17 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 21, 2016 3:33PM

Tattoo opens at The Field Museum on Friday. Photo by Thomas Duval.

This weekend has cats and dogs dressed up in costume. And some stuff for people to do, too.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21

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. They're also doing flash tattoos on site. The touring exhibit requires a special ticket and runs through April 30, 2017. Check out our preview here.

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, which has been shot through with the dual vocal attack 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.

FROM GOOD STOCK: The Land and Sea Dept welcomes Andrew Tarlow (the Brooklyn-based restaurateur behind Diner, Marlow & Sons, Reynard and Wythe Hotel) for the latest edition of their supper club series, From Good Stock at 7 p.m. Tarlow will be preparing a three-course family style meal from his new cookbook, Dinner at the Long Table, with some help from co-author Anna Dunn and Marlow & Sons Chef Ken Wiss. Look for Andrew and Anna at the Drawing Room at CAA for a book signing and reading on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $100.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22

Photo via The Halloween Gathering's website.

THE HALLOWEEN GATHERING: Last year was such a success, that organizers are holding the second Halloween Gathering and Parade downtown. The daytime festival in Millennium Park and Sir George Solti Garden at 2 p.m. features live entertainment and mask and costume maker sessions. The nighttime spectacle parade begins at 6 p.m. on Columbus Drive. Free.

EVOLVE: INK: In anticipation of the Field Museum’s Tattoo exhibition, the Field Associates are hosting a social event with exclusive access. The evening includes a DJ, dancing and a performance from Kat V on violin. Bites and beverages are also included. 8 p.m. Tickets are $100.

BIG ORANGE BALL: The big Halloween costume gala is back. Howard Brown Health’s Big Orange Ball will take place at the lively Carnivale space this year beginning at 8 p.m. The party includes cocktails, food, music, dancing and a guest appearance from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 winner Bob The Drag Queen, all to benefit the LGBTQ health center. Tickets are $150 ($175 door).

BLACK CAT BALL: After starring in the Real TreeHouse Cats of Chicago, the kitties are ready for their moment in the spotlight at the Black Cat Ball at Moonlight Studios. The black-tie event benefits the no-kill shelter who celebrates 45 years of volunteers, supporters and staff who have helped save and find homes for more than 1,000 cats and kittens each year. Emmy nominated reporter and anchor of "Good Day Chicago," Natalie Bomke, will host the evening's program and serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets start at $150.

LIVE LIT: 20 speakers, 2 minutes each. That’s the premise for 20x2 Chicago at Quenchers where all 20 featured speakers get to answer the same question in any way they choose in their allotted time. This edition’s question is “What do you want?” Speakers include author Claire Zulkey, Museum of Holography curator Moshe Tamssot, our very own Chicagoist alum Chuck Sudo and more. 6 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Image via the Doggie Costume Contest's Facebook event page.

DOG COSTUME CONTEST + PARTY: OMG there’s a bunch of dogs dressed up in Halloween costumes at Hotel Lincoln. The costume contest and party benefits local shelter One Tail at a Time from noon to 2 p.m. FOX “Good Day Chicago” on-camera traffic reporter, Jenny Milkowski, will MC the event, and yes, they will also parade around the hotel. The party also serves as an adoption event. Cost is $10 to enter the costume contest.

MIXOLOGY CLASS: Learn the ins and outs of the modern Gin & Tonic at La Mez Agave Lounge’s Mixology Academy at Mercadito. The class will focus on funky, seasonal variations with fresh fruits, spices and craft tonics. 3 p.m. Tickets are $45.

ISLAND WINE TASTING: Escape to the tropics this Saturday at Webster’s Wine Bar...or at least sample some wines from the islands. They’ll serve some unique whites, reds and rosés from the “far-flung, sun-kissed rocky outposts” Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Santorini and more. 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include hors d'oeuvres.

Photo via Zombies vs Vampires Crawl website.

ZOMBIES VS. VAMPIRES CRAWL: In this day and age, you’re either a zombie person or a vampire person. The 5th Annual Zombies vs. Vampires pub crawl pits the two against each other once and for all. Beginning at 2 p.m. the living dead will take over Wicker Park bars with drink specials, raffles and a $500 best costume prize at stake. Noon. Tickets are $25.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 23

PUMPKIN CARVING: Join the LSD crew at Longman & Eagle for their annual afternoon pumpkin carving from 1 to 6 p.m. They’ll have a limited supply of complimentary pumpkins, so you’re encouraged to BYO-gourd. They’ll also be offering apple cider donuts, hot cider and whiskey, and more autumnal treats.

WINE-OVERSITY: ENO Wine Room’s ENOversity focuses their next class on wines of the Pacific Northwest. Wines from Washington and Oregon will be paired with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates. Pick from two sessions: 3 or 6 p.m. Tickets are $55.