Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 12/1 – 12/4

Although many of us have been blasting holiday music since Thanksgiving (I assume some even earlier), it's officially December and all the holiday cheer is now somewhat appropriate. The weather still needs to catch up to its normal blistering cold state, but let's enjoy the atmosphere with some quality events. Let's get your curated weekend started! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1st BrewLights @ Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St., 5:30PM - 9:30PM WHAT: Fancy lights to brighten your beer drinking during the third annual Brewlights SO WHAT:  This adults-only event will treat attendees to local craft, seasonal and international beers on tap throughout the zoo This event is a great way to enjoy all the fun of Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights, from amazing light displays to live ice-sculpture carving. You can get your photo snapped with Santa at the Helen Brach Primate House, take free spins on their carousel, and dance along to music inside the Kovler Lion House. Food will be available for purchase throughout the evening. NOW WHAT: Tickets are $49 online until 3:00pm, $60 at the door. Emily Nichols/Iverson/Boycut @ Emporium, 1366 N Milwaukee Ave., 8:00PM WHAT: Music at an arcade bar SO WHAT: Head over to Emporium to see three fantastic local music acts doing what they do best. Emily Nichols will provide her ethereal voice, Iverson will have their synthy pop ready, and Boycut will carry you away with some ambient eletropop. NOW WHAT: The show is free! RSVP for a chance to get some free beer or game tokens. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd Hacked IRL: A Factory Outlet Mainframe Meltdown @ Numero Group, 2533 S Troy St., Noon - 7:00PM WHAT: A sale for the musically inclined SO WHAT: Numero Group strives to find the best music that has been overlooked or forgotten. They have been doing a tremendous job and they will be having a sale under the guise of getting hacked in real life. Most things released before 2016 are 50% off which is an amazing deal for their releases. NOW WHAT: Grab some cash and discover some gems SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3rd - 4th Renegade Craft Fair @ Bridgeport Art Center 1200 W 35th St., 11:00AM - 6:00PM WHAT: A craft fair focused on independent makers. SO WHAT: Over 250+ independent crafters and makers will be at this Renegade Craft Fair celebrating DIY spirit for two amazing days. Stay in and avoid the cold with a warm weekend full of DIY workshops, partaking in delicious food and drinks, shopping handmade products, and kicking off the gift-giving season. NOW WHAT: The event is free and open to the public. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3rd Whitney @ Reckless Records Wicker Park, 1379 N Milwaukee Ave., 2:00PM WHAT: A chance to see an amazing local band for free! SO WHAT: If you're like me, you procrastinated too long and missed out on Whitney's two nights over at Thalia Hall this weekend. Luckily this wonderful band led by Max Kakacek and Julien Ehrlich will be playing an in-store show over at Reckless. Whitney's sound is the warm and tender rock n' roll that the music scene desperately needed.  Whitney have only released one album and it stands as one of the best records of the year. NOW WHAT: It's free! So get your butt over to Reckless and catch this phenomenal group Xylouris White @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont Ave., 10:00PM WHAT: A Grecian/Australian duo for the ages SO WHAT: Xylouris White unites the beautiful and emotional lute playing of George Xylouris with the manic and ecstatic drumming of Jim White. The result is a sound like no other, evoking a worldly noise that is underlined by its inherent grace. The duo have been performing and recording together for quite a while now and have always felt like a hive mind, working in unison and tandem like no other. They will be joined by guitarist Marisa Anderson as the opener for this intimate performance. NOW WHAT: Tickets are $13 in advance and are well worth it! SUNDAY,DECEMBER 4th Geralyn Hesslau Magrady and Gint Aras @ Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St, Oak Park, 2:00PM WHAT: A reading and discussion featuring two wonderful local writers SO WHAT: Geralyn Hesslau Magrady and Gint Aras will be doing short readings before delving into questions and discussion about their writing processes, the publishing industry, and their muses. Both authors have recently released two amazing works, Magrady's historical fiction on the Great Chicago fire, Lines, and Gint Aras' epic tale of immigrants in the Chicagoland area, The Fugue. NOW WHAT: Just head to the library and listen in on this insightful discussion.