🫘 Week 79: Spilled Beans!
Out July event is OUT!
Good morning, Cool Beans!
How was your 4th of July weekend? Ours was honestly pretty perfect (despite the unpredictable weather). We grilled, we went to the pool, we ate way too much, drank a little too much, and most importantly, spent time together. Our July events are officially out, and we cannot wait to see you all again. Every time we get together, we leave with so much energy and a little reminder of why we started Cool Beans in the first place. But before we see you at the next event, here’s our weekly selection of things to do in Chicago. Enjoy!
Find Simona’s coolest picks for Chicago, this week:
Tag us on Instagram if you try any of the recommendations below!
🤤 If you are craving something new: This week we came back to Plenty Goods Cafe, a modern cafe in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood. The women-owned establishment focuses on health-conscious options, offering a straightforward menu of salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and smoothies. We usually get the sandwiches, but we also love their salads. I recently tried the avocado toast with my choice of toppings and loved it. Don’t skip the vegan chocolate chip cookies, they’re probably my favorite in the city
🕺🏻 If your feet can’t stop (won’t stop) moving like Michael Jackson: On Saturday, July 11, thousands of people will gather in Jackson Park for one of Chicago’s most iconic summer traditions: the Chosen Few Picnic. It’s a full day of house music with legendary DJs, dancing, lawn chairs, coolers, and people of all ages coming together to celebrate the music that was born right here in Chicago. The vibe is more neighborhood picnic than traditional music festival, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. If you want to experience a true piece of Chicago culture, don’t miss this one.
🎤 If live music is your vibe: We just realized we jumped the gun last week and recommended this one a week early... but since we like to stay consistent, here it is again! On Monday, July 13, Australian indie duo Royel Otis is coming to The Salt Shed. After breaking through with songs like Oysters In My Pocket and their viral cover of Murder on the Dancefloor, they've become one of the most exciting indie bands around. If you love catchy guitar riffs, laid-back indie rock, and summer concerts by the river, this one's worth checking out. Click here for tickets!
🛋️ If the couch (or the armchair) is calling your name: Today, the Goethe-Institut Chicago is hosting a free screening of City of Lost Souls, Rosa von Praunheim's wild 1983 underground trans-punk musical. Set in Berlin's vibrant club scene, the film follows a cast of unforgettable outsiders with plenty of humor, music, and unapologetic chaos. A major inspiration for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, it's a rare chance to see a landmark of queer independent cinema on the big screen. Click here to RSVP!
🎭 If you feel artsy: Starting Saturday, July 11, the Logan Center for the Arts is opening Longer Than the Sky: Art of the Obama Years, a new exhibition celebrating the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. Featuring around 30 works by artists including Kerry James Marshall, Glenn Ligon, Amanda Williams, and many more, the exhibition explores the cultural, social, and political landscape of the Obama presidency through contemporary art. Even if you're not an art expert, it's a great excuse to visit one of Chicago's best exhibition spaces and see work that reflects a defining moment in recent history. Click here for more details!
🤔 Still not feeling it? Check these others out:
Southport Art Walk - from July 11th to July 12th. Click here for more details!
Our July calendar it OUT, see it here.
On July 16th, we are hosting our popular Happy Hour at The Dandy Crown. RSVP here! 🔥 We have limited spots!
On Saturday July 11th, we are hosting again a triple birthday party! 💕 We will celebrate the birthday of Simona, our co-founder and of two community members, Ify and Matt. See the invite here to attend a pic-nic at Montrose beach. Last year we had a TON of fun!
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✉️ E-mail: coolbeansexpatclub@gmail.com
All typos are intentional, we are expats ;)
We wrote 3 articles in collaboration with 3 great expats around the world. Read them below!
The story of Cool Beans and our take on Community with Emanuela
We registered a podcast (in Italian) with Americanate on the wedding culture in the US from an Italian point of view. Listen here!
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