Welcome to Your Weekend: Summer’s here

Photo by Lauren Max.

More than your average neighborhood barbeque

The time has arrived for the annual Capitol Hill Block Party to take over the East Pike block and beyond with booths, food and some incredible bands. Tickets for today are completely sold out thanks to acts like MGMT and Yeasayer. But tickets for Saturday and Sunday are still available, meaning you can still see Blonde Redhead, Blitzen Trapper, Blue Scholars, Atmosphere and more.

Visual Art

If you feel like going to a block party that’s a little less crazy but still plenty of fun, Kirkland Arts Center hosts the Links Invitational Summer Party – the closing ceremony for its artist-designed miniature golf course. (Watch a video preview of the Links Invitational on the City Arts Multimedia page.) Food, drink and a live performance by the Whiting Tennis Band.

Theatre

This Saturday at Theatre Off Jackson, the Hansberry Project presents a first reading of its first commissioned new play. The Final Days of Negro-ville is a “dramedy” by Keith Josef Adkins. An ACT theatre venture named after activist-playwright Lorraine Hansberry, the Hansberry Project produces excellent works that explore African-American culture. Admission is free.

Music

For live music with a view, head down to Miner’s Landing at Pier 57 for their free outdoor summer concert series, every Saturday from 2:00pm–6:00pm. Food and drink are available.

Poetry

This Saturday, Henry Art Gallery brings you a pair of poetry readings in the gallery’s Turrell Skyspace. Poet and author Nico Vassilakis will be reading at noon along with Crystal Curry, and Joel Felix and Jean Heuving will be reading at 2:00pm.