City Cast Chicago

We are less than two weeks away from Chicago’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration when nearly one million people will make their way to the Northalsted neighborhood for the 53rd annual Pride Parade. However, with a shorter route and fewer participants, we’ve got everything you need to know before the parade kicks off. We are joined by Windy City Times writer and newsletter editor Jake Wittich, who also shares other Pride events to enjoy across the city.Good News: Chicago Public PoolsWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode:Ravinia FestivalBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Riot Fest announced Wednesday that it is leaving Douglass Park for SeatGeek Stadium in suburban Bridgeview, blaming the Chicago Park District for the decision. The move comes after years of pushback from the community in North Lawndale despite support from the local alderperson. Riot Fest is Sept. 20-22, which also presents a challenge for the Chicago Red Stars who play at SeatGeek. We are joined by Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and WCIU host Brandon Pope to break down the latest. Plus, we discuss a decline in violent crime statistics, the return of Foxtrot, and play a little summer festival week trivia. Good News: Soft & Tender Concert at Metro and Janet Jackson at the United CenterWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Thanks to the beer-loving folks over at Revolution Brewing we have been talking about neighborhood summer festivals all week long. But Chicago is also home to two of the biggest music festivals in the country: Pitchfork and Lollapalooza with 20,000 and 115,000 daily attendees respectively. With over 200 music acts between the two, we are trying to create the perfect single-day lineup for both festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran faces off against journalist and music festival enthusiast Katrina Pham. Vote on who you think built the better lineup.Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsor of this June 13 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

It wouldn't be summer fest season if we didn't talk about some of Chicago's amazing food festivals. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Dario Durham, the co-host of 77 Flavors of Chicago, a podcast that takes you to the city’s neighborhoods to try the best food and drinks they’ve got. They discuss their perfect food fest lineup and favorite festival bites.Fests Mentioned: Sundays on State: June 16 and July 14 in the Loop Taste of Chicago Neighborhood Pop-Ups (Dates Vary) Juneteenth Village Fest: June 15 in North Lawndale Malt Row Beer Stroll: June 26 in Ravenswood Craft Beer Fest: July 5-7 in Lincoln Park Tacos Y Tamales: July 19-21 in Pilsen Roscoe Village Burger Fest: July 19-21 Taste of River North: July 19-21 Colombian Fest: July 19-21 in North Park Ravenswood on Tap: July 20-21 Bantu Fest: July 27-28 in Hyde Park Taste of Polonia: Aug. 30-Sep. 2 in Jefferson Park Taste of Greektown: Sep. 6-8 Vendors Mentioned: Chicago’s Doghouse Connie’s Pizza Robinson’s Ribs Harold’s Athena  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

While Chicagoans enjoy thousands of summer options every year, have you ever stopped and wondered just how much goes into making these block, neighborhood, and citywide festivals work? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran sits down with Neal Heitz, director of event production for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, to get a behind-the-scenes look into the business of summertime Chi.We’ll be talking summer fests all this week, sponsored by Revolution Brewing.Fests mentioned: Taste of Randolph: June 14-15 in West Loop Maxwell Street Market: Dates vary Bud Billiken Parade: Aug. 10 in Bronzeville Air and Water Show: Aug. 10-11 in Lincoln Park Northalsted Market Days: Aug. 10-11  Good News: Metal Gear at SchubasWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsor of this June 11 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Summer festival season is here! That’s why we’re bringing you a guide to the neighborhood fests you have to check out and how to make the most of them. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro pick their can’t-miss fests, talk summer planning, and give you tips to stay comfortable during long summer days.We’ll be talking summer fests all this week, sponsored by Revolution Brewing.Fests mentioned: Ravinia Summer Festival: June 7-Sep. 15 in Highland Park Pride Fest: June 22-23 in Northalsted Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash: June 14-16 at Seat Geek in Bridgeview International Festival of Life: July 4-7 in Hyde Park Jeff Fest: July 12-14 in Jefferson Park Eeeeeeatscon: July 13-14 in West Town Fiesta Del Sol: July 25-28 in Pilsen Wicker Park Fest: July 26-28 Bud Billiken Parade: Aug. 10 in Bronzeville The Great American Lobster Fest: Aug. 10-11 at Navy Pier Throwback Music Fest: Sep. 6-8 in Norwood Park Printer’s Row Lit Fest: Sep. 7-8 in South Loop World Dumpling Fest: Sep. 21 in Logan Square Good news: Movies in the ParksWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10 episode:Revolution BrewingBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Earlier this week law enforcement officials including Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling assured Chicagoans that CPD is prepared for the DNC. However, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg pushed back, explaining, “persistent concerns remain about whether Chicago police officers are prepared to lawfully police the massive protests.” Joining us to break down the latest updates are Chicago Reader news editor Shawn Mulcahy and Tribune sportswriter Shakeia Taylor. Plus, we discuss how Sky players are navigating increasingly toxic media coverage, a mango warehouse in Romeoville, and free Metra rides this weekend. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors:“Black Sunday” at TimeLine TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Summertime Chi is always busy. So we want to make sure we’re keeping you up to date on the best things to do during these summer weekends. That’s why we’ve enlisted City Cast Chicago contributor Greta Johnsen to put us on the events to check out, talk about parks versus beaches, and get our summer reading list on lock.Events mentioned: Shout OUT: A Tribute to Gays in Gospel Music Pride Skate Party Blues Fest Puerto Rican Fest The Lost Kingdoms The Chicago Archaeopteryx Godzilla vs. Music Box Books mentioned:  “Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” by Rufi Thorpe “Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension” by Hanif Abdurraqib Check out GRETAGRAM Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors:Learn more about our sponsors:“Black Sunday” at TimeLine TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

‘Tis the season for patios, rooftops, and other outdoor dining opportunities in Chicago. The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor give host Jacoby a rundown of the city’s best alfresco dining spots from romantic patios to rooftops where you can actually avoid getting sunburned.Spots mentioned: Mott St Enoteca Roma Hopleaf Bar Soul and Smoke (Avondale) Kimski Rica Arepa Reggie’s Afro Joe’s Tetto Gene’s Sausage Shop Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) Bar Avec  Taxim  Open Outcry Brewing The Woodlawn Aba Ema  Milky Milky Ice Cream Chiu Quon Bakery Sugar Shack Lilac Tiger Red Hot Ranch Dan’s Hot Dogs Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors:“Black Sunday” at TimeLine TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Last Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the Roseland Mental Health Clinic will reopen after 35 years. The city will also add mental health services to a Chicago Department of Public Health clinic in Pilsen in August and inside the Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park. The City Cast Chicago team breaks down how this announcement delivers on the mayor’s campaign promises and some of the major challenges ahead. Plus we discuss a new initiative to increase remote work downtown and the Chicago Reader’s return to weekly publishing.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about our sponsors: “Black Sunday” at TimeLine Theatre The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) celebrates Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE