Winter is finally here! The streets are dusted with snow and this weekend is bringing some intense weather your way. Instead of being cooped up at home, you should go out and discover all the little things going on in the city. Brave the rain/snow/thunderstorm/whatever else is being thrown at you this weekend and enjoy some fantastic events!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29th
Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers with Cory Branan & Fred Thomas @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave,, 6:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another Chicago stop on Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers' Midwest Takeover!
SO WHAT: Best known as the founder, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the punk rock band Against Me!,
Laura Jane Grace will be stopping by Lincoln Hall with The Devouring Mothers for what is going to be an amazing rock show! She will be joined by
Cory Branan and
Fred Thomas!
NOW WHAT:
Tickets are $25, don't miss out on this larger than life show at an intimate venue!
Red Bull Music Festival Chicago: Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings @ South Shore Paul Robeson Theatre, 7059 S South Shore Dr, 8:00pm, 18+
WHAT: Red Bull returns to Chicago with another month-long celebration of music.
SO WHAT: Red Bull Music Festival Chicago is the latest installment of Red Bull's critically acclaimed international music series. This month-long lineup of expertly curated original programming spanning the city's diverse music genres, exploring and celebrating Chicago's rich cultural heritage while spotlighting its modern music landscape.
Makaya McCraven is an accomplished jazz composer and drummer and on his 2018 album Universal Beings, McCraven worked in Chicago, London, New York and Los Angeles to record jam sessions with musicians from each locale. He then pieced together portions of each session to create a collection of brilliantly smooth and sometimes muted suites that erase any division between jazz and hip-hop. At this night at the Paul Robeson Theatre inside Chicago’s historic South Shore Cultural Center, McCraven will take the stage with a 10-piece ensemble featuring players from the Universal Beings sessions including multi-instrumentalist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker, and harpist Brandee Younger. Performing together for the first time, McCraven and his diverse ensemble will showcase music's enduring universality.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 for this amazing night of music!
Neil Breen's Twisted Pair @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, 9:30pm, All Ages
WHAT: The greatest film ever released (by Neil Breen this year)
SO WHAT: Neil Breen is an accidental genius, crafting some of the best worst movies you'll ever have the chance to see. Honestly, the man thinks he's making modern masterpieces and there is no end in sight.
Twisted Pair is the story of "identical twin brothers who become hybrid A.I., Artificial Intelligence, entities, yet torn in different directions to achieve justice for humanity." That's on the box art. No, I can't tell if it's the front art or back art either.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $11. Do not miss this one night only show!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30th
Drinkers With Writing Problems Presents: Lit Up! @ The Kedzie Inn, 4100 N Kedzie Ave,7:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: The final show of the year for this celebration of drinks and readings!
SO WHAT: Drinkers with Writing Problems produces a show that highlights some of Chicago's most creative drinkers... I mean 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.
Check out their event page for a full list of readers!
NOW WHAT: Doors open at 7:00pm, so get there early and enjoy these readings!
An Immersive Art Experience by Artist Jen Stark feat/ Empress Of @ House of Vans, 113 N Elizabeth St, 7:30pm, 21+
WHAT: House of Vans transforms into an
immersive art experience!
SO WHAT: Jen Stark, a Vans Customade by collaborator, will be giving House of Vans a makeover using projection mapping and various mediums for an immersive experience that lets guests to interact with colorful desert scenes that helped inspire the exclusive collection of prints that are available now on
Vans Customs. The night will finish off the surreal experience with a live performance by electronic artist
Empress Of, the musical project of Latin American singer-songwriter Lorely Rodriguez and the insanely fun hip-hop group
Injury Reserve!
NOW WHAT: It's free with RSVP!
Sign up for the event here and make you way to this incredible night!
An Intimate Autumn Evening @ DZ Records, 8548 S 85th Ct, Hickory Hills, IL, 8:00pm - 11:55pm, All Ages
WHAT: Another DZ Records style party!
SO WHAT: Join DZ Records for a night of great music as they continue their quest to put on fun shows! There will be a nice lineup of bands rocking out for your aural pleasure including Bringers, Bow & Spear, 8-bit crEEps, and Peach Fuzz!
NOW WHAT: Admission is $10. All proceeds go toward the performing artists.
Carlile / Emily Blue / People Museum@ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Little bit of New Orleans (People Museum) mixed in with some local acts (Carlile & Emily Blue)
SO WHAT: Ever just want to dance your butt off to some excellent new pop music? Well this is you chance!
Carlile‘s evocative style of nu pop,
Emily Blue’s glitchy and ever catchy flair, and
People Museum‘s alternative skew on pop will your give you night a boost!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $10!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st
Renegade Craft Fair @ Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W 35th St, 11:00am - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A craft fair focused on independent makers.
SO WHAT: Over 200+ independent crafters and makers will be at this
Renegade Craft Fair celebrating DIY spirit for two amazing days
. Stay in and avoid the cold with a warm weekend full of DIY workshops, partaking in delicious local food, grooving to Reckless Records and Lumpen Radio DJ sets, and much more for this kick off to the gift-giving season. Check out all the events going on at their event page!
NOW WHAT: The event is free and open to the public.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st
Solemn Santa @ Solemn Oath Brewery, 1661 Quincy Ave, Naperville, IL, 11:00am - 2:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Solemn Santa makes a stop at his favorite brewery
SO WHAT: Solemn Santa is coming to town and bringing plenty of good vibes and holiday cheer. Kids will have the opportunity to meet Solemn Santa and sit on his lap and get a few pictures from 11AM-2PM in the back of the brewery. Solemn Oath Brewery will be offering plenty of surprises throughout the jolly event!
NOW WHAT: This event is family friendly and free to enjoy.
Big Cold Brew Release Party @ Hopewell Brewing Company, 2760 N Milwaukee Ave, 1:00pm-3:00pm, All Ages (21+ to drink)
WHAT: Some delicious cold brew because it's never to cold for tasty coffee!
SO WHAT: Hopewell will be holding a special gathering to celebrate a very special release: Big Cold Brew! This limited Imperial Coffee Stout is made in collaboration with Metric Coffee and features a specially-roasted robust coffee from Oaxaca, Mexico. Big Cold Brew is essentially the winterized version of Hopewell's summertime counterpart, Cold Brew. You'l be able to get Big Cold Brew's velvety and luscious stout, full of heavy notes of mocha, graham cracker and fudge, in 4-pack 12oz cans as well as pastries from Spilt Milk, pour-over coffee from Metric Coffee, and a chance to try the Vanilla Big Cold Brew variant on draft!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free, just bring some cast to indulge on some of these delicious brews!
Sip N' Stitch @ The Robey, 2022 W North Ave, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, 21+
WHAT: North Branch Projects presents its latest pop-up sale in Wicker Park
SO WHAT: Handmade books, artists' books, zines, and holiday ornaments created by North Branch Projects staff will be on display and available to purchase. Enjoy drinks, cocktails, and holiday treats while participating in some fun Community Bookbinding. A collaborative pamphlet-making workshop will take place throughout the event. All supplies and materials will be available.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free! Go and enjoy this wonderful pop up shop!
Helena Deland & Gia Margaret @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave., 9:00pm, 18+
WHAT: An evening a beautiful songs for your Saturday evening
SO WHAT: Helena Deland is an enigmatic singer-songwriter from Montreal, crafting gentle and dreamy songs that will stick with you. She is currently on tour in support of her
new collection of songs, From The Series of Songs “Altogether Unaccompanied” Vol III. and IV, which features “Rise”, an emotionally gripping song about searching for intamacy from an avoidant person. She will be joined by local Gia Margaret and her incredible folk songs.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $12 for this wonderful show!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2nd
Hail to the Ale Holiday Craft Show @ Metropolitan Brewery, 3057 N Rockwell St, Noon - 5:00pm, All Ages (21+ to drink)
WHAT: Metropolitan Brewery's first 1st Annual Holiday Craft Show
SO WHAT: Hail to the Ale will be putting on a series of holiday pop ups in some of Chicago's best breweries this month! This Metropolitan Brewery show will feature 25+ local vendors offering some great wares as you drink delicious craft beers and at some equally delicious food.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free, just be ready to pick up some great gifts for the holidays
Advance Base + Lisa/Liza + Izzy Olive @ Landland, 1735 N Ashland Ave, 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The perfect way to end your Sunday night!
SO WHAT: Ordinal Records is putting on a show at Landland with some excellent guests including the electronic marvel that is Advance Basse, Izzy Olive’s (of Half Gringa) beautiful folk stylings, and Lisa/Liza’s entrancing psych folk!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $8! Go see this wonderful show!
HELLTRAP NIGHTMARE feat. Itsï @ The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: ... are you seeing what I'm seeing? Those are nipple eyes and nipple teeth. And that's barely scratching the surface.
SO WHAT: You know what goes great with comedy? Horror and a huge gooey chunk of grossness. Join amazing comedians like Sarah Squirm, Shrimp Boys, Scott Egleston, and special musical guest Itsï as they prove just how fun that odd concoction can be! There will be special guests and drop ins!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 for this odd night of comedy and craziness.
