12 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 11, 2016 4:32PM
Wild Belle is one of the many bands playing the Tomorrow Never Knows winter music festival beginning on Wednesday. Photo via the band's Facebook.
With Tomorrow Never Knows kicking off on Wednesday, there's a ton of hot new bands to see around the city this week. We've also got some comedy, food & drink events and more to fill up your calendar.
MONDAY JANUARY 11
STAND UP COMEDY: Check out Comedy Central "Comic To Watch" Ben Kronberg at North Bar. He’s taken his musical comedy to Jimmy Kimmel Live and Last Call with Carson Daly and also stars in the web series "Ted & Gracie." Sean White and Rebecca O'Neal will also perform. Tickets are $7 ($10 at the door).
TUESDAY JANUARY 12
CHEF ROAST: Four Chicago chefs (John Hogan, Tony Mantuano, Jimmy Bannos Sr. and Takashi Yagihashi) roast each other in a culinary and comedic event beginning at 7 p.m. It’s all good natured “roasting” at River Roast emceed by WXRT Radio’s Lin Brehmer following a four course dinner, with one course prepared by each participating chef. Tickets are $75 (guests who use promo code “roast” at checkout for the chef roast get 25% off tickets!) and benefit the Chicago Food Depository. We've just learned this has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and will update with any new details or a re-scheduled date.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13
MUSIC FESTIVAL: The winter music festival Tomorrow Never Knows officially gets underway Wednesday evening with performances at Lincoln Hall and Schubas. Get to know some of the best up and coming artists (and comedians!) over more than 20 shows over five days. The fest has grown its beginnings at Lincoln Hall and Schubas and now presents shows across the city at Metro, the Hideout and even Athenaeum Theatre. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, check TNK’s website.
BREW U: Pilsen hotspot Dusek’s Board & Beer launches its second Beer Education series, BREW U, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Learn from their knowledgeable staff along with a little help from local breweries Off Color Brewing, Lagunitas, Goose Island and Moody Tongue over this four-week course. Lessons include topics like Hop-ology and Barrel Aging. Enrollment in the four-week course is $99 and includes tastings.
EPIC ROCK: We’ve long been fans of Muse, and Wednesday the English rock band will take over the United Center. The group’s epic rock and roll begs to be heard in an arena setting. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50.
THURSDAY JANUARY 14
COMEDY FOR A CAUSE: Pat Tomasulo, Kevin Bozeman, Rocky LaPorte and Andy Woodhull are among the Chicago comedians doing stand up at the Laugh Factory’s Laugh Your Face Off fundraiser event at 7 p.m. This is their second year performing to benefit The Facial Pain Research Foundation which seeks to find a cure for Trigeminal Neuralgia, a painful and debilitating neurological condition. Tickets are $85.
HOT SAKE DINNER: Heat winter up with a little sake at Ani’s Hot Sake Dinner at 6:30 p.m. This four-course dinner will feature a unique sake pairing with each course, including Ani’s own signature brand, Ichi No Torii. Cost is $85 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 872-206-8553.
FRIDAY JANUARY 15
LIVE LIT FEST: Chicago has a hearty live lit scene, and the Fillet of Solo festival celebrates all the different styles of performance and storytelling. The two week event kicks off Friday at Mayne Stage with an evening of performance and conversation with numerous storytellers hosted by Don Hall. 7 p.m. Free.
AFTERNOON DJ: It’s another edition of our favorite lunch-break dance party, Wired Fridays. Detroit native and newcomer to the Chicago scene, Jarvi, provides the tunes this Friday from noon to 1 p.m. She’s also a member of Chicago's Naughty Bad Fun Collective and a Junior Resident at Smart Bar. Free.
POP-UP DINNERS: Three nights, three incredible dinners in the Locallective Loft. Chef Brandon Baltzley leads the CRUX team as they make a Chicago stop on their Winter in the Rust Belt Tour. Each evening features a cocktail hour with assorted snacks followed by a five-course meal paired with Virtue Cider and 3 Floyds beer. Seats at the Jan. 15 and 16 dinners cost $75, with drink pairings available for $25. Seats at the Jan. 17 dinner cost $95, with drink pairings available for $35.
BEER + BURGERS + BOURBON: The latest edition of Beer, Burgers & Bourbon at Rockit Burger Bar teams up with Half Acre Beer Company and High West Distillery. The four-course dinner features sliders, burgers and more prepared by Chef Amanda Downing with beer and bourbon cocktail pairings. 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50.
WINTER WARM UP FUNDRAISER: Former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood hosts the 5th Annual Woody's Winter Warm Up event at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch in Water Tower Place on Friday at 8:30 p.m. A bunch of of pro-athletes, media personalities and local celebrities will be serving up the drinks and competing for your tips, all to benefit the youth mentorship program, Pitch In. Tickets are $150.