Sofi Vonn and a Lineup of Local Legends at the Nissan Partners of Progress Stage at Roscoe

Halsted & Roscoe has been the central hub of Northalsted Market Days since the very first Market Day Street Fair in August 1982.

This weekend, The Nissan Partners of Progress Stage at Roscoe showcases an amazing array of talent including the London based Sofi Vonn, and a lineup of Chicago’s hometown favorite cover bands and local legends.

Nissan Partner of Progress Stage Schedule

SOFI VONN

London based New York born electronic pop singer-songwriter Sofi Vonn’s deep lyrics and light melodies create a set of contradictions that somehow fit together perfectly to tell a relatable narrative of youth. With her exceptional voice, she deftly expresses emotions and opinions on society, love, sexuality, and all the other things that everyone goes through.

Born and raised in New York City to German parents, she drew musical influences from a variety of different backgrounds which has given her the freedom to come up with an artistic style that is uniquely her own.

Nissan is a proud sponsor of Northalsted Market Days

Nissan knows that your chosen family is essential to your life’s journey. We’re proud to support the LGBTQ+ community in creating a path forward that’s uniquely their own. #PartnersOfProgress www.nissanusa.com/pride

A Who’s Who Guide to This Year’s Top Performers

Northalsted Market Days returns August 12-13, promising an electrifying weekend of music, food, shopping and entertainment. Here’s a ‘Who’s Who’ of this year’s top 8 performers.

BETTY WHO
Sunday 8/13 – 2:45pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

Betty Who is an Australian-American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2013 with her debut single “Somebody Loves You”. In June of 2023, the track was ranked #30 in Rolling Stone’s top 50 Inspirational LGBTQ Songs of All Time.

Besides Market Days, she’s also performed at Lollapalooza and Coachella. Betty Who is a positive and uplifting force in the music industry, and her music has been praised for its ability to make people feel good.

SHEA COULEÉ
Sunday 8/13 – 9:00pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

Shea Couleé is an American drag queen, musician, actor, podcaster, and fixture of the Chicago nightlife scene. In 2017, Couleé achieved international fame after placing in the top four in season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and later went on to win the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Couleé is known for their fashion-forward looks, their fierce lip-syncing skills, and as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights who has spoken out against racism and discrimination. Shea is also a talented musician and has released two EPs, “Couleé-D” and “Enigma”.

DRAMA
Saturday 8/12 – 8:45pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

A duo from Chicago consisting of producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist/songwriter Via Rosa. Their music is often described as a blend of R&B and dance, but they also incorporate elements of pop, hip hop, jazz, bossa nova, and electronic. DRAMA has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and they have collaborated with artists such as Bonobo, Odesza, and Tycho.

They are known for their DIY approach to creating and releasing their music, and their debut album Dance Without Me was released in February 2020. They are a rising star in the electronic music scene, and their music is praised for its unique blend of genres and its emotional depth.

PUSSY RIOT
Saturday 8/12 – 2:30pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk rock collective known for their political activism and protest art. The group was formed in 2011 and has been involved in a number of high-profile actions, including a performance in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior that criticized the Russian government.

Pussy Riot’s members have been arrested and imprisoned on multiple occasions, but they continue to use their art to challenge authority and promote social change.The group’s members are known for wearing brightly colored balaclavas and ski masks, which they say is a way to protect their identities and to symbolize the anonymity of the internet.

CUPCAKKE
Sunday 8/13 – 5:30pm
The New Orleans Stage at Belmont

Elizabeth Eden Harris, known by her stage name CupcakKe, is a rapper and songwriter born and raised in Chicago. CupcakKe started her rap career at the age of 14, and her first song, “Gold Digger,” went viral in 2012. In 2015, she gained widespread attention with her sexually charged anthems “Vagina” and “Deepthroat.” In her 2017 album Audacious the track LGBT sent a message of support and positivity.

“I love the LGBT community…When I put out LGBT, it was so everyone can be treated equal. Everyone deserves love no matter who you like or who you want to marry..there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s all I wanted to make clear in that song. Be comfortable with who you are because if no one else loves you, I definitely love you.”

KYLIE SONIQUE LOVE
Saturday 8/12 – 6:00pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

Kylie Sonique Love is an American drag performer, singer, dancer, model, and reality television personality. She rose to prominence as a contestant on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2010, and achieved further popularity by winning the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars eleven years later in 2021.

Love was the first person to ever come out as transgender on any reality TV show, and upon winning All Stars 6, she became the second transgender winner in the Drag Race franchise and was the first trans woman to win an American series of Drag Race. Love is known for her stunning looks, her powerful performances, and her fierce personality. She is an inspiration to many, and her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-acceptance.

CRYSTAL WATERS
Saturday 8/12 – 8:15pm
Nutrl Vodka Seltzer Stage at Addison

Crystal Waters is an American house and dance music singer/songwriter, best known for her 1990s hits “Gypsy Woman”, “100% Pure Love”, and 2007’s “Destination Calabria” with Alex Gaudino. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked her as one of the most successful dance artists of all time.

Her accolades include six ASCAP Songwriter awards, three American Music Award nominations, an MTV Video Music Award nod, four Billboard Music Awards, and twelve No. 1 singles in the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Waters is a pioneer in the dance music genre, and she has helped to shape the sound of electronic music for over 30 years.

BOYFRIEND
Saturday 8/12 – 5:30pm
The New Orleans Stage at Belmont

Boyfriend (Suzannah Elizabeth Powell) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, and performance artist. She is known for her unique blend of rap, cabaret, and pop music, as well as her flamboyant stage persona.

Boyfriend was born in Nashville, Tennessee, but found her calling in New Orleans. She coined the term “rap-cabaret” to describe her music, which is characterized by its witty lyrics, catchy melodies, and provocative performances. Boyfriend has released two albums, “Sugar & Spice” (2017) and “Boyfriend” (2020), and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. She is a rising star in the music industry, and her unique brand of music is sure to continue to turn heads.

Northalsted Market Days | Live Music | Performer Lineup Announcement | Summer Festival | LGBTQ Chicago

CHICAGO – Anastacia, Michaela Jaé (Golden Globe Best Actress Winner for playing Blanca Evangelista in POSE), Matteo Lane, Ginger Minj, Sammy Rae & The Friends, and Ada Vox are headlining this year’s Northalsted Market Days® taking place August 6-7 in the city’s landmark LGBTQ+ Northalsted community.

The Market Days street festival is celebrating its 40th year and attendance is expected to approach 100,000 visitors from across the globe. The event has become a much anticipated summer bookend to the community’s June Pride festivities.

Other top performers include Sixteen Candles, Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, Jaimie Wilson, the Out at Wrigley Singing Contest Finals, Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, Meghan Murphy “Big Red” and more.

The DJ stage at Cornelia & Halsted, produced by Hydrate Nightclub, features international DJ/Producer Isis Muretech, Joe Gauthreaux, Dani Brasil, Isaac Escalante and more, with popular local drag performers in a high energy, outdoor dance club atmosphere.

“This year’s festival is going to be amazing! We are looking forward to international travelers and people from across the US to return to our city and have an amazing line-up planned for them on August 6 and 7!”

A $15 recommended donation for entry helps cover festival costs, supports local non-profits, and funds community programs. Generous public donations paid for the Chicago Pride Crosswalks; 14 rainbow paved intersections installed in 2019 make up the longest installation of its kind in the world.

Northalsted Market Days

What: Northalsted Market Days®, street festival est. 1982
Where: Halsted St. from Belmont to Addison St, Chicago IL
When: August 6-7, 2022 – Sat & Sun 11am-10pm
Why: A celebration of community in Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood
Who: Northalsted Business Alliance & Chicago SSA#18
Admission: suggested $15 donation, all ages
Website: marketdayschicago.com
Contact: Info@northalsted.com (773) 883-0500

CHICAGO – Northalsted Market Days® is partnering with Northshore Clinical Labs and Special Events Management to offer free COVID testing in advance of next weekend’s highly anticipated summer festival and at the entrance gates. There will also be a vaccination booth inside the festival.

“In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID, we want to make testing and vaccinations available to all patrons for the safety of both attendees and staff alike.” says Hank Zemola, CEO of Special Events Management.
Pre-festival, walk-in PCR testing will be available 12-7pm at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., and other locations starting Wednesday, August 4th, with results expected within 24 hrs.

Northshore Clinical Labs is offering the testing 100% free, no insurance required, to maximize the number of tests available.

Contact 773-570-6510 or customerservice@northshoreclinical.com for more info.

Free Rapid testing will also be available at the Market Days main gates during the festival with results in under 15 minutes.

The Northshore Clinical Labs vaccination booth inside the festival will be offering the Moderna vaccine. Second doses, testing, and full vaccinations are available to the public at the NSC laboratory at 4751 N. Kedzie. No appointment necessary.

Market Days statement:

We encourage attendees to already be fully vaccinated or wear a mask to help keep our community safe. Market Days is following city guidelines, which do not require proof of vaccination to enter street festivals, but some businesses and venues on the street are requiring proof for entry, therefore we recommend those vaccinated bring their cards or a digital copy. Event info at marketdayschicago.com

COVID testing & vaccine info at northshoreclinical.com

About the Northalsted Business Alliance

Founded in 1980, Northalsted Business Alliance represents more than 100 businesses along Chicago’s Halsted Street corridor from Belmont to Irving Park/Broadway. The organization works to enhance economic vitality, foster a welcoming community, celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, and promote tourism through programs, services, and events including Chicago Pride Fest®, Northalsted Market Days®, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, and more. For information visit northalsted.com.

Northalsted Market Days

What: Northalsted Market Days®, street festival est. 1982
Where: Halsted St. from Belmont to Addison St, Chicago IL
When: August 6-8, 2021 – Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat & Sun 11am-10pm
Why: A celebration of community in Chicago’s Proudest Neighborhood
Who: Northalsted Business Alliance & Chicago SSA#18
Admission: suggested $15 donation, all ages
Website: marketdayschicago.com
Contact: Info@northalsted.com (773) 883-0500

A $15 recommended donation for entry helps pay performers & festival workers, and funds community programs. Generous public donations paid for the Chicago Pride Crosswalks; 14 rainbow-paved intersections installed in 2019 make up the longest installation of its kind in the world.

Market Days | Chicago Summer Music Festival | Northalsted | Lakeview | Things to Do | LGBTQ+ | Celebration | Community

CHICAGO – Trixie Mattel, Todrick Hall, Greyson Chance, Lisa Lisa, CeCe Peniston and Jody Watley are among the headliners for the 39th Northalsted Market Days® taking place August 6-8 in Chicago’s landmark Northalsted/Lakeview district.

Also on the bill is the Fierce Project, a collaboration between Ultra Naté & Pose star Angelica Ross featuring Mila Jam; Ty Herndon, Steve Grand, Inaya Day and international DJs Alex Acosta, Nina Flowers, Danny Verde, Joe Pacheco, Cindel, Deanne and Alexander. The full lineup appears below.

New this year is the Community Pride Stage featuring ten local breakthrough LGBTQ+ artists.

Northalsted Business Alliance Vice-President and festival organizer Mark Liberson is beyond excited for the festival’s return. “This will be a very special edition of Northalsted Market Days. We’ve all endured incredible challenges through the pandemic. Thanks to continuing vaccinations, we’ll be able to celebrate Market Days as a community once again. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors alike to join us for an unforgettable three-day weekend.”

A $15 recommended donation for entry helps cover festival costs, supports local non-profits, and funds community programming. Generous public donations paid for the Chicago Pride Crosswalks; 14 rainbow paved intersections installed in 2019 make up the longest installation of its kind in the world.

Market Days Vendor Applications are Live!
Becoming a Market Days Vendor is a wonderful opportunity for your business to reach an anticipated attendance exceeding 100,000. Multiple sizes of vending space are available for artists, merchants, food & beverage, and not-for-profits.

Don’t delay, all available spaces are expected to fill quickly!

Click here and open the “Vending Opportunities” tab to apply today.

Market Days 2021 Schedule
Northalsted Market Days 2021 | Friday, Aug 6th

Bud Light Seltzer Stage (Brompton)
7:00PM-7:45PM         Lisa Lisa

Nissan Partners of Progress Stage (Roscoe)
5:30PM-6:30PM     DJ XTasy
6:30PM-8:30PM     Hello Weekend
9:00PM-9:45PM     Inaya Day

Community Pride Stage (Addison)
6:30PM-7:30PM Jade The Ivy
8:15PM-9:15PM KaJahn Ari

Northalsted Market Days 2021 | Saturday, Aug 7th

Bud Light Seltzer Stage (Brompton)
2:00PM-2:45PM     Jody Watley
5:00PM-5:45PM     CeCe Peniston
8:45PM-9:45PM      Greyson Chance

Nissan Partners of Progress Stage (Roscoe)
1:15PM-2:30PM     The Gingers
3:15PM-4:15PM     Ty Herndon
5:00PM-6:15PM     JC Brooks
6:45PM-8:00PM     To The 9s
8:30PM-10:00PM     Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press

Jazz Stage (Aldine)
1:00PM-2:30PM     Too Much Molly & Triple Trouble
3:30PM-4:45PM     Rosie & The Rivets
5:30PM-6:30PM     Jacob Bjorge
7:30PM-9:00PM     Lynne Jordan & The Shivers

Community Pride Stage (Addison)
1:00 PM-1:30 PM Rent Preview/Possibilities Theatre Company
2:00 PM-3:00 PM Olivia Love
4:00 PM-5:00 PM Pinion
6:00 PM-7:00 PM Richard Streetman Live w/ Jason Fein
8:00 PM-9:00 PM The Terms

Northalsted Market Days 2021 | Sunday, Aug 8th

Bud Light Seltzer Stage (Brompton)
2:00PM-2:45PM     Todrick Hall
5:00PM-5:45PM     Fierce Project starring Ultra Naté & Angelica Ross ft. Mila Jam
6:30PM-8:00PM      Out at Wrigley National Anthem Contest Finals
8:45PM-9:45PM Trixie Mattel

Nissan Partners of Progress Stage (Roscoe)
1:00PM-2:00PM     Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus
2:30PM-4:00PM     Queen Explosion
4:30PM-5:15PM     Steve Grand
6:30PM-8:00PM     Catfight
8:30PM-10:00PM     Boy Band Review

Jazz Stage (Aldine)
1:30PM-3:00PM     The Flat Cats
4:00PM-5:30PM     Sam Fazio
7:30PM-9:15PM     Meghan “Big Red” Murphy

Community Pride Stage (Addison)
2:00PM-3:00PM Scott Free
4:00PM-5:00PM Congress of Starlings
6:00PM-7:00PM Tyler Hall
8:00PM-9:00PM Via Rosa

Additional Stages

Hydrate DJ Stage (Cornelia)
Alex Acosta
Nina Flowers
Danny Verde
Joe Pacheco
Cindel
Deanne
Alexander

Peach Party & Back Lot Bash DJ Stage (Belmont)
TBA
Photo Gallery
Event Website

After being called off last year for the coronavirus pandemic, plans are on to resume the annual Northalsted Market Days festival this August.
From: CBS 2 Chicago on May 5, 2021

The Northalsted Business Alliance reported in a news release issued Tuesday that it hopes to host Market Days from Aug. 6 through Aug. 8 – adding a Friday night edition for the first time.

“While vaccinations increase and the world begins to see some light in the pandemic fight, organizers are in full planning mode to produce the iconic event,” organizers said in a news release.

The first Market Days was held in August 1982. Since then, the LGBTQ+ positive event has grown to occupy the full half-mile of Halsted Street between Addison Street and Belmont Avenue – what was long known as the Boystown strip.

The festival features all-day lineups of music on five stages, as well as vendors, arts and crats, food and drinks, and dancing in the streets.

“We look forward to the possibility of welcoming neighbors and visitors alike to this iconic event,” Northalsted Business Alliance President Ramesh Ariyanayakam said in the release. “While planning is underway, we will remain in continual contact with the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and monitor the CDC guidelines to be flexible in our approach to meet all necessary requirements to produce a safe event.”

Organizers also hope to hold a Chicago Pride Fest at an unspecified date. The festival is usually held during Pride Month in June.

As to the Chicago Pride Parade – traditionally held the last Sunday in June – organizers have been quoted in published reports as saying it was “highly unlikely” to go ahead on the traditional schedule this year, but it could happen in the late summer or early fall.

The Pride Parade was canceled for the pandemic last year, while the Pride Fest was replaced by virtual events.

chicago.gopride.com

Chicago, IL – A diverse lineup of entertainers are pegged to take the stages at Market Days 2019 as organizers release an early schedule for the popular two-day street festival in Northalsted this August.

The Northalsted Business Alliance has released the non-stop entertainment lineup, detailing the slew of performers scheduled for the various entertainment stages.

Music icon Sheila E. & Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters fame hit the stage Saturday, August 10, the legendary Macy Gray & Daya deliver on Sunday, August 11 and Icona Pop close out the festival.

“There’s truly something for everyone at Northalsted Market Days, which has made it a must-do fest for close to 40 years. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors alike to join us for an unforgettable weekend in Northalsted,” said Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Kevin Richards.

Additional acts include Chicago’s own Steve Grand, Deborah Cox, Brian Justin Crum as well as, Chicago mainstays – like 16 Candles, Catfight, and Rod Tuffcurls – all split between two days.

The 38th annual Northalsted Market Days festival takes place on Aug. 10-11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event runs down Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. A $10 suggested donation is requested at the entrance.

The Northalsted Business Alliance has released the non-stop entertainment lineup, detailing the slew of performers scheduled for the various entertainment stages.

Music icon Sheila E. graces the stage Saturday, August 10, Daya delivers her hits on Sunday, August 11 and Jake Shears, of Scissor Sisters fame, closes out the festival on Sunday night.

“There’s truly something for everyone at Northalsted Market Days, which has made it a must-do fest for close to 40 years. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors alike to join us for an unforgettable weekend in Northalsted,” said Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Kevin Richards.

Additional acts include Chicago’s own Steve Grand, Deborah Cox, Icona Pop as well as, Chicago mainstays – like 16 Candles, Catfight, and Rod Tuffcurls – all split between two days.

The 38th annual Northalsted Market Days festival takes place on Aug. 10-11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event runs down Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. A $10 suggested donation is requested at the entrance.

The Windy City is home to dozens of annual events that put it on the international map—and not all of them center on celebrity chefs.

Chicago is also home to massive musical events eg. Lollapalooza in addition to trade shows that see brisk business, fund-raisers that rake in impressive sums of cash, and a holiday parade that wraps the entire Miracle Mile in lights.

As with all lists, this one is subjective. To choose and rank the annual events on this list, Biz Bash looks at several factors, including economic impact, buzz, innovation, and an event’s prominence within the communities it intends to serve.

BizBash is North America’s #1 source of ideas, news, and resources for event and meeting professionals. Each month nearly 225,000 unique users look to BizBash for venue discovery, event style, technology, and tools for their next event. Thousands of event professionals attend our in-person events in major cities in the United States and Canada and listen to our podcast GatherGeeks monthly.