For the past few years Chicago vocalist Shawn "Awdazcate" Childress has thrown the annual Waffle Fest, a celebration of this city's underground hip-hop scene. "Waffle Fest started after I noticed that some of the local cats never rocked a big stage," Childress says. "So I provided that avenue for MCs, producers, and graffiti artists." These minifests are an extension of Childress's Waffle Gang—in a preview for the third Waffle Fest back in December Miles Raymer wrote that Waffle Gang "encompasses an Internet radio show, a loose rap collective, and a club dedicated to eating breakfast at night."

The fourth Waffle Fest is set to go down December 6, but Childress isn't waiting till then to throw a big hip-hop party. On Saturday he's throwing a "Summer Sno-Cone Edition" of Waffle Fest, which features performances by 16 MCs including battle rapper Moodswangz, BBU's Epic, and New Deal Crew leader Chris Crack. Plus Childress promises to have sno-cones and penny candy on hand. It's all happening at Multi-Kulti, and it starts at 8:45 PM.

If you're looking to get your hip-hop fix a little earlier on Saturday, swing by the Museum of Contemporary Art for "The Language of Hip Hop." Cocurated by Fake Shore Drive, the event is part of the museum's two-day celebration of the complexities of language called "Word Weekend." The FSD portion of the weekend includes performances by local MCs Saint Millie, Psalm One, and the Boy Illinois. The performances kick off at 7:15 PM.

And if you can also squeeze in a trip to Schubas do check out the release party for Saba's second mixtape, ComfortZone.