15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 20, 2017 4:14PM
The Windy City Rollers compete for the Juanna Rumbel Cup on Friday. Image via Windy City Rollers Facebook page.
The unusually pleasant February weather looks to hold through this week, so get out and enjoy some of these area events.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 20: PRESIDENT’S DAY
PRESIDENT’S HISTORY: The Chicago History Museum presents free and educational historical programming in honor of Presidents' Day. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. visitors can see “Meeting the Lincolns” and a performance by the Chicago Brass Band. It’s also the last chance to see the exhibition “Lincoln’s Undying Words,” before it closes to the public.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21
SOMM SLAM: Billy Lawless’s team presents the Third Annual Chicago Somm Slam, a wine battle between Chicago’s top sommeliers and distributors. The evening at Beacon Tavern begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes a five-course menu curated by Executive Chef Robert Broskey. Tickets are $199.
AFRICAN AMERICAN WINEMAKERS DINNER: The Hyde Park Wine Society dedicates this month’s wine dinner to African American winemakers in honor of Black History Month. 57th Street Wines sommelier Derrick Westbrook and The Promontory's executive chef Andrew Graves will prepare a perfectly paired four-course menu. 7 p.m. Tickets are $75.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22
WILCO WINTERLUDE: Local indie/alt/experimental rock band Wilco brings back their Winterlude series with four nights of shows at Chicago Theatre beginning on Wednesday. This is the group’s first time headlining the venue, and what better way to make their mark on the place than with a solid residency? Tickets start at $49.50.
MORNING DANCE PARTY: Daybreaker returns with another morning dance party, this time with a Let’s Get Physical '80s theme. Begin the morning at 5:30 a.m. with sunrise yoga, or come at 6:30 a.m. for the jazzer-dance party. They’ll have a DJ, live performances and breakfast treats. Tickets are $25 to dance or $35 for the dance party and yoga.
GAME OF THRONES: Massive multimedia screens, fire, and more tribal drums than any stage should be able to support will be seen in abundance when The Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience arrives at at the United Center on Thursday. Series composer Ramin Djawadi will be conducting the orchestra and tickets start at $39.
PRISONER WINE DINNER: SideDoor, Lawry’s Prime Rib’s gastropub, hosts The Prisoner Wine Company for a four-course dinner at 7 p.m. John Samaritano from the California wine company will be there to guide guests through the pairings. Tickets are $110. Email Trevor at tbierwirth@lawrysonline.com to reserve a spot.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23
Image via Paradisus's Facebook page.
WARM FRONT: Chicago may not be as brutal as usual this winter, but there’s no denying that Mexico is still better. Paradisus is in town to tempt you away to one of their resorts with Warm Front. The two-day pop up at 401 N. Michigan Ave. will have mocktails, massages, a photobooth and more. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4.p.m. on Friday. Free.
BEER DINNER: J. Parker hosts a Big Hugs beer dinner with local brewery Half Acre at 6 p.m. Big Hugs is their imperial coffee stout and the inspiration for the paired five-course menu by Chef Austin Luchon. Tickets are $60.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24
Photo by Maria Baranova.
ON EDGE: The city’s fourth annual experimental live performance series will take place at venues across the city including the Chicago Cultural Center and The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. OnEdge presents groundbreaking works from national and international artists like Swiss-based performer Marie-Caroline Hominal’s one-on-one piece. All performances are free, first-come, first-served 60 minutes before each performance. Visit their website for the full schedule continuing through March 25.
WINDY CITY ROLLERS: Watch Hoosier Mama, Athena DeCrime, Varla Vendetta and many more derby girls compete in The Windy City Rollers’ annual Juanna Rumbel Cup at UIC Pavillion at 7 p.m. The tournament will feature four 30-minute bouts ending with a final battle for the cup. Tickets are $20 or $15 pre-sale through your favorite skater.
TICKLED PINK: The annual fundraising event benefiting Bright Pink takes place at Morgan Manufacturing at 8 p.m. The national non-profit is dedicated to the prevention and detection of breast and ovarian cancer and this is the 12th year of the benefit event with chef tastings, cocktails, live music, exciting raffle prizes, and more. Tickets are $110.
Image courtesy of the Chicago Flamenco Festival.
CHICAGO FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: The 15th annual Chicago Flamenco Festival opens this Friday with a concert and reception at Instituto Cervantes at 7 p.m. The festival brings five weeks of dance, music and film from Spain, starting with Ensemble Español Dance Theater and the U.S. premiere of Anabel Veloso’s “Secreto A Voces”. Visit their website for additional events and ticket information.
VINTAGE CLOTHING + JEWELRY SHOW: The folks from Vintage Garage Chicago bring us a new style event, the Chicago Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show on Friday and Saturday. The fashion bazaar will have 50 vendors from all over the country including Vintage Martini, locals CVCJ and many more at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church. Tickets are $8.
AFTER DARK: The Art Institute's After Dark event gets "Xtra Loud" this month with Brazilian psychedelic pop group Os Mutantes headlining. Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot will also lead a discussion with band leader Sergio Dias. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30.