16 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 29, 2016 4:50PM
See locally filmed movie The Dark Knight for free at Millennium Park on Tuesday.
From farm dinners to Fringe Fest, there's something fun for everyone this week.
MONDAY AUGUST 29
TRIVIA + TASTING: Head to Parts and Labor for a combo trivia and tasting night. The bar and burger spot has partnered with Maplewood Brewery and Distillery for samplings and specials all night. Trivia begins at 9 p.m. No cover, free to play.
MUSHROOM BOOK READING: Catch up with mushroom author Peter McCoy at Co-Prosperity Spheres’s free reading and presentation from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn more about the fungi and how it could change the world as he discusses his new book, Radical Mycology: A Treatise On Seeing & Working With Fungi. McCoy spent two years researching the “Fungal Kingdom” and how it can help the planet’s food shortages, environmental degradation and even be used to make medicinal products.
TUESDAY AUGUST 30
Learn to Fly from Eighth Blackbird on Vimeo.
MUSIC + WINE: Celebrated contemporary classical sextet Eighth Blackbird is fresh off a unique residency at the Museum of Contemporary Art where they had open rehearsals, an interactive gallery installation, performances and public talks. This Tuesday the Grammy winners have another performance at City Winery where they’ll play works from their recent album, Hand Eye. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
BATMAN IN THE PARK: Millennium Park concludes it’s Summer Film Series with the audience choice for their favorite Chicago-made film: The Dark Knight. Two locally made short films will precede the feature. Screening starts at 6:30 p.m. on Pritzker Pavilion’s big screen. Free.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31
Photo by Ashley Dean courtesy of Chicago Fringe Festival.
FRINGE FESTIVAL: The Chicago Fringe Festival celebrates its seventh year with twelve days of performances and events at The Congregational Church of Jefferson Park. There will be 47 companies represented in 200 “no-holds barred” performances spanning comedies, dramas, dance pieces, musicals, performance art and the unclassifiable. There’s also a Kids Fringe area with performances and workshops. Entry is $5 and then admission to performances are $10 each. Multi-show passes are also available.
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S MARKET DINNER: Enjoy a three-course market fresh dinner on the patio at Formento’s with ingredients picked up at the farmers market that very day. The Midsummer Night’s Market Dinner created by Chef Stephen Wambach will be served family style with a local, seasonal flair. 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65.
BEER DINNER: Community Tavern hosts their monthly beer dinner at 6:30 p.m., teaming up with northwest side breweries Alarmist Brewing, Aleman Brewing, Finch’s Brewing Co. and Lake Effect Brewing Company. Chef Joey Beato will create a four-course dinner for the evening, specially pairing each course with one of the participating breweries. Tickets are $50. For reservations, call (773) 283-6080, or email brennabeato.communitytavern@gmail.com.
Heirloom Panzanella. Image courtesy of Osteria Via Stato.
HEIRLOOM TOMATO DINNER: Osteria Via Stato hosts their annual Heirloom Tomato Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Nick Nichols of Nichols Farm & Orchard will be on hand to discuss the much-loved seasonal fruit. The evening includes a multi-course dinner created by Chef David DiGregorio, wine pairings and passed appetizers. Tickets are $68. Visit Osteria Via Stato's website or call 312-642-8450 to reserve a spot.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1
JAZZ FEST: This year’s Jazz Festival includes headliners like Orbert Davis, the Benny Golson Quartet, John Scofield/Joe Lovano Quartet The Bad Plus and a birthday celebration for Candido Camero. It’s the 38th year for the annual event on Chicago’s lakefront which showcases amazing talents from Chicago and around the world. The city has a rich history when it comes to the forward-thinking genre, and still has a thriving community of musicians today. The festival runs through Sunday with performances in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Check the festival website for the full schedule. Free.
GET HEATED: Heaters' hypnotic drone-rock is tinged with psychedelic elements that lend the band's music a slightly dreamy quality even when the amps are turned to 11. Their new album Baptistina just came out earlier this month so the band is on the road to support it. Heaters will play in the intimate space of Gman Tavern on Thursday, so bring your earplugs and prepare to freak out, man. Tickets are $10.
ROSE DINNER: Publican Quality Meats' hosts their 2nd Annual Rosé Dinner from 7 to 10 p.m. Explore the popular summer wine with a five-course dinner on the patio, each paired with different selections. Tickets are $95. Email ashley@publicanqualitymeats.com to purchase.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2
NORTH COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL: Odesza, Bassnectar, Zedd and Umphrey's McGee are among the headliners for the Labor Day weekend music festival in Union Park. Putting jam bands alongside EDM and indie pop, the fest has always included a unique blend of genres that appeal to a wide range of music lovers. Some of our other picks for the weekend include noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, indie darlings Matt & Kim and rapper Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Silent Disco. Tickets start at $65 for a single day pass, and three-day passes are $159.
TASTE OF POLONIA: Poland gave us some delicious, delicious food, and you can try it all at this weekend’s Taste of Polonia at the Copernicus Center. The festival runs through Monday with live music, a casino, carnival rides and a kids zone, and of course tons of great polish cuisine and beer. Tata’s Pierogi, Smakowski Deli and Heaven In My Mouth are just a few of the vendors on the menu. Tickets are $5 before 5 p.m. and $10 after.
Image via Mad About You's IMDB page.
PAUL REISER: Ever wonder what actor Paul Reiser has been up to since his Mad About You days? (Hint: he’s starring in a new Amazon series from Steven Soderbergh that’s earning wide acclaim.) Find out this Friday at City Winery where he’ll be returning to his roots in stand-up comedy at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets start at $40.
SPANISH ROOF PARTY: ROOF on theWit’s summer JetSet series comes to a close this weekend with a Spanish sendoff. They’ll emulate the spirit of Ibiza with traditional Spanish fare, beverages and DJs setting the mood with progressive house music. The party begins at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday and continues late into the night. Cover charge is $20 for guys and $10 for ladies (entry on Sunday is free for all). For table reservations, call 312-239-9502.
FIESTA BORICUA: Celebrate Puerto Rican culture at the 23rd annual Fiesta Boricua. The three-day fest takes over Division Street in the Humboldt neighborhood with live music, art and a back to school carnival. Free.