Next week is Valentine's Day, either an excuse to do something nice for a loved one or a commercial holiday whose sole purpose is to sell cards/flowers/assorted chocolates to couples. Either way, you'll likely want to do something this weekend before the big/not-so big day. Fill up your weekend with wonderful music, maybe a live podcast, some comedy, a modern dance, a little romance, or some artsy bromance.
Let's get started with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9th
The Company You Keep Podcast: Live!, 3800 N. Clark St., @ uncommon ground Lakeview, 8:00PM
WHAT: A live recording of a fantastic podcast
SO WHAT: Singer-songwriter
Phillip-Michael Scales makes music that fits somewhere between folk and soul, displaying his great ability at making catchy and thoughtful songs. Scales transitions that talent over to his podcast
The Company You Keep where he discusses music, life, and beyond with his favorite musicians. This episode's guest will be
Mike Maimone of Chicago Trio Mutts, Maimone will discuss his extensive touring schedule, DIY approach to music, and the influence of Tom Waits on his music.
NOW WHAT: Order dinner, ask questions, and enjoy intimate performances in the best listening room in Chicago!
Tickets are $10 for this great event.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th & 11th
Eat, Skate, Love @ Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S. Michigan Ave., Saturday at 6:00PM and 9:00PM, Sunday 6:00PM and 9:30PM
WHAT: Rollerskating for your pre-Valentines Day weekend
SO WHAT: The Chicago Athletic Association hotel is partnering with 1833 to bring you a multi-session celebration of love and rollerskating this Valentine's Day weekend. They will be transforming the historic full-size basketball court, Stagg Court, into a roller rink for you to skate to classic love jams. There will be plenty of rink snacks and boozy drinks for purchase.
NOW WHAT: Entry to the event is $20. Roller skates will be available on site for a $5 cash-only rental on a first come, first served basis but you are also welcome to bring your own skates. This is an 18+ event, so child-sized skates will not be available.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10th
The Black Composer Speaks: Exhortation! @ The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., 5:45PM
WHAT: A panel and concert celebrating the unique and complex voices of African American artists
SO WHAT: Starting off the night will be a panel discussion hosted by
Fulcrum Point called "The Convergence of Experimental Musical Mediums: A Roundtable Discussion". The panel will focus on inclusion, access and aesthetics in music from the Black Diaspora. The discussion will be moderated by Steve Bynum, Senior Producer of WBEZ’s “Worldview,” and will feature panelists Stephen Burns, Artistic Director of Fulcrum Point New Music Project; Seth Parker Woods, Curator of Inclusion and Discoveries for Fulcrum Point; Nathalie Joachim, Eighth Blackbird flutist; Tomeka Reid, composer/cellist/scholar; and Sadie Woods, curator, DJ, Entrepreneur. Following the panel will be "The Black Composer Speaks: Exhortation!" concert which will feature music by Tomeka Reid, Jessie Montgomery, Jeffrey Mumford, Alvin Singleton, Olly Wilson and will culminate in free jazz improv with the innovative Kahil El’Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.
You can read Louis Harris' full preview here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this event are $25 and it's a great way to experience these remarkable musical artists.
the kates @ The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: Comedy to help you get through the week
SO WHAT: the kates, an all-female comedy showcase, features a semi-monthly line-up of the city's funniest, most talented comedians as well as emerging female comic performers. The show, produced by
Kelsie Huff, encourages its comedians to express their hilarious viewpoints unapologetically and have done so with great results! This edition of the kates will feature Chicago comedian
Amy Sumpter hosting the showcase at
The Book Cellar. You can see the full lineup over at
the kates website and you can read Emma Terhaar's write up of
the kates' showcase here!
NOW WHAT: There is a $10 suggested donation for this PG-13 show, so stop by for some laughs!
Bromance: The Unconventional Story of Bernie and Clyde @ Galerie F, 2415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: A mash up show featuring T-Money and Penny Pinch!
SO WHAT: Chicago streets have long been graced with the artwork of T-Money and Penny Pinch. Whether it's the big beautiful
murals that cover entire sides of buildings or the smallest of stickers on every attainable surface, these two artists have hit everything. "The Unconventional Story of Bernie and Clyde" takes both artists' impressive styles and brings them together for an indoor celebration of their complementary street art!
NOW WHAT: This family friendly event is completely free! Come and enjoy the artist bromance!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11th & 12th
MCA Cunningham Event @ Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave,
WHAT: Dance performances in this beautiful museum
SO WHAT: These Cunningham Events are a series of dance performances that will take place in the fourth-floor atrium of
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, adjacent to the exhibition Merce Cunningham: Common Time, to celebrate the exhibition's opening weekend. The
Event performances are arranged and staged by Andrea Weber and features dancers Dylan Crossman, Silas Riener, Jamie Scott, and Melissa Toogood. The
Event musicians are curated by Stephan Moore, and they include Hanna Brock, Nicolas Collins, KG Price, and Katharine Young, along with Moore himself. Cunningham's choreography is performed courtesy of the Merce Cunningham Trust.
NOW WHAT: The performances are free with museum admission, so head over to the MCA and delight in this beautiful event.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
Chicago Pizza Party! @ Ravenswood Event Center, 4011 N. Ravenswood Ave., 2:00PM - 9:00PM
WHAT: Pizza, pizza, and pizza
SO WHAT: Let me break it down. It's a party. There's going to be pizza. Lots of pizza. Like "55 different pizzas from 20 restaurants" amounts of pizza. While pizza is the main attraction, there will also be drinks from Argus Brewery and Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits, music will be piped in by local DJs, photo booths to create memories, and themed games with cool prizes! Plus there will be sweets to balance out the savory provided by BomboBar! And if you need a ride and are coming from downtown, FestDrive is providing complimentary transportation from
Bottled Blonde every hour on the hour throughout the day!
NOW WHAT: Virtually slap down
$20 for tickets to attend this cheesy event, then bring actual money for tickets to grab yourself some slices of heaven.
11th Annual Makeout Party: "An Evening of Aural Intercourse" @ The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: Making out, in party form
SO WHAT: This is the 11th Annual Hideout Makeout Party and it's exactly what it says it is. You and your partner can make out as The Makeout Party Orchestra performs some original songs alongside film score arrangements and classic love themes. You'll be treated to the sounds of Frank Zappa, Celine Dion, Rimsky-Korsakov, The Ventures, Herb Alpert, Scott Walker, Ennio Morricone and many more.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this evening of locking lips.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12th
Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die IPA Sampling/Preview @ Galerie F, 2415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 11:00AM - 7:00PM
WHAT: An advance taste of a new beer from 21st Amendment Brewery
SO WHAT: 21st Amendment Brewery makes good beer. So why not stop by Galerie F
enjoy a sneak peek and an actual sample of their brand new Blood Orange Brew Free! Or Die IPA. It'll be a few weeks before it becomes available in Chicago, so you'll be one of the first people to try this new brew!
NOW WHAT: Just head to
Galerie F and enjoy the free beer and art gallery! Maybe buy yourself a few prints while you're at it!
Neighborhoods of the World @ Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Noon
WHAT: An opportunity to experience different cultures
SO WHAT: Navy Pier will be celebrating the diversity of Chicago’s communities with the seven-week series
Neighborhoods of the World. This annual cultural tribute is presented in collaboration with community arts organizations, consulates, and museums in an attempt to bring the beauty of the world into everyone's lives. Each week will feature a different culture as its theme, letting attendees enjoy lively folk music, traditional dance, cuisine, and crafts from the various ethnic Chicago communities. This weekend's cultural theme will be a celebration of Chinese New Year!
NOW WHAT: This event is free and open to the public, so head to the Crystal Gardens and let a little part of the world into your life!
