March is on its way out and April is just about to start! Don't let the curated weekend pass you by, there are plenty of great events from film festivals, poetry readings, art shows, concerts and of course BACON! So don't let fool yourself, go out and do something fun this weekend!
THE WHOLE WEEKEND, MARCH 30th - APRIL 2nd
DOC10 Film Festival @ Davis Theater, 4614 N Lincoln Ave, Various showtimes
WHAT: For the second year in a row, Chicago Media Project, a non-profit organization supporting social-impact documentary film, presents the DOC10 Film Festival
SO WHAT: The festival will feature local premieres of 10 of the best documentaries of the current season, and post-screening Q&As with many of the filmmakers represented in the lineup. Check out our full preview by Steve Prokopy here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets, the full schedule, an updated list of Q&A, and further information can be found at the festival’s website.
THURSDAY, MARCH 30th
Six Points Reading Series: Maria Barnas & Patricia Rose @ Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 Michigan Avenue, 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHAT: Poetry and Art
SO WHAT: Join the Poetry Center of Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Photography for another installment of the Six Points Reading Series! Maria Barnas and will be reading in response to the current exhibition on view, Viviane Sassen’s UMBRA. Patricia Rose, created by artist Danielle Rosen, is a performative platform where collaborators engage in explorations of body and voice, subject and monitor, human and animal, self and other. For this iteration, Danielle Rosen has invited Maggie Crowley and Carris Adams and together, they will perform a piece that is in response to Barnas’ Hurtling.
NOW WHAT: This event is free and a wonderful opportunity to see these poets read their work.
Book Apothecary @ City Lit Books, 2523 N Kedzie Blvd., 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHAT: Books to cure what ails you
SO WHAT: The
Book Apothecary will feature over 50 pieces of curative literature hand-selected by some of City Lit's favorite authors to soothe your most searing of existential ailments. This kick off party will feature bibliotherapists Juan Martinez and David Welch on hand to prescribe literature. Authors will read from their recommended books including Mary Wisniewski (author of Algren), Leslie Parry (author of Church of Marvels), Heidi Stevens (Chicago Tribune contributor), and David Zivan (Editor-in-Chief, CS Magazine).
NOW WHAT: This event is free and the t
he Book Apothecary pop up will run from 3/30-4/30. A portion of sales from this opening evening will benefit 826CHI.
FRIDAY and SATURDAY, MARCH 31th and APRIL 1st
Bacon Fest Chicago @ UIC Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Rd., Friday 6:00PM - 10:00PM and Saturday 11:00AM - 3:00PM and 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: BACON!
SO WHAT: It's bacon in its every form. Chefs from the finest local restaurants prepare and serve small plates starring this event's main attraction: bacon. The best mixologists and brewers then will quench your thirst with refreshing bacon-based and bacon-inspired cocktails and brews. Luxury brands and artisan bacon-makers will display, sample, and sell a multitude of local craft bacon and bacon-related products. It's all the bacon you could want. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales, host raffles and organize sponsor matching donations to local food charities. You can see the full menu that
every session offers here!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available at their website and start at their website! There are plenty of price options ranging from $60 to $200.
FRIDAY, MARCH 31th
Drinkers with Writing Problems: Lit Up! @ Brisku's Bistro & Bar, 4100 N Kedzie Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: Drinks and readings!
SO WHAT: Each month, Drinkers with Writing Problems produce a show that highlights some of Chicago's most creative writers and performers, along with some of DWWP'ers favorites. This reading series features all genres of writing from first person narrative to young adult fiction to poetry to whatever the writer decides to share with the audience. This edition will feature poet Billy Tuggle, writer Onicia D L Muller, musician Nire Nah, storyteller Jake Cowan, monologist Roberta Miles, and regulars Jeff Phillips and Kim Nelson.
NOW WHAT: Doors open at 7:00pm and show starts at 7:30pm, so get there early and enjoy these readings!
Allison Crutchfield and The Fizz @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave., 7:30PM
WHAT: Music for your Friday night
SO WHAT: Starting out as the co founder of great bands like Swearin' and P.S. Eliot and consistently touring alongside her sister in Waxahatchee,
Allison Crutchfield has finally put out her debut album and it's magnificent. It's an album filled to the brim with enormous synths and confessional lyrics of heartache and memories that just wont go away. Opening the night will be the beautiful sounds of
Vagabon and the rock of
Pretty Pretty.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this night of great music are only $12! Get in on this show now!
4th Anniversary: The Wrecking Ball and Gala @ Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave., 8:30PM
WHAT: 4th Anniversary of Constellation
SO WHAT: Join Constellation as they celebrate their four year anniversary with music from the Constellation Staff and Friends band, DJ's, food and more as they count down to midnight, the Constellation / Links Hall New Year!
NOW WHAT: This is a free event! Go and celebrate!
SATURDAY and SUNDAY, APRIL 1st and 2nd
Cavalia’s Odysseo @ Soldier Field’s South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Dr., Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, Sunday at 2:00PM
WHAT: Horses and theatrics in one place
SO WHAT: The latest theatrical adventure by Montreal entertainment company
Cavalia, Odysseo, is an immersive theatrical experience in which horses are front and center. This production features 65 horses and 48 talented riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians.
NOW WHAT:
Adult tickets are $34.50-$144.50, with special pricing and packages available for groups, children, juniors and seniors.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1st
Impossible Colors presents: Frontwoman Fest 2017 @ Burlington Bar, 3425 W Fullerton Ave., Noon
WHAT: Frontwoman Fest's yearly benefit for Girls Rock! Chicago
SO WHAT: Join a huge list of local female fronted bands as they raise money for Girls Rock! Chicago! There will by female artists spinning on vinyl and live acts will include
Jovan , The Cell Phones, No Men, So Pretty, Red's Garden, Sports Boyfriend, Pixel Grip, Radiant Devices, Pussy Foot, Drea Smith, Sandra Antongiorgi, Blacker Face, Impulsive Hearts and A MYSTERY BAND!
NOW WHAT: The event is 21+ and the $10 cover
includes music all day along with a free beer happy hour! So go and have a great time supporting a worthwhile charity.
It's Just Color @ Comfort Station, 2579 N Milwaukee Ave., 2:00PM - 5:00PM
WHAT: A new exhibition at
Comfort Station
SO WHAT: Cassie Tompkin's
It’s Just Color is an exhibition of screen-printed and dyed fabric monoprints of imagined environments capturing the tableau of everyday phenomena. Using a language of geometric and organic shapes and the sensorial experience of color, Tompkins works as an improviser, balancing compositions through intentional and serendipitous marks. Through the demonstration of opposites, she fuses elements found in design and abstract painting. This process employs both industrial and traditional craft techniques that magnify the beautiful and the grotesque. Her work is grounded on philosophical notions found in quotidian life. Moments that blur boundaries between material objects and cognitive experiences, encourage viewers to reconsider their own surroundings through material and designed transformations.
NOW WHAT: It's free, go and enjoy this unique exhibition! It will be on display until April 29th!
NOWRUZANE/Persian New Year Opening Reception @ Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, 4912 N Western Ave., 5:00PM - 8:00PM
WHAT: A touring exhibition is a collaboration between Chav Printmaking Studio (Iran), Milano Printmakers Associazione Culturale (Milan) and Chicago Printmakers Collaborative.
SO WHAT: This beautiful exhibit will feature 130 mini prints created by CPC, Italian, and Iranian printmakers. The prints take influence from the Persian New Year which is called Nowruz;
now meaning new, and
ruz meaning day. "
Nowruz is about the renewal of nature, and for 3000 years, it has been celebrated at the exact moment of the vernal equinox. Iranians decorate using the seven symbols of life and vitality called Haftsin. These symbols crop up in many of the exhibited prints: Apple, Sumac, Vinegar, Garlic, Dried Oleaster, Samanu (sweet pudding made from wheat germ), and Sabzeh (wheat sprouts)."
NOW WHAT: Head over to the opening reception and enjoy these great prints in person!
Kevin Coval @ Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N Milwaukee Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: A
celebration of the release of Kevin Coval's newest book of poetry from Haymarket Books, The People's History Of Chicago
SO WHAT: Kevin Coval will be kicking off National Poetry Month with this fantastic reading and he will be
joined by some of the best of this year's 2017 Louder Than a Bomb competition.
NOW WHAT: This event is free and a great way to start your month!
Chef Paul Kahan X Vans Collab @ House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St., 7:00PM
WHAT: Music, footwear, and food in one of the coolest new venues in Chicago
SO WHAT: Vans will be partnering with celebrated Chef Paul Kahan and
One Off Hospitality to showcase a new footwear capsule, in conjunction with four of their Chicago restaurants:
Publican Quality Meats,
avec,
Blackbird and
Dove’s Luncheonette. The special event highlights Kahan and the One Off team's culinary creativity and will raise money toward beloved charity,
Pilot Light. Plus there will be a musical performance by Preoccupations!
NOW WHAT: This event is free!
Just RSVP at their website an arrive early as entrance is first come first serve.
April Fool's Day @ Cole's, 2338 N Milwaukee Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: April Fool's Day show!
SO WHAT: April Fool's Day is a once a year thing so do not miss out on these great bands or the fool will be you! Cole's will fill up with The Memories, Emotional, and the alaways entertaining The Lemons!
NOW WHAT: There is no cover for this 21+ show, so go out and have a great time listening to these bands!
SUNDAY, APRIL 2nd
Crystal Fighters @ Concord Music Hall, 2047 N Milwaukee Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: Cool psychedelic world music
SO WHAT: The L
ondon-based band Crystal Fighters are back in Chicago! They have just released their third studio album Everything Is My Family and will surely bring their exuberant onstage presence to this big show! They will be joined by Machineheart and her chill vibe and fun sound.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $22 for this night of crazy good music. The show is 17+.
