The Most Anticipated Events in Chicago This Spring

The temperature is once again rising and that means 🗣️we outsiiiiide! Soon the Dusable Lake Shore Drive trail will swell even more with people, the trees and plants will bloom once again,  and we’ll be dining alfresco so the itch to get out and do things with and amongst other people has been feeling strong lately what with spring around the bend and covid restrictions being relaxed . Listen, it’s been a rough couple of years and we are all still trying to find some semblance of normal post COVID but its beginning to feel like Spring is in the air.  With that, we’re here to give you a curated guide of the most anticipated events happening this spring in Chicago. Mark your calendars, RSVP, buy your tickets and lets plan to have as much fun as we can this coming season, we deserve it don’t you think?

EXPO Chicago

Following a brief hiatus presenting in-person from 2019 and a change in date, EXPO Chicago International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art is back! This time in the Spring rather than in the fall in past iterations. Northern Trust Bank is on board once again as presenting sponsor of the 9th edition EXPO Chicago which will take place from April 7 through 10, 2022. This year will see about 100 galleries presenting artworks of different mediums as well as a slew of programmings both onsite and off-site. expochicago.com

Siskel Film Center @ 50

One of the city’s preeminent art house cinema, The Gene Siskel Film Center at the School of the Art Institute Chicago is celebrating FIFTY Years of presenting cutting edge international, independent, and classic cinema reflective of Chicago’s diverse community. Founded in 1972 as a public program of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, it was renamed in 2000 for the late film critic Gene Siskel. The film center is celebrating this special milestone with a few different programing throughout the year and a major fundraising gala in the summer. The 50/50 Series is a year long endeavor presenting a film from each year the Film center has been open, Monday nights at 6:00PM. In addition to this year long series, the Gene Siskel Film Center will continue its partnership with SAIC’s Department of Film, Video, New Media, and Animation for their ‘Conversations at the Edge’ series. This spring will also see the return of Asian American showcase in partnership with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM) from April 1 – 13, 2022. Their programing are curated, thought provoking and one that influences the influencers. siskelfilmcenter.org

Uncorked: Chicago Wine Festival

“A bottle of white, a bottle of red. Perhaps a bottle of rose instead.” Whatever your flavor, you’ll find it at Uncorked Wine Fest taking place at the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 South Lake Shore Drive) on Saturday April 16, 2022. Its on Easter weekend so if you happen to be one of the people that gave up alcohol for lent, welcome back. There are two tiered ticketing options for all to enjoy over 100 wines from across the globe, full after hours access to the museum, gourmet food options and more! VIP admission ($100) gives you the chance to start an hour earlier plus access to some higher end wine selections. General admission tickets ($70) starts at 8pm and includes unlimited wine tasting and full three hours of access to the museum with food available separately.  This event is 21 and over. Uncorked: Chicago Wine Fest

2022 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle

If you love running, this is one of the best events to kick off your outdoor/spring running season, whether for fun or if trying to compete. The annual tradition is back after being off for 2 years offering runners a scenic 8k running course or 2k for the walkers on a new course along the Chicago River and past the Bank of America tower. Due to recent relaxation of mask and vaccine mandates, participants don’t have to wear masks but you’re certainly free to based on your comfortability level. There will certainly be some road closures around the Grant Park area to accommodate the anticipated runners, volunteers and spectators. If you are looking for a training companion, Nike’s Run Club offers the official training program which you can get here. The 2022 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k run and 2-mile walk is set to take place Saturday March 20, 2022 at Grant Park. shamrockshuffle.com

Nick Cave: Forothermore MCA Retrospective

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been wondering when will the illustrious artist Nick Cave (not to be confused with the musician) finally get his flowers in the city of big shoulders, Chicago where he is based?! I remember the multi-page spread of Cave and his Soundsuits in Vogue mag back in 2010 which was so cool to see an artist of color be so well recognized and I’ve followed his work since. Cave is loved and honored across the globe and the time is now for some true hometown love and we just can’t wait for his “first career-spanning retrospective.” The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago will present Nick Cave:Forothermore beginning May 14, 2022 through October 2, 2022. Highlights of the exhibition include never-before-seen works, including a continuation of the artist’s popular Soundsuits series with the premiere of Soundsuits 9:29 and a mesmerizing, site-specific installation, Spinner Forest, comprised of thousands of kinetic spinners that will hang in the museum’s two-story atrium and fourth-floor lobby.retrospective that’s sure to be one for the books. Nick Cave: Forothermore is an ode to those who, whether due to racism, homophobia, or other forms of bigotry, live their lives as the “other”—and a celebration of the way art, music, fashion, and performance can help us envision a more just future. This exhibit was curated by former Manilow Senior Curator Naomi Beckwith who is now Guggenheim Museum’s deputy director and chief curator. mcachicago.org

Kerfuffle 2022

Do you remember the pre-covid fundraising event hobnobbing around the city days? Before we all got comfortable being introvert homebodies, making and liking home cleaning TikTok or reels videos? Oh what fun memories. Though those days might be long gone post covid, we are looking forward to the return of The ChiArts Foundation’s signature event Kerfuffle! The fundraising event supports tuition-free, pre-professional arts training programs at the Chicago High School for the Arts, Chicago’s first public arts high school and its such a rewarding joy to see. Its definitely one of this site’s favorite event to cover and support not just because its board is comprised of some of the city’s top civic leaders but truly because they are helping to nurture the next gen of art talent. Co-chairing Kerfuffle! 2022 on Tuesday May 3, are Neal Zucker (President & CEO Corporate Cleaning Services, Inc) along with fellow ChiArts Foundation board member Gary Metzner (Senior Vice President- Head of Office, Sotheby’s). Grab a ticket and attend an evening of cocktails, dinner, and exciting performances to celebrate the ChiArts Music, Dance, Theatre, Creative Writing, and Visual Arts conservatories at Epiphany Center for the Arts (201 S Ashland Ave). Kerfuffle! 2022

Joffrey Ballet’s ‘Serenade’ & ‘Of Mice and Men

Chicago’s Joffrey ballet will open the spring of their 2021-2022 season with a double-bill presentation during their first-ever full season at the Lyric Opera House (20 North Upper Wacker Drive). The Joffrey Ballet will premiere George Balanchine’s first ballet created in America in 1934 which will be accompanied by Peter Tchaikovsky’s original score along with choreographer Cathy Marston’s world premiere adaptation of Steinbeck’s classic American novella and her first original piece for the Joffrey, with an original score by Academy Award®-nominated composer Thomas Newman. Joffrey Ballet’s Serenade and Of Mice and Men will begin April 27 through May 8, 2022. joffreyballet.

World Comedy EXPO

An all new festival “highlighting comedians and comedic styles from around the globe” is coming to the city of wind. From March 25 through March 27, comedians performers will take the stage at a few different venues across the city over the three days. In addition to solo performances, there will also be a few ensemble presentations and panel. We all need a good laugh once in a while. Hoping this turns into a successful event for years to come. worldcomedyexpo.

Chicago Restaurant Week

Chicago’s annual dining deal showcase is back post pandemic and we are ready to fill up, our bellies. During Chicago Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer a special prix fixe menu(s) for lunch and dinner at a somewhat reduced price than their normal operations or normal menu; multi-course meals are $25 for brunch or lunch, and $39 and/or $55 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, gratuity, and delivery fees). It’s a great way to try out one or few restaurants that might be new to you or check out a restaurant on your radar that may have some nice food but their pricing is out of your budget for the time being. For those that are still hesitant to in-person dining, there will be options for takeout/delivery at participating restaurants. CRW runs from March 25 through April 10, 2022 with over 300 participating restaurants both within Chicago and the Chicagoland area. Virtue, The Loyalist, Bar Goa, Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley, Jaleo are some of the restaurants we are looking to book for CRW. Chicago Restaurant Week

See Also

Park Hyatt Chicago to Reopen Following $60M Renovation

Art Institute of Chicago presents Cezanne

The Art Institute of Chicago hasn’t had a blockbuster blockbuster exhibit in quite some time though they have had some decent ones in the past 4 years, I am holding out hope this will be it. Paul Cézanne was one of the most influential artists in the history of modern painting “categorized as a Post-Impressionist, his unique method of building form with color and his analytical approach to nature influenced the art of Cubists, Fauves, and successive generations of avant-garde artists.” The Art Institute of Chicago is presenting a groundbreaking retrospective of Cézanne known as an “artist’s artist,” that will shed new light not only on how the pivotal artist created his works, but also why his art remains so vital today. The Cézanne exhibition is the first major retrospective of the artist’s work in the United States in more than 25 years and the first exhibition on Cézanne organized by the Art Institute of Chicago in more than 70 years. Member previews begin May 12 through May 14 and opens to the public May 15 through September 5. Cézanne is curated by the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gloria Groom, Chair and David and Mary Winton Green Curator, Painting and Sculpture of Europe, and Caitlin Haskell, Gary C. and Frances Comer Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Tate Modern’s Achim Borchardt-Hume, Director of Exhibitions and Programme, and Natalia Sidlina, Curator, International Art.”Cezanne” requires a $7 ticket in addition to general admission for non-members. Tickets go on sale March 17. artic.edu

Grand Chefs Experience

A night of eating and drinking while hobnobbing with some of the city’s culinary stars to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is just what your social calendar needs. The Grand Chefs Experience is back after a brief hiatus due to covid restrictions. This year’s event on Saturday April 23, will be held at the Field Museum (1400 S. Dusable Lake Shore Drive 60605) with tickets starting at $500. Guests will begin the night with one-of-a-kind tasting experience featuring signature hors d’oeuvres from over 35 restaurants, fine wines and spirits, along with a culinary inspired silent auction. Dinner will be held with the world’s largest dinosaur, Maximo. The night’s revelry continues with live music, custom curated cocktails, mouth-watering pastries, and late-night bites during Nightcap. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s mission is to fund research and drug development in the fight against cystic fibrosis, a disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. cff.org

If you would like your Chicago based or Chicago connected event listed on our site or for coverage consideration? Please email relevant details (name of event, date, venue, contact, pricing/access info) to info{at}sociaLifeChicago.com

Featured image credit: Aveedibya Dey