It’s a busy weekend around Chicago, the host city for the second annual Laver Cup tournament featuring Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, John Isner, Kevin Anderson, and more tennis stars. Plus, don’t miss an art expo at Chicago Botanic Garden, a tasty food festival at Navy Pier, a new virtual reality experience at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and more.
Laver Cup
Sept. 21-23
Chicago
This is your chance to see some of the best tennis players in the world right here in Chicago. Team Europe (Federer, Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, and Kyle Edmund) will take on Team World (Isner, Anderson, Diego Schwartzman, Jack Sock, Nick Kyrgios, and Frances Tiafoe) in this tournament named after tennis great Rod Laver. And even if you can’t score tickets, don’t miss the free Fan Zone (Sept. 20-23), where you can watch each match on giant LED screens, take a photo with the Laver Cup trophy, enjoy arcade-style games and other activities, test your skills on mini tennis courts, and more. Buy tickets online before you go.
American Craft Exposition
Sept. 21-23
Glencoe
More than 140 artisans will make their way to Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend to showcase ceramics, furniture, jewelry, paper goods, and more. This event supports research and care at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and it all kicks off with a Benefit Preview Party at Sept. 20.
YAS! Fest
Sept. 22
Chicago
The “largest celebration of young artists in Chicago history,” this free festival is headlined by Desiigner with opener Ravyn Lenae and will include performances by Little Kids Rock, Ensemble Español, Hiplet, and more.
Passport Europe Festival
Sept. 22-23
Lisle
Travel to Europe this weekend during this Morton Arboretum festival featuring live music (Spanish flamenco, Polish polkas, Italian jazz) and dance, games, and authentic food.
World Dumpling Fest
Sept. 23
Chicago
Celebrate the many cultures that make up Chicago with this free food, music, and art festival at Navy Pier. Enjoy pierogis, gyozas, empanadas, spatzle, tamales, and more, plus live music from bands curated by World Music Festival Chicago and art and activities from local galleries and museums.
The Last Goodbye — A Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing
Skokie
Illinois Holocaust Museum is one of four museums to present this award-winning virtual reality film that introduces visitors to Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter as he visits Nazi death camp Majdanek. “Continuing our commitment to use cutting edge technology to tell Holocaust survivor stories in an engaging and compelling way, we are thrilled to debut The Last Goodbye in the Midwest. Learning about the personal story of Pinchas Gutter — his loss, courage, and ultimately his belief in humanity — brings the history and lessons of the Holocaust alive in a way that creates a connection between the viewer and the past and leaves an indelible mark on those who experience it,” says Susan Abrams, the museum’s CEO.
More Can’t-Miss Events:
- On Sept. 20, the National Hellenic Museum will open the first retrospective of artist George Kokines, “George Kokines: Layers Revealed,” which will include Kokines’ “September 11” installation.
- Lincoln Park Zoo hosts Hoy’s Fiesta Familiar, the Midwest’s largest Hispanic family event, on Sept. 22 with family-friendly entertainment, activities, and music.
- Join the Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire soccer club, for Fire-Tober Fest on Sept. 22 at Old Crow in River North. Enjoy local beer and food, music, raffle prizes, and more to support the foundation’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program.
- The newest gallery at Best of 2018 winner Anne Loucks Gallery, “Sally Michel Avery: Landscapes & Figures,” opens Sept. 22 and will run through Nov. 8. Join the gallery for an opening reception Sept. 22 from 5-7 p.m.
- Buy your tickets now for Chicago Sinfonietta’s “I.D.: Images of Diversity” on Sept. 22 at Chicago’s Symphony Center. This multimedia program will “highlight the immigrant experience and the evolution of diversity in America.”
More from Make It Better:
- 5 Books to Add to Your Fall Reading List
- Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago
- 17 Can’t-Miss Fall Plays and Musicals in Chicago and the North Shore
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.
