Pencil This In: Eastern Blok Kicks Out the (Non-)Gypsy Jams Wednesday

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 19, 2011 6:20PM

Record Release

Goran Ivanovic's Eastern Blok, which deftly blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia, celebrates the release of its new album with a concert and release party 9 p.m. Wednesday at Schuba's. The new Folk Tales features a somber, serious sound with a lively and elusive beat. Having drawn upon highly dynamic classical and jazz aesthetics rather than relying on a recent fad of gypsy-jam-band antics. (3159 N. Southport)

Sangria

We don't know why Dec. 20 is National Sangria Day—sometime in the summer would seem more appropriate—but it is. To celebrate, Nacional 27 will be offering seven different versions of their delicious house-made drink at discounted prices. From 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the restaurant and lounge will offer guests $5 glasses of sangria (regularly $9) and sangria by the pitcher for $15 (regularly $27). Gather some friends and plan a sangria party, as pitchers of the refreshing fruit-filled wine beverage serve six people. The seven flavors include Nacional 27's traditional spiced red, white and sparkling sangria, in addition to creative combinations such as passion-ginger, mango-lime, orange-cranberry and sparkling grapefruit sangria. Nacional 27’s classic sangria, available on tap, is made with house-infused wine, fruit, liqueurs, spices and brandy. (325 W. Huron)

Cabaret

Cabaret returns to Millennium Park this winter with the popular series, Cabaret with a View, where audiences have a chance to sit on the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to experience music in an intimate setting and a climate controlled environment. Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, the series kicks off on at 7:30 p.m. tonight with one of Chicago’s leading ladies, the acclaimed Joseph Jefferson Award-winning actress, Barbara Robertson, in “Stages of My Life.” Tickets are $25 which includes seating at cabaret tables on the Pritzker Pavilion’s stage level and two complimentary drinks, and $15 for seats in the Pritzker’s choral balcony. All tickets are available by calling 312-742-TIXS (8497) or by visiting www.millenniumpark.org.

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