This is a fresh start. No more 2016, other than accidentally writing or typing 2016 for the next few months. It's time to get on with our New Year's resolutions and stick to them. An most importantly, it's time to have some fun and celebrate the first full week of 2017.
So let's get this beginning of the year started off right with some curated events!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5th
Martin Scorsese's Silence @ The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave., 7:30PM
WHAT: Martin Scorsese's 28 year journey finally makes it to screens
SO WHAT: When a director as talented and celebrated as Martin Scorsese follows a project for as long as this one, you know it's going to great. Scorsese’s
Silence, adapted from Shusaku Endo’s 1966 acclaimed novel, tells the story of two Christian missionaries (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor (Liam Neeson) – at a time when Christianity was outlawed and their presence forbidden.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this evening's sneak preview are $11 ($9 for seniors).
FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JANUARY 6th - 7th
The House Cup: A Harry Potter Drinking Competition @ Under The Gun Theater, 956 W Newport Ave., 7:30PM
WHAT: The first weekend of this live display of Harry Potter knowledge (also drinking)
SO WHAT: Do you know enough Potter to have studied at Hogwarts? See how your knowledge of the Harry Potter universe stacks up against the experts at
The House Cup, a live drinking show at Under the Gun Theater dedicated to all things magic. Four Harry Potter experts and each audience member will be sorted by house, then asked to test his/her Harry Potter knowledge through trivia, debates, and physical challenges. Did we mention this is a drinking competition? The winner of each round will earn points for his/her house and the losers, they drink. Play along from the audience, put your knowledge of the books to the test and have fun with other Potter aficionados.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 and include one drink ticket. Wizard attire encouraged, muggles welcomed.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, JANUARY 6th - 8th
Ian's Party 2017 @ Subterranean 2011 W North Ave., Chop Shop 2033 W North Ave., Double Door 1551 N Damen Ave., The Flat Iron 1579 N Milwaukee Ave., various times
WHAT: A three day party all about local music and a little comedy too
SO WHAT: Ian's Party is an annual showcase of the best music in Chicago, with some friends from all over the U.S. joining in on the festivities. Occurring on the first weekend of every year for the past nine years, Ian's Party has undergone many iterations, transformations, and evolution. This year is the tenth party and a perfect way to catch up on local acts and keep the new year's fun going. Highlights include A Giant Dog, Celine Neon, The Avantist, Melkbely, and plenty more.
Plus check out some comedy over at The Flat Iron on Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm and a special "We Still Like You" show on Saturday at 10:00pm for free!
NOW WHAT: All venue
weekend passes are $40! Individual day passes are available on the
Ian's Party website. If you're looking for venue specific passes and start times, checkout the links in our
Friday,
Saturday, and
Sunday Ian's Party calendar items.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6th
a town…OF NINJAS! A Decade-long Retrospective of Ninjatown by Shawnimals and Unsolved Landscapes: New Works by Daria Tessler Opening Reception @ Rotofugi, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Ninjas in their most adorable form and beautiful graphite artwork to begin the new year
SO WHAT: This January, Rotofugi's Side Gallery will be filled with Shawnimals and Ninjatown creator Shawn Smith's retrospective of his Ninjatown world. Prints, paintings, rare Ninja of the Month plush and even some original Wee Ninjas from the Shawnimals Archive to be made available to the public. Rotofugi will also be debuting Ninjatown Eeensy Charms, produced by Squibbles Ink + Rotofugi!
Finland-born artist Daria Tessler grew up in California where she studied printmaking and mathematics. Now living in Portland, Oregon, Tessler is the creator of Animalsleep, a collection of silkscreened art, illustrations, children's books and comics. For her Unsolved Landscapes exhibition at Rotofugi, she has created a beautiful collection of graphite drawings on paper that exhibit her wonderfully surreal and playful style
There will be plenty of snacks and beverages (BYOB if you want beer or wine) at this great opening reception, as well as awesome music courtesy of DJ Sean Doe. Shawn Smith will be in attendance to chat with fans too!
NOW WHAT: This opening reception is completely free! The gallery runs from January 6th through the 29th, so come out and enjoy some wonderful art at this great art toy store and gallery.
Works will be available to purchase at the gallery beginning at 11am on Friday, January 6 or via email starting at 2pm the same day for members of the Rotofugi Gallery Previews List.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7th
Revise the Psalm Release Party @ Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St., 7:ooPM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Music, readings, and drinks to celebrate the work of Gwendolyn Brooks
SO WHAT: Curbside Splendor Publishing will be celebrating the release of Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks, a collection of poetry, essays, and art inspired by the work of the late poet and cultural icon Gwendolyn Brooks, with an evening of music, readings, and libations. Editors Quraysh Ali Lansana and Sandra Jackson-Opoku will join local writers Angela Jackson, Elise Paschen, CM Burroughs, and Khari B. in reading their contributions to the book, which will be available for purchase.
NOW WHAT: This event is free!
Complimentary drinks will be provided with purchase of a book.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8th
No Pants Subway Ride @ Various Locations Throughout Chicago (although this might be a good place to start), Noon - 3:00PM
WHAT: A somewhat socially accepted time to not wear pants while on a train. Pants. Who needs them, amirite?
SO WHAT: Started by New York's Improv Everywhere in 2002 has random passengers board a subway car (or in our case L train car) at separate stops in the middle of winter without pants. Simple right? The participants do not behave as if they know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. Just no pants. The event is meant to make people laugh and just goof around, no political agenda. Improv Everywhere founder Charlie Todd refers to the event as a “celebration of silliness”.
NOW WHAT: Obviously free, so get a bunch of your friends together and wash up your best pair of underwear to join in on this
worldwide oddball event.