local schools and organizations.

Spring Watercolors Hike

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Cost: $15.00 Residents/$20.00 Non-Residents
Location: Lighthouse Beach - Fog Houses

This guided hike through the habitats of Lighthouse Beach invites participants to explore spring colors and native plants. Using cardstock view finders and watercolors, attendees will create artistic snapshots of nature while learning about the local environment and its ecological significance.

Seedling Sale

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ward Farm

Evanston Grows hosts a spring seedling sale featuring over 40 varieties of organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Held behind Ward Manufacturing at Pitner Alley and Main Street, the sale supports community gardening and local food access initiatives.

YEA! @ Raymond Park

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Raymond Park

Hosted by Young Evanston Artists and Open Studio Project, this outdoor festival showcases work by youth artists across various mediums. The event features live performances, visual and media art displays, art-making activities, and food trucks.

Sunday, May 18

Let’s Sketch Robert Crown Community Center

Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Community Center

Urban Sketchers Chicago hosts an afternoon of on-location sketching at the Robert Crown Community Center. Participants will find inspiration in the venue’s athletic fields, skating rink, outdoor patio, and library. A Throwdown session wraps up the event at 2:45 PM.

Anchorfish 20th Anniversary Celebration

Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Anchorfish Printing & Embroidery

Anchorfish Printing & Embroidery celebrates 20 years with an afternoon of pro wrestling by 2econd Wrestling, ice cream from C&W Ice Cream, and community fun. Attendees can enjoy free Anchorfish t-shirts (while supplies last) and raffle prizes from local favorites including Kneads and Wants Café, Soul & Smoke, Evanston Pour, SqueezeBox Record & Book Store, Cultivate Plant Shop, Mack’s Bikes and Goods, and Animal Records. All raffle proceeds benefit the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston.

Kids and Family Events

Sponsored by One River School

One River School offers fun and unique art camps for K–12th grade students, with a newly expanded schedule that includes a 12th week for D65 students (August 18–22)! Camps run weekly all summer. Students can explore studio or digital art—from sculpting and drawing to spray paint and character design. One River inspires youth artists to grow creatively while having fun!

Thursday, May 15

A Bookish Club

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library

This monthly club combines storytelling, discussion, and hands-on art projects inspired by fairy tales, folklore, and legends. Aimed at students in grades 5–9, the final session features a showcase of creations and a celebratory pizza party.

Friday, May 16

Purple Crayon Players Storytime

Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Northwestern University Theatre students lead a fun storytime for children ages 0 to 5 in the Main Children's Room. The program includes songs, stories, and a simple craft activity in a drop-in format.

Mini Makers

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: $20.00
Location: Art Makers Outpost

Spark your young artist’s creativity at Mini Makers, a hands-on art workshop for ages 3–5 with a caretaker. Each session features a creative demo by artist facilitator Iden Nowlin inspired by authentic literature, bringing stories to life through art.

Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids: Fibbed

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

This monthly book club invites kids in grades 2–5 to discuss the graphic novel Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang, a story rooted in Ghanaian folklore. The session includes themed activities like word games and comic page creation, followed by group discussion.

Videogame Showdown

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library

The library hosts an afternoon of Nintendo Switch gaming for students in grades 4–8. Participants can compete for prizes, sharpen their skills, and connect with friends in a fun, social setting.

Wild Night Out

Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $33.00 Residents/$43.00 Non-Residents
Location: Light House Beach - Fog Houses

Parents can get a night out, as kids enjoy a fun evening of activities with the Ecology Center. Children will participate in a fun evening of games, group activities, nature exploration, crafts, and s’mores.

Sunday, May 18

Matinee Movie

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch

Families are invited to enjoy a 2:00 PM movie screening at the library, preceded by a themed craft activity in the Art Garden starting at 1:00 PM.

Concerts and Live Music

Click the included links for info and tickets!

Thursday, May 15

• Late Breaking News at Ten Mile House, 6:30 PM, No cover

• Stephen Parisi Trio at Ward Eight, 7:00 PM, No cover

• The Story of Pa I Sha at Regenstein Hall of Music, 7:30 PM, Free

• Karla Bonoff at Evanston SPACE, 7:30 PM, $33.90 - $47.17

• Canal Jumpers (Thumpin' Thursday) at American Legion Post 42, 8:00 PM, No cover

Friday, May 16

• Squeezebox DJs - Dusty Soul and Country Vinyl at Evanston SPACE Lobby, 6:00 PM, No cover

• Eric Weiler & Friends at American Legion Post 42, 7:30 PM, No cover

• Humor in Music at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 7:30 PM, $40.00 General/$15.00 Student

• Festival Choir Concert at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, 7:30 PM, Free

• Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham at Evanston SPACE, 7:30 PM, $60.45 - $102.57

• Paul Marinaro and Ben Lewis at Studio5, 8:00 PM, $32.20

Saturday, May 17

• Evanston CASE Benefit Concert ft. Van Lawless at 1904 Greenwood Street, 6:30 PM, $35.00

• D-Mix (AACM 60th Anniversary Series/Donovan's Garage) at Akar Auditorium, 7:00 PM, Free

• Alta Vista (Duo): Chet Zenor (guitar), Andy Danstrom (drums) at Evanston SPACE Lobby, 10:00 PM, No cover

Sunday, May 18

• Concert Band at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 3:00 PM, $6.00 General/$4.00 Student

• Guitar Ensemble at Galvin Recital Hall, 3:00 PM, $6.00 General/$4.00 Student

• Alice Millar Spring Festival Concert at Alice Millar Chapel, 5:00 PM, Free

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

• Mary Fahl at Evanston SPACE, 7:00 PM, $40.54 - $67.08

Monday, May 19

• Jazz Small Ensembles at McClintock Choral and Recital Room, 7:30 PM, $6.00 General/$4.00 Student

• Belting for Life 2025 – a benefit concert for AIDS Foundation Chicago at Evanston SPACE, 7:30 PM, $50.00

Tuesday, May 20

• Percussion Studio Showcase at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 7:30 PM, $6.00 General/$4.00 Student

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

• Rock for ALTSO with August Son, Blue Sky Highway, Ex Maquina!, Matt Scharpf and the Bono Brothers, and The Mixaphors at Evanston SPACE, 6:15 PM, $25.00

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

Wednesday, May 21

• Jazz Small Ensembles at McClintock Choral and Recital Room, 7:30 PM, $6.00 General/$4.00 Student

• Josh Achiron Quartet at Prairie Moon, 9:00 PM, $7.00

Trivia and Game Night Roundup

Thursday, May 15

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

Saturday, May 17

• Evanston Go Club at Sketchbook Brewing, 1:00 PM, No cover

• Trivia at Sketchbook Brewing, 7:00 PM, No cover

Sunday, May 18

• Scrabble Club at Evanston Games & Cafe, 2:30 PM, No cover

• Trivia at Sketchbook Brewing, 3:00 PM, No cover

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 Monday.

-Jonathan and Melissa

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