10 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 6, 2017 5:44PM
"Walk With Light" on The 606 this weekend and see the new Luftwerk art installation. Photo via The 606's Facebook page.
There's a lot of fun to be had in Chicago this weekend, like concerts, comedy, cooking, and hey, maybe riding the L in your underpants.
FRIDAY JANUARY 6
NAKED RAYGUN BENEFIT CONCERT: The Riot Fest team lost one of their own suddenly last year. Sean McKeough was an original partner in the fest and founder of Cobra Lounge/All Rise Brewing Co. He established the All Rise Foundation in 2014 and his friends and family have dedicated themselves to carrying on the name. That includes buddies in Naked Raygun and Deal’s Gone Bad, who will be headlining a memorial benefit concert this Friday at Concord Music Hall. All of the proceeds from tickets and silent auction items at the event will go to the All Rise Foundation in Sean’s memory. Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 7 p.m.
IAN’S PARTY: Ian’s Party celebrates their tenth anniversary this year with three days of bands at several different Wicker Park venues this weekend. Absolutely Not, A Giant Dog, and many other local groups are showcased at the “party.” Visit their website for the full lineup, schedule and ticketing information.
JUICEBOX: The musical series for the stroller set kicks off a new season this Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center. The 11 a.m. Juicebox performances are great for sharing with the kids starring the likes of Jabberwocky Marionettes, Cha Cha Cha and Four Star Brass Band. The series continues on the first and third Friday of every month at the Chicago Cultural Center, and first and third Saturdays at Garfield Park Conservatory. Free.
SATURDAY JANUARY 7
WALK WITH LIGHT: Walking The 606 just got a little brighter. The city’s rails-to-trails path will Walk With Light in the 2nd annual event re-scheduled for this Saturday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Bring your own light (no open flames) and parade from Milwaukee/Leavitt to Ridgeway Avenue where there will be fire pits, warm refreshments, s'mores, music and light spectacles, plus at 4:30 p.m. they’ll unveil the new Turning Sky installation from Luftwerk. Free.
SATCHMO SATURDAYS JAZZ SERIES: The Promontory gives us a jazz series that spans the month of January with celebrations of Louis Armstrong and music from the Harlem Renaissance. The 2nd Annual Satchmo Saturdays Jazz Series will feature performances from contemporary acts like Corey Wilkes and Milt Trenier. Each evening begins with poetry performances from local students. Tickets start at $15.
Image via Thalia Hall's Facebook event page.
JANEANE GAROFALO: Legendary actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo comes to Thalia Hall for an evening of standup at 8 p.m. Her resume is long, with credits from memorable shows and movies like “Wet Hot American Summer,” "Reality Bites," "The Larry Sanders Show," “24,” and "The West Wing." Tickets are $33.50.
SAUCES COOKING CLASS: Learn to cook like you’ve got an Italian grandmother at Spiaggia from noon to 2 p.m. Executive Chef Tony Mantuano and Chef de Cuisine Joe Flamm will demonstrate some of their favorite sauce recipes during the Sauces Cooking Class including pomodoro, pork ragu and salsa verde. Tickets are $100.
SUNDAY JANUARY 8
NO PANTS SUBWAY RIDE: Grace other CTA riders with the image of you in your skivvies for No Pants Subway Ride 2017. Play it cool as you confuse onlookers as to why so many people would be pantsless on a 20 degree day in Chicago. Helmed by Improv Everywhere in New York City, the Global event takes place in the same day in more than 30 cities. Here in Chicago, meet at the Loyola L Station at noon. Free.
ARTIST STORYTELLING: Speaking of Luftwerk (see Saturday), learn more about the light art installations and the artists behind them at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel’s Storytelling Series at 11 a.m. Petra Bachmaier, co-founder of Luftwerk, will be the guest discussing her dynamic collaborative art installations that merge elements of light and video with facets of architecture and design. Luftwerk projects have appeared at Millennium Park, Garfield Park Conservatory and other spots around the country. The conversation will be moderated by Los Angeles-based critic, editor, and curator Mimi Zeiger. Free.
WINE + STYLE: Find out "what lipstick goes with wine" at this wine tasting and style event at City Winery event at 7 p.m. Life Stylist Fredda will talk about what wine has in common with style and makeup and help guests find their perfect color and varietal. Tickets are $25 (including wine) or $10 (without wine).