Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 2/22 – 2/25

After a long week of work, why not relax with some of Chicago's coolest events! There are plenty of festivals going on around town like the always interesting Frequency Festival and the second weekend of Impromptu Fest. The rest of this weekend's list of picks tend to lean towards the boozier side of Chicago with quite a few beer- and cocktail-related events. From flavor-infused stouts to breakfast-themed cocktails, there's a drink waiting for you to drink responsibly. So let's get on with your curated weekend! THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd Revolution Dethmatch @ Revolution Brewing Tap Room, 3340 N Kedzie Ave., 2:00PM - 10:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Four contenders battle to the DETH SO WHAT: It's going be be one tremendous showdown at Revolution Brewing's Kedzie Tap Room during the brewery's first-ever Revolution Dethmatch. Stop by to determine which 2018 Deth's Tar fruit variant will be released in 4-packs of 12oz cans this November. Taste each of the "Deth By..." contenders (Deth by Berries, Deth by Currants, Deth by Plums, & Deth by Raspberries), submit your rankings, and help Revolution crown the People's Champ!​ Flights of 3oz pours for the four contenders are $15, 5oz individual samples are $6. There will be plenty of Revolution's lineup on draft as well! Cheesies Food Truck will be serving some much needed food beginning at 4:00pm! NOW WHAT: Entry is free! Stop by, harshly judge, and determine the overall winner of this Dethmatch! ¡Pachanga!- La Feria @ East Room, 2354 N Milwaukee Ave., 10:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Pachanga returns to East Room SO WHAT: Stop by East Room and join in on the party as the Pachanga team will be decorating the venue to mimic the feel of their favorite Pueblos Magicos and bringing you the sounds to dance all night long. There will be an all-star deejay line-up playing a variety of hits from Cumbia, Banda, Reggaeton, Merengue, Salsa y more. There will be live painting, a tianguis artist market, and more for you to enjoy! NOW WHAT: Entry is $5 with RSVP, $7 with out RSVP. Check out the full lineup of vendors, DJs, and more at their event page and prepare for a fun night. In spirit of the theme, the first 50 people will get some dulces de tamarindo FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd & 24th The Chicago Pancake & Booze Art Show @ Reggies, 2105 S State St., 8:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Breakfast, booze and art SO WHAT: Pancakes & Booze is an underground art event that aims to delight attendees with a mix all things art, booze, and of course pancakes. There will be over 100 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  DJs and live music or head to the free pancake bar for, you guessed it, pancakes. NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 at the door or $15 for VIP entrance to skip the line at the door! Friday tickets are here and Saturday tickets are here! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd Tom Billings: After the First Stroke, Everything is a Correction @ Galerie F, 2415 N Milwaukee Ave., 6:00PM - 10:00PM, All Ages WHAT: The latest works of prolific Chicago artist, Tom Billings SO WHAT: Stop by one of the best galleries in Chicago for an exploration of  Tom Billings.  Working in a meticulously laid-out studio Billings continually paints, prints and fires a kiln to create whatever he can muster. This collection of work finds him in search of the happy mistakes because after the first stroke, everything is a correction. NOW WHAT: This opening event, like most opening at Galerie F , is is free! This exhibit runs until Monday, so don't hesitate! Zinesters Fest @ Lo Rez Brewing, 2101 S Carpenter St., 6:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Zines and beer, a combo made in artsy heaven SO WHAT: Join Lo Rez Brewing for their first Zinesters Fest! You'll find Local zines, comics and artists  taking over  the brewery with their amazing works. There will be  live poetry readings and plenty of beer! Pilsen Wax Collective will be spinning vinyl all night while you discover your new zine obsession! NOW WHAT: It's free! Check out their event page for a full lineup of zines! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th Uppers & Downers @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St., 4:00PM - 8:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Coffee. Beer. Coffee beer. SO WHAT: Uppers & Downers is a collaboration between Good Beer Hunting and World Barista Champion Stephen Morrissey that celebrates the delicious melding of coffee and beer. The event will feature more than 20 experimental coffee beer collaborations of all styles, and a dozen roasters serving single-origin espressos, coffee cocktails, cold brews, coffee-and-beer-inspired snacks, and more. Check out the full list of brewers, roasters, and more at their website! NOW WHAT: Tickets are $65 and the first session already sold out, so get moving! Digital Detox Launch Party @ Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph, Suite 3W, 8:00PM - 10:30PM WHAT: The Digital Detox launch party will help you get ready for the National Day of Unplugging March 8-9. SO WHAT: The National Day of Unplugging will start at sundown on Friday, March 8, and end at sundown Saturday, March 9. This week's launch party will feature workshops and meditation, a giant coloring wall, massage chairs, live music and interactive art to explore, and the night will help you make plans for how to spend your own National Day of Unplugging or host an event for others at home or at work.  The event is sponsored by the Reboot Group. NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 at the door. See our preview. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th CHIRP Best Local Music Podcast Party w/ So Pretty, Ovef Ow, Fury @ Gman Tavern, 3740 N Clark St., 7:00PM, 21+ WHAT: Join CHIRP Radio's features team to celebrate two years of "Best Local Music Podcast" wins in the Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago issue! SO WHAT: This celebration will feature live sets from some of CHIRP's favorite bands who've joined them on the award-winning podcast, including So Pretty and their punk rock tunes, the surf rock sounds of OVEF OW, and some great hip-hop jams from  Fury! NOW WHAT: Cover is $8, which benefits CHIRP Radio 107.1FM! Here, Chicago Story Show & Potluck @ Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont Ave., 7:30PM, 15+ WHAT: Here, Chicago's bi-monthly storytelling potluck, hosted by Janna Sobel and Nnamdi Ngwe. SO WHAT: Are you sick of being in your own head? Netflix not doing it to remind you that there's something more in the world? Come to Here, Chicago's long-running creative community event featuring a giant potluck dinner and true stories from some of Chicago's most interesting thinkers and doers. There are five invited storytellers and walk-up narrators from the audience, and stories range in seriousness and subject matter. Sherry's been, and hasn't found a space since that is as sincere and kind as Here Chicago in the city. NOW WHAT: Reserve your seats now; they tend to sell out. Tickets are $11, OR you can bring a potluck dish for your entrance fee.
Julian Ramirez