14 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 12, 2016 5:00PM
Join Pastoral for a Rooftop Cheese Class this Wednesday. Image courtesy of Pastoral Wine & Cheese.
The cold and snow are here to stay, but that won't stop us from getting out and enjoying all there is to do in the city this week. Right?!
MONDAY DECEMBER 12
CIDER CLASS: The Northman moves beyond apples for this month’s Cider Class Series. "Fruit, Spice, and Everything Nice" will explore and taste alternative blends of different fruits, spices and hops. 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.
ASM TEENS ROCK: Teens from After School Matters show off their music and dance talent in a performance at Hard Rock Hotel from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ASM Teens Rock! Is the final showcase for more than 100 teens in the Forward Momentum Chicago, HHW Vocal Arts Ensemble and Hi-Def Dance Ensemble advanced programs. Free.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 13
12 Nights of Christmas. Image via R. Kelly's Facebook.
12 NIGHTS OF R. KELLY: Love him or hate him, R. Kelly is one hell of a songwriter with hits like “Ignition (Remix),” “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump N’ Grind.” Now the local R&B star wants to get all up in your holiday celebration with a Christmas album featuring 12 new songs. His Holiday Jam comes to the Chicago Theatre for two nights (thankfully not 12) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $61.50.
SAUCED HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET: Meet and shop emerging chefs and artists at SAUCED. The night market takes on the holidays at Chicago Athletic Association from 5 to 10 p.m. Toast the evening with two full bars on two floors while mingling, sampling local food vendors and knocking out that gift list. Free.
Photo courtesy of Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: The Swedish tradition of the St. Lucia Festival of Lights comes to Andersonville after the sun goes down. A candlelit procession down Clark begins at 4:45 p.m. followed by a celebration at the Swedish American Museum with live entertainment and holiday treats including traditional “pepparkakor” ginger snaps. Admission is $1 or a can of food to benefit the Care for Real food pantry.
MINDFUEL HEALTHY HOUR: With all those holiday treats pouring into the office, you could use a free workout thanks to MindFuel Wellness at The James Chicago at 6 p.m. The urban wellness event will feature FuelFlow class Jacquelyn Brennan and Kelly Moore followed by quiet meditation and a healthy food reception. Admission is complimentary, but registration is required at RSVPChicago@jameshotels.com.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14
GEZELLIGHEID CONCERTS: Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid concerts have become something of a tradition in his native Chicago. The Dutch term loosely translates to “cozy,” and the singer-songwriter brings that mood to the Fourth Presbyterian Church once again for a three night residency. Bird’s latest album, Are You Serious, went a little more alternative than we’re used to from the pop musician rooted in jazz, even collaborating with 90s breakout artist Fiona Apple. Concerts are Wednesday through Friday. Tickets start at $42.50.
ROOFTOP CHEESE CLASS: Just in time to host your own holiday party, Pastoral Wine and Cheese will show you how to arrange the perfect cheese plate from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the MDA Rooftop Clubroom. Pastoral’s cheesemongers will share their tips and tricks as you build your own plate to take home and sip on matching complimentary wines. Tickets are $60.
KISS FM JINGLE BALL: Kiss FM brings us a reason to venture out to Allstate Arena. They’ve got a lineup stacked with pop stars Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding, Backstreet Boys and more for their annual Jingle Ball at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 15
The Second City's 105th Revue. Image courtesy of The Second City.
THE SECOND CITY’S 105th MAINSTAGE REVUE: Laugh at current events and everything else in The Second City’s new Mainstage Revue, The Winner...of Our Discontent. Three new faces join the Mainstage cast as they cover topics ranging from getting high with your mom to the surprise winner of the recent presidential election. Tickets are $36.
WINE + VINYL: The community record event goes cocktail happy hour for December. BYO Vinyl to MakeOffices and MYO cocktails from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. RSVP and pre-purchase drinks here.
EARLY ROGUE ONE SCREENING: Buzz is big for the new Star Wars film hitting theaters this December. See Rogue One a few hours before everyone else at an early premiere at 9 p.m. at the New 400 Theater. Tickets are $8.50 or $15 for VIP which includes pre-show trivia contest, raffle prizes and a free concession item.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 16
WIRED FRIDAY: Your lunch break just got a lot hotter. Head out of the office and into the Chicago Cultural Center for a noon dance party. Afro-Latin house DJ Excursions takes over the beats this week, mixing broken beats, nu-soul and jazz-funk. Free.
MERRY MERRY ORCHESTRA: The Chicago Children's Choir joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for their newest tradition, the Second Annual Merry, Merry, Chicago! Hear holiday classics like "Joy to the World," "Holiday Flight" from Home Alone and Tchaikovsky Selections from The Nutcracker. Performances run through Dec. 23. Tickets start at $35.