From Salt Shed Rock to Weekend Dumplings

A Thursday game plan and a week of Chicago picks worth leaving the house for.

By Raj Singh · Published September 17, 2026.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Liz Phair & Sleater-Kinney @ The Salt Shed

Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney — two touchstones of '90s alt-rock and riot grrrl — share a co-headlining bill tonight on their Flannel and The Fury 2026 tour. Music starts at 6:00 PM at 1357 N. Elston Ave. in West Town. Check the ticket link for current pricing and availability before you head out.

Englewood Jazz Festival @ Hamilton Park

The 27th Annual Englewood Jazz Festival, presented by Live the Spirit Residency, opens tonight at Hamilton Park (513 W. 72nd St.). This year's edition honors the centennial legacies of Oscar Brown Jr., John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, with every set built on original compositions by the featured artists. Thursday's opening night brings Julius Tucker and the Live the Spirit Residency Expanded Ensemble to the stage. It runs 5:30–7:30 PM, it's free, and it's all ages.

The Uncanny Attic: Chapters I–L @ The Newport Theater

Inspired by Edward Gorey's The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Uncanny Attic is a camp-macabre performance series that imagines the untold stories of Gorey's twenty-six ill-fated children — four per installment — through puppetry, clowning, dance, live music, drag, stop-motion animation and visual theater. It's set in the attic of an abandoned house on the Cape and narrated by a family of resident raccoons. Tonight's chapter runs 7:00–8:30 PM at The Newport Theater; tickets are $25–$40. It also plays Friday, Sept. 18, and again Sept. 24 and 25.

Chicago Sky vs. Washington Mystics @ Wintrust Arena

The Chicago Sky host the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena in the South Loop, with tip-off at 7:00 PM. Ticket pricing wasn't in our feed, so grab current details at the link.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Oktoberfest at The Northman Beer & Cider Garden

The Northman brings Oktoberfest to its Riverwalk beer-and-cider garden starting Friday, Sept. 18, and running across three weekends through Oct. 4. Expect giant pretzels and German sausages, beer steins, polka music and scenic waterfront views along the river. It's an outdoor setup on the Chicago Riverwalk. No start time was listed in our data, so check the link before you go.

Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle @ Shedd Park

Not to be confused with the aquarium — this is Shedd Park, the Chicago Park District green space at 3660 W. 23rd St. on the Southwest Side. Artist Starr Chief Eagle leads an interactive, educational dive into Lakota culture, exploring the language, art and knowledge of the Lakota people, and performs the rare tradition of Hoop Dancing, using up to 22 hoops to build designs, shapes and creatures that tell a story. Hands-on activities are available on request. It's Friday, Sept. 18, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, free and all ages.

THIS WEEK

World Dumpling Fest @ Wrightwood Park

The sixth annual World Dumpling Fest takes over Wrightwood Park in Lincoln Park this weekend — Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20, from 11:00 AM. More than a dozen vendors, including Teera Somsak, Tandoor Char House and Union Dumpling House, celebrate the dumpling in its many forms, alongside traditional cultural dance, live music and local artisans. Admission starts at $12; buses 9, 74 and 76 run nearby. If you plan your weekend around what you'll eat, this is your anchor.