This weekend, a new exhibit will open at the National Hellenic Museum, Bubbles Academy and Little Beans Cafe will host a summer block party for your kiddos, Navy Pier will celebrate Pride Month, Brookfield Zoo will welcome local and national breweries for a beer tasting, and a favorite art festival will return to Evanston.
“Lives Afloat”
Opens June 21
Chicago
The National Hellenic Museum’s newest exhibit, “Lives Afloat: The Greek Refugee Crisis Through the Lens of Tasos Markou 2015-2017,” will open this week (one day after World Refugee Day) and run through spring 2019. “It is crucial for the National Hellenic Museum to address recent history and portray the effects the crisis has had on so many,” says Dr. Laura Calamos, Ph.D, National Hellenic Museum President. “Using photos to tell the real story of a crisis impacting the Greek community, and indeed millions of lives, we aim to encourage people to learn more by seeking good sources of information, to gain more perspective, and to develop a greater understanding of what is happening in the world, whether in the past or in current events. Visitors are invited to consider ways to get involved by learning more about the impact of nonprofit organizations and how effectively they directly impact peoples’ lives.”
Webster Kids Corridor Block Party
June 23
Chicago
Bubbles Academy and Little Beans Cafe are teaming up for this summer block party your kiddos will love. Outside, there will be bounce houses, live music, games, art projects, cotton candy and snow cones, and more. Register today ($10 per child in advance; $15 at the door).
Navy Pier Pride
June 23
Chicago
Navy Pier will host family-friendly pride events like Story Time With Drag Queens (in partnership with Chicago Children’s Museum), performances by Lakeside Pride Marching Band and Chicago Gay Men’s Choir, Aon Summer Fireworks, and more all day long before the Chicago Pride Parade on June 24. (And buy your tickets for Navy Pier’s Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion Summer Celebration on June 26 to discover the new pavilion and support Navy Pier’s free community public programming.)
ZooBrew
June 23-24
Brookfield
This Brookfield Zoo beer tasting will feature brews from Blue Moon Brewing Co., Hofbräuhaus Chicago, Leinenkugel’s, Revolution Brewing, and many more. (Love beer? You also won’t want to miss Chicago Botanic Garden’s Beer Garden Concert on June 22 or The Morton Arboretum’s Craft Beer Festival on June 23.)
Evanston Chamber Artisan SummerFest
June 23-24
Evanston
This annual festival will return for its 39th year with pieces from more than 100 juried artists, craft beer, food, music, activities, and more.
Bonus
- On June 24, Oak Brook Polo Club will host the Drake Challenge Cup (USA vs. Mexico) and Special Olympics 50th Anniversary Celebration. Find out why watching a match at this polo club is the most fun you’ve never had here.
Looking Ahead
- Make a difference for the Alzheimer’s Association during your next trip to the ballpark! On June 26, cheer on the White Sox during the first Alzheimer’s Awareness Night at Guaranteed Rate Field, when $5 from specially priced Outfield Reserved tickets will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. And purchase tickets for the Chicago Dogs game on June 29 using code ALZ2018 and a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.
More from Make It Better:
- 30 of the Best Things to Do in Chicago This June
- 2018 Chicago Food Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
- Watching a Match at Oak Brook Polo Club is the Most Fun You’ve Never Had
Anna Carlson writes the weekly 5 Things to Do column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.