[EVENT REVIEW] Island Party Hut and EDM Chicago Collab for an Electric "Party on the River"

This past Saturday, May 2, EDM Chicago teamed up with Island Party Hut to host Party on the River, a celebration marking the venue’s grand opening weekend on the Chicago Riverwalk.

The event was completely free, open to all ages, and - to the delight of local pet owners - dog friendly!

Things kicked off a little chilly at 2PM, but the sunshine held strong, and the energy never dipped. Island Party Hut had saunas on-site, and attendees were gleefully pouring buckets of ice water on themselves.

Five sets of entirely local talent kept the energy moving from start to finish: Goldy, Taz, Glossy, Dani (RO), and Lee Sandstrom b2b B-ILL.

These were hometown artists playing for their city, and it showed!

From deep house to drum & bass to minimal tech, the range was a clear reminder of how deep and diverse Chicago’s local scene really is.

Despite being a large open-air crowd, the atmosphere felt intimate throughout.

The event even doubled as a birthday celebration for one of EDM Chicago’s founders, complete with a surprise cake moment that brought everyone together to sing.

As the sun stayed out and the music ramped up, the combination of music, movement, food, and drinks kept the crowd fully locked in.

Over 1,500 people showed up and stayed moving - a clear signal that the dance floor is alive and well, and Chicago is more than ready for the outdoor season.

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While the music drove the energy, the drink program was just as much a part of the experience.

A well-rounded mix of beverages were available - from Bacardi cocktails to non-alcoholic options like Red Bull and Plift (a THC-infused beverage), which I found myself reaching for all day.

This was EDM Chicago’s second collaboration with Island Party Hut (following a September event), and the momentum is only building from here, with plans already in motion for both summer and fall.

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At its core, EDM Chicago is about bringing people together through a shared love of dance music, and events like this are exactly that in action: free, accessible, and rooted in community.

With 1,500+ people turning out on a cool spring afternoon, Chicago showed up.

Photography by @jeffrey.jpeg

Follow @edmchicago to stay tuned for what’s next!

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