17 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 16, 2015 4:16PM
The holiday season is officially here, with the much-anticipated Christkindlmarket opening on Friday. Get out and enjoy all the seasonal happenings and get yourself one of those coveted boot mugs before they run out.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16
MOVIE + CONCERT: I Am Thor is a documentary following Jon Mikl Thor's journey from being a bodybuilder to become a heavy metal icon and the rollercoaster career that ensued. The film makes its Chicago premeier Monday night at Reggie's, and will be followed by a live performance from Thor, backed by Chicago's own Knife of Simpson (who were furiously still learning Thor's catalog when we spoke to them last week). Tickets are $12 to $15.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17
WINE BAZAAR: Master Sommelier Alpana Singh and Sommelier Kelly Peterson Bates host a Holiday Wine Bazaar at The Boarding House beginning at 6:30 p.m. The tasting will feature wines from 12 different categories from best bottle under $15 to best bottle to bring as a host gift. Tickets are $39. We just received word this event has been canceled.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18
DönerMen currywurst. Photo via DönerMen's website.
SAUCED ANNIVERSARY: Live cooking, cocktailing, music and more await at the Sauced Night Market One Year Anniversary party at Thalia Hall. Sauced combines local chefs with local artisans for a special kind of night market. Wednesday night’s festivities include food from The Döner Men, Pleasant House Bakery, Hapa and more. 6 to 11 p.m. Free.
WINE SCHOOL: As we start setting the menus for our holiday gatherings, this Holiday and Food Pairing Class at City Winery will teach us everything we need to know about pairing wines with turkey, green beans, cranberry and everything else on the table. The course takes place in their cozy barrel room and includes tastings and a family style selection of cheese and charcuterie with baguette. 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $60.
MAKE YOUR OWN SUSHI: Perfect your maki and temaki rolling techniques at a new sushi making class at Arami led by Chef Nelson Vinansaca. Included after the class is a three-course meal of sashimi, nigiri, maki and dessert. $60 per person. Reserve your spot by calling 312-243-1535.
DATING FOR NERDS: Another time traveling event for the week has nerds finding love. The Dating for Nerds’ Time Traveler’s Ball will feature quizzes, ice breakers and drink specials at Suite Lounge from 7 to 10 p.m. Take another chance in their costume contest for prizes like a Legends of Zelda backpack or Tardis pillow. Registration is required. $30.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19
Lucky Plush. Photo by Benjamin Wardell.
PERFORMANCE HAPPY HOUR: Local dance/theater/improv company Lucky Plush takes center stage at Harris Theater’s MIX at SIX happy hour program at 6 p.m. In addition to the performance, they’ll have food trucks on hand and the specialty Plucky Lush cocktail for purchase. Tickets are $10.
ADLER AFTER DARK: The planetarium’s monthly after-hours series for adults goes Back 2 the Future Thursday night, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the hit film’s release. Learn what 1.21 gigawatts actually means from American Science & Surplus and check out acoustic levitation (read: hovering) with Argonne National Lab plus much more. They’ll even have an 80’s Cafe and a real-life DeLorean for you to snap a photo with. Tickets are $20 ($25 door). 6 to 10 p.m.
FIRST LOOK: Want a sneak peak at Christkindlmarket? An exclusive First Look event offers access to vendors before the general public and includes an invitation to the proclamation ceremony. Live music, drinks and food follow. 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $90 or $140 for VIP.
NEW NEO SHOW: The Neo-Futurists launch a new quarterly show that takes written essays and puts them through the wringer. The first Arrow show, The Arrow Quits Smoking, plays Thursday night only. 8 p.m. at the Neo-Futuraium. Tickets are $15.
STORYTELLING: The most disgusting storytelling series on the block, I Shit You Not!, celebrates its 3rd anniversary with a special show at Logan Theater. Hear some of the most embarrassing and hilarious stories about poop and other bodily blunders from local comedians, improvisers and others. This edition features stories from WBEZ’s Brian Babylon, Chiraq’s Jay Washington and more. $5 at the door (or free with bar or concession). 8 p.m.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20
CHRISTKINDLMARKET: The red and white striped tents on Daley Plaza are finally ready. Christkindlmarket opens to the public at 11 a.m. And this year, boots are back. Get your mittens on one of their souvenir boot mugs early in the season, as they sell out every year. The market runs through Christmas Eve. Free admission.
JAZZ PREMIERE: Celebrated jazz musician Mike Reed premieres a new multi-media work at the Art Institute at 7 p.m. His band’s experience in the Czech Republic in 2009 where they found themselves in the midst of a Neo-Nazi rally inspired the piece titled Flesh & Bone. Admission is $15.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Quest Theatre Ensemble presents Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol, with a show at 8 p.m. today at The Blue Theatre. The unique production includes their signature life-size puppets. Runs through Dec. 20. Check their website for showtimes. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended by calling 312-458-0895.
DANCE MUSIC LUNCH BREAK: The electronic music series Wired Fridays returns to the Chicago Cultural Center with influential house DJ Mickey Oliver at the helm. A founding member of the “Hot Mix 5” on 102.7 WBMX, the city recently recognized his accomplishments by naming a street after him: “Mickey Mixin’ Oliver Blvd.” 12 to 1 p.m. Free.
ARCHITECTURE SLEEPOVER: Kids and their parents are invited to spend the night at the Chicago Cultural Center for Up All Night with Architecture. The family overnight is part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial and includes building, drawing and behind-the-scenes activities, and of course, pizza. Breakfast is also included. Free, but registration is required.
Festival of Barrel Aged Beer. Photo via FOBAB's website.
BEER FESTIVAL: It’s a festival of beer. Barrel Aged Beers to be specific. Join brewers and other brew-lovers for a tasting that will include rare beers from around the country that might not be available commercially. There are three sessions to choose from at the UIC Forum: Friday night from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $60 and include 20 sampling tickets.