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19 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 19, 2016 2:35PM

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Image via EXPO Chicago's website.

Get out and get into some of our favorite events for the week!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19

COCKTAIL BAR TAKEOVER: The Violet Hour begins a new cocktail series on Monday called Breaking the House Rules. They’ll welcome a different craft cocktail bar to take over once each quarter, and the inaugural guests are Sugar House out of Detroit. Head bartenders Jason Leinart and Yani Moraitis Frye will man the bar with signature libations such as the Blackfoot Old Fashioned and Fool’s Gold. 6 p.m. First come, first served.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 20

FEED SUPPER: Le Pain Quotidien teams up with FEED for the second annual FEED Supper at 6:30 p.m. at their Lincoln Park location. Executive Chef Kaegen Welch is in charge of the three-course dinner which raises meals for children and families in need. Tickets are $100.

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Stand By Me. Image courtesy of Music Box.

CINEMA SCIENCE: Get educated and entertained at the Music Box with the help of the Field Museum. Their movie series Cinema Science examines the science behind some of Hollywood’s most popular films. This month Youth Conservation Action Coordinator Alison Paul leads a post-screening discussion of the youth classic Stand By Me for its 30th anniversary. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21

BEAT THE BREWER: WhirlyBall hosts another "Beat the Brewer" event where you can play free games and enjoy rare tastings from this edition’s featured brewery, SweetWater Brewing Co. No cover charge. RSVP in advance for a chance to win a $100 gift card or SweetWater corn hole set.

SCARY MOVIE: The Associate Board of Cinema/Chicago—the team behind the Chicago International Film Festival—hosts another edition of their Screening Series at PUBLIC Chicago Hotel benefiting their year-round Education Program. Revisit the now-classic meta horror flick Scream at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 and includes popcorn and two Stella Artois.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22

REELING FILM FESTIVAL: Join Chicago’s LGBTQ community for the 34th annual Reeling Film Festival. See nearly 100 feature and short films at venues across the city over the next week. The festival opens on Thursday with the star-studded Hurricane Bianca at Music Box Theatre. See the festival website for a full schedule and to purchase tickets.

EXPO CHICAGO: EXPO Chicago takes over Navy Pier and the art world for four straight days. The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art opens the fall art season with more than 140 exhibiting art galleries from around the world. Programming includes Special Exhibitions, /Dialogues panel discussions, EXPO VIDEO, IN/SITU and IN/SITU Outside and EXPO Projects and more. Also check out the opening night preview at Vernissage on Navy Pier hosted by the MCA. Click here for more information on programs.

STYLE HAPPY HOUR: Help the non-profit My Favorite Outfit provide clothing and fashion education to at-risk local youth at their first annual “Sip In Style” fundraising happy hour. Enjoy a two-hour open bar beginning at 6 p.m. at Woody’s Flat and enter to win raffle prizes. Tickets are $40.

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Image courtesy of Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce.

WINE STROLL: Go on a neighborhood wine stroll during Lincoln Park Uncorked from 6 to 9 p.m. More than 20 businesses along Lincoln Avenue will offer wine and food samples including Baird & Warner, Best Vacuum, Lincoln Station, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater and more. Tickets are $40 and all inclusive ($50 door).

MEMORY ROCK: Memory Rock out at Joe's on Weed to benefit the Alzheimer's Association from 6 to 9 p.m. Classic rock cover band Liquidated Damages will perform, plus they’ll have a live speed artist and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 ($80 door) and include beer, wine and soft drinks.

POP-UP CAFE: The Café Bustelo Pop-Up Café Experience is back in Chicago for the third year, this time at 1562 N. Milwaukee Ave. The cafe will operate as a regular coffee spot, but will also feature freebies, special events and more. It’ll be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day for the next week.

BEER DINNER: Smoke Daddy along with Ale Syndicate will host a five-course beer dinner from 7 to 10 p.m. Chef Lamar Moore will create a menu paired with brews from Brewer Byron Moore. Tickets are $75. For reservations, call 773-772-6656.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23

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Photo courtesy of Chicago Gourmet.

CHICAGO GOURMET: “Food is art” at the 2016 Chicago Gourmet in Millennium Park this weekend. The Bon Appétit event is hosted by Chicago’s own Rick Bayless and will incorporate visual art, music, design, storytelling, theater and more. The weekend includes speakers, cooking demos, seminars, book signings and more. Click here for the full schedule and more information on individual events.

GOOSE ISLAND 312 URBAN BLOCK PARTY: Against Me!, Dawes and White Denim are among the bands playing this year’s Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party in Fulton Market. The two-day party will of course have brews from the local brewery available for $3. Entry is a suggested donation of $10 at the gates going toward your choice of five local charities.

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The Polkaholics. Image courtesy of Special Events Management.

ST. ALPHONSUS OKTOBERFEST: It’s the 16th annual Oktoberfest at West Lakeview’s St. Alphonsus church this weekend. They’ll of course have Bavarian food and drink, including craft beer tastings (tickets sold separately), and a music lineup that spans from The Polkaholics to rock cover band Wedding Banned. Admission is $5 benefitting the Roman Catholic parish.

REVOLUTION OKTOBERFEST: Get your Oktoberfest on the Rev Brew way at the Revolution Brewing’s Tap Room during one of three sessions on Friday and Saturday. There will be live bands, German cuisine and special tappings. Tickets are $10.

DEVIL’S BALL: The legendary Auditorium Theatre hosts their annual Devil’s Ball from 7:30 to 11 p.m. What better theme than “masquerade” for your opportunity to dance on the auditorium’s historic stage. There will be food, drinks, tours and more included. Tickets are $75 ($85 day-of).

DINNER + A MOVIE: ArcLight Cinemas, Knife & Tine, 90 + Cellars and Lyft have teamed up for the ultimate dinner and a movie night. Enjoy a prix-fixe dinner at Knife & Tine and then get a ride to the theater for the opening night of The Magnificent Seven. Tickets are $41.50 and include dinner, drinks, transportation and movie.

PUNK ROCK KARAOKE FUNDRAISER: The traveling fundraiser Punk Rock Karaoke puts their forces behind Kara Wild, a Chicago transwoman activist jailed in France, with an event at The Orphanage Community Center at 9 p.m. Bring your best rendition of punk rock classics and a $5 donation for entry. All the proceeds will go to Wild's legal defense fund.