Still haven’t locked down your weekend plans? Here are some suggestions sure to fill the bill:
COUNTRY MUSIC MANIA
Head to Northerly Island this weekend for Country LakeShake, one of the best country music festivals this summer. The music lineup at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion boasts Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean and more. For all the details and to purchase passes, visit lakeshakefestival.com. And checkout our conversation with Kix Brooks here.
GOOD TASTE
The Taste of Randolph is celebrating its 20th anniversary June 17-20 in grant style. The annual street fest feature more than 30 bands, DJs, artists, food, drink and a whole lot more. Scheduled to perform are Atlas Genius, Peter Bjorn and John, DeVotchKa, The Motet, and many, many more. Find all the details here.
JUST BETWEEN US
The Chicago Women’s Funny Festival is up and running, bringing to Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, dozens of entertainers and groups sharing only a gender and a talent for humor. Coming up over the weekend: the musical troupe Cupid Players (8 p.m. Saturday), transgender stand-up Dina Nina Martinez (10 p.m. Saturday) and burlesque sketch comedy group Off Off Broadzway (11 p.m. Saturday). The fest continues through Sunday. Details: Stage773.com.
THE ULTIMATE INDY MOVIE
As 11-year-old boys in Mississippi, Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala loved “Raiders of the Lost Ark” so much that set out to make a shot-by-shot remake, starring themselves. Over several years, they almost succeeded, filming everything but the complicated airplane fight. Recently they reunited to complete the film, and their endeavor is chronicled in a documentary, “Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made,” opening Friday at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Clark. Strompolis will be there for a Q&A at a 2 p.m. Sunday double feature of the documentary and the boys’ actual “Raiders” adaptation. Details: musicboxtheatre.com.
CELEBRATE PRIDE
Celebrate Chicago’s LGBT community this weekend as Boystown hosts the annual Chicago Pride Fest, June 18-19, centered at Waveland and Halsted. Music on two stages, food, drink, arts & crafts and a Sunday pet parade are featured. This year’s event takes on a very special meaning, in the wake of the horrific tragedy last weekend in Orlando. Jordin Sparks, Daya and Dumblonde are among the scheduled performers. $10 suggested donation. Visit northalsted.com
YOU CAN CALL HIM PAUL
Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon makes his Ravinia debut at 8 p.m. Saturday. The artist is known for megahits hits such as “You Can Call Me Al,” “Kodachrome,” “Graceland,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Mother and Child Reunion” (and a host of hits with longtime partner Art Garfunkel, of course). Tickets, $49-$160, are available at ravinia.org And, you can celebrate Father’s Day at the Highland Park venue with an all-jazz program featuring Ramsey Lewis, John Pizzarelli, Monty Alexander, Allan Harris, and the Joey Alexander Trio featuring Dan Chmielinski and Ulysses Owens Jr. at 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $20-$65. Visit ravinia.org
In addition, check out these festivals taking place this weekend:
Blues on the Fox Festival, June 17-18, RiverEdge Park, Aurora; headliners include Los Lobos, the Robert Cray Band, Marcia Ball and more; visit riveredgeaurora.com
Green Music Fest, June 18-19, Wicker Park (Damen between North and Schiller); visit greenmusicfestchicago.com
6 Corners BBQ Fest, June 18-19, 4000 N. Milwaukee; visit chicagoevents.com