25 Of Our Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 15, 2016 3:50PM

Now that Valentine's Day is out of the way, there's tons-o-stuff to do this week in Chicago. Check out one or all of these events from meeting a President on President's Day to bouncing your booty with Big Freedia on Friday.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15

MEET THE PRESIDENT: Meet First Lady Mary Todd and President Abraham Lincoln at the Chicago History Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Presidents’ Day. The family-friendly holiday programing also includes crafts, storytelling, face painting and live performances from the Chicago Brass Band’s Vintage Brass Ensemble. Free.

BREWS + CHICAGO HISTORY: Fans of Chicago history and beer should head to Lagunitas Brewing Company from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a benefit for the Chicago Metro History Education Center. The Brews, Blues and BBQ event will have eats from Smoque, music from the Chicago Blues All-Stars and of course Lagunitas brews. Tickets start at $40.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16

WOMEN DRIVING EXCELLENCE: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is among the honorees speaking at the free Chicago Auto Show event, Women Driving Excellence on Tuesday. The whole day of programming celebrates women who are driven to success in various industries. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit their website for the full schedule.

NIGHT MARKET: Sauced Night Market returns to Emporium Arcade Bar in Logan Square with eats, drinks and tons of retail vendors. Former Schwa chef de cuisine Brian Fisher will be taking over the food truck, while newcomers Saigon Sisters will also join the foodie side of the party. 6 to 11 p.m. Free.

WINE TASTING: Sample wines from the Piemonte region of Italy at Osteria Langhe from 6 to 8 p.m. Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta Winery will be on hand to talk about the wines while long time friends Owner/Chef Cameron Grant and Owner/Wine Director Aldo Zaninotto serve up a selection of cheese and salumi. Tickets are $25. Call 773-661-1582 for reservations.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17

CLASSIC ROCK: It’s “Rock or Bust” for AC/DC as they bring their world tour to the United Center at 7:30 p.m. The band rocked the sold out crowd at Wrigley last year, so expect nothing less from the guys coming back in black. Tickets start at $95.

RAP CHART TOPPER: New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap took the country by storm last year with his single “Trap Queen,” and became a resident at the top of the charts. Wednesday brings his Welcome to the Zoo tour to our very own House of Blues. Post Malone will also perform. 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $38.50.

MOVIES ABOUT MUSIC: The guys from the popular rock-and-roll Sound Opinions radio show present yet another music-related film at the Music Box at 7 p.m. This time they’re watching Trainspotting, the 1996 film about friends, drugs and partying in 1980’s Scotland. Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will also be in attendance. Tickets are $10.

CLASSIC MOVIE: Cinema/Chicago Assoc. Board, the team behind the Chicago International Film Festival, present The Princess Bride at Public as part of their 2016 Screening Series. Proceeds from the event support their Education Program. Tickets are $15 and include popcorn and two Stellas. Film begins at 7 p.m.

FACE MELTING PUNK ROCK: Chicago band Toupeé's Leg Toucher LP was one of the most powerfully scary listens we stumbled across last year. Singer Whitney Allen has one of those voices that make you feel like you're getting dragged across dark corridors as you hurtle uncontrollable towards the most primal corners of her psyche. The band's tumultuous shows are usually found at DIY house parties, so Wednesday's appearance at The Empty Bottle is a good chance to get a listen to some of the sounds of the true underground. Tickets are $5 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

WINE TASTING: Venture into the valleys of southern France with a wine tasting at White Oak Tavern & Inn from 6 to 8 p.m. Sample five different wines with Domaine Sainte Croix’s Elizabeth Bowen paired with Mediterranean-inspired hors d’oeuvres from Executive Chef Tom Van Lente. Tickets are $29.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18

DAYBREAK DANCE + YOGA: Head to Studio Paris early for a dance party. Really early. Daybreaker Chi: Love Bomb gets started at 5:30 a.m. with Sunrise Acro-Yoga followed by a dance-off that goes til 8:30 a.m. They’ll have live music and serve breakfast and coffee, too. Tickets start at $25.

INTERSTELLAR SPEAKEASY: Adler Planetarium transforms into a Stellar Speakeasy for February’s After Dark event. Sip on cocktails after the museum closes at this Roaring ‘20s themed evening complete with live music from Lakeside Pride Jazz Ensemble. Tickets are $20 ($25 door).

HAPPY MEOWER: Show your love for beer (and cats!) at Jackson Tavern from 4 to 7 p.m. This Happy Meower will have a kissing booth, a prize wheel and $1 from every craft beer sold will go to Tree House Humane Society.

DANCE: Walking with ’Trane is a new suite of works from the Urban Bush Women inspired by the work of jazz legend John Coltrane. They’ll perform to live music from Grammy Award-winning pianist George Caldwell at the Dance Center of Columbia College this weekend. Visit their website for the full schedule. Tickets are $30.

AMERICAN MUSIC: Dunn Dunn Fest celebrates American music at small venues across the city this weekend. Tons of local bands are among the lineup which includes Ben Miller Band, Low Cut Connie and Chicagoist faves, The Kickback. Tickets start at $10 per show. Visit their website for more information.

CHICAGO MUSIC COMICS: Find out about “The Secret History of Chicago Music” from author Steven Krakow at Quimby’s at 7 p.m. In a discussion with the Reader’s Philip Montoro, he’ll talk about his new book My Kind of Sound which compiles a decade’s worth of his bi-weekly illustrated column in the paper. Free.

LESBIAN THEATER: LGBTQ group​ The Welcoming Committee host a special evening at Victory Gardens Theatre at 7:30 p.m. See dramatic new play Cocked, a story of two lesbians living in Andersonville, and then attend a backstage afterparty with the cast. Tickets are $32.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19

70MM FILM FEST: See some amazing films on the real reel-to-reel during the Music Box’s 70mm Film Fest. Classic films like Cleopatra and Vertigo will play along with new classics like The Master and Interstellar. They’ve got a new 41 foot screen--double the size of past presentations--thanks to the 70mm Roadshow presentation of The Hateful Eight, so you’ll see those astonishing details and rich color even better. Tickets start at $13. Visit the Music Box’s website for showtimes.

EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE SERIES: The city’s OnEdge performance series puts the spotlight on everything experimental with shows running through March 4 at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Storefront Theater and Links Hall. See cutting-edge dance and theater, and some performances that defy genre. All shows are free. Visit Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website for a list of performers and complete schedule.

THEATER: James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel Midnight Cowboy gets the theater treatment in this world premiere at Lifeline Theater. Adapted by Chris Hainsworth the story follows Texan Joe Buck to the big city of New York where his plans to make big get derailed. Tickets are $20.

TICKLED PINK BENEFIT: Support breast cancer awareness and prevention at this posh pink night out on the town. Tickled Pink takes place at Morgan Manufacturing from 8 p.m. 'til 1 a.m. with Chef tastings, open bar, live music and dancing. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Bright Pink. Tickets are $125.

BOOTY BOUNCE: Everybody’s favorite booty bounce queen is performing at Seven Nightclub & Lounge on Friday night. Big Freedia, who was just featured on Beyonce's new track, "Formation," is at the front of the pack as bounce rap pops up more and more in pop culture. 9 p.m. Tickets are $28.

AFTERNOON EDM: The best afternoon EDM party around continues at the Chicago Cultural Center at noon. Local DJ Steve Mizek will be on the decks for this edition of Wired Fridays. Free.

ROCK FORMAL: Empty Bottle is hosting their first ever Winter Formal on Friday at 9 p.m. Yes, rock and roll will still be the soundtrack for this fancy night, but guests are invited to clean up the attire for this one. Chicago bands Red Francis, The Gnar Wave Rangers and Modern Vices will provide the songs for you to awkwardly dance to. 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 ($15 door).