Block Party Chicago

Labor Day might mark the unofficial end of summer, but there’s still time for one more block party — ours. 

Join the Block Club Chicago crew at its inaugural Block Party bash noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the McCormick YMCA, 1834 N. Lawndale Ave. Party entry is free, and it will feature food, beer, kids’ activities, games and plenty of local entertainment. 

Meg and the Wheelers, a Chicago country-western band; Así Así, a Chicago-based Mexican and American indie rock band; and Chicago house DJ and producer DJ SKOLi are among the acts set to provide eclectic tunes. The party’s headlining act, soul band The O’My’s, will close out the party with a show starting 7 p.m.

Local vendors such as Ivy Hall, WCIU The U, One Tail at a Time, Buffalo Exchange, Los Amigos Books, Do312, Custom Ink, EEARSS by Alligator Robb, Chicago Mahogany Tours, Garbage Gals and many more will be on hand to showcase their wares and connect with the community.

Save room for munchies: Cafe Tola, Hello Thai, Kona Ice of Norwood Park, Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat and La Humita on Wheels are among those serving up tasty treats. 

Block Club Chicago reporters, editors and staff members will be there, too. Jon Hansen, host of the Block Club podcast and arena host for the Blackhawks, will also bring some of the fun and energy of the United Center to the Block Party with trivia, games and more.

And don’t miss our silent auction, with the chance to bid on premier packages from Chicago mainstays like Koval Distillery, Metro, Thalia Hall, Haymarket Books and many other fun options.

Check out the lineup of artists below — plus, keep an eye out for the Kids Zone with activities by Somos Arte and the McCormick YMCA and a live taping of the Block Club Chicago podcast. 

Schedule of Events

• Noon: DJ D.R.E.A.M.

• 12:30 p.m.: Wiggleworms

• 1 p.m.: Shermann “Dilla” Thomas

• 1:30 p.m.: Windy City Wedding Dance

• 2:15 p.m.: DJ SKOLi

• 3:30 p.m.: Jesse White Tumblers

• 4 p.m.: DJ Kid Clay

• 4:30 p.m.: Games with Jon Hansen

• 5 p.m.: Así Así

• 6 p.m.: Meg and the Wheelers

• 7 p.m.: The O’My’s