24 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 26, 2016 4:25PM
Watch Monday's debate with experts at the Chicago History Museum. Image courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
When September ends ... you’ve got tons of stuff to do.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26
DEBATE WATCH: This has already been one hell of an election, and we’re still 6 weeks away from the big day. Somehow we ended up with two of the most controversial candidates in memory, and they’re set to take the stage in the first Presidential Debate this Monday night. Watch it with some pros at the Chicago History Museum. They’ll have a panel discussion titled “Battle Stations: How to Prep for a Debate” beginning at 7 p.m. followed by a viewing of the debate itself. Tickets are $10.
BEER MIGRATION WEEK: Migration Week brings Goose Island’s beer to Logan Square this time around. The week will kick off with the famed Brewers Workout, and then continue with tastings, a party and a concert at Comfort Station. Check Goose Island’s website for the full schedule and more information.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27
LIVE LIT: It’s an all-female cast for this installment of Frunchroom. The popular South Side reading series has already grown into their new home of Beverly Woods Restaurant in Morgan Park. 7:30 p.m. $5 donation requested for entry.
EYE ON INDIA PERFORMERS: The Eye on India festival continues through October 2 with contemporary theater, music, dance and art. Highlights include a premiere from The Company Theatre and a new collaboration between Chicago's Natya Dance Theatre and Indonesian dance company Nan Jombang. See the website for schedule and ticket information.
Image courtesy of Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.
FALL DINNER CRAWL: The 5th Annual Wicker Park Fall Dinner Crawl is here, with dozens of restaurants participating, including Dove's Luncheonette, Smoke Daddy, Xoco Bistro and more. Choose from one of three routes for crawling and eating from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $35.
BEER DINNER: Stone Brewing joins up with Tallboy Taco for a beer dinner and tasting at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy unique combinations like the IPA chicken tinga taco and Mocha IPA brisket taco from Chef Tim Hockett's paired with a Stone brew. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 312-488-4917.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28
Photo by Leo Rosa courtesy of Red Bull.
PHOTOGRAPHY: The Red Bull Illume winners have been decided. More than 5,000 photographers from 120 countries submitted their work to the action-and-adventure sports photography competition, and the top shots will be on lightbox display in Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square following a private ceremony Wednesday night. Hours will be 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. to best view the lightboxes from September 29 to October 9.
DAYBREAKER DANCE PARTY: It’s time again for an early morning yoga and dance party with Daybreaker. Give your sun salutations new meaning with DJ DiOX and Haile Supreme at the Rooftop Sunrise Party at Savage Smyth. Coffee, juice & breakfast treats included. Tickets for the 6:30 a.m. dance party remain for $25.
ROSE FOR CANCER: “Rosé the Day Away” in the name of breast cancer research from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bar Toma. Sip on the pink-hued wine and enjoy woodfired pizzas while benefiting The Lynn Sage Foundation. Tickets are $25.
Photo courtesy of Elixr Andersonville.
BOURBON DINNER: Elixir Andersonville invites Heaven Hill in for a four course bourbon dinner at 6:30 p.m. In all in honor of National Bourbon Heritage Month with the spirit taking the spotlight in some of the recipes and in pairings. Tickets are $49.95.
WINE DINNER: If vino is more your speed, there’s the Rutherford Hill Wine Dinner at Devon Seafood Grill at 6 p.m. Chardonnay Poached Bass and Red Wine Braised Short Rib and more are on the four-course menu, plus wine pairings for each course. Tickets are $70. For reservations, call call Tim Sherlock at (312) 440-8660.
'1977' ALL OVER AGAIN: Ash's 1977—which came out 20 years ago—often lands in "greatest albums" lists that music magazines and website are so fond of trotting out. That's probably because, from start to finish, 1977 is a nigh perfect blast of punky Britpop that stands just outside of time, and thus, seemingly hasn't aged at all. The band has remained regularly active since then, constantly pushing their own boundaries with often impressive results, but for this tour they're allowing themselves a touch of sentimentality and will be performing 1977 in its entirety, from beginning to end. Earlier this year the band released Live On Mars: London Astoria 1997, so if you give that a listen it should get you in the mood for their Wednesday show at Lincoln Hall. Tickets are $22.50.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29
SAMPLE SALE: The clothing label Reformation caught our eye a while ago, and we just got word that they’re holding a sample sale at the Throop Studio space this Thursday through Sunday. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing at 5 p.m. Sunday). Free admission.
WINE DINNER: Ugo's Kitchen and Bar hosts a wine dinner with California's Ventana Vineyard at 6:30 p.m. Expect a five course menu from Chef/proprietor Stephen Hasson and a guided tasting with Paul Underwood from Custom House Wine Merchants. Tickets are $85.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30
Image via Shaw's Oyster Fest's website.
SHAW’S OYSTER FEST: Shaw's presents their 28th Annual Oyster Fest downtown from 3 to 10 p.m. In addition to the delicious sea treats and “Oyster Slurp-Off Grand Finale,” there will be live music from local blues bands, including Bumpus and The Friends Band. There’s also an after-party inside the restaurant with live music til 1 a.m. Tickets are $20.
LAVISH LOCKPICKING AFFAIR: What better than a “glamourous affair” to learn lockpicking? Atlas Obscura hosts The Art of Lockpicking at Stan Mansion at 9 p.m. with an evening of cocktails, live music and vintage attire. Internationally renowned lockpicker Schuyler Towne will show off his skills and share some tips and tricks. Tickets are $100.
Image via West Town Art Walk's Facebook page.
WEST TOWN ART WALK + FOOD TRUCK SOCIAL: The West Town Art Walk and West Town Food Truck Social have banded together for one beautiful and delicious two-day festival. With West Town shops, businesses, restaurants and galleries all participating, the Art Walk portion will feature Art in the Park in Eckhart Park and a new Art Car Show. “Snack-n-stroll” through neighborhood while you enjoy bites from about 19 food trucks and libations from local businesses. Free.
TASTE TALKS: Cooking demonstrations, tastings, enlightening panel discussions and more make up Taste Talks Chicago this weekend. The festival opens Friday with a party at Virgin Hotel featuring Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche. Single event tickets and “Kitchen Sink” passes are available on the Taste Talks website.
Image courtesy of University of Chicago Arts.
CONCRETE CADILLAC: There’s going to be a 16-ton concrete Cadillac De Ville cruising down the street on Friday as it makes the move from the Museum of Contemporary Art to the University of Chicago Campus. It’s the beginning of Concrete Happenings, a series of exhibitions and programming at U of C. Check it out in front of the MCA from noon to 1 p.m. before it heads out on procession with other classic Caddys and a cement mixer.
DINNER FROM GOOD STOCK: Land & Sea Dept.’s latest From Good Stock collaboration is with Chef Andy Ricker of the Pok Pok empire. The supper club series is split into two dinners on Friday, with the first one at 6 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. Get your tummy ready for three courses the North of Thailand, beverages from Leatherbee Gin and Marz Community Brewing and Thai jams for the ears. Tickets are $100.
Image via Lincoln Park Zoo's website.
ZOO FALL FEST: Fall Fest returns to Lincoln Park Zoo for the second year in a row. A corn maze, a burlap sack slide, an inflatable obstacle course, rides and more await. Entry is free, but tickets are required for some attractions. For more information, visit the zoo’s website.
HUNGER BENEFIT: Attend a party in honor of fighting hunger at Architectural Artifacts from 7 to 11 p.m. “I Am Your Neighbor” benefits Chicago’s oldest emergency food pantry, Common Pantry, and will feature Ravenswood chefs, wine and beers plus live entertainment from singer/songwriter Karen Salmon. Tickets are $100.
CELESTIAL SOUNDS: Sigur Rós is bringing their otherworldly compositions, buoyed by the from-another-dimension language and vocals of singer/guitarist Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisso. If you think you're unfamiliar with the band, you're probably mistaken, since the use of their song "Starálfur" at the climax of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou firmly ensconced the band in the pop-culture stratosphere. Seeing Sigur Rós in the ornate setting and pristine sound that The Chicago Theatre offers could result in a truly transcendent experience on Friday night. Tickets range from $69.50 - $79.50.
EP RELEASE SHOW: Textbook's latest EP, Only When I'm Breathing, delivers another brisk, four-song barrage of their slamming Midwestern mix of punk and bar-stool power-pop. The band members have served in what seems like a jillion local bands, including Not Rebecca, Woolworthy, Loud Lucy and Dan Vapid and the Cheats, just to name a very few. The band plays Friday at Livewire Lounge, so belly up to the bar and hoist a cold one to their songs about heartache and (begrudgingly) growing up.