Winter is finally here and all the holidays it brings are in full effect!
As you may notice, several of the events below focus on Galerie F. The gallery that focuses on street art and concert prints will be relocating sometime in the coming year and this weekend of events will be some of the last at the current location. This gallery is one of the coolest in the city and certainly one of my favorites, bringing together some of the best artists around with every passing exhibition. So go to these events and celebrate Galerie F's history as well as its bright future.
So let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th
Surfboard Art Gallery @ Surf/Burrito Lab, 2367 N Milwaukee Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: Surfboard art for you to marvel at while you drink.
SO WHAT: Emporium Arcade Bar & Surf have finally completed their installation of totally original Surf Board Art, which was made possible by the incredible artists in the Logan Square community. Artist have taken surfboards and made them the canvas for their special works of art. This gallery opening is a great opportunity to meet with many of the artists and view the exciting collaboration! Check out the full list of artists here!
NOW WHAT: This opening is free and sure to be a great night
Chicago Zine Fest's 6th Annual Karaoke Fundraiser @ Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 8:00PM, 21+
WHAT: A fundraiser for this yearly zine fest
SO WHAT: Hosted by Joe and Liz Mason of
Shameless Karaoke, this fundraiser event for
Chicago Zine Fest will let you dig deep into a songbook of over 3000 songs with 100 new ones just added for you to try out. They've got tons of artists for you to belt out, from classics to contemporary music. Beauty Bar will be offering their signature martini and a manicure drink special! Plus walk away with some extra cash by entering the CZF Split the Pot raffle.
NOW WHAT: There is a $5 admission that will benefit the 2017 Chicago Zine Fest!
RSVP here
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th
Ye Olde Holiday Shoppe @ Land & Sea Dept., 3124 W Carroll Ave., 5:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Holiday shopping with LSD!
SO WHAT: Land & Sea Dept. is throwing a little pop-up market with their favorite local businesses, makers, and artists. Parson’s Chicken and Fish Chef Hunter Moore and bar manager Charlie Schott will be slinging eats and drinks all night as Longman & Eagle delivers sweet treats and Hopewell Brewing provides the micro brews. DJs will be spinning all night as you shop and receive a bunch more good cheer and festive fun. You can check out the full list of business, makers, and artists that will be sharing their wares here!
NOW WHAT: Free entry and a
portion of proceeds from Land & Sea Dept.’s food and beverage sales will be donated to Christopher House's holiday program to help ensure that the Chicago children and their families have a joyful holiday season
Familiar Faces Opening Reception @ Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: An end of an era, the final Galerie F show opening at this fantastic location before they relocate!
SO WHAT: Galerie F will be wrapping up the year with huge show just in time for the holiday season. They will be bringing together the best makers and mashers of characters and mascots! The collection will feature 12"x12" artworks from local street artists with beloved mascots as well as artists near and far who use recognizable characters from popular culture. These mashup masters have an eye for seamlessly weaving different figures, faces and places together. The walls will be lined with characters from your everyday walks, from your childhood, from beyond.You can check out the huge list of artists featured in the event over at the Facebook event page.
NOW WHAT: This monumental show is free so get your coat on and celebrate the final Galerie F exhibition at this space before they relocate! The show will run until December 24th during their normal hours.
Dandelion Wine: New Works by Melissa Sue Stanley and Lana Crooks & Andrew Bell Exhibit, Opening Reception @ Rotofugi, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: An opening reception for Melissa Sue Stanley's new works
SO WHAT: Melissa Sue Stanley creates paintings and soft sculptures inspired from her life and experience in the Midwest. Memories of cicadas, storms, and endless fields are captured in drawings and paintings with a nice dose of magical realism thrown in.
Melissa also works with her partner, Max Bare, on comic books and small products. Together they manage and host the Chicago Drink & Draw Social Club, and are members of the OhNo!Doom Collective. In the main gallery New York-based Andrew Bell and Lana Crooks' works will also be on display. Bell enjoys working in a variety of mediums, from illustrations and paintings to toys and sculptures while Crooks uses found objects to manifest her love for the antique, the creepy, the cute and the mysterious. You'll have a chance to chat with all the artists at this opening reception while having some snacks and beverages (BYOB if you want beer or wine). There will also be some awesome music courtesy of DJ Sean Doe.
NOW WHAT: The event is free and you can even purchase the art work beginning at 11am on Friday or via email starting at 2pm the same day for members of our
Gallery Previews List.
Tony Fitzpatrick X Saint Alfred: Car Town @ AdventureLand Works on Paper, 1513 N Western Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: A collaboration between a Chicago artist and a Chicago boutique
SO WHAT: Tony Fitzpatrick annual art exhibition will see him teaming up with Saint Alfred to display a variety of art and surprises. The collaboration resulted in
capsule collection of Tony Fitzpatrick designed, Saint Alfred produced, apparel and accessories of which select proceeds will benefit charities of choice of the two groups. There will be a pop up shop at the event with some of the clothing available for purchase. Check out the full list of artists that will be in the exhibit here.
NOW WHAT: This is a free event with free drinks and pets are welcome.
The Mads: Trace Beaulieu & Frank Conniff of MST3K @ The Logan Theatre, 2646 N Milwaukee Ave., 7:00PM & 10:00PM, both shows are 17+
WHAT: Two of the original Mystery Science Theater 3000 actors live!
SO WHAT: Trace Beaulieu and Frank Coniff created, wrote and starred as Dr. Clayton Forrester/Crow T. Robot (Trace) and TV’s Frank (Frank) on the movie-riffing television show Mystery Science Theater 3000. The pair is currently on tour riffing on films live across the country and will be making a stop at the Logan Theatre for two different movies.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $35 for each showing and are for ages 17+.
SATURDAY,DECEMBER 10th
Greg & Fake @ Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave., 11:00PM - 6:00PM
WHAT: A live art event in Logan Square
SO WHAT: Greg & Fake are phenomenally fun artists who will be participating in Galerie F's Familiar Faces exhibition (which opens the night prior). They will be tackling their art in a live-painting extravaganza throughout the regular hours of the gallery. If you can't make it to the late night opening, this is a great opportunity to catch the artwork in a lively environment with these great artists from the collection.
NOW WHAT: The event is free and open to the public.
Holiday Sale @ Una Mae's Chicago, 1528 N Milwaukee Ave. #1, 11:00AM - 8:00PM
WHAT: A sale for the holidays
SO WHAT: It's that time of year to spread the holiday cheer as Una Mae's will have take 20% almost everything in their store. Additionally they will be providing free cocktails, beer, whisky from Highland Park, The Famous Grouse and Marz Brewing. Tonight Natural will providing a mix of festive tunes and Wade Hall McElroy will be shaking up the drinks for you to drink while you shop.
NOW WHAT: Head in early, get some drinks, and shop to your heart's content.
DRAW! DRAW! DRAW! @ Galerie F, 2381 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Another (!) fantastic live art event in Logan Square
SO WHAT: Galerie F, your place for posters, prints and street art in Chicago, will be hosting a panel of pre-selected artists who will be creating works in the gallery that you can take home with you. Artists that will be participating in this month's event include Greg and Fake who will be doing a live art presentation earlier in the day
. You can check out the
full lineup here and for those of you who may want to create some artwork to sell, t
here will be 7 first come first serve "drop-in" seats for artists who were not previously selected for the show. Artists keep 100% of their proceeds from this event and get to share their craft with the amazing patrons of Galerie F. The event will also be holding a raffle to win some awesome prizes, so just bring in some playful items (Winter clothes, Non-Perishable Foods and Toiletries are always welcome) to get a raffle ticket. 1 item = 1 raffle ticket. It's set to be a great night of live at creation where you can socialize with like minded art enthusiasts
.
NOW WHAT: The event is free, open to the public, and BYOB. So get yourself some art and party with the funnest art gallery in Chicago!
Dark Christmas @ Spin Chicago, 344 N State St., 9:00PM, 21+
WHAT: Christmas for those who prefer things a little more sinister
SO WHAT: This darkened Christmas event will speak most to those who like their Santa evil and their Christmas trees burnt. From wolves instead of reindeer and shattered ornaments to Mrs. Claus dancers clad in leather garments, this event is taking aim at the darkness that resides in your soul. In addition to all that there will be trapeze artists performing as deadly Snow Queens, circus performers doing renditions of Christmas carols, and fire spinning elves. Yes, you read that right.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free with RSVP for this 21+ event. Plus your first cocktail is free!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11th
The Revolution Craft Show @ Revolution Taproom, 3340 N Kedzie Ave., Noon - 6:00PM
WHAT: Great crafts of both the beer and handmade goods variety in one place
SO WHAT: The Revolution Craft Show well be getting into the holiday spirit with this winter show at Revolution taproom. You'll be able to get your holiday shopping done by shopping handcrafted goods from 45+ local artists. In addition to the unique mix of crafts, there will be plenty of Revolution Brewery beer and food trucks on hand.
NOW WHAT: Bring a friend or two and enjoy the afternoon. It's free, just bring some cash for good beer and great crafts.
