If you were lucky enough to get tickets to the
Music Box Theatre's showing of Bug with Michael Shannon and Tracy Letts or one of the two
Undertale Live performances at Studebaker Theater, then your weekend is pretty much set. But that doesn't mean you can't squeeze in a concert, craft market, art show, or even a tasty meal in between! There are tons of great events going on this weekend so get ready for a fun time in Chicago!
Let's get your curated weekend started!
THE WHOLE WEEKEND, JANUARY 9th - 12th
Buddy Guy and Special Guests @ Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S Wabash Ave, Friday & Sunday 7:30pm, Saturday 9:00pm and 9:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Experience one of the great musicians of all time performing live!
SO WHAT: Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy is back for 16 electrifying shows over the next four weekends at Buddy Guy’s Legends. He’ll be performing with 15 amazing musicians including Bobby Rush, Robert Fetzer, Kingfish, Demetria Taylor and more!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $55 for each show! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9th
Serengeti / Video Dave / Iowa Rockwell / Chris St Martin @ Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave, 7:30pm, 21+
WHAT: A nice spectrum of Chicago hip-hop
SO WHAT: If you’re not aware of
David Cohn (
Serengeti), then this show is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the oddball Chicago rapper. Whether it's through his unique flow under his Serengeti moniker or a weird turn into his incredible Kenny Dennis persona, Cohn delivers with some fun bars that will surely make for a fun night. Joining him at SubT will be
Video Dave,
Iowa Rockwell, and
Chris Saint Martin
NOW WHAT: Tickets are only $12 for this fun show!
YACHT & Juiceboxxx @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 8:00pm 21+
WHAT: Excellent sounds to make your Thursday night all the better
SO WHAT: YACHT has been making some of the most enthralling music coming out for quite some time now and their latest release
Chain Tripping is on a completely other level. Nominated for the Best Immersive Audio Album GRAMMY, the album is a mesmerizing experience that was created with the help of AI and machine learning. Seriously, it's a crazy project that you can experience in its entirety at this show. Joining them will be the genre-hopping sounds of
Juiceboxxx!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this incredible night!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10th
The Interview Show with Mark Bazer @ the Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Another great recording session for the fantastic Interview Show
SO WHAT: For over a decade, The Interview Show, hosted by Mark Bazer, has been featuring conversations with and performances by the most interesting people in Chicago and beyond. Join Mark this evening with some quality guests including Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”, Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart of Ohmme, classical tenor Rod Dixon in “Too Hot to Handel” and Carrie Coon of HBO’s
The Leftovers and Steppenwolf’s upcoming production of
Bug!
NOW WHAT: Mark invites you to come see the show live!
Reserve $15 tickets here. Doors at 6pm.
RE: ACKER – readings & a screening for Kathy Acker @ M. LeBlanc Gallery, 3514 W. Fullerton Ave, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
WHAT: M. LeBlanc presents Re: Acker, a reading and screening centering the legacy of experimental writer and artist Kathy Acker (1947-1997).
SO WHAT: Re: Acker will explore Kathy Acker’s amazing work through readings and talks featuring visiting Acker experts and New Narrative writers Claire Finch from Paris and Douglas A. Martin from New York alongside emerging Chicago artists including Ryan Greenlee, Jennifer Karmin, Nat Pyper, and Ang Zheng. This dialogue between international and local respondents, curated by Noa/h Fields, highlights Acker’s line of influence on Chicago’s queer undergrounds. The gallery will also screen the rarely seen film short
Blue Tape Untitled Tape 2 by Kathy Acker and Alan Sondheim.
NOW WHAT: This event is free and open to the public. Donations for the artists are welcome.
FCK CNCR FEST featuring Rookie, Tongues Unknown, American Grizzly and Jennifer Hall @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 7:00pm,
WHAT: FCK CNCR FST is a collective effort of local musicians with a focus on raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and support organizations.
SO WHAT: FCK CNCR FST returns to Thalia Hall with a great assortment of bands coming together to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research organization Pat Mac’s Pack. So in addition to helping out a great cause, you’ll get the chance to listen to some great bands including Chicago’s own Rookie, Tongues Unknown, Jennifer Hall and American Grizzly.
NOW WHAT: Tickets start at $25 for this great benefit show! 100% of proceeds are being donated to the pediatric brain tumor research organization Pat Mac’s Pack
Holly, photo by Tess Graham
Holly / Leah Jean / French Police @ Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave, 7:30pm,
WHAT: A chance to check out some of Chicago’s great musicians in one night!
SO WHAT: This great night at Schubas will feature three local bands taking the stage and showing off their amazing sounds. Holly will be headlining the night with their incredible modern indie rock fusion of blues, jazz, and soul. With vocals that are reminiscent of Leon Bridges and instrumentation that takes cues from Wilco and Whitney, you are surely in for a treat. Joining them will be the impressive voice of
Leah Jean and the mesmerizing New Wave-y jams of
French Police.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door for this fun night at Schubas!
Winspear Review 2020 w/ Divino Niño, Barrie, Major Murphy, Amy O @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave, 8:00pm, 21+
WHAT: A great label throwing a great show at Lincoln Hall
SO WHAT: Winspear will be kicking off the new year with the Winspear Review 2020! This awesome showcase will feature some of our favorite bands including the incredibly catchy throwback jams from
Divino Niño (
who landed a spot in our favorite albums of the year!), the dreamy sounds of
Barrie, the bedroom pop perfection of
Major Murphy, the bright and memorable voice of
Amy O. DJ Junebug delivers some great tracks in between!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $15 for this top notch night of excellent tunes
Bad Ambassadors (Rich Jones + Walkingshoe) EP Release @ the Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave,9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Two great locals come together for a great project!
SO WHAT: The Chicago duo of Rich Jones and Walkingshoe (Joe Sepka) are working together to produce some of the best jams you could wish for as Bad Ambassadors. Both Jones and Walkingshoe have had storied histories with Chicago, collaborating with the likes of Nnamdï, Mykele DeVille, ShowYouSuck, Qari, and so many more. Their latest single “Up for You” is a wild jam that shines with a unique and twinkling hip-hop production with Jones’ unique cadence laid top of it like a cherry. Joining them at this EP release party will be Manasseh, Free Snacks, and SunBLVD!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door for this great show!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11th
Handmade Market Chicago @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, Noon - 4:00pm
WHAT: Shopping, eating, and drinking all in one place
SO WHAT: Grab some food next door at Bite Cafe, maybe a drink from the Empty Bottle Bar, and start shopping the
Handmade Market Chicago! They will be bringing over 30 makers of beautiful and unique items to the Empty Bottle! Join in and see what all the sellers will have to offer. You can check out some of the sellers that will be featured over on their
Facebook events page.
NOW WHAT: This event as always is free!
BFF2 Opening Reception @ @ Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery,2780 N Lincoln Ave, 7:00pm -10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: An interesting look at the good guys and the bad guys
SO WHAT: For this first exhibit of 2020,
Rotofugi will be welcoming Blutt, Peabe, Eric Broers, Veggiesomething, Joey D, Joey Potts, Ken Keirns, Revise CMW, Scott Shellhamer & Shawnimal for the second edition of BFF! Back in 2007, Rotofugi held an exhibit by a bunch of Chicago artists that were regulars during the early days of gallery,. Now they are getting the diverse bunch back together for an excellent new exhibit!
NOW WHAT: It’s free! Check out some great art and enjoy music by DJ Sean Doe plus complimentary snacks and soft drinks (BYOB if you want to have alcohol and they’re just a few steps away from Beermiscuous). The exhibit runs through February 9th!
SUNDAY JANUARY 12th
CHIRP Tenth Anniversary Kickoff Party @ Rojo Gusano, 4217 North Ravenswood, 3:00pm - 9:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: CHIRP is celebrating their tenth year throughout 2020!
SO WHAT: CHIRP kicking off another great year with a family-friendly celebration at
Rojo Gusano. Go out and eat to your heart’s content as from 3-9pm, a portion of food and drink sales will benefit CHIRP! CHIRP DJ
Superfrye and her band provide live music from 6-9pm, and station goodies will be available for everyone who attends.
NOW WHAT: Start your year with a great dinner in support of CHIRP!
Kumbala Pozole Pop-Up @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 6:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Discover the wonder of this Mexican dish !
SO WHAT: Pozole is a widely revered traditional dish in Mexico that finds its roots in Aztec lore and is unique made throughout Mexico. No matter how it’s served, this is widely accepted as one of the ultimate comfort foods in Mexican kitchens. The 100% Gluten Free Pozole will come in two options: Red Pork Pozole (Guajillo pepper based) or Green Vegetarian Pozole with mushrooms (Jalapeño and Pepita based) all served with a zesty slaw of cabbage, radish, lime and oregano – and of course, hominy (pozole). The dish will be paired with Don Julio cocktails and Latin American tunes throughout the evening!
NOW WHAT: Admission is free, pozole is $7! Eat well and hang out with some cool people