18 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 19, 2015 3:45PM
The Darkness play House of Blues on Tuesday. Photo via the band's facebook page.
There's plenty to do in Chicago this week, when you're not watching Cubs playoff games.
MONDAY OCTOBER 19
FREE PSYCHEDELIA: GO!ZILLA is a psychedelic and fuzzed-out combo from Italy, and they land on our fair shores tonight at The Empty Bottle as part of their Free Mondays series of shows. These events usually help spotlight bands from the local underground, so it's a real treat to have an international act of this caliber strut their stuff across the Bottle's stage free of charge. Get there early since these shows tend to fill up.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 20
OLD SCHOOL ROCK AND ROLL: The Darkness walk the fine line between heavy '70s stadium rock and the glammier side of hair metal that pervaded the '80s. One step to either side of that line would make them a parody of either period, but The Darkness manages the near impossible act of successfully balancing between the two. Their shows are energetic and over the top affairs that add just one more layer of joy to an already intoxicating musical blend. Tickets are $29.50 for their show at House Of Blues.
OBSTACLE COURSE: North Avenue Beach will be transformed into "The Crunch Bowl" adventure course by Cap'n Crunch, where ten contestants (5 chosen on-site) will compete for a chance to win a trip to Puerto Vallarta. Actor Adam Pally (“The Mindy Project” and “Happy Endings”) will host, and yes, the Cap'n will be there, too. 1 to 3 p.m.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21
BEER TO THE FUTURE: Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park celebrates Back To The Future Day (that’s today for those of you who have been living under a rock) with a beer inspired by the movie and made in collaboration with Pipeworks Brewing Company. The imperial IPA, called Twin Pines Mall (named after the mall parking lot where the time travel begins, as if that needs any explanation), is only available at their release party beginning at 7 p.m. Of course they’ll be screening Back To The Future, and they’ll have the Cubs game on, too.
BREWING 101: The Goose Island Ladies Beer Academy hosts the first of their five class series on brewing and beer appreciation tonight. The once a month course is limited to 30 students, so act fast! Tuition is $250 for all five classes. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Goose Island’s Fulton Street Brewery.
PUMPKIN CARVING COMPETITION: Lincoln Station in Lincoln Park holds a night of pumpkin carving and pumpkin beers beginning at 7:30 p.m. They’ll provide everything you need from the pumpkin to the tasty seasonal brews to enjoy while you carve your masterpiece. Judging begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include a carving pumpkin, 2 beer tickets and pizza.
DAYBREAK YOGA + DANCE PARTY: Daybreaker Chicago hosts their inaugural sunrise yoga and dance party event at 1st Ward inside Chop Shop this morning. Instead of hitting the clubs until the break of dawn, begin your day early with yoga beginning at 6 a.m. followed by a dance party from 7 to 9 a.m. with DJ Win & Woo and rapper Kweku Collins. Tickets are $ Coffee, juices and breakfast treats included. Tickets are $30 for both or $25 for dance party only.
WINE + DINNER: Enjoy wines of South America at a dinner with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. At this three-course dinner, James Beard Award winner Goldstein will guide guests through regional varieties as well as history, geography and cuisine. Tickets are $95, or $120 with Goldstein’s new book, Wines of South America, included.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 22
INTERNATIONAL DANCE: Indian dance company Natya Dance Theatre celebrates their 40th anniversary with a world premiere from Founder and Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan. The full length work Varna - Colors of White is a demonstration of the Bharata Natyam style of dance-theatre. Tickets are $30 to $125. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 23
Frank Conniff & Trace Beaulieu from Mystery Science Theater 3000. Photo via North Bar.
FILM RIFFING: Riff on the best bad movies and TV with Frank Conniff & Trace Beaulieu from Mystery Science Theater 3000 at North Bar. With a total of four shows--two tonight and two tomorrow night—Live Movie Riffing will take snark to a whole new level. Shows at 7 and 10 p.m each night. Tickets are $30.
ARTS CRAWL: The Wabash Arts Corridor Crawl brings together live music, street performances and a gallery walk hosted by Columbia College Chicago in their third annual event. The crawl also incorporates the ongoing monthly urban event series from the Chicago Loop Alliance, ACTIVATE, providing even more sound, art and performance. 4 to 10 p.m. Free.
INDIE ROCK: After much anticipation, The Kickback have finally released a debut album, and tonight they headline a record release show at Schubas at 10 p.m. Elsinore and Jennifer Hall open. Tickets are $12. 21+
DANCE: Giordano Dance Chicago’s Fall Engagement opens tonight at Harris Theater with the world premiere of a new work by Israeli-born choreographer Roni (Ronan) Koresh. Three other popular works complete the program, including Ron DeJesus’ stark and seductive “Prey.” Shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-75.
DANCE BATTLE: Chicago Dance Crash, the dance company that combines ballet and breakdance and everything inbetween, hosts a Halloween-themed KTF dance battle show tonight at Mayne Stage. Hosted, as always, by the eccentric Mattrick Swayze. Show begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25.
QUESTION & ANSWER: Our friends over at Gapers Block present 20x2 at Schubas at 7 p.m. The event gives 20 different speakers two minutes each to answer the same question. This edition’s question is “When Did You Know?” With comedians, writers, art collectors and more on the bill, the answers can come from anywhere and will vary widely. Tickets are $10.
CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL: The 32nd Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival kicks off today at Facets. The largest festival of it’s type in North America, they’ll feature a wide range of more than 250 films from 40 countries. They’ll also have workshops and a film camp. The festival continues through November 1. Tickets for films are $6 for kids and $10 for adults.
MAP FAIR: Cartography geeks rejoice, the 3rd Annual Chicago International Map Fair is here. Lectures, exhibits and a kickoff cocktail party all happen at the Loyola University Museum of Art. The Ogden Archive, a collection of previously unknown, early Chicago survey maps, will be made available for public viewing for the first time at the Fair. Tickets are $5 for a weekend pass and $40 for the cocktail reception and preview tonight.
THEATER: Get into the spooky spirit early with Saint Sebastian Players’ production of Arsenic and Old Lace, opening today at St. Bonaventure. The classic play combines murder and humor and runs through Nov. 15. Admission is $20. Come in costume on Halloween weekend and get $5 off. Check the SSP website for showtimes.