Even though the 4th of july weekend is mostly commonly known for fireworks, drinking, bbqing, and a boom in condom sales, this weekend also brings the Windy City Black Pride the city as well as other events to help you “Ooooh” and “Ahhh” all weekend.

Thursday July 2

• The Windy City Black Pride kicks off at The Chicago South Loop Hotel tonight. There are various events over the weekend to attend including a Youth Prom, Poetry Slams, performances by Lil Mo, Syleena Johnson and Bad Newzz, and more. Visit the website for more information on locations, times, prices, and transportation.
• In honor of Windy City Black Pride, the Center on Halsted is hosting a two part event. The first event “How Do I Dance“. Competitors will hit the dance floor, with three types of dances (“J Sette”, “Vogue” & “Hip-Hop”) with prizes awarded at the end of the event. The second event “How Do I Look” is a free screening of a movie of the same name. Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted, dance – $15, movie – free, 5:30 pm.

Friday July 3rd

• The Queer Queens of Qomedy is a show of laughs hosted by Poppy Champlin and stars Michele Balan (from Last Comic Standing) and the Musical Comedy of Roxanna Ward. Lakeshore Theatre, 3175 N. Broadway, $25 – 7:30pm, $10 – 10pm.
• The National Pastime Theater presents the first annual fine arts festival Naked July: Art Stripped Down. During the entire month of July the theater will be filled with lovely, provocative and aggressive bodies which includes “A Day on Which a Man Dies”, a play based on Jackson Pollock, Nocturne, a nude adaptation of the modern fairy tale, and The Girlie-Q Variety Hour will present burlesque, modern dance, live music, and variety performance in town. The National Pastime Theatre, 4139 North Broadway Ave., prices vary, times vary.
• The Flesh Hungry Dog Show is a rock variety show that will feature performances by Johnny Dangerous, The Balkaners, Onono, Stage Door Johnnies. Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark St., $10, 9pm.
• The Chemically Imbalanced Theatre presents Pimprov, pimps that do improv. The Chemically Imbalanced Theatre, 1420 N. Irving Park, $15, 10:30pm.

Saturday July 4th

• Lake Forest celebrates Independence Day with a community celebration featuring food, a beer garden, live music and activities for kids–all culminating in a gala fireworks display. Deerpath, 220 E. Deerpath, Free, 5pm.

Sunday July 5th

• Wild Pug presents Red, White Trash, And Blue, a party with $1 PBR and a white trash buffet at 3pm. Wild Pug, 4810 N. Broadway, free, 1pm.