14 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 11, 2017 6:33PM
Arbella's Grand Avenue Freezeout is Monday. Photo by Mistey Nguyen.
Cocktails, libations and some food top our favorite events this week.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11
GRAND AVENUE FREEZEOUT: Arbella is known for their liquid nitrogen-frozen cocktails, and they’re launching a friendly neighborhood cocktail competition with other local bartenders. The Grand Avenue Freezeout picks up this Monday at 9 p.m. with David Disney of Sparrow, Nikki Allen of Apogee at Dana Hotel and Aaron Pollack of The Dawson. Vote your favorite while enjoying snacks and punch.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Image via Marriott's event page.
ROOFTOP DINNER: The Chicago Marriott Downtown continues their Rooftop Dinner Series benefitting Children’s Miracle Network this Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. The reception-style dinner will feature ingredients grown in the rooftop garden and be expertly paired with wines from Ramey Wine Cellars. Tickets are $40.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13
BACON + BEER DINNER: Two of Wisconsin’s premier food & beverage institutions come together for for a five-course Bacon & Beer Dinner at SideDoor at 7 p.m. Representatives from both Nueskes Applewood Smoked Meats and Tyranena Brewing Co. will be in attendance for the collaborative dinner crafted by Executive Chef Steve Goellner. Enjoy BBQ-Glazed Bacon Slab all the way to Bourbon Maple-Glazed Bacon Cannoli paired with Tyranena beers. Tickets are $75. To make a reservation, email Shannon atstauschman@lawrysonline.com.
CAJUN COCKTAIL PARTY: The Original Heaven on Seven on Wabash hosts a Cajun Cocktail Party and book launch from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Unique Eats & Eateries of Chicago is the new book from Chicago author and food writer Matt Kirouac described as “love letter to the city's multifaceted food scene.” The event will feature passed appetizers from Heaven on Seven & The Purple Pig, hurricanes, beer and wine. Tickets are $45 per person (with a signed copy of the book) or $25 (without the book).
Image via EXPO CHICAGO's website.
EXPO CHICAGO: The ultimate contemporary art fair takes over Navy Pier’s Festival hall this weekend, hosting more than 135 leading international exhibitors. EXPO CHICAGO is more than simply galleries, with programming including /Dialogues, IN/SITU, IN/SITU Outside, EXPO VIDEO, the Curatorial Forum, the Art Critics Forum, Special Exhibitions and OVERRIDE | A Billboard Project. The opening night preview, Vernissage, is Sept. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m., with general admission beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 and running through Sept. 17. Tickets start at $20 for single-day admission.
ITALIAN GLAM, MEET CHICAGO RAWK: Rome's Giuda eschews the glitter to channel the denim and fist-pumping side of glam rock. The band spits out foot-stomping anthems that are heavy on the drums and powered by riffs that would make Slade proud. You can see and hear it all this Wednesday when they play 1st Ward at Chop Shop. Chicago's MAMA channels a similar spirit in their rousing approach to the ol' rock and/or roll, so get there early for their opening set.
FEMINIST HAPPY HOUR: Feminist Happy Hour pops up at Beauty Bar for this month’s theme: Total Eclipse of the Patriarchy. The evening features performances, conversation and cocktails all under the guise of “feminist forward, socially conscious art.” 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14
NERD COMEDY FESTIVAL: The 5th Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival comes to Stage 773 this Thursday through Sunday. Standup comedian, writer, and producer Brandie Posey will headline this year’s festival that celebrates the city's nerd comedy scene. The weekend features panels, workshops, and of course performances. Tickets start at $10 a show.
COCKTAIL CHALLENGE: The Chicago Reader hosts their 5th Annual Cocktail Challenge at SPiN from 7 to 10 p.m. The theme for this year’s competition is “Decades” and mixologists from The Betty, Billy Sunday, Punch House and many many more will battle it out as you put away all the resulting drinks and snacks. Tickets are $50.
WICKER PARK LIT FEST: Quimby’s Opens Wicker Park Lit Fest with 3 Songs reading series featuring with Jonas, Marc Lazar, Kathy Moseley & The Blue Ribbon Glee Club starting at 7 p.m. Other events include a book swap at the Wicker Park Farmers Market and a literacy panel courtesy of 826CHI. Visit the fest’s Facebook page for more information.
SHEER BUZZ: Sheer Mag take gritty NYC-by-way-of-Philadelphia downtown glam, rips it out of 1973, and add a dose of extra viciousness both lyrically and melodically that fits our modern times. On Need To Feel Your Love, their debut full-length after a couple of excellent EPs, singer Tina Halladay's injects the songs with a magnetic spirit ably matched and propelled by her bandmates. Catch them Thursday night at Thalia Hall. Flesh World and Negative Scanner open.
SPARKLING WINE TOUR: Join Staytion for a Sparkling Wine Tasting Tour from 5 to 7 p.m. Wine experts will guide guests around the world with tastings from France, Spain, Italy and more. Tickets are $45.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15
GREEN TIE BALL: The 26th Annual Green Tie Ball benefitting the nonprofit Chicago Gateway Green returns at Artifact Events this Friday at 7 p.m. The black-tie event has a “Devil in The Green City” theme, headlined by DJ White Shadow. Special guest Taylor Kinney (aka Kelly Severide on NBC’s Chicago Fire) is also slated to attend. Tickets are $150.
RIOT FEST: We know, we know, Riot Fest sucks. They didn’t schedule the exact band you wanted to see at the exact time you wanted to see them, but we’ll bet that any time you show up at any stage this weekend, you’ll be entertained. The punk rock festival boasts yet another huge lineup this year with headliners Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stoneage, Paramore and Jawbreaker at the top. Of course Riot Fest regulars Andrew WK and Gwar made the list as well. Tickets for the three-day fest in Douglas Park are now $189.98. Single day tickets are also available.