Axios Chicago Weekender

August 07, 2025
👋🏾 Hey, friends! Grab a spot and watch the Bud Billiken parade this weekend.
- Join the party at Northalsted Market Days, experience LIV Golf tournament, and test Scream Club Chicago.
Today's newsletter is 984 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: It's time for the Bud
Grab your lawn chairs. The back-to-school festival returns Saturday.
Why it matters: For more than 90 years, the Bud Billiken Parade has been a Chicago tradition that has drawn massive crowds to celebrate Black culture, art, music and history just before the start of the academic year.
What to expect: It's the largest African American parade in the U.S. and features marching bands, dancers, floats, live music and more.
Flashback: The parade was established in 1929 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the African American newspaper The Chicago Defender.
- The name Bud Billiken originated from the newspaper's youth page, "Defender Junior," which then transformed into a club and mascot, "Bud the Billiken," which was said to serve as a protector of children.

If you go: The festival is 10am-4pm Saturday starts at 35th and King Dr. and ends at 55th Street.
- The parade will be followed by a picnic at Washington Park.
- Free.

📺 Can't make it? Watch the parade live on ABC 7 Chicago.
2. More things to do this weekend in Chicago
Cheer on the White Sox, celebrate Latin culture at Navy Pier and Jeezy is coming to town.
- You've got three shots to head to the South Side as the Sox face off against Cleveland.
- 6:40pm Friday, 6:10pm Saturday and 1:10pm Sunday at Rate Field in Bridgeport.
- Tickets start at $20.25.
🏀 "Bull"
- Dribble down memory lane with this comedic play that revisits the 1996 Chicago Bulls — this time through the eyes of some not-so-well-known players.
- 7:30pm every Thursday through Sept. 11 at the Annoyance Theatre in Lakeview.
- Tickets start at $20.
- The annual summer celebration features performances by Keke Palmer, Saucy Santana, Kiesza and more.
- 5-10pm Friday, noon-10pm Saturday and Sunday.
- Free.
- Immerse yourself in the world of professional golf as this tournament and fest stops by the 'burbs.
- Times vary, Friday-Sunday at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
- Tickets start at $39.
😢 Can't make it to the golf club? We got you:
- Experience "Tee Time Turn Up" with golf-themed cocktails, big-screen tournament viewing and a chance to score fun freebies.
- Noon-4pm Sunday at Time Out Market in West Loop.
🎡 LatiNxt
- Vibe to Latin music and explore creations by artists at this two-day celebration.
- 2-11:30pm Saturday and Sunday at Navy Pier.
- Free.
- Stroll through the annual neighborhood fest and shop for street art, jewelry, photography, woodworking and more.
- 10am-5pm Saturday-Sunday on Dearborn Street in the South Loop.
- Free.
- Grab your running shoes and maybe some neon for this glow in the dark 5k.
- Check in begins at 5:30pm Saturday at Soldier Field.
- Registration is $70.
😎 Jeezy
- It's a black tie affair, featuring a hip-hop orchestra as this rapper celebrates the 20th anniversary of his "TM:101" album.
- 8pm Saturday at the Chicago Theatre.
- Tickets start at $332.
3. Moyo's Move: Chicago has a "Scream Club"
Screaming is therapeutic and a new club is giving you the space to do it with others.
The big picture: Last Sunday evening, I stopped by Scream Club Chicago and I must say, I enjoyed everything about it!
- Yes, you can talk to a therapist or vent to a friend, but sometimes … you just need to scream.
How it worked: Locals gathered near North Avenue Beach's pier and group leaders asked us to write down something we want to let go of.
- We tossed those pieces of paper into the lake, an act of release to whatever is weighing us down.
- We were led with a few breathwork techniques followed by lots of screaming!

Flashback: Breathwork practitioner Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva started Scream Club Chicago in June after experiencing their own personal need to let off some steam.
What they're saying: "People gain not only a safe space to release their emotions, to prepare for the week but also feel less alone in the journey," Soboleva told Axios. "
💭 My thought bubble: I am a natural screamer, so I was thrilled to learn about a unique event giving me the space to release stress with others. Living in a fast-paced city, it's nice to sometimes slow down and make space for your emotions.
- 🎥 Lower the volume and watch my scream experience.
What's next: Scream Club Chicago meets every Sunday at 7pm at North Avenue Beach and it's free.
4. New movies and shows this week
Here's what's new on Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, HBO Max, BET+ and Tubi.
What we're watching: The revival of a beloved adult-animated series, a new season of "Wednesday," and a new Eddie Murphy-led comedy.
"King of The Hill" season 14 available now on Hulu
Catch up quick: After a 15-year hiatus, Mike Judge's sitcom about North Texas suburbia returns.
My thought bubble: Unlike most animated shows where characters remain frozen in time, this reboot gives us a rare glimpse into how Hank, Peggy, Bobby and their friends have aged and adapted to a world that keeps moving forward.
"Wednesday" season 2, part 1 available now on Netflix
The intrigue: Lady Gaga is set to guest star this season along with Steve Buscemi, Christopher Lloyd, Thandiwe Newton and Haley Joel Osment.
Fun fact: The drama is Netflix's all-time most popular English-language series.
What's next: Part 2 of this season will stream Sept. 3.
"The Pickup" available now on Prime Video
State of play: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer star in this action-comedy about two armored truck drivers who get robbed by a criminal organization.
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