Summer in Chicago is salvageable for local “House Heads” after all.
Instead of the Chicago House Music Festival — and the Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival, which has gone virtual for consecutive years — the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is highlighting the locally created genre’s contributions to modern music with “House City,” a free, 10-part pop-up series that began July 4.
The pop-up events will take place in Chicago neighborhoods such as South Shore, Englewood, North Lawndale, Humboldt Park and Lake View, among others. The Aug. 28 date is sponsored by the Protect Chicago Music Series, and Chicago SummerDance in the Parks is a part of the Sept. 12 South Shore event.
While announcing the suspension of the popular house, jazz, gospel and blues festivals in Millennium Park, DCASE and Mayor Lori Lightfoot last month unveiled a summer slate of alternative cultural events that city officials said will follow the latest public health and safety guidelines.