The snow is on the ground and the temps are getting colder by the week, so you know the winter holidays are right around the corner. So why not enjoy the winter landscape by checking out some magnificent events around town!
The 24th Annual Christkindlmarket starts on Friday and there just so many more great events waiting for you. So scroll down and discover what's going on in Chicago!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14th
Shedd After Hours: '90s Night @ Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Shedd After Hours is a time for adults to relax, socialize, enjoy music, dance and take in spectacular skyline views
SO WHAT: This Shedd After Hours rewinds to the 1990s for an adults-only line dance down memory lane with fly music and far-out facts about aquatic animals. A perfect chance to relive the last decade of the 20th century while you experience a different side of the aquarium! Don’t forget your butterfly clips and tracksuits; ’90s attire is encouraged!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $25, but Shedd After Hours events are $20 for Illinois residents.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15th - 17th
Chicago Art Book Fair @ Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S Michigan Ave, Opening reception Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm. All Ages
WHAT: Three days of publishers, small presses, book artists, comics artists, zinemakers and printmakers
SO WHAT: The 3rd annual Chicago Art Book Fair will feature over 125 artists and small presses and three days of programs. The Chicago Art Book Fair is a showcase for emerging directions and diverse legacies within small press arts publishing.
NOW WHAT: All events and programs are free and open to the public.
Check out their website for more details!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15th
Galaxy of Glitter: Sci-Fi Burlesque and Comedy @ The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Indulge both your nerdy and your naughty sides with this sci-fi themed burlesque and comedy! with talent from
Bim Bam Boom!
SO WHAT: Bim Bam Boom (producers of Nerdlesque, Comic Strips and A Thong of Ice and Fire) presents two acts of sci-fi, pop-culture-themed burlesque, comedy and more! Featuring authentic burlesque striptease with characters from Star Wars, Star Trek and the world of comic books! A perfect way to get out of the cold Chicago atmosphere and warm up with some hot performances and hilarious comedy!
NOW WHAT: Check this show out and make a trip to the soon-to-be-gone Elbo Room! Tickets are $20 or $30 for front row!
Nellie McKay @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Szold Hall, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 8:00pm
WHAT: Musical perfection at Old Town School of Folk Music
SO WHAT: When your first release is a double album of exemplary songs that deal with politics, identity, depression, and more, you know you have something special.
Nellie McKay has come a long way since that first magnificent album
Get Away From Me, amassing an incredible catalog of beautiful songs. She will be stopping by at one of Chicago's finest venues for an evening of incredible songs!
NOW WHAT: Tickets start $28 ! Go to this amazing show!
Akira (1988) Screening + Party @ Logan Square, 2646 N Milwaukee Ave, 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Bike gangs, Neo-Tokyo, and grotesque mutations for your enjoyment!
SO WHAT: Join the
The Logan Theatre,
Japanese Culture Center – 日本文化会館, and
AnimeChicago for a party in honor of Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s
Akira! Join in on the pre-screening mixer in The Logan Lounge with a pop-up shop by illustrator
Waking Oni (artist of the evening’s re-released
Akira/Logan poster)! The
Akira screening begins at 11:00pm and will be shown with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $9, available online or at the box office. There will also be showings on Saturday, Sunday and Monday!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16th
Thalia Hall Architectural Tour @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 11:00am - 1:00pm
WHAT: A little bit of brunch and architecture
SO WHAT: Need something a little different for your brunch? Thalia Hall has brought back their architectural tours during brunch every third Saturday of the month! Fill up on some Michelin-starred food before or after you embark on their 11am tour of the building's rich architectural history .
NOW WHAT: Brunch reservations can be made between 9am and 3pm at
dusekschicago.com/reservations. Please add "Thalia Hall Architectural Tour" to your reservation notes. Tour walk-ins are also welcome!
Collective Arts Pop-Up Record Store @ The Beer Temple, 3173 N Elston Ave,11:00am - 4:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A pop-up record store to celebrate
Collective Arts Brewing‘s music loving brew: Audio/Visual Lager
SO WHAT: Head out to
The Beer Temple for a special Audio/Visual Pop-Up Record Store! You’ll get to sample some Collective Arts beers, including Audio/Visual, while you crate dig through selections from
Wild Prairie,
Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records and
Tone Deaf Records Inc. Every record purchase comes with a free Collective Arts gift! Audio/Visual, the new lager’s namesake, is a collaborative series that celebrates the intersection of art, music and beer, featuring a record label, four bands and one visual artist. Every three months, the bands, the record label and the artist will switch, making room for continued discovery of emerging music of all genres The inaugural series of Audio/Visual teams with Mom+Pop and features: Ashe, Hinds, Raffaella and Sunflower Bean, with visual art by Mikey Lavi.
NOW WHAT: Entry is free! Just bring some cash for some brews and records!
Women-Owned Holiday Market @ indigo & violet studio, 1411 W Irving Park Rd, 11:00am - 4:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: Creative Women’s Co., Bossy and Indigo & Violet Studio present Women-Owned Holiday Market
SO WHAT: The Women-Owned Holiday Market will give you the chance to get your holiday shopping done early by browsing their curated selection of vendor made up of local, women-owned small businesses and women makers! Plus You’ll be able to enter their holiday raffle at the event, and even make your own holiday wreath!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5 for just admission to the market, $25 with a raffle ticket, and $35 with entry to the make your own wreath workshop!
Just Us Gals: November @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 7:30pm, 21+
WHAT: A funny way to spend your night!
SO WHAT:
Just Us Gals (hosted by Naomi Spungen
, Clare Austen-Smith) is a not-to-be-missed live comedy that includes a meticulously curated lineup of the best standups in the city. They describe it as a night where they will “rip the fabric of reality before your very eyes and build it up again as a goofy, whimsical, and sometimes gross paradise..” Sounds pretty good. The lineup includes Sunny Grissom, Megan Brennan, Jessica Hong, and Maddie Weiner!
NOW WHAT:
Tickets are FREE! Go have some laughs!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17th
Photo credit: Elise Tyler
Night Moves & Pleasures @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: The perfect soundtrack for your Sunday night
SO WHAT: Night Moves are a psych rock outfit from Minneapolis with an Americana tint to their melodies (think Tame Impala meets Fleetwood Mac). They're on tour supporting their latest release
Can You Really Find Me, which they recorded with Jim Eno of Spoon! Highly recommend you check out their song “
Strands Align,” an excellent intro in their sparkling instrumentals and singer John Pelant’s unique cadence. Joining them will be local purveyors of amazing lofi jams
Pleasures!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this excellent show!