We're halfway through the scariest, spookiest month of the year! But don't fret, there's still plenty of time to stuff all the fun Halloween events in the next few weeks. There are tons of great shows, movies, markets, and more going on so you won't have to look far and wide for something amazingly fun to do this weekend!
It's feeling a little more normal to go out since Chicago dropped the masking and vaccination proof mandates (for better or worse) and events are rolling in. While it may seem like we're at the tail end of things, many venues still have their mask and vaccination requirements for the foreseeable future. So if you do plan to go out this weekend, make sure you check out the venue's policies and take initiative. Wear a mask, social distance, and get your vaccination shots and your booster even if the venue/event doesn't require it. And if you still feel that wearing a mask is a must (like many still do), then please wear one. Protect yourself and those around you. If you still don't feel entirely safe to go out (and quite honestly, who can blame you?) you can always stay in and support these places from home.
Now, let's get on with your Chicago Curated Weekend!
- Support Local Venues
- Kingston Mines is open with some great lineups this weekend
- Fitzgerald's Patio is also back in full swing
- Evanston Space's shop is open and you should consider donating to help the venue during these weird times. They are also having lower capacity shows at the venue!
- Head over to the Hideout's regular shop and get yourself some great merch! Their 2020 Holiday Sale page is also still up with links to great local artists!
- Metro shop is full of fantastic concert posters from yesteryear and cool merch
- Lincoln Hall/Schubas always has great items in their shop waiting for you! Plus Schubas/Tied House is open and events are on their way back!
- Same goes for Thalia Hall's merch store (those holiday socks? *chef's kiss*)
- Let's not forget Empty Bottle's fantastic merch shop! Plus they just added some new stuff designed by some awesome people that is sure to catch your eye! Shows are going on now as well, so head over to their venue site and go to some concerts if you're comfortable
- Art Galleries and Special Events
- Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm! They are currently showing 50th Anniversary of Magnavox Odyssey
- All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! Plus you can check out some of their prints from last year's Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works! You can see their previous show "Saturday Morning Fever” featuring the works of Griffin Goodman through their virtual gallery! And don't forget to check out the virtual edition of JC Rivera's new exhibition "Still Undefeated" !
- Galerie F has a fun stock of prints from concert posters, pop culture prints and more!
- Rotufugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stocks and on display in their gallery space! They are currently showing A Walk Down Owlberry Lane New Works by Heather Hyatt/Owlberry Lane
- “Prince: The Immersive Experience”
- WNDR Museum is an ever-evolving immersive art and technology experience designed to ignite your curiosity! See exhibits like the Light Floor, Try to Get Higher, and the Digital Gallery. Plus Keith Haring!
- Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens safely!
- Chicago Botanic Garden is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautifully lit up gardens safely!
- Special Events this Month!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13th
New Talks and Video Archives @ Various Locations & Chicago Humanities Festival YouTube channel, your favorite browser or YouTube app, any time you want some inspiration, All Ages
WHAT: Interesting conversations with interesting people!
SO WHAT: Chicago Humanities Festival always brings some of the best ideas to the surface with entertaining programming that captures your imagination. Be on the lookout for updates to the upcoming season as their website is constantly updated with new talks. Here is a taste of what coming in September!
- 10/13 Award-winning Comedian Iliza Shlesinger
- 10/22 Black Women Will Save the World with April Ryan and Valerie Jarrett
- 10/22 Is the Public Still Persuadable? A Conversation with Anand Giridharadas with David Corn
- 10/22 Rick Lowe on the Transformative Power of Public Art
- 10/22 Miranda July on Art in All its Forms with Carrie Brownstein
- 10/22 Innocent & Behind Bars with Daniel S. Medwed
- 10/22 Will Bunch on the Higher Education Divide
- 10/22 Extremism in America: Pushing Back on Radicalism & Saving our Democracy
- 10/22 Somebody Feed Phil Comes to Chicago
- 10/22 Jeff Garlin: Our Man in Chicago with Susie Essman
- 10/23 Margo Price
NOW WHAT: Head over to take a look at their past events here! You should also sign up for their email list to get updates on upcoming talks in 2022.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14th
Alvvays and Slow Pulp @ Riviera Theatre, 4746 N Racine Ave, 6:30pm, 18+
WHAT: Alvvays return to Chicago!
SO WHAT: Earlier this year, Alvvays made their return to Chicago as part of Courtney Barnett's Here and There Festival. Molly Rankin and crew were refreshed as a band and firing on all cylinders, sharing both fan favorites and brand new songs off their latest album Blue Rev. Every song had the crowd in the palm of their hands and the band's energetic attitude let their music shine. If that set's phenomenal stage presence are any indication, then this Alvvays performance is ready to be a can't miss show. Add to that some local jams from Slow Pulp to start the evening and you have yourself one hell of a way to start your weekend!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are still available! Get them now and don't miss out on this fantastic show!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th - 16th
The Neo-Futurists' The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7:00pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists are back! Their Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience. Now it's actually a live audience that will be enjoying the performance in person! With plenty of COVID precautions in place, you'll be able to enjoy the funny, disgusting, profound, terrifying, irreverent, and downright entertaining show with friends! Plan ahead as vaccination cards will be checked and booster will be required to be fully vaccinated.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $10! Head over to their website to see all they have planned now that in-person audiences are a thing again! If you're still a little anxious about going out, The Infinite Wrench Goes Viral will be continuing til February (and possibly beyond) over at their Patreon
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15th & 16th
Open House Chicago @ Various locations, Various times, all ages
WHAT: A chance to see some of the beautiful buildings Chicago has to offer.
SO WHAT: The Chicago Architecture Foundation will be opening doors to the city’s most interesting places, with more than 150 sites in 20+ neighborhoods offering a chance to experience behind-the-scenes access. You’ll be able to explore the culture and diversity of our amazing city through its impressive architecture. All the tours are free ( unless otherwise noted) and are first-come, first-served. Visit the Open House Chicago website for a full list of locations.
NOW WHAT: Head over to their website and plan these 48 hours accordingly.
BOO! at the Zoo @ Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, 10:00am - 6:00pm, All ages
WHAT: Add a little Halloween fun to your Zoo Trip!
SO WHAT: Brookfield Zoo turns into a Halloween wonderland during the spooky season with tons of photo ops, a corn maze, a Creepy Carousel, fun zoo chats and so much more! Head over to their event page for all the ghoulish details!
NOW WHAT: Entry to the Zoo is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for senoirs, $17.95 for children 3-11, a d children 2 and under are free!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16th
Chicago Vinyl Connection 012: Southside @ Marz Community Brewing, 3630 S Iron St, Noon – 5:00pm
WHAT: A vinyl pop up at a great brewery
SO WHAT: Chicago Vinyl Connection is back at Marz with a nice lineup of vendors selling some choice slabs of wax. Presented by Miyagi Records & South Rhodes Records, this vinyl market will feature amazing record dealers like A1 Records & CDs, Aadam Jacobs, Beverly Phono Mart, Black Diamond Records, DJ RS3, Jaytoo, Tony Kingman, and Tropicalazo! While you look for a hidden gem or have a drink at the bar you can enjoy some DJ sets from Groove Thang DJs: DJ RS3, Chuck Righteous, Jillian X , Madeks J , REL!
NOW WHAT: Entry is free!
THE WHOLE SELF-DISTANCING WEEKEND & BEYOND
The 58th Chicago International Film Festival @ Various Theaters & Streaming straight to you home, various times
WHAT: An annual film tradition is back in theaters, but it keeps a lot of the last two year’s virtual screenings intact!
SO WHAT: The 58th Chicago International Film Festival, much like the rest of the city, is back to normal. They will be combining streaming on-demand and regular fantastic theater screenings and a few pop up experiences to enjoy a stunning collection of feature-length films, shorts, and in person celebrations. Check out our preview of the festival here!
NOW WHAT: You can check out their website for more details on this fantastic festival! You can also see their full schedule in their festival guide!
ChiTown Movies @ Pilsen Neighborhood, 2343 S. Throop St, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: An old school experience for the modern age
SO WHAT: Take a trip back in time and head out to a drive-in movie with ChiTown Movies. Ever since the pandemic started and shut down traditional movie screening, a few pop up drive-ins have arrived and ChiTown Movies has persevered, offering up modern movies in this retro setting. Check out their lineup below for showings this weekend and in the future!
- 10/13 Beetlejuice - 7:30pm
- 10/14 Hocus Pocus - 7:30pm
- 10/14 Friday the 13th - 10:00pm
- 10/15 The Notebook (Sweetest Day at the Drive-in!)- 8:00pm
- 10/15 Us - 10:30pm
- 10/16 Jurassic Park - 7:30pm
- 10/18 Hocus Pocus- 7:30pm
- 10/19 Matilda- 7:30pm
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $33 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience
Weekend Shows @ Lincoln Hall & Schubas, 2424 N Lincoln Ave & 3159 N Southport Ave, various times, 18+
WHAT: A full weekend of amazing shows at Schubas and Lincoln Hall!
SO WHAT: Lincoln Hall and Schubas are some of our favorite venues in the city and they always have something great going on. Check out what's going this weekend at these great venues!
- October 13 - Marci / NIIKA @ Schubas
- October 13 - Schubas Open Mic Hosted by Naomi Spungen , Adrienne Stout, Suz ballout @ Schubas
- October 13 - Arin Ray / Savannah Cristina @ Lincoln Hall
- October 14 - Schubas Comedy Showcase Hosted by Aaron Klinger @ Schubas
- October 15 - The Ballroom Thieves Georgia Harmer, Hemlock (solo) @ Lincoln Hall
- October 15 - Shoffy / Moshun @ Schubas
- October 16 -LAN Party / Groupthink / Forget Basement @ Schubas
- October 16- Faouzia / Carmen DeLeon @ Lincoln Hall
NOW WHAT: Head out to Schubas & Lincoln Hall and enjoy this great lineup of shows! Please note: proof of vaccination is required for entry to all shows at Lincoln Hall and Schubas in Chicago. Click here for more information on this policy.
Back on the Big Screen and Virtual Cinema @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave and at your home, any time you want to watch a movie
WHAT: A great way to support a great local theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre is really to fill that art house need in you with some excellent movies including with Tár, Pearl, Breaking Iron, Music Box of Horrors: Scared Stupid, Silent Cinema at the Music Box, Highs & Lows: A Film Series, and more! But if you want to watch some first-run movies at home, you can still watch great movies and support them online! They are currently screening films via their The Music Box Direct series! There are also tons of select titles available on their new platform!
NOW WHAT: Digital tickets are $12, in person screenings vary, so sit back and enjoy!
Masque of the Red Coronavirus! @ Black Button Eyes Productions, Any time on your computer or mobile device. For 18+.
WHAT: Written by Black Button Eyes Productions producing artistic director Ed Rutherford, this short satirical piece is available online free as a combined script-and-video experience.
SO WHAT: In addition to reading the play, you will see various Chicago artists act out portions of the script on video, recorded remotely. The event includes puppets, burlesque, original music, fire dancing and more in a brief, darkly comedic confection.
With the Red Coronavirus running rampant across the countryside and a vaccine still months away, what's a Prince to do? Lock himself in a secure bunker in an undisclosed location along with a cohort of his top donors, of course. To prevent him and his rich supporters from becoming bored, the Prince has also brought a few artists into the bunker to entertain the crowd. But as the hour grows later and the night grows weirder, it's clear that something else has also invaded the party.
NOW WHAT: Settle down for an evening of magical weirdness. Click here and begin reading and watching the videos.