16 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 17, 2016 4:19PM
Image via Sink|Swim's Facebook page.
Things are starting to get spooky and kooky in Chicago as Halloween creeps closer and closer. Explore some of the themed events we've got lined up this week plus more in music, food and art.
MONDAY OCTOBER 17
SHUCKTOBERFEST: The city’s top oyster bars and breweries compete in a shucking and eating contest at Sink|Swim from 8 to 10 p.m. Teams from Oyster Bah, The Publican, North Coast Brewing and more are among the competitors. There will be food and beer specials, too. Call 773-486-7465 for reservations.
NOT THAT ELEPHANT STONE: We've grown O.K. with bands naming themselves after elements of their obvious influences as long as they can at least pay proper homage. In the case of Elephant Stone, naming themselves after a Stone Roses song is a forgivable move. On the band's latest album Ship Of Fools (yes, even we have to wonder if that's yet another reference, this time to World Party) they drape their songs in catchy Britpop trappings. And at times they get adventurous and push things towards the dance floor, as on the disco bridge of "Where I'm Going." Elephant Stone plays Schubas on Monday night and tickets are $10
NEIGHBORHOOD CHEF SERIES: River Roast kicks off the three-part Neighborhood Chef Series at 6 p.m. Guest chef Chris Macchia from Nonnina will join Executive Chef John Hogan for a five-course menu that includes wine pairings. Other dinner dates are Nov. 14 and Dec. 19. Tickets are $100.
CHICAGO IDEAS WEEK, October 17 to 23
The 6th Annual Chicago Ideas Week aims to spark ideas into action and they’ll do that with more than 150 events and speakers on topics from national security to creativity to “life’s big questions.” Some of this year’s speakers include entertainment executive (and Mayor Emanuel’s brother) Ariel Emanuel, FIFA World Cup Champion Abby Wambach and Skinnygirl cocktail creator Bethenny Frankel. See website for full schedule and to purchase tickets.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 18
BIG FEELINGS: On last year’s Teenage Movie Soundtrack, Heyrocco put together an epic sounding collection of heartfelt guitar heavy indie rock that found plenty of rotation within our personal playlists. “It’s Always Something New” a free single they released earlier this year, continues that epic vibe while taking the volume (mostly) down a notch. It’s still catchy as hell. The band brings their infectious sound to Chop Shop on Tuesday night along with The Garden and So Pitted; tickets are $13-15.
TASTE OF ROSCOE STREET: Crawl between ten different restaurants at the inaugural Taste of Roscoe Street event. From 6 to 9 p.m. you’ll be able to sample a variety of cuisine from VOLO Restaurant Wine Bar, Orange, Hot Woks Cool Sushi, Cuba 312 and more. Tickets are $35.
Image courtesy of Newcity.
CUBS: Everybody’s gonna be watching the Cubs on Tuesday as they vie for the pennant in Game 3 of the NLCS. If you’re not one of the lucky ticket holders, see the game projected on one of the city’s largest outdoor screens at NEWCITY in Lincoln Park. ESPN 1000’s Marc “Silvy” Silverman from ESPN’s “Waddle & Silvy” will be there meeting and greeting, and they’ll be raffling tickets to an upcoming playoff game courtesy of Pepsi and more. Free. BYO chairs and coolers. UPDATE 10/18: We just received word from organizers this event has been canceled due to technical difficulties.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19
PURPLE BELLY: bellyQ and non-profit Purple Asparagus team up for a special event featuring build-your-own-ramen-bar and cocktails at 5:30 p.m. The organization’s head spear Melissa Graham will discuss their school and community nutrition programs. Tickets are $16.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 20
SHOEGAZE POP: M83 is always a sure bet live, and even though this year’s Junk was a bit of a disappointment on the album front, their set at Lollapalooza proved that their catalog is powerful enough to still fuel an amazing live show. However, when the band plays The Riv this Thursday the act we’ll be most excited about is opener Shura. While the headliner draws their inspiration from ‘80s shoegaze, Shura’s debut Nothing’s Real is draws generously from ‘80s dance-pop with a ‘70s analog edge. It’s a winning combination that should get the party started early Thursday night. Tickets are $37.50-42.50.
SPOOKY WALKING TOUR: Driehaus Museum hosts the 3rd Annual Spooky Tour at 4 p.m. Death, Disease and Bones: The Lincoln Park Walking Tour is led by historian Sally Sexton Kalmbach who will guide guests through Lincoln Park’s history as a burial site. Other dates include October 22 and 27. Tickets are $30.
100 HAUNTINGS: Revive Chicago’s haunted past at Free Street Theater. 100 Hauntings was created by ensemble of performers, comedians, writers and community organizers and tells the city’s lesser known ghost stories like Jorge the elevator operator who doesn’t know he’s dead and a passive aggressive ghost at the corner of Division and Western. The show runs through December 2. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21
Photo via the Field Museum's website. Photo by Thomas Duval.
TATTOO EXHIBIT: The Field Museum is delving into new and interesting territory with an exhibit focusing on the history of tattoos. Tattoo will explore the culture and methods of getting inked throughout history and around the world. We also heard an early rumour that they’d be doing tattoos on site, but that’s yet to be seen. The touring exhibit requires a special ticket and runs through April 30, 2017.
MSI AFTER HOURS: The Museum of Science and Industry takes their new after-hours event next level with Oddities & Curiosities. Explore more than 35,000 strange and kooky artifacts not usually open to the public, plus WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast will be in the house talking with MSI's head curator and director of collections, Kathleen McCarthy. Tickets are $25.
PSYCH IT UP: Psych-rock power trio Sunflower Bean traffics in mild psych that packs a gentle wallop. Once you fire up their debut Human Ceremony, released earlier this year, we think it will be hard for you to disentangle yourself from their web of guitars shot through with dual vocal attach of bassist Julia Cumming and guitarist Nick Kivlen. The band plays Friday night at Lincoln Hall and tickets are $15.
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: The Chicago Flamenco Festival is in full swing at venues across the city including Instituto Cervantes, the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Flamenco Arts Center. There are concerts, dance performances, film screenings and more. This Friday and Saturday check out The Andalusian Trail Parts 1 and 2 with guitarist Carlo Basile, vocalist/oud player Ronnie Malley and Indian veena artist Saraswathi Ranganathan. Tickets are $25.
GLASGOW LEGENDS: Here, Teenage Fanclub's first album in six years, finds the band investigating their softer side without abandoning the power pop of earlier efforts. But even if a kinder, gentler Teenage Fanclub isn't your thing, expect their live set at Bottom Lounge on Friday night to liberally mix newer material with classics like "The Concept" and "Star Sign" (two songs making welcome appearances in recent set lists). But even if they don't play your favorite track, is there such a thing as a bad Teenage Fanclub show? We think not. Tickets are $20.