17 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 21, 2016 5:16PM

This week we give thanks for friends, family and fun things to do with them in the city.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 21

THE SECOND CITY 24 HOUR MARATHON: The Second City’s 15th Annual Improv & Music Marathon returns for 24 hours of funny beginning at 5 p.m. Famous friends and alums will appear at “The Second City That Never Sleeps” including Tim Baltz, Jack McBrayer, Cecily Strong and more. Jeff Tweedy; Steve Albini; Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt; are just some of the musicians scheduled to perform. Entry is $20 benefiting Letters For Santa as long as seats are available.

AN EVENING WITH ANDY COHEN: The Book Stall presents An Evening with Andy Cohen at Music Box Theater at 7 p.m. The author, Emmy Award-winner, producer, talk show host, and host of Bravo’s WATCH WHAT HAPPENS: LIVE is in town with his new book, Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries. Nerdette Podcast's Greta Johnsen will lead the conversation. Tickets are $30 include a copy of the book which Cohen will be signing at the event.

FRIENDSGIVING EXPERIENTIAL DINNER: Botanas, Callo de Hacha and Pavo top the menu at Mercadito’s Friendsgiving Experiential Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. They’re collaborating with El Tesoro Tequila with cocktail pairings for each course. Tickets are $75. To reserve a spot, call 312.329.9555.

CIDER CLASS: Get schooled in cider at The Northman from 7 to 9 p.m. This is the second cider series for the pub and bistro, and for this class, instead of focusing on apples, they’ll introduce participants to Perry, the pear cousin of cider. The evening will include flights and light snacks. Tickets are $30.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22

FOOD DRIVE + BEER: Join Bar on Buena and Anchor Brewing to do some good for Lakeview Pantry. With Thanksgiving just a couple days away, give back to the less fortunate in our community by giving to the food drive. Any non-perishable, non-expired foods are accepted, including canned soup, coffee, shelf-stable juices, toothpaste, and dried fruits or nuts. Cash or check donations are also acceptable. Those who donate will receive an entry into a raffle for Anchor specialty bottles.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23

DINE AND DONATE: Give back with Kit Kat at their Dine and Donate Thanksgiving. The "Divalicous" meal with entertainment from Diva Mokha Montrese on Nov. 23, 24 and 25 will include a discount for those who donate a canned good or nonperishable food item benefitting Heartland Health Outreach. The Prix Fixe Menu is $25 with canned good donation. For reservations, call 773-525-1111.

BCS RELEASE PARTIES: It’s that time of year. Goose Island is releasing the 2016 Bourbon County Stout with parties all over town. WhirlyBall, Fountainhead, Timothy O’Toole’s and others will be hosting tappings and tastings throughout the rest of the week. Visit Goose Island’s website for more information on this year’s brew and release parties.

DRINKSGIVING DINNER: Get your Black Wednesday drinking in with dinner at Headquarters this Thanksgiving-eve. Local botanic brewing company Forbidden Root will co-host the beer-inspired dinner at 7 p.m. with pairings provided for each course. Tickets are $35.

GET SAD: Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz just released her first solo effort, Slugger, under the moniker Sad13. The new project leans more heavily on conventional melody, resulting in an enticingly human take on indie guitar-driven electro-pop. Sonically there's a heavy similarity with Liz Phair's earlier work going on here, and that's meant as a high compliment and not a lazy comparison. Sad13 plays Beat Kitchen Wednesday night and tickets are $10-12.

GET SEXY: At this year's Lollapalooza Cashmere Cat managed to turn a field full of people into a gently swaying mass, submerging the crowd in his sensual beats and intelligent remixes of popular dance tracks. When he plays Concord Music Hall this Wednesday we expect those vibes to get turned way up and amplified by the intimate room. Tickets are $20.

POSTER KIDS OF ROCK: The Poster Children have been slugging it out on the indie scene since the late '80s, and broke plenty of new ground when it came to incorporating new electronics into their heavy, southern Illinois guitar attack in later years. The band recently re-released Daisychain Reaction, released in 1992 and proves itself and album that has aged exceptionally well, and have regrouped for a couple of shows after a long live hiatus. They play two shows at Schubas on Wednesday and there are still tickets available for the later show.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24: THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING PARADE: It’s Thanksgiving and that can only mean one thing...well, two: turkey and parades. The McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade marches down State Street at 8 a.m., stepping off at Congress. Floats, bands, dancers and more will entertain for three hours. If you can’t make it downtown (or just don’t feel like getting out of bed that early on a holiday are you crazy), you can watch the parade live on WGN.

THANKSGIVING DINNER: Lemme guess, dogs ate the turkey? Just don’t feel like slaving in the kitchen on your day off? Whatever the reason, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving so families can enjoy each other’s company instead of fighting over who burned the beans. Here are just a few that are hosting special buffets, prix fixe menus and even Santa Meet n Greets:
Hard Rock Cafe
Shaw's Crab House
Devon Seafood Grill
Cherry Circle Room
Longman & Eagle
River Roast

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25

CAROLING AT CLOUD GATE: The holiday season isn’t complete without Caroling at Cloud Gate. Sing along with carolers from After School Matters, the Chicago Children’s Choir and other guests at “The Bean” on Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. through December 16. Free.

MOODY TONGUE TAPPING: Spend Black Friday with another Bourbon Barrel Aged brew courtesy of Moody Tongue beginning at 5 p.m. The Pilsen brewery aged their Gingerbread Imperial Stout in Four Roses bourbon barrels and it will only be available on tap at the tasting room. First come, first served.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC SING-A-LONG: Depending on your love of musicals, this Music Box tradition could be one of the most wonderful or terrifying experiences. We'll call the annual Sound of Music Sing-A-Long one of our own "favorite things" of the week. For those who might not remember all the words to “Do-Re-Me” or “My Favorite Things,” the lyrics will appear on the screen. Showings run through December 4. Tickets are $12.50 ($8 for children).

HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOURS: Take in Michigan Avenue’s famed holiday lights and more from a classic Chicago Trolley. Their special Holiday Lights Tour begins this Friday and includes stops and sights like Christkindlmarket, Macy’s Windows and ZooLights. Tours run through Dec. 26.