CHICAGO — Whether you’re looking to taste Icelandic cuisine at a culinary pop-up, learn about hot dogs at a local library, enjoy dance shows by celebrated Chicago companies or honor David Lynch at a themed symposium, you can do all that and more in Chicago this weekend.
There’s also the return of YarnCon for all things fiber, a spring clothing swap at the Chicago Fair Trade Museum, a poetry workshop and open mic at an Uptown cafe, an almost-summer comedy show at iO Theater, the city’s annual Greek Independence Parade along Halsted Street and an Assyrian New Year Parade along Devon Avenue.
Here’s a roundup of 21 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
All Weekend
Taste Of Iceland Chicago
Various times Thursday-Saturday
Various locations
Touring cultural fest Taste of Iceland is making its first stop of the year in Chicago this weekend for three days of Icelandic food, music, literature, art, wellness and more. Featured events are mostly free and will be hosted at locations like Bistronomic, the Drake Hotel, Wax Vinyl Bar and Ramen Shop, Union League Club of Chicago and more.
Learn more, find the full lineup of events — like a concert, demo-and-dine lunch experience, arts festival and elemental sound bath — and register to attend here.
Spring Clothing Swap
6-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Chicago Fair Trade Museum, 4704 N. Broadway
The Chicago Fair Trade’s Conscious Closet Club is hosting a weekend-long spring clothing swap for all ages, sizes and genders. Attendees can take home up to 10 swap items (items will be donated all weekend, so there will be plenty of stock even for later time slots) and a bag to take home their new clothes.
General admission tickets are $10. Friday night preview party tickets (offering first dibs on items) are $39. People can also become members for $50 and get $10 off their tickets. Learn more about the event and how to donate clothes and buy tickets here.
YarnCon
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Local 130 Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.
Knitters, crocheters and yarn enthusiasts of all kinds can shop yarn, tools and more at this indie fiber festival.
Learn more here.
Aerial Dance Chicago: Stardust
2 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
Stardust is the feature performance of Aerial Dance Chicago’s 25th anniversary season and “a celebration of the artistry, creativity and resilience that has defined Aerial Dance Chicago’s legacy.” This special collection of “dance-in-flight works” pulls from the company’s repertoire of more than 300 pieces.
Learn more and buy tickets for $30-$50 here.
Giordano Dance Chicago: Soaring
7:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.
Giordano Dance Chicago is back at the Harris Theater this weekend for their 62nd season. The show “Soaring” is “a powerful celebration of life, light and legacy” marking Nan Giordano’s 40 years of leadership and featuring Emmy Award-winning resident choreographer Al Blackstone.
Learn more and buy tickets starting at $36 here.
Saturday
West Andersonville Community Gardening
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
Meet at Summerdale and Ravenswood
The West Andersonville Community Garden is looking for volunteers to help get the green space started this weekend. All ages are welcome. Gardeners should bring their own gloves, and tools will be provided.
Neighbors can keep up with the garden and volunteering dates on its unofficial Facebook page here.
Global Gardens Pop-Up Sale
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
The Eco Cafe, 4754 N. Rockwell St.
Shop fresh vegetables at Global Gardens Chicago’s pop-up sale this weekend. The produce is grown by refugee families in Albany Park.
Learn more here.
Arabic Family Story Time
11 a.m.-noon Saturday
Beverly Chicago Public Library, 1962 W. 95th St.
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month at this family-friendly event. Attendees can hear stories and songs honoring Arabic culture, learn about Arabic instruments and dance and try their hand at tatreez, traditional Palestinian embroidery.
Learn more about the all-ages event and register to attend here.
Poetry, Power, Peace: A Gospel Therapy Experiential Workshop
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday
West Pullman Chicago Public Library, 830 W. 119th St.
At this gospel therapy session, poets and singers of all levels can explore, speak and sing Black Gospel poetry and music together. All poems and songs will be taught and learned by ear.
Learn more and register to attend here.
Palette & Chisel Academy Of Fine Arts: Spring Cleaning
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, 1012 N. Dearborn St.
Palette and Chisel is holding its annual spring cleaning sale this weekend with hundreds of oil paintings, watercolor works and sculptures for $400 or less. All art is by Palette & Chisel members and students.
Learn more here.
Hot Diggity Dog
Noon-1 p.m. Saturday
Edgewater Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway
In this presentation led by Bruce Kraig, a history and humanities professor at Roosevelt University, author and “world-renowned hot dog scholar,” Chicagoans can learn more about how hot dogs became a symbol of American culture and why Chicago became the center of hot dog culture, tracing its origins as “immigrant food,” the art of hot dog stands and more.
Learn more and RSVP to attend here. Space is limited.
Sijo: Korean Poetry Workshop
2-3:30 p.m. Saturday
Albany Park Chicago Public Library, 3401 W. Foster Ave.
Chicagoans can learn about Sijo, a traditional Korean poetic form, at this workshop led by Lucy Park, executive director of Chicago nonprofit Sejong Cultural Society and author of “SIJO: Korea’s Poetry Form.” During the event, attendees will learn the fundamental structure of sijo and have the chance to compose their own three-line, 45-syllable structure.
Learn more and register here.
Poetry Workshop & Open Mic Night
6-8 p.m. Saturday
Nabala Cafe, 4660 N. Broadway
Nabala Cafe in Uptown is hosting another poetry writing workshop and open mic this weekend, hosted by Chicago-based writer and spoken word performer Ashvini. The first hour will offer generative writing prompts and a poem reading, and the second hour will be an open mic to share a poem you wrote during the session or other poems you’ve been working on.
This workshop is beginner-friendly and no poetry experience is required. Attendees can sign up at the door.
Solidarity Sounds: Al Rowwad
6:30 p.m. Saturday
Solidarity Studios, 3323 N. Pulaski Road
Cultural preservation nonprofit Solidarity Studios is hosting a night of music and community with Berlin-based psychedelic desert rock band Jamila and The Other Heroes, Chicago-based Arab music ensemble Sumoud Collective and Hamnavi. The event will raise money for Al Rowwad, a grassroots community center in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, to help rebuild their library and music room.
RSVP to attend here. There is a suggested donation of $10-$20 per attendee.
The Almost-Summer Stand-Up Comedy Bash
7:30-9 p.m. Saturday
The iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St.
Celebrate the warmer weather with an almost-summer comedy show. The lineup features headliner Calvin Evans and New York City comic Jason Choi, winner of the Comedy Mob Festival.
Learn more and buy tickets for $20 here.
Sunday
Merriam: Passover Drag Brunch
12:30-2 p.m. Sunday
The Graystone Tavern, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave.
“Chicago’s favorite drag bubbie” Merriam Levkowitz is celebrating Passover with her biggest show yet. There will be new songs, dances, games (with prizes), a Merriam-themed drink and Passover-friendly food menu.
Learn more and buy tickets for $15 here.
Chicago Assyrian New Year Parade
1:30 p.m. Sunday
Western and Devon Avenues
For more than 30 years, this Chicago parade has celebrated Assyrian heritage with floats, waving flags and more.
Learn more here.
Greek Heritage Parade
2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday
Halsted Street between Randolph and Van Buren
Celebrate the 204th anniversary of Greece’s declaration of independence with Chicago’s annual parade in Greektown. The independence day parade features Hellenic music and dance, plus floats and marchers from various Chicagoland churches and organizations.
Learn more here.
Cannoli For A Cause: Vinny’s Pop-Up
4-7 p.m. Sunday
Nabala Cafe, 4660 N. Broadway
Atlanta-based mutual aid bakery Vinny’s is in Chicago this weekend for a seasonal cannoli pop-up in Uptown. All proceeds will go toward The Sameer Project, a Palestinian diaspora-led initiative supplying aid and emergency shelter to displaced families in Gaza.
Learn more here.
Grit & Glimmer: A Red Orchid Theatre Gala
5-10 p.m. Sunday
The Arbory, 2219 W. Grand Ave.
A Red Orchid Theatre is celebrating its 32nd year with a special night of sneak peeks into Season 33, a dinner from Tamale Spaceship, specialty beverages, dessert, an auction, live programs, speeches from theater ensemble members and more.
Learn more and buy tickets for $100-$300 here.
Blue, Blue Dreams: A David Lynch Symposium
6 p.m. Sunday
The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Writer and David Lynch scholar Taylor Thornberg, who has studied and spoken about Lynch’s films and philosophies, has organized a symposium in honor of the late filmmaker. There will be presentations, readings, Q&A sessions, a costume contest with prizes, doughnuts and a menu of Lynch-inspired cocktails.
This is a 21+ event. There is no cover. Learn more here.
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