15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 20, 2017 3:30PM
Saints and Heroes: Art of Medieval and Renaissance Europe opens on Monday. Image courtesy of the Art Institute.
In Chicago, sometimes our plans for the week are dominated by food. This is one of those weeks.
MONDAY MARCH 20
FELIZ PRIMAVERA DINNER: Welcome Spring the Mexican way with an experiential dinner at Mercadito from 6 to 9 p.m. Fidencio Mezcal cocktails will accompany five courses of guacamoles, ceviches, tacos and more tacos. Tickets are $75. Call 312-329-9555 to reserve a spot.
MEDIEVAL ART: The Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Europe brought us tons of artistic relics from jewelry to shining armor. Beginning this Monday, The Art Institute will present almost 700 objects from it’s 1200 to 1600 holdings in Saints and Heroes: Art of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The new installation provides an expansive look at the time period’s architecture, religion and lifestyles. The galleries are included in museum admission.
TUESDAY MARCH 21
Pete Holmes and Sarah Silverman in "Crashing." Image courtesy of the Chicago International Television Festival.
TELEVISION FESTIVAL: If there’s one thing American’s love, it’s their television. The 53rd Chicago International Television Festival gives TV the credit it’s due with free screenings and panel discussions at AMC River East. The three-day micro-festival presents local, national and international television and advertising including an upcoming episode of “Crashing” with starring comedian Pete Holmes. The first two evenings of programming are free, but advance reservations are recommended. Click here for more information on the festival.
RIOT FEST NITE: DJ Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms, DJ Buck Foley (who works behind the scenes at Riot Fest) and DJ Riot Fest Twitter Guy (self-explanatory) create the soundtrack to this party at Cobra Lounge Tuesday night. The evening will include ticket giveaways, and All Rise Beer. The festivities kick off ay 9.pm.
MEGA POP: On last year's Jessica Rabbit, Sleigh Bells kept the volume cranked to 11 while still adding some new layers to their sonic soup. Singer Alexis Krauss added a new dimension of emotion and expression over Derek Edward Miller's slabs of guitar and drums. The band plays Metro on Tuesday night and tickets are $25.
KOVAL DINNER: We’re fans of local distillery Koval making waves in the spirits community, and they’ll join the crew at Found Kitchen and Social House this week for a special cocktail dinner at 6:30 p.m. Spiritmaster Michelle Sallemi collaborated with Chef Nicole Pederson to create the four-course menu, and both will be in attendance to chat. Tickets are $48. To purchase, call 847-868-8945 or email fun@foundkitchen.com.
Image courtesy of Oyster Bah.
WINE DINNER: Wine and oysters: two of our favorite things. They come together at Oyster Bah Tuesday night for the Rombauer Vineyards Wine Dinner. Winemaker Richie Allen will host, speaking about his Napa vineyard. The three-course dinner begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60. Call 773-248-3000 to reserve.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22
FREE BURGER BIRTHDAY: Happy 7th birthday to M Burger! Celebrate with a free burger all day Wednesday with any purchase. Available in-store at any of their locations.
SPRING CHEF DINNER: Enjoy a four-course spring chef dinner at 6 p.m., with the chef being Mon Ami Gabi’s Michael Battocletti. The menu, packed with fresh seasonal veggies, will be paired with boutique French wines. Tickets are $75. Call 773-348-8886 to reserve a spot.
Image via Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Facebook page.
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE: The name Alvin Ailey is synonymous with bold, ground breaking African American work in the arena of contemporary dance. It's always a delight when the New York based company rolls through town, this being their 47th annual visit at Auditorium Theatre. This year the Chicago program features works from company member Hope Boykin, MacArthur Fellow Kyle Abraham and will close as always with a work from Ailey himself. Performances run through March 26. Tickets start at $33.
THURSDAY MARCH 23
OMAKASE DINNER: Chef Hisanobu Osaka is visiting Naoki for a special Kaiseki “haute” cuisine dinner. You may know the notable Osaka name as Iron Chef Morimoto’s Executive Chef and partner in several restaurant openings. The six-course menu features Japanese wagyu, and pairings with sake and Japanese whiskey. Tickets are $98. Call 773-868-0002 to make a reservation.
LAGUNITAS DINNER: SideDoor is Lawry’s Prime Rib’s more laid-back gastropub, and they’ll endorse the casual vibe with a Lagunitas Beer Dinner beginning at 7 p.m. The five-course menu courtesy of Executive Chef Leonard Delgado features American dishes with a dash of Southern flair like Andouille Sausage with IPA mustard and Tabasco aioli, Shrimp & Jalapeno-Cheddar Grits and more. Lagunitas beers or beer-based cocktails will accompany each course. Tickets are $75. For reservations, email Trevor at tbierwirth@lawrysonline.com.
FRIDAY MARCH 24
PAWS PARTY PETS: Party with your pet at the 11th Annual PAWS Animal Magnetism at 7 p.m. The pet-friendly celebration at Morgan Manufacturing supports the non-profit’s efforts to save animals with an evening of cocktails, food, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets are $150 for humans, $25 for dogs.
Lawrence Brownlee in Charlie Parker's Yardbird. Photo by Dominic M Mercier courtesy of Lyric Unlimited.
YARDBIRD OPERA: Opera and jazz are two words you don’t usually hear together, but tonight they’ll combine for Charlie Parker's Yardbird at Harris Theater. Presented by Lyric Unlimited, the 90-minute chamber opera explores the life of jazz legend Charlie Parker after his death in New York City. Performances will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
INDIE ROCK: Jay Som is generating a ton of buzz around her just-released Everybody Works, a winning collection of well-crafted pop. But the true gem on the Friday bill at Schubas is The Courtneys. The Courtneys II is filled with bouncy, fuzzy girl-group inspired indie pop. It's simple but effective and gets you humming along without realizing it long after the album is over.