Before we get the events happening this weekend, I'd like to make a somewhat controversial recommendation. It took me about a week to settle my thoughts on the latest Darren Aronofsky film
mother! and I've come to the conclusion that it is a really interesting film that deserves to be seen. Ignore the "F" Cinemascore, forget certain critics lambasting it for it heavy-handed assault, and really just go into the film knowing as little as you can. It's worthy of your movie theater time and it will stir up emotions, both positive and extremely brutally negative, but that is partly the point. This film is more of an experience than it is a typical movie, and for that alone it should pique your interest. If you need a little more convincing,
Steve Prokopy has an excellent review of the film that doesn't ruin the atmosphere of the film.
Ok, with that said there are tons of great events going this weekend in and outside the city. In case you're willing to make a little trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan, you can head to the
Audiotree Music Festival. The lineup is full of Chicago musicians (Noname, Smino, Twin Peaks, Campdogzz) and big names (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, BADBADNOTGOOD) that will solidify a good time!
Now, let's get to your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
Dime Novel Happy Hour! @ Field Notes Midwest HQ, 401 N Racine Ave., 4:00PM - 7:00PM (ish)
WHAT: A new edition of the cool pocket notebook
SO WHAT: Field Notes is hosting a Launch Party Happy Hour for their new
“Dime Novel” Edition. They’ll also have a bunch of rarities and press sheets to look over, and most importantly, their pals from Half-Acre Beer Co. are bringing over some of their fine products.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free,
just head on over and purchase yourself a new notebook (and maybe a drink or two)
Drink & Draw @ Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: BYOB drawing in a toy store/gallery
SO WHAT: Mary Ruth Butterworth will be hosting a fun evening of drawing, sketching and doodling! You can participate in the creative outlet while enjoying your favorite adult beverages, BYOB. No matter what skill level you reside at, all are welcome!
NOW WHAT: Grab your favorite drink of choice and enjoy it responsibly while partaking in some creativity!
LitCrawl Chicago 2017 @ Andersonville, near Foster and Clark, 7:00PM
WHAT: An evening overflowing with good drinks and great stories
SO WHAT: The Chicago LitCrawl is a mashup of a bar crawl and a literary festival now in its second year! The crawl (sponsored by Women and Children First Bookstore, the American Writers Museum, and the Neo-Futurists) will let attendees partake in beer and readings at various bars, restaurants, and venues in the Andersonville neighborhood.
NOW WHAT: The LitCrawl is free and open to the public! Most of the events are 21+ and there are over a dozen readings going on with plenty of talented authors at the helm.
Check out their event page for all the LitCrawl participants!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd & 23rd
312 Block Party @ Goose Island, 1800 W Fulton St., Friday 5:00PM - 10:00PM & Saturday 3:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: The annual block party of Goose Island beer, food, and music
SO WHAT: With every passing year, the Goose Island Block Party gets bigger and better then ever. They will be pouring fresh beer both days and will have plenty of food to satisfy your palate. The band lineup is will feature some amazing acts including Animal Collective, The Record Company, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Filthy Friends (Feat. members Sleater Kinney, R.E.M. and The Minus Five), Joey Purp, Califone, The Drastics, Low Down Brass Band and more!
Check out our full preview of the event here!
NOW WHAT:This event is made for human adults 21+, so dogs and children not encouraged. There is a suggested donation of only $10 to your choice of one of the following local charities: Mission Muscle Foundation, Open Books and the Chicago Canine Rescue.
Beer Mansion Chicago @ Morgan's on Fulton, 950 W Fulton St., 6:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: Rooms and rooms of beer, food, music, and fun.
SO WHAT: The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Tour is coming to Chicago with the Beer Mansion! The Beer Mansion will feature five themed tasting rooms with beers from Brooklyn Brewery, Marz, Hopewell, Whiner, and Solemn Oath. In addition to the wide variety of beers there will be Eater Chicago-curated food, art, games and music from Peter Stringer-Hye, Connections, Negative Scanner, and Deeper.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $65 and include unlimited beer tastings.
The Chicago Pancake & Booze Art Show @ Reggies, 2105 S State St, 8:00PM
WHAT: Breakfast, booze, and art
SO WHAT: This underground art event aims to delight attendees with a mix all things art, booze, and of course pancakes. There will be over 1000 emerging artists displaying their art as well as live body painting happening throughout the night. Between perusing the art you can dance the night away with two stages of DJs (
see the full lineup here!) or head to the free pancake bar for, you guessed it, pancakes.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 at the door or $12 for VIP entrance to skip the line at the door!
Friday tickets are here and
Saturday tickets are here!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd
Use It or Lose It: Ten Short Plays About Your Rights @ Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM
WHAT: The Greenhouse Theater Center will present
Use It or Lose It, an evening of short plays, original works inspired by the current and historic legal battles fought by the ACLU on behalf of our rights throughout its 97-year history. The performance is one night only and will be presented on the Greenhouse’s downstairs mainstage.
SO WHAT: The plays are written by members of the Greenhouse’s new MC-10 Playwrights Ensemble and directed by Devon de Mayo, Jacob Harvey and Chuck Smith. The plays tackle subjects such as the recent travel ban, the attack on reproductive rights and encounters with the TSA. Playwrights include Thomas Bradshaw, Philip Dawkins, Sandra Delgado, Zayd Dohrn, Rebecca Gilman, Brett Neveu, Julie Marie Myatt, Tanya Palmer and Laura Schellhardt.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are pay-what-you-want and are available online, in person at the box office or by calling 773-404-7336. All proceeds will benefit the ACLU.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd & 24th
The Hideout 21st Annual Block Party @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave., Saturday 1:00PM - 10:00PM & Sunday Noon - 10:00PM
WHAT: A block party celebrating 60 years since Sputnik and the 20th Anniversary for Electrical Audio!
SO WHAT: The Hideout, one of the coolest bars and venues in the city, tucked away in a little warehouse district, will be celebrating its 21st birthday with a bunch of the people that got them to where they are! The lineup includes Jon Langford & Skull Orchard, Eleventh Dream Day, FACS, Danielson Famile, Nina Nastasia, Screaming Females and more!
Check out all the other musical offerings at their event page!
NOW WHAT: Entry will be $20 at the door, with proceeds from the party supporting Foundations of Music!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th
The Third Man Rolling Record Store @ Reckless Records Milwaukee, 1379 N Milwaukee Ave., 2:00PM - 6:30PM
WHAT: A mobile record store specializing in Jack White-associated products
SO WHAT: The Third Man Rolling Record Store is exactly what it sounds like: a big yellow van selling some great records. Jack White's phenomenal label will be making a stop at Reckless Records on Milwaukee giving Chicagoans a chance to purchase some cool records. You never know what special pressing or exclusive release you'll find at the Rolling Record Store, but you can safely assume you'll find something you'll want!
NOW WHAT: Get there early and bring some cash to buy some exclusive, rare, and plain awesome records!
