Dancing and wings and bacon, oh my!

Unique special events, foodie fests highlight spring season in Chicago

With all-you-can-eat chicken wings and bacon cupcakes to an all-out dance party and an ongoing festival bringing a powerful lineup for its spring session, April is filled with do-not-miss events in Chicago.

The Let Go by Nick Cave

This free interactive performance installation – The Let Go – by Chicago-based artist Nick Cave arrives at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. The Chicago debut will take place Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5, and then Wednesday, April 8, through Sunday, April 12. The dance-focused installation will encourage attendees to “let go” through dance and movement. According to the website, there will also be “dance instigators” who will lead group dances regularly. This event will also feature some of Chicago’s top house music DJs live. For a complete lineup of DJs and hours, click here. 

Foodie Fests

April is the time to eat with three large foodie festivals happening. Da Best Fest takes over UIC Forum from 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 17, with more than 40 chefs offering iconic Chicago eats including Italian beef, hot dogs and atomic cake. Event host is Doug Sohn of Hot Doug fame, Tickets start at $75. For more information, visit www.dabestfest.com. Following Da Best Fest is the 12th Annual Baconfest on Saturday, April 18, at UIC Forum. With a lunch session from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and a dinner session from 6-10 p.m., bacon lovers will have the chance to sample bacon-themed bites from dozens of Chicago restaurants. You can also purchase ticket bundles to attend both the Da Best Fest and Baconfest. For more information, visit www.baconfestchicago.com.

Still hungry? Chicago’s Best WingFest starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Credit Union 1 Arena. The 21st annual festival, which has had more than 2.5 million chicken wings consumed during its existence, features all-you-can-eat chicken wings from more than 35 Chicago restaurants. Tickets range from $50-$100. For more information, visit www.wingfest.net.

Chicago Humanities Festival

The popular year-round festival is known for bringing in a variety of artists, performers and cultural movers and shakers that, according to the festival website, “offer conversations, performances, screenings, and exhibits on a theme of universal interest.” This year’s theme is vision. The spring lineup includes programs with CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward (April 19), physicist Brian Greene (April 19), former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (April 29) and musician Tori Amos (May 6). Tickets go on sale to the public on March 24. For more information, visit www.chicagohumanities.org.

Other events to mark on your calendar:

International Tom Hanks Day

12-5 p.m. Saturday, April 4

Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

http://www.thetomhanksday.com/index.php#events

Great Chicago Egg Hunt (with Medieval Times)

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 10

Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/great-chicago-egg-hunt-maggie-daley-1

Editor’s Note: As of press time, all events were scheduled to happen. Please check event websites for any cancellations or postponements.

About the Author: Heather Warthen is Chief Events Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for 22nd Century Media, an award- winning media company specializing in hyperlocal content in Chicagoland. Hired as its first employee in 2005, she is a former award-winning journalist and photographer who now manages the planning, logistics, marketing and executing of more than a dozen community events and expos. She serves on the 2019-2020 MPI-CAC Board of Directors as Director Marketing & Public Relations.