The vibrant cultural landscape of Chicago is coming alive this July with a variety of theatrical performances, music concerts, film screenings, and family festivities, offering something for everyone.
One standout theatrical production is “Twisted Melodies,” a one-man show at Northlight Theatre featuring Kelvin Roston Jr. as the legendary soul music icon Donny Hathaway. This performance celebrates Hathaway’s rich musical legacy, showcasing hit songs like “More Than You’ll Ever Know,” “The Ghetto,” and “The Closer I Get to You”. Directed by Ron OJ Parson, the show runs from July 10 to August 10 at Northlight Theatre, located at 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets are priced between $49 and $91 and can be purchased at northlight.org.
Griffin Theatre will present “Girls & Boys,” a solo show by Dennis Kelly, exploring the life of a woman who finds love and success with the man of her dreams, only to face unforeseen challenges. With Cynthia Marker taking the lead role and direction by Robin Witt, this captivating performance runs from July 11 to August 16 at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark. Tickets are available for $30 to $43 at griffintheatre.com.
Another major highlight is Sam Shepard’s classic, “True West,” which delves into the intense sibling rivalry between brothers Austin, a screenwriter, and Lee, a thief. This gripping tale escalates from a tense conflict to chaos and is directed by Jim Corti, featuring performances by Jack Ball and Ben Page. You can catch this show from July 16 to August 31 at Paramount’s Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets range from $40 to $55 and can be booked through paramountaurora.com.
The love story set against World War II in Ken Ludwig’s “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” offers a heartfelt experience as two strangers connect through letters. Directed by Mandy Modic, featuring Isabelle Muthiah and David Moreland, this touching tale will be performed from July 24 to August 3 at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, located at 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets are priced at $45 and $49; more information can be found at metropolisarts.com.
Musical enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 89th summer residency at Ravinia. Under the esteemed direction of conductor Marin Alsop, the orchestra performs an exciting lineup, including Carlos Simon’s “Amen” and Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” with pianist Bruce Liu. This performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. on July 11 and is followed by another concert featuring George Gershwin’s Concerto in F, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, and other works on July 12. Concertgoers can visit ravinia.org for tickets ranging from $15 to $95.
The Chicago Gospel Music Festival will take place on July 12, headlined by Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Chandler Moore, alongside performers Jekalyn Carr, Deandre Patterson, and Janet Sutton with The Chicago Unity Choir, among others. This free outdoor event will run from noon to 9 p.m. at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, located at Michigan and Randolph. For additional information, visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.
For those interested in exploring new musical sounds, Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Players headline a performance at City Winery on July 12 at 7:30 p.m. The show features a blend of cumbia music and rock influences, reflecting Prophet’s latest album, “Wake the Dead.” Tickets are priced between $32 and $48 at citywinery.com/chicago.
The annual Square Roots Festival offers a mix of live music and community fun, featuring artists like Calexico, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, and Alejandro Escovedo. Scheduled for July 11 through 13 on Lincoln from Montrose to Wilson, this festival suggests a $10 donation for entry. For more details, visit squareroots.org.
On the cinematic front, moviegoers can check out “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” a documentary showcasing the journey of Morton Grove native Marlee Matlin, the first deaf actor to be awarded an Academy Award for her role in “Children of a Lesser God.” This documentary will be screened from July 11 to 17 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State, with tickets priced at $14.50; find more info at siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family-friendly events abound this July, including “Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams,” showcasing spectacular acrobatics and Ethiopian music at Chicago Shakespeare from July 10 to August 3, with tickets ranging from $29 to $57. For more, visit chicagoshakes.com.
“Arthur & Friends Make a Musical,” a new adaptation based on the beloved children’s character Arthur the aardvark, will delight audiences from July 11 to August 10 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets are $16.75, available at marriotttheatre.com.
Also on July 12, The Sonic Odyssey: A Kids Music Fest at FitzGerald’s features a variety of musicians, interactive experiences, and fun activities. Tickets are priced at $18.48, more details available at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Festival lovers can attend the Barrio Arts Fest, celebrating Puerto Rican culture with arts, food, and live performances at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture on July 12 and 13. This free event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the first day and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the second, with more information at nmprac.org.
The African/Caribbean International Festival of Life features a vibrant lineup of food, art, and music from various genres, happening in Washington Park from noon to 10 p.m. from July 11 to 13, with tickets starting at $20 at internationalfestivaloflife.com.
The Chosen Few Picnic & Music Festival brings a soulful celebration of house music on July 12, featuring performances from Chosen Few DJs and guest artists at Jackson Park. Tickets are priced at $89.12 and can be secured via chosenfewdjs.com.
Lastly, the Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts hosts its Summer Mela Festival on July 12, showcasing South Asian music, dance, and crafts at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, with a suggested donation of $15. For further details, visit kalapriya.org.
With such a diverse array of cultural events lined up, Chicago is ready to engage and entertain audiences throughout July, offering opportunities for artistic exploration and community celebration.
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