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17 Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Weekend

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 20, 2017 4:30PM

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Photo by Tyler LaRiviere/Chicagoist

History will be made this weekend as a man with record-low approval ratings becomes president and huge protests show opposition. Be a part of it or avoid it completely with a robust list of things to do around the city.


FRIDAY JANUARY 20

BUMPUS PROTEST CONCERT: Local soul band Bumpus is holding a special protest concert on Inauguration Day at Martyrs. The evening takes a theme of "Songs of Protest. Songs of Love" and will feature special guests and music from Sly & The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder and many more. With the evening being about love, a portion of the proceeds will benefit World Relief Chicago, an organization that helps refugees with resettlement, employment, legal services and education. Tickets are $10.

PEACE + LOVE MEDITATION: There’s an alternative to getting worked up after watching an oompaloompa take over as Commander in Chief this Friday. Take that energy and channel it in a positive direction at My Breathe Bar’s Peace & Love Meditation from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The gathering includes a talk by psychologist and author Dr. L. Annette Drain about cultivating inner peace during times of transition followed by a candlelight meditation. Cost is $20. Proceeds will benefit Horizons For Youth.

ANTI-INAUGURATION READING: Volumes Bookcafe and Red Rover Series host Night One, an Anti-Inauguration Reading from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Connect with a fiercely passionate, creative, inclusive and talented community who will use poetry to express opposition and hope for the future. Readers include author Quraysh Ali Lansana, poet C. Russell Price, multidisciplinary artist Jennifer Karmin and more.

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Image via Shamilton's website.

SHAMILTON: You’d have to be living under a rock to not know about the blockbuster success of the musical Hamilton, but what about Shamilton? Every great cultural touchstone deserves a parody, and this improvised musical brings it. With a cast featuring “Baby Wants Candy” and other great Chicago improvisers, the show will include on-the-spot songs about a historic figure of the audiences’ choosing. Performances are every Friday at 10:30 p.m. at Apollo Theater through March 31. Tickets start at $15.


SATURDAY JANUARY 21

WOMEN’S MARCH: Stand up for women’s rights with millions of other women at marches around the country on Saturday. Women’s March on Chicago will begin with live music and a rally at 9:30 a.m. There are more than 30 diverse speakers and performers scheduled for the day including activists, cast members from Hamilton and religious leaders. Details have changed throughout the week as the number of expected attendees grows and grows, so check their website for up to date information and be sure to check out our guide on how to be prepared whether this is your first or 101st protest.

PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS: Become an expert at instagramming your dinner at Travelle Kitchen and Bar’s Phone Photography Class and Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Noted food and lifestyle photographer Huge Galdones will teach techniques and tricks while students enjoy--and practice on--a brunch menu from Chef Ricardo Jarquin. Tickets are $40. Call 312.923.7705 to reserve a spot.

HUMAN FOOSBALL: Yes, you read that right. Replay Lincoln Park is hosting a Human Foosball Tournament from 2 to 6 p.m. Sign up with your team of 6 or come out and watch other humans attempt to score a goal while stuck in place. Signup is free. The winning team gets a $500 prize, while the runner up will take home $250. There will also be prizes for Best Team Name and Outfits.

MYTHOLOGICAL PUPPETS: South Asian Classical dance meets Balinese Shadow Puppetry at Auditorium Theatre at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. “Conversations with Devi” from Mandala Arts is a shape shifting battle between a demon and a goddess that is part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Tickets are $28.

DIVERSE COMEDY: Comedy Collective Simmer Brown begins the countdown to impeachment with an evening of celebrating the rich diversity of Chicago. Queer Latina comedian Gwen La Roka (Laugh Factory, TBS’s Just for Laughs Festival) is on the roster with musician, Natalie G. Alford, Jillian Ebanks and Adam Gilbert. 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 ($15 door).

TATS FOR CATS: Insight Studios holds another first-come first-served tattoo event benefitting Tree House Humane Society from noon to 8 p.m. Get a new, customized tattoo, piercing or tattoo removal and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Tree House cats.

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Groundswell. Photo courtesy of Rhinofest.

RHINOFEST: The 28th Annual Rhinofest takes place this weekend at Prop Thtr., Chicago’s longest running multi-arts fringe festival features theater and performance from Chicago and national artists and it’s the place for performers to get their start. This year’s fest presents On Loss by Mark Chrisler (Chicago Reader’s Best Playwright, 2010), Groundswell by Karen Fort and more. Rhinofest runs through February 26. View the complete schedule on their website.

BEERNIVAL: It’s a beer themed carnival for adults. Need we go on? Okay, the whole thing is a benefit for Autism Speaks. The third annual event takes place at Joe's on Weed from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35.

OLD SCHOOL FREAKOUT: Bobby Conn doesn't play out that often and that's a shame. The Chicago conceptualist gone agitator and glam rocker play a rare show at Hideut this weekend with his "superband" including Monica BouBou, Jim Cooper, Billie Howard, Josh Johannpeter, Devin Davis and longtime sidekick DJ LeDeuce. Tickets are $10.

NOT SO STOKED ABOUT THE INAUGURATION: Dump Trump, The Unauguration takes place at Quenchers Saturday night. The band has ben relatively quiet in the past year, so you know things are dire when Archie Powell & the Exports are drawn to the stage to voice their protest again the incoming regime. They'll be joined on a veritable marathon of a bill by Boss Fight, Snort, Turbo Vamps, Otto Mann, and Oscar Bait. Tickets are $15.


SUNDAY JANUARY 22

JOHN CLEESE AND THE HOLY GRAIL: Actor and author John Cleese returns to Chicago Theatre for an evening of comedy, conversation and a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the big screen. Tickets start at $65.

HIGH END WINE TASTING: Try rare wines from around the globe at ENO Wine Room’s ENOversity. This month’s class is dedicated to high-end “bucket list” wines including 2006 Egly-Ouriet, Champagne Grand Cru, Prestige Millesime Brut and more. 3 or 6 p.m. Tickets are $120.

SHUCK-A-THON: Head to Sink|Swim for an oyster shucking and eating contest from 8 to 10 p.m. Industry teams from around the city will compete while guests enjoy oyster and drink specials. Free.