16 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 23, 2017 4:08PM
Image via SPiN.
Food, drink and more food this week as Restaurant Week gets underway.
MONDAY JANUARY 23
CHEF PADDLE BATTLE: It's a Chef Paddle Battle at ping pong social club, SPiN at 7 p.m. More than 32 notable Chicago chefs will face off in a tournament that will benefit Foundations of Music, a charity organization speaking to SPiN’s mission of supporting underserved youth. Watch Jason Vincent (Giant), Michael Kornick (DMK) and many more while enjoying food and drink specials. Entry is $10.
STADIUM ROCK: The Kings Of Leon have come a long way since their early days playing shows at Double Door. They've also shed some of the preacher's sons fervor in favor of a more streamlined, mainstream approach. But hey, every generation needs its own U2, right? The band plays United Center on Monday and tickets are still available. UPDATE: The show has been postponed until March 8 due a illness in the band.
EXPERIENTIAL DINNER: Comida, Cocktails & Copitas at this edition of Mercadito's Experiential Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Éva Pelczer of Del Maguey’s East Coast Juez will guide guests through the five course dinner's cocktail pairings. Tickets are $85. Call 312-329-9555 for reservations.
TUESDAY JANUARY 24
Image via Gejas Cafe's' website.
SAVOR: Enjoy dishes from a bunch of Lincoln Park’s finest restaurants under one roof at Savor. The culinary event at iO Theater will feature food and drink from Earls Kitchen, Geja's Cafe, Vanille Patisserie and many more. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance.
CHICAGO VOICES TALK: The Chicago Voices TALK! program continues with an evening about Chicago Women in Opera. Lyric Unlimited and the Chicago History Museum have teamed up for this series that explores local history in different music genres. Learn about famed soprano diva and Chicago Civic Opera "directa" Mary Garden, Lyric Opera of Chicago founder and general director Carol Fox, and her successor Ardis Krainik. 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
WINE DINNER: Celebrate Chinese New Year with a special wine dinner at Imperial Lamian at 6:30 p.m. The themed menu will feature six courses specially paired with authentic Chinese cuisine. Tickets are $50. Call 312-595-9440 for a reservation.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25
Image via WTTW's website.
WTTW TRIVIA: Test your knowledge of popular PBS programming during WTTW Trivia Night at The Globe Pub. Whether it’s Sesame Street, Doctor Who, or Masterpiece Theater, the evening will benefit our local station. 8 p.m. Pre-registration is $5, $10 at the door.
RARE WHISKEY TASTING: Sidebar Grille hosts a rare and private whiskey tasting to warm up winter even more with blends like Private Barrel Woodford Reserve, Private Barrel Whistlepig Rye, Old Potrero Straight Rye and more. Learn about each one from representatives on hand while enjoying passed appetizers. 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
HOW TO SABER: If you really want to impress your friends at your next party, attend Carnivale’s next university class and learn how to saber Champagne bottles. Guests will craft three cocktails with their master mixologist and then see a sabering demonstration and the chance to try it yourself. 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
Image via River Roast's Facebook page.
NEIGHBORHOOD CHEF SERIES: This month’s Neighborhood Chef Series Dinner at River Roast features guest chef Joe Flamm of Cafe Spiaggia. The five course menu will feature Mushroom bolognese, Suckling pig porchetta and more with cocktail pairings with each course.
6 p.m. Tickets are $75.
THURSDAY JANUARY 26
DRUNK TED TALKS: Everyone knows those TED Talks, experts speaking on topics far and wide, but what about all that knowledge that comes out when we’re three sheets to the wind? The Whistler’s got us covered with Drunk TED Talks at 8 p.m. The evening’s speakers include Erik Adams (The A.V. Club), Sasha Geffen (MTV News), Britt Julious (Chicago Tribune) and Josh Terry (Redeye). Free.
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW: Post Child specialize in huge guitars and the kid of big, crunchy rock anthems that ruled college dorm rooms in the early '90s. On their newest album, Wax Wings, they continue to refine this approach and the results are stellar. Huge hooks and sing-along choruses are balanced out by shiny leads and tumbling drums. The band plays a free album release show at the Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park on Thursday night..
GAY BAR HISTORY: Chicago History Museum brings back it’s LGBTQ series, Out at CHM, for a third year. At the first event in the series, author and historian Owen Keehnen moderates a panel on the importance of bars in the history with activists and bar owners Art Johnston of Sidetrack and Marge Summit of His ‘n Hers. 6:30 p.m. with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
FRIDAY JANUARY 27
JACKASS LIVE: Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, Chris “Partyboy” Pontius, Preston Lacy & Dave England will appear live and in the flesh for Jackass Live at Bottom Lounge. Relive some of those memorable stunts from the hit '90s MTV show (and movies!) with members of the original crew. 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.
RESTAURANT WEEK: It’s here. The one thing we look forward to help us get through the deepest part of winter: Restaurant Week. A ton of restaurants around the city will offer special menus and promotions. Our own Anthony Todd has a serious guide to the week’s offerings, so that you find the best deals and don’t get screwed.
IDEAL HOME SHOW: Find remodeling advice, info and tips at The Ideal Home Show at Navy Pier this weekend. Local and regional vendors will help guide you through trends and shop cabinets, windows, flooring, appliances and more. Tickets are $7 ($10 door).