18 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 22, 2016 3:30PM
Photo via Chicago Dancing Festival's website by Todd Rosenberg.
There's so much to eat, see and do in the city this week. Here are some of our favorite events.
MONDAY AUGUST 22
OYSTER SHUCKING + EATING CONTEST: See a real live oyster eating competition at Sink|Swim from 8 to 10 p.m. The Shuck-a-Ton event will feature four teams with shuckers and eaters to see who can put away the most in ten minutes. There will be cocktail specials and $1 oysters for spectators. Free.
TUESDAY AUGUST 23
CHICAGO DANCING FESTIVAL: The Chicago Dancing Festival celebrates it’s 10-year anniversary this season. The festival features free performances over 4 days from more than a dozen companies from around the country including local gems like the Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The five-day event takes place at venues all over downtown, including Auditorium Theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pritzker Pavilion, and for the first time, Navy Pier. All tickets are free, but must be secured in advance for some indoor venues. See website for details.
PURPLE RAIN: Celebrate the life of the Purple One at a free screening of the now-classic film, Purple Rain. The Millennium Park Summer Film Series presents the film starring none other than Prince on the big screen at Pritzker Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Free.
TACO + BEER DINNER: Half Acre Beer Company teams up with Tallboy Taco for the “Taco 'Bout Beer Dinner” at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature four courses from Executive Chef Tim Hockett expertely paired with beers from the local brewery. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 312-488-4917.
SKATE NIGHT: Celebrate with DO312 at their 6th Birthday Bash at Logan Square Auditorium at 7 p.m. They’re transforming the space into a skating rink for a night of rolling fun. RSVP for free entry.
Image courtesy of The Gwen.
ROOFTOP PAINTING: Upstairs at The Gwen partners up with Bottle & Bottega for an evening of painting, sips and bites. Get inspired by the skyline as you follow step-by-step instructions for your own high-rise masterpiece. Tickets are $45.
EAR TAXI PREVIEW: Get a preview of the upcoming Ear Taxi Festival with a rush hour concert at St. James Cathedral at 5 p.m. Catch performances from Ensemble Dal Niente and Fulcrum Point New Music Project. Free.
BEAT THE BREWER: Get exclusive beer tastings and complimentary games at WhirlyBall as they team up with Ballast Point for a Beat the Brewer Event from 7 to 10 p.m. Face off against the brewers and enjoy food pairings with the rare brews. Free. RSVP here for a chance at prizes.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 24
TURKISH FESTIVAL: The Chicago Turkish Festival lasts for three days on Daley Plaza with performances, culture and native food and drink. Learn Turkish history, try ice creams, coffees and beers and so much more. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Free.
Photo courtesy of Appellation.
WINE TASTING: Appellation hosts Stony Hill Vineyard for a four-year vertical wine tasting from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Sarah McCrea from the vineyard will guide the tasting featuring multiple vintages of their Napa Valley Chardonnay and cheese pairings. Tickets are $35.
TIKI COCKTAIL CLASS: learn how to make a creative tiki cocktail at Nacional 27 Tiki Luau Cocktail Class at 6:30 p.m. They’ll have themed tapas plus a souvenir tiki mug and sample of Stolen Rum to take home. Tickets are $50.
SAKE CLASS: Arami Owner and certified sake professional Ty Fujimura will host a Sake Class beginning at 6:30 p.m. Learn the beverage’s journey from rice to sake with five sakes including Arami’s own house brew Ichi No Torii. Tickets are $40. For reservations, call (312) 243-1535.
THURSDAY AUGUST 25
Tortoise. Photo by Andrew Paynter, courtesy of DCASE.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: It’s the final evening of 2016’s Millennium Park Summer Music Series. Catch the talented local quintet with a 25-year history, Tortoise. The post-rock instrumental group blends dub, rock, jazz, electronica and minimalism. Also playing is improvisational folk rock duo HOMME. 6:30 p.m. Free.
WINE + VINYL: Music lovers can BYO vinyl to the latest Wine & Vinyl event at Knot Standard’s showroom. They’ll have the Wine, beer, and small snacks. RSVP for free entry.
FINGER-PICKING GOOD: Ryley Walker, who has recently drawn worthy comparisons to Nick Drake and Van Morrison, celebrates the release of his new album Golden Sings That Have Been Sung at The Empty Bottle on Thursday. Ignore the terrible syntax of the title and let yourself sink into the lovely guitar playing and soulful songs. Tickets are $10.
FRIDAY AUGUST 26
Photo courtesy of Special Events Management.
TASTE OF GREEKTOWN: Chicago is rich with Greek culture and you can taste it this weekend at the 27th annual Taste of Greektown. Greektown is the center of Mediterranean cuisine in the city with restaurants lined up and down Halstead. The street fest will also have live music and entertainment and is open Aug. 26 through 28 from noon to 11 p.m.
RIVER TO ROOFTOP: Go from River to Rooftop at City Winery and Virgin Hotels’ latest event. Start at City Winery’s riverwalk location with drinks and a NOLA-style second line marching band, and then continue the party at Cerise Rooftop. Starts at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include two drinks.
DOG DAY: It’s National Dog Day! Celebrate with The Talbott Hotel as they hold their annual Doggy Fashion Show benefitting local shelters. Local pups will walk the runway in front of the hotel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 100 percent of sales from the Two Brothers Dog Days draft beer and Bavarian Pretzels will go toward Alive and One Tail at a Time.