7 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 1, 2016 7:13PM
Kick off the new year with Ian's Party beginning on Friday. Photo by Patrick Houdek via the Ian's Party site
New year, new fun. We've got lots of great music and food events to keep you busy this first weekend of 2016.
FRIDAY JANUARY 1: NEW YEAR'S DAY
IAN’S PARTY: 70 bands. Three days. Three venues. What started nine years ago as a New Year’s Eve party by punk band The Brokedowns has grown into a full-fledged festival taking over Wicker Park for the entire weekend. Double Door, Subterranean and Chop Shop will all have music from the likes of Panda Riot, Meat Wave, Absolutely Not and, of course, The Brokedowns. Oh, who’s Ian? We have no idea. Tickets are $12 per day or $25 for a three-day pass.
BRUNCH (IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT): What’s better than someone else doing the cooking after a night of drinking? The Florentine has options whether you’re hungover or feeling healthy. Get the Hurts So Good Burger or Fried Chicken and Waffles if you overdid it the night before, or opt for the Baby Kale Smoothie if you’re up and at em and ready for the gym. Check out the whole menu on their website.
DIPLO: Not ready for the party to end? Head out to Studio Paris for a set from musician/DJ/producer Diplo at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $75, but you can get a WinterLIFT pass that gets you access to Studio Paris shows all winter long for $100.
SATURDAY JANUARY 2
READY FOR THE FLOOR: British electronic group Hot Chip come to Chicago for a special DJ set at Smartbar Saturday at at 10 p.m. Scotty Brandon also spins. Tickets are $20.
2015 RAP UP: Head out to Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn as Robbie Fulks Raps Up 2015. The alt-country musician and funny guy wraps up the year’s highlights and lowlights and performs his annual Rap of the Dead tribute. This is also Fitzgerald’s 35th anniversary show. The Famous Brothers will also perform. 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.
SUNDAY JANUARY 3
CONCERT: Eleventh Dream Day returns to the Empty Bottle stage for the first time in four years. After three decades together, the group is still making music with Works For Tomorrow out just last year on local label Thrill Jockey. Labelmate Sam Prekop of Sea & Cake will also play his mellow melodic rock. Local duo Hydrofoil will also perform. 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.
FOOTBALL WATCH PARTY: Bill & Giuliana Rancic host a Bears Viewing Party at Old Town Social with some help from Hormel Gatherings at noon. They'll also have an interactive photo booth, custom Bloody Mary bar, appetizers and of course Hormel meat, cheese and cracker platters. Free.