Weekend Itinerary Loading…

Whether you're soaking up the sun, catching live music or jumping in the freezing lake, we've got you covered.

To view this email as a web page, click here. Explore the sounds of Chicago with local artists like Aasha Marie & Dante Milano... I had to pull the AC unit out of storage and got sunburnt this week… which means it must be just about the start of summer! A buzz of excitement is in the air and I’ve already thought, “Where did all these people come from?” as everyone emerges from their rainy-season solitude to soak up the sunshine. Even if (like me) you’re not a big fan of the heat, there’s something about catching outdoor live music on warm nights that just feels right. And, of course, Chicago has no shortage of outside events as warm weather gets underway… As a true symbol of the seasons changing — the Buckingham Fountain turns back on this weekend! Watch the fountain come alive Saturday at noon and celebrate the start of warmer weather at ComEd’s free “Switch On Summer'' celebration in Grant Park. This free event features live entertainment, family-friendly activities, local vendors and guest appearances. More info here! Mark your calendars — after taking two years off, the Logan Square Arts Festival is returning next month! Following tradition of years past, the festival will take place June 24-26 on the green space near the Logan Square Monument. Thirty artists are set to perform, including Combo Chimbita, Semiratruth, Late Nite Laundry and Gabacho. Organizers also hope to incorporate art installations and immersive exhibitions and encourage local artists and collectives to submit their proposal ideas until 10 p.m. on May 15. More information here! May 15 is the American Writers Festival, a free literary festival showcasing more than 75 authors, playwrights and artists at the Chicago Cultural Center & American Writers Museum. Head over to the American Writers Museum website to check out the festival schedule and full guest lineup! Masks and proof of vaccination will be required to enter. London producer, pianist and MC Alfa Mist is bringing his niche of hip-hop and avant-garde jazz on tour throughout North America, and is set to perform at Sleeping Village tomorrow night — presented by SV and Vocalo. Chicago jazz sextet Cordoba will be opening. Tickets are still available online at the venue’s website. Check out more info here! ​​​​​​Vocalo is a media sponsor for Audiotree, presenting Chicago rapper Roy Kinsey at Schubas Tavern on May 22, accompanied by Demetruest and Lamon Manuel . Tickets are available online! ​​​​​​Also on May 22 — Jazzin’ On The Steps returns! The South Side Jazz Coalition kicks off its summer jazz series on the steps of St. Moses the Black Parish in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. More info on this free event series here! Need a little playlist refresh for your summertime Chi activities? Our May “In Rotation” playlist update brings your music libraries a much-needed update, featuring 10 tracks from Chicago artists. In Rotation: May 2022 LISTEN HERE   1. Soft & Tender - Rich Robbins 2. Onna Guys - S-O-S 3. Jimmee Music - HYL (hit yo line) 4. The Same - Senite (will be released & added on May 15) 5. In My Home - Maleah DAWN 6. All Falls Down - Sonny Trill 7. Prove Me Wrong - Saneit 8. shorty. (feat. Trellzmind) - Ace Da Vinci 9. Phone Static - Ebony Loren 10. War Scars - BCE Flamee 11. Maps n Graphs - Robust & Max Julian Vocalo X SXSW: KAINA We hosted Chicago’s own KAINA at SXSW’s Radio Day Stage on March 19! Alongside band members including Sooper Records’ Sen Morimoto, she performed songs from her 2022 album It Was A Home, plus some tracks from her 2019 debut album. If you didn’t get to check out her performance at the festival, stream three songs from her live set below or on our YouTube channel! And don’t forget to check out her Tiny Desk Meets SXSW performance here. READ MORE For Sarah Ross, Arts Are A Vehicle For Change Sarah Ross is co-director of the Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project, an arts and education project providing classes, workshops and policy think tanks to incarcerated students. For “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like,” she discusses the power of art as a means of external communication for the incarcerated and a way to envision new realities. She feels art can be used as a driver toward new policy and social change. READ MORE Do Good Number One The Chicago Parks Foundation’s annual volunteer day, “It’s Your Park Day,” is May 21! Volunteers can sign up to help organizers with cleanup efforts at any of more than 50 parks across the city, including trash pick-up, mulching and other enhancement projects. Start times may vary; for more information and to see a full list of participating parks, go here. GET INVOLVED Number Two Working Bikes is a grassroots nonprofit bike shop in Pilsen dedicated to expanding access to bicycles citywide. They’re looking for volunteers to help repair and refurbish donated bikes on May 19! No experience is required, and donations are welcome. More details on how to get involved here. GET INVOLVED Number Three Boxing Out Negativity’s second annual “Bike Out Negativity” ride is May 21! Join Boxing Out Negativity for their six-mile “fun ride” through North Lawndale and Little Village, or register as a volunteer to help out with the ride! Ride registration is free, and volunteers can sign up to help out here. Donations are also welcome! GET INVOLVED Vocalo’s Storytelling Workshop is back! Do you love audio storytelling? Want to hone your skills? Apply to our free eight-week workshop, running from June 4 to July 23, to craft your own radio story — with a chance of having your work featured on our airwaves! Fill out this form by May 25 to apply. -- Have a volunteer opportunity you want to amplify? A community service project that deserves some love?  Send them our way; we’ll share some in the next edition of The Goods!    Tag Vocalo on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #VocaloIRL to let me know!  Enjoy the warm weather — and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! Talk to you later, Morgan Ciocca Vocalo Digital Media Producer & Editor, The Goods     ©Chicago Public Media Inc 848 East Grand Ave, Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611 Please do not reply to this email. If you need assistance, contact us here. You are receiving this email because you are a Vocalo member or signed up to receive email communications from us. You can unsubscribe from Vocalo here. WBEZ Privacy Policy