19 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 23, 2015 2:30PM
The 2nd Annual Mac & Cheese Fest is on Saturday. Photo by Shannon Braniff.
Everyone knows that despite the cooling temps, Fall is still bustling in Chicago. We've got a ton of seasonal events and more for you in this weekend's roundup.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 23
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 in between, 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 to $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 vary widely and be wildly entertaining. 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 Nov. 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 November 15. Admission is $20. Come in costume on Halloween weekend and get $5 off. Check the SSP website for showtimes.
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. Check out our very own preview of the event here. Shows at 7 and 10 p.m each night. Tickets are $30.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24
DOWNTOWN HALLOWEEN GATHERING: The Halloween Gathering on the Chicago Cultural Mile has it all from a kid’s costume procession to a magical spectacle parade that concludes with a Zombie Thriller Dance Mob. There’s even an official after party at Park Grill. The fest itself has family friendly activities and performances all day from 2-8 p.m. on Michigan Avenue. For beers and chili before the 6 p.m. parade, be sure to swing by the Hideout Riverwalk where they'll be hosting a "dead Chicagoans" costume party. Guests are also welcome to march with the bar in the parade. Free.
MAC AND CHEESE FEST: A festival dedicated to our favorite food group? Need we say more? The 2nd annual Mac & Cheese Fest at the UIC Forum has more than 50 restaurants, most of them well known, competing for your vote and the Golden Noodle trophy. Tickets are $60 or $100 for VIP and include unlimited tastings and drink tickets. Choose from lunch (12 to 3 p.m.) or dinner (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.).
BEER FESTIVAL: The Chicago Beer Festival takes over the great hall in Union Station with samplings of dozens of domestic and international brews. Try the seasonal fall beers and more at one of two sessions offered: 1 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 and must be purchased in advance.
ROMEO + JULIET ADAPTATION: Oracle and Red Theater Chicago present a unique adaptation of the Shakespeare classic that features many performers who are deaf, hard of hearing or ASL interpreters. The world premiere is tonight at 8 p.m. and the run continues through Nov. 21. Check Oracle Theater’s website for a completes list of show times. Admission to all performances is free, but reservations are recommended.
The Big Orange Ball at The Geraghty. Photo courtesy of Howard Brown Health Center.
ORANGE BALL + BENEFIT: Howard Brown Health Center, one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations, holds their very first Orange Ball tonight at The Geraghty in Pilsen. Guests are encouraged to channel the Halloween spirit early and come in their spookiest attire. Expect cocktails and music from DJ Gloria Alers and DJ Megan Taylor along with a silent auction and raffle. Festivities will get started at Roscoe’s on Halsted Street and guests will be shuttled to the main event. Tickets are $150 or $300 for “RIP”.
HUMANITIES FESTIVAL: The Chicago Humanities Fall Festival begins tonight at Northwestern University and continues through Nov. 8 at many different venues across the city. See discussions with authors, musicians, chefs and more at over different 130 events. Check the Festival’s website for a full schedule of events and more on the theme of Citizens. Many events are free.
BOURBON + WOMEN: Bourbon Women Association launches their brand new Chicago Branch with a party at John Barleycorn River North from 6 to 9 p.m. The Louisville-based organization celebrates women who love bourbon and offers education, tastings, tours and more. Tickets are $40 ($30 for members) and guys are welcome, too.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 25
Bridgeport's Central Manufacturing District. Photo via Preservation Chicago.
ARCHITECTURE TOUR: Curious about what could have been the city’s first planned industrial district? Join Preservation Chicago for a walking tour of Bridgeport’s historic Central Manufacturing District beginning at 1 p.m. The tour, which is part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, will commence at Chicago Community Bank. Tickets are $10 and buying in advance is recommended as last year’s event sold out.
HALLOWEEN PARADE: The 12th Annual Logan Square Halloween Parade will meet at the Illinois Centennial Monument at 5 p.m. before looping around the neighborhood at 5:30 p.m. Little mummies and goblins will be joined by members of the hip marching band, Mucca Pazza. Warm apple cider and fresh cookies await at at the parade's end at Lula Cafe. Free.
PUMPKIN PARTY: Just a block from the beginning of the Logan Square parade, Longman & Eagle will be hosting their annual pumpkin carving party on the patio from 1 to 6 p.m. They’ll have a limited number of pumpkins and kits, so participants are encouraged to BYO pumpkins (and tools). The’ll also have house-made fall-inspired donuts and hot and cold cider on hand. Free.