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12 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 8, 2016 2:50PM

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Dos Santos play at Millennium Park on Thursday.

Another week, more summer fun. Check out what events we've got lined up for you this week.

MONDAY AUGUST 8

CHICKEN + CHAMPAGNE CAMPAIGN: Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh host a Fried Chicken Champagne dinner benefiting Pilot Light at 7 p.m. Chefs from Yusho, Billy Sunday, Lula Cafe and more will create a menu pairing bubbly with the delicious fried main dish. Tickets are $85.

TEQUILA DINNER: Enjoy a five-course dinner inspired by Mexico’s Jalisco region. The Clase Azul Tequila Dinner at Mercadito will feature dishes like Ceviches estilo Puerto Vallarta and Jericalla custard from Chef Patricio Sandoval. Tickets are $85. For reservations, call 312.329.9555.

TUESDAY AUGUST 9

GREASE IN THE PARK: Sing along with hundreds of other musical fans at the Millennium Park showing of Grease. The classic high-school musical film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John starts at sundown as one of Chicago Park’s Movie in the Park. Free.

SUMMER BEER DINNER: Get set for a fruity Summer Beers Dinner at Beef & Barley at 7 p.m. Chef Cecil Rodriguez will prepare a private dinner for participants that pairs with Off Color Yuzu Fierce, New Belgium Tart Lychee, 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon and Aver Liliko'i Kepolo. Tickets are $45.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10

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Photo courtesy of Andersonville Chamber of Commerce by Aville Chamber.

TASTE OF ANDERSONVILLE DINNER CRAWL: Get to know Andersonville neighbors and restaurants at the annual Taste of Andersonville Dinner Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. There are two crawling routes to choose from: the Salt route, which is vegetarian friendly and stops at Andies Restaurant, Elixir and Fireside Restaurant among others, or Pepper which hits Appellation, Pork Shoppe and more. Don't worry, both crawls include drinks from Koval Distillery. Tickets are $35 in advance.

SOUND OPINIONS BBQ: The popular WBEZ radio show Sound Opinions hosts its Summer BBQ at 7 p.m. on the studio’s terrace. Meet hosts Jim DeRogatis & Greg Kot, and talk rock while enjoying meats and desserts from The Butcher and Larder, Bang Bang Pie Shop and more. Tickets are $40.

ROCK OUT: From 8 a.m. to noon at Green City Market this Wednesday, families can try their hand at being a rock star thanks to Chicago drummer John Yost of Rhythm Revolution. The new "drummer workout" gets the whole family in on the program. Check them out at the Abbott tent for free.

THURSDAY AUGUST 11

NERD COMEDY FEST: Nerd culture has become huge, and the 4th Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773 shows just how big it is. Shows, panels and workshops make up the festival with Jackson Bird and the online comedy sensation Team StarKid as the headlining act. Expect cosplay, improv, sketch and more, and those who dress up get a cos-play discount. Tickets start at $10 per show.

DOWNTOWN MUSIC SERIES: Get down to some African dance music at the Millennium Park Summer Music Series this week. Mbongwana Star, from Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will perform. Also playing are pan-Latin American dance group Dos Santos: Anti-Beat Orchestra from right here in Chicago. 6:30 p.m. Free.

FRIDAY AUGUST 12

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Photo via Retro on Roscoe's Facebook page.

RETRO ON ROSCOE: It’s the 20th year for Retro on Roscoe, the street festival that celebrates all things throwback. Many decades are represented from the gearheads of the '50s to coverbands of the '80s and '90s like 16 Candles and Too White Crew. Enjoy neighborhood food and other vendors at this family friendly street fest. Entry is a $10 donation benefiting Roscoe Village Neighbors.

CHICAGO BUZZ: New event space Hip Cat hosts Chicago Buzz, an evening with 100 Things to Do in Chicago author Molly Page at 7 p.m. They’ll also have complimentary wine and coffee to sip while you peruse photos by local photographer Elliot Vernon among their regular collection of art and antiques.

BEER COLLABORATION RELEASE: Lumpen Magazine and Half Acre Beer celebrate their beer collaboration with a release party at Half Acre’s Lincoln Brewing facility at 11 am. and then again at 5 p.m. at Maria’s Package Goods and Community Bar. “Omnolithic,” as the Imperial Red Lager is called, also marks the 25th anniversary of the magazine, and they’ll be giving away back issues at both events. Free.