It is now officially springtime, everyone!
We made it past the midway line, and we are in the process of surviving post-spring break blues and home free.
Hopefully, as long as we don’t get struck with another random snowfall – sprinkling or blizzard or otherwise (knock on wood!) – we can safely venture out into the great outdoors and find something more to do for what remains of the school year.
While curling up in front of Netflix, sleeping in or just taking a day to relax sounds excellent as well, there are so many activities and events going on around you to consider participating in.
There is, as of today, approximately one month left of school before finals.
Crazy to think about, huh?
In the meantime, let’s find some fun things to do as we maneuver through the academic mayhem of preparing for final examinations.
Seeing as how we have the full month of April left, here are some events for your consideration as we approach the end of the year.
Mostly, these may pertain to events that are being hosted downtown in Chicago, but there are also some that are occurring locally as well!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
C2E2 – CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO
Ah, conventions.
The collective agreement among adoring fans that being in possession of their favorite literature and/or watching their favorite television shows and films was not enough.
They needed a place to connect with others they share a fandom passion with, as well as reaching out those responsible for bringing these fandoms to life.
Enter C2E2, which hosts an annual convention where a number of notable fandom celebrities, ranging from comic book creators to television actors, appear in one location for fans to be able to meet them.
There are numerous activities and events that one can enjoy while at C2E2: celebrity panels, autographs, photo ops, meet and greets, and cosplay!
It’s not mandatory by any means, but there are a variety of fans that stroll through the halls of the convention arena all decked out in their cosplays stemming from characters of their favorite books or films.
Along the way, you can also stop by a display of vendor tables, which sell all kinds of fandom memorabilia like comics, clothes, fan artwork, toys, and more.
It’s a huge gathering of everything pop culture!
Not everyone has the funds to be able to attend a convention such as San Diego Comic Con, but perhaps it’d be more plausible to attend a smaller, but no less fun, convention such as C2E2.
This year C2E2 will be hosted at McCormick Place from April 6 to April 8 (Friday – Sunday).
There is obviously a price for admission, but for those willing to spend money on these opportunities to meet some fandom heroes, here’s your chance!
HEROES AND VILLAINS /
WALKER STALKER FAN FEST
Continuing on the trend of fan conventions, there is another convention that is happening the same weekend as C2E2: a joint opportunity that combines Heroes & Villains and Walker Stalker into one large fan fest!
Let’s describe these events a little separately first.
Walker Stalker, as indicated by the name, is an annual convention that celebrates the comic series and AMC television adaptation The Walking Dead.
Every year celebrities that star in the show appear at the conventions for autograph and photo opportunities with loving fans!
This year, the line-up will consist of:
Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan), Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes), Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh), Steven Yeun (Glenn Rhee), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes), Michael Cudlitz (Abraham Ford), Michael Rooker (Merle Dixon), and so many more!
Fans attending the convention can partake in cosplay as well, whether it’s a character from the show or going full zombie.
If you purchase a ticket to Walker Stalker, you are also eligible to attend the Heroes & Villains convention, which celebrates a multitude of different superhero and/or comic shows, such as Arrow, Gotham, Luke Cage, and more!
This year, the line-up will consist of (not repeating the talent from Walker Stalker):
Cress Williams (Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning), Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen/Arrow), Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak, Arrow), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Aisha Tyler (Lana Kane, Archer/Tara Lewis, Criminal Minds), and more!
Heroes & Villains also has plenty of fun activities for fans to engage in throughout the convention, such as archery and obstacle courses.
The concept of conventions is similar to that described in C2E2: photo ops, autographs, and panels are all available for fans to be a part of, granted they pay admission and separate ticket costs for photos and autographs.
Judging by the state of my email subscription, this joint fan fest is encouraging fans to take advantage of ticket sales.
I highly recommend checking out the site for the Chicago fan fest and subscribe to ensure good deals on admission tickets.
Also, conduct some research for the photo ops and autographs of any celebrity you wish to see, for any convention being held that week.
The conventions, C2E2, and Heroes & Villains/Walker Stalker will be held next week, so hurry and lock in your admission and snag those ops and autos!
Heroes & Villains/Walker Stalker will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from April 7 to April 8 (Saturday – Sunday).
PORTILLO’S 55TH
ANNIVERSARY
This is a pretty cool event, and one that is happening locally!
Portillo’s is celebrating their 55th anniversary on April 4, and the customers are the ones that get a present.
On Wednesday, April 4, Portillo’s will be offering slices of their chocolate cake for a mere fifty-five cents a slice, and this deal is available for all store locations while supplies last.
A small catch is each slice of cake must be purchased alongside an entree, which could be a sandwich, entree salad, ribs, or any other entrée Portillo’s offers.
Chocolate cake slices are also limited to one slice per customer, and you must either dine in or go through the drive-thru for the deal to work.
Either way, there’s an affordable opportunity for cake!
Keep the date in mind: April 4, fifty-five cent chocolate cake slices at Portillo’s.
CHICAGO HUMANITIES
FESTIVAL / SPRING FEST
Chicago Humanities Festival arrives for its third consecutive year this spring.
The festival will bring a large line-up of artists, activists, and creative thinkers that will strive to introduce new and entertaining ideas that will assist everyone else in seeing the world in a new way.
The Chicago Humanities Festival works to connect people from different backgrounds and diverse cultures, and encourages unity in redefining and shaping ideas and visions.
This year, the line-up will include:
Artist and activist Ai Weiwei, Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, The Roots bandleader Questlove, and artist Molly Crabapple.
This spring the Chicago Humanities Festival also introduces The Year of Graphic!, which is the 2018 slate of programming.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 28, for those who wish to attend.
If you’re a member of the Chicago Humanities Festival, tickets will go on sale even earlier, and will be released on March 22.
The Chicago Humanities Festival/Spring Fest will take place from April 27 to April 29 (Friday – Sunday).
DOC10 FILM FESTIVAL
Coming back for its second year, the Chicago Media Project will bring its annual DOC10 Film Festival to the Davis Theater located in Lincoln Square.
Throughout the festival, there will be a screening of ten current documentaries.
Here is a list of some of the documentaries that will be shown:
“Love Means Zero,” which depicts the story of tennis coach Nick Bollettieri.
“Crime + Punishment,” a riveting true story of minority police officers fighting to exploit the racist and discriminating policing practices in New York City.
“On Her Shoulders,” which showcase the struggle of Nadia Murad as she attempts to teach the world about the issues her people, a minority group in Northern Iraq, are facing.
And perhaps the documentary I’m most excited about seeing: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.”
If the title didn’t strike a chord, this documentary will tell the inspiring story of Fred Rogers, a prominent voice of my – along with everyone else in my generation – childhood with his show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
The DOC10 Film Festival will be hosted from April 5 to April 8 (Friday – Sunday), and tickets are available online for those interested!
Listed above are only a featured few of the many events that are being hosted in the city of Chicago.
That’s not even included the activities and events that are being hosted in more local venues within surrounding neighborhoods.
There are so many opportunities to have some fun out there, and that’s only for the month of April!
Take advantage of your last month here everyone, and have some fun in the middle of work!
Gisselle Lopez
Features Editor