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[title]JULY 1
Codeine
The masters of slowcore reunite to celebrate a series of reissues from Numero Group. The former Sub Pop act always sounded to us like My Bloody Valentine playing at a third the speed. Lincoln Hall. 7pm; $15.
JULY 3
The Amazing Spider-Man
It feels a little early to be weaving a new web; Spider-Man 3 came out just five years ago. That said, we can think of few actors better suited to the red spandex than The Social Network’s spurned nerd Andrew Garfield. The new installment supposedly delves into the back story of Peter Parker’s parents.
JULY 4
Independence Day fireworks
While the City of Chicago’s once-annual July 3 fireworks are gone, we can count on Navy Pier to fire up the cannons on the 4th. Navy Pier. 9pm; free.
JULY 8
Wilco + Andrew Bird
The artsy roots combo hits the Kane County Cougars diamond. Come to think of it, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot does sound like some old-timey baseball rag. Whistlin’ fiddler Bird opens. Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. 5:30pm; $50 (jamusa.com).
JULY 10
Fiona Apple
We don’t have the space to type out her poetic upcoming album title (it begins The Idler Wheel…), but the long-awaited LP serves up more lush, gutting confessionals from the pianist. On ornate new songs like “Every Single Night,” her voice remains as thick, sweet and intoxicating as aged brandy. Chicago Theatre. 7:30pm; $45–$75.
JULY 12
Green City Market Chef’s BBQ
Nearly 100 local chefs ditch their kitchens to cook at this outdoor picnic, one of summer’s best culinary events. Green City Market. 5:30–8pm; $125–$250, kids under 13 $25.
JULY 16
Nicki Minaj
Attention party-wig suppliers: Stock up. The kooky pink pinup brings her theatrical batshit hip-hop to where it belongs—a theater. Chicago Theatre. 7:30pm; $45–$75.
Charles Bradley
The soul man’s brawny, lived-in R&B could convert even the most casual listener. Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion. 6:30pm; free.
JULY 17
Sixth Annual Chicago Sidewalk Sale
Last year we spotted looks from Kate Boggiano, Michelle Tan, the Tie Bar and more at this outdoor sale, featuring local designers and boutiques, and daily runway shows at noon. Daley Plaza. 9am–3pm; free. Through Jul 18.
JULY 18
ComedySportz tournament
The perennial purveyor of improv both family-friendly and foul spends the summer celebrating its 25th anniversary with themed shows, cast reunions and this—a battle among 21 of its national clubs. ComedySportz Theatre. 8pm and 10pm; $25. Through Jul 21.
JULY 19
SummerDance
Try the fox-trot, merengue, stepping and more with a one-hour instructional lesson followed by an open dance session. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 6–9:30pm, Sunday 4–7pm; free. Through Sept 16 (weather permitting).
JULY 20
Khecari: The Clinking, Clanking Lowesleaf and Pales
In 2011, Chicago’s magicians of contemporary dance gave the city The Clinking, outstanding even in beta. Its proper premiere runs for two weekends along with a new dance, Pales. DCA Theater. 7:30pm; $25, students and seniors $15. Through Jul 29.
The Printers’ Ball: Time Warp
This bash has evolved from a showcase for the city’s small publishers to a legitimate blowout. We’re not sure what the “time warp” theme means, but if organizer Fred Sasaki doesn’t dress up as Tim Curry, we’ll be disappointed. The Ludington Building, 1104 S Wabash Ave. 6–11pm; free.
The Dark Knight Rises
Unlike 2008’s Dark Knight, Rises was not shot in our town but in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and cities across the globe. Warner Bros. is guarding plot specifics as vigilantly as Bruce Wayne hides his utility belt, but we know Christian Bale’s final turn at Bat involves both Anne Hathaway’s slinky Catwoman and masked, muffled-voice baddie Bane (Warrior’s Tom Hardy).
Nordstrom anniversary sale
At every location, find discounts on new fall merch months before the season even starts. Through Aug 5.
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour
We haven’t been this excited since Glee announced its Madonna episode: More than 60 of Cirque du Soleil’s awe-inspiring acrobats and dancers perform to the King of Pop’s greatest hits. United Center. 8pm; $50–$250. Through Jul 21.
JULY 21
104th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac
In this sailing competition hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club and presented by Veuve Clicquot, hundreds of boats set out to be the first to reach Michigan’s Mackinac Island, 333 miles away. Navy Pier. 10am–2pm; free.
In Any Tongue
Slam-poetry founder and Chicagoan Marc Smith is an in-demand performer around the world. His Speak’Easy Ensemble has traveled to Germany to perform, and now it is bringing back some of its friends for an evening of performance poetry in translation. Vittum Theater. 8pm; $18.50, students $12 (chicagoslamworks.com).
JULY 22
Chicago Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon
Run 13.1 to the beats of rock bands set up along the course—one every mile. Grant Park. 6:30am; $100 before Jun 1, $120 before Jul 16, $150 at expo (runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago).
JULY 26
Refused + OFF!
Like a mini Riot Fest, reunited Swedish postpunks Refused team up with hardcore supergroup OFF! to flood Chicago’s dubstep capital with throat-shredding mini tirades and anthemic angst. Congress Theater. 6:30pm; $29.50.
JULY 27
Best Coast
The summer-loving duo surfs into town on the hype wave of its well-timed sophomore step-up, The Only Place. The record is loaded with cute and California-crazy jangle-pop tunes that continue to imagine Neko Case fronting the Breeders. The Vic Theatre. 7pm; $39–$77 (jamusa.com).