19 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 24, 2016 4:28PM
Get in the Halloween spirit starting Monday with Haunted Emporium. Photo courtesy of Emporium Chicago.
Halloween is (almost) here! There are a bunch of excellent themed events this week, plus more in food, comedy and arts.
MONDAY OCTOBER 24
HAUNTED EMPORIUM: The Emporium Haunted House is back for a second year, this time with a Haunted Hotel theme. Nearly half the bar will be transformed into a terrifying experience designed by Masters of haunt Anarchitype Productions. “Check in” anytime from Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $10 and include a free drink from Captain Morgan, Anderson Valley or Vandermill Cider.
WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT: Women in Film Chicago has partnered with ArcLight Cinemas for a panel discussion on women’s role in entertainment and the film industry. At 5:30 p.m. the event begins with a reception from 90+ Cellars and Knife & Tine, and then a conversation with Sanaa Hamri, Executive Producer and Director on Fox's Empire, and Susanna Homan, the editor-in-chief and publisher of Chicago magazine. Tickets are $25.
Image courtesy of Mercadito.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS DINNER: Join Mercadito for a Día de los Muertos Experiential Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. that honors and celebrates departed loved ones. Chef Patricio Sandoval will create the five-course menu that will be accompanied by five Casamigos Tequila cocktails and conclude with Pan de Muerto, a traditional home-made Day of the Dead bread. Tickets are $75. For reservations, call 312.329.9555.
MADIGAN DOCUMENTARY: Love him or hate him, Michael Madigan is one powerful Illinois politician. Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics. from Illinois Policy delves inside the career of the longest serving Illinois House Speaker with a screening at Untitled at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include beer, wine and apps.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 25
Image courtesy of Pastoral.
PAIRING CHEESE + SPIRITS CLASS: Pastoral Summons and CH Distillery Spirits pair up for a 'Spooky' Pairing Class in honor of American Cheese Month. Experts from both organizations will lead the class at Appellation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $45.
PUNK’N PARTY: Fountainhead hosts their sixth annual Great Punk'n Party at 7 p.m. Punk rock, pumpkin carving and pumpkin poured beer make the party. “Aspiring pumpkin artists” can enter the pumpkin carving contest for $20 and get one of their featured fall beers poured right through a pumpkin.
SEX GHOSTS: The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel hosts a fun lecture and slideshow on um, sex ghosts, with Dr. Paul Koudounaris at 7 p.m. He’ll discuss the cultural boundaries that separate the living from the dead, and sexualized ghost stories. His studies focus on the erotic ghost stories that surround the mummies in Sicily’s Palermo Catacombs. Tickets are $10.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26
Image via Kristin Cavallari's Facebook page.
CELEBRITY SIGHTING: Kristin Cavallari will make a special appearance at Luxury Garage Sale Old Town to discuss her new book, Balancing in Heels. Part of the evening's proceeds will benefit The Jay Cutler Foundation. To rsvp for the meet & greet, email rsvp@boldfacechicago.com. 6 to 8 p.m.
AM YOGA + DANCE PARTY: Hydrate kicks off the weekend early, and we mean early, with their first Yoga, Drag and Dance Party for Health and Happiness at 5:30 a.m. Awaken: A Party with a Purpose will be hosted by the fabulous Mz. Ruff N' Stuff with complimentary healthy snacks, coffee, juice and party favors. The festivities end at 8:30 a.m., just in time for you go get to the office. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door).
CHICAGO THEATRE BIRTHDAY TOURS: Chicago Theatre is turning 95 years old, and they’re inviting us inside in celebration. The one-hour birthday walking tours will give guests backstage access and the chance to walk across the legendary stage. There will also be a rare performance on the theatre’s 29-rank Wurlitizer pipe organ. The specialty tours are Wednesday only at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($10 kids).
THURSDAY OCTOBER 27
LYRIC OPERA + THE SECOND CITY: An unlikely pair—Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City—have collaborated again in Longer! Louder! Wagner! premiering Thursday. Their first collaboration, The Second City Guide to the Opera, was three years ago and was met with hilarious acclaim. Performances run through the weekend. Tickets start at $35.
BEER COLLABORATION DINNER: Half Acre and Harvest mark American Beer Day with a collaborative dinner at 6:30 p.m. The five-course menu from Executive Chef Myk includes Weisswurst, White Fish and Short Rib and pairings with Half Acre beers. Tickets are $55. For reservations call 312-836-6334.
HAUNTED PRISON: Take a trip to Statesville Haunted Prison with Benchmark. Experience a short stay at the terrifying haunted house in Lockport, but before you leave, enjoy appetizers at the bar and beer on the bus there. 6 p.m. Tickets are 50.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 28
GDC 2015 Promo HD from Giordano Dance Chicago on Vimeo.
GIORDANO DANCE: Giordano Dance Chicago presents their Fall Series this weekend at Harris Theater. The jazz dance company will debut a new work from Peter Chu (“So You Think You Can Dance,” Nederlands Dans Theater 2) called “Divided Against.” The program will also include three revivals plus two favorites from GDC’s acclaimed repertoire. Tickets start at $15.
EXQUISITE CORPSE BALL: The non-profit Intonation Music hosts their 8th Annual Exquisite Corpse Ball at Beat Kitchen at 9 p.m. Local bands will dress up as other bands for full costume tribute sets including VAYA as The Kinks, QUE RICO as Madonna, and The Daytonics as Sly & The Family Stone. Tickets are $12 ($15 door).
Image via DCASE's website.
FREE CONTEMPORARY DANCE SERIES: Contemporary dance is spotlighted by the city in SpinOff, a free series that showcases works made in the midwest. Performances take place at venues all over the city through November 5 including the Chicago Cultural Center, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Stony Island Arts Bank, Links Hall and in three parks. See a full range of works from world premieres to in-progress pieces and workshops. Visit the event website for the full schedule.
SUPPER WITH THE SNAKES: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum hosts the 9th annual Supper with the Snakes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The supper will feature a pizza main course with scaly slithery companions. Kids and adults alike will learn fun facts about snakes and participate in games, crafts and art projects. There will also be a costume contest. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids.
Image courtesy of InterContinental Chicago.
LIVE PUMPKIN CARVING: Watch a real pro carve pumpkins better than you can live at the InterContinental Magnificent Mile beginning at 10 a.m. Local artist Edward Cabral will be live-carving two giant 100 pound pumpkins, plus more city-scenes with a grand reveal at 2 p.m. While you’re watching, enjoy housemade Apple Cider, sweet treats and enter to win a free night stay at the hotel. Free.
POWER TRIO: Terry Malts took their sweet time recording Lost At The Party, but the three-year break between albums resulted in a focused, punchy collection of indie pop. The songs are fast and frenetic, filled with hook after hook rushing by your ears, creating a party in your head. The band brings that party to an IRL setting when they play Subterranean on Friday night. Tickets are $10-12.