Your Chicago Curated Weekend: 11/6 and Beyond

It's a "standard" weekend in fall this weekend as we are getting nice 60 degree tempts, some rain, and 30 degree temps with snow. But don't let that tumultuous weather scare you away from all the fantastic events going on this weekend.

Let's get on with your curated weekend!

ART GALLERIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

• All Star Press is constantly putting up new prints for you to decorate your space with! RIGHT NOW they are showing Dead Presidents! Plus you can check out some of their prints from their Vertical Gallery collab, which you can purchase here!! There is also a virtual gallery featuring all the works!
• Chicago Gamespace is the perfect spot to check out the hairy present and future of the gaming realm!
• Rotofugi is the perfect nexus of art and toys! Head over to see what new pieces of art they have in stock and on display in their gallery space! Right Now they're showing Mystic Creepers New Works by Cherry Moth Cake & Monster Bloodbath
• 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.
• Garfield Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens! See what current exhibits are on display now.
• Lincoln Park Conservatory is open! Book a reservation to see all the beautiful gardens
• Wonderverse takes popular franchises like Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more and puts them together in this immersive venue! Enjoy tons of activities including escape rooms, virtual reality games, racing simulators, and more! Plus there are plenty of themed food and drinks for you to try.

EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!

• Nov 6-8 Day of the Dead Quilts Workshop @ National Museum of Mexican Art\
• Nov. 7-10 Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival @ Elastic Arts
• Nov 7-8 Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival @ Chicago Filmmakers
• Nov. 8-9 Tree Trim @ Brookfield Zoo
• Nov 8-9 Chicago Toy & Game Fair @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
• Nov 8 - Dec 30 Elf'd Up @ Stretch Bar & Grill

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - 9 (& BEYOND)

Black Harvest Film Festival @ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, Various Times, All Ages
WHAT: A celebration of film by Black filmmakers!
SO WHAT: Returning for its 31st year at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Black Harvest Film Festival runs through November 16 featuring dozens of films (short and feature-length, narrative and documentary) from, by and about the Black experience. A decent portion of the selected films have Chicago and Midwestern ties, including the opening night program featuring "presentation of select Black Harvest Film Festival short films and the announcement of the winners of The Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Black Harvest Film Festival Prize, followed by a lively reception."
NOW WHAT: Tickets are available now and you can check out the full schedule here.

The Neo-Futurists’ The Infinite Wrench @ The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N Ashland, Friday and Saturday 10:30pm, Sunday 7pm, 16+
WHAT: Quick plays live and online!
SO WHAT: The Neo-Futurists' Infinite Wrench is an ongoing, ever-changing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes for a live audience.
NOW WHAT: Join the Neo-Futurists this weekend for $15-20!  The Infinite Wrench and more is also available over at their Patreon!]

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Handmade Market Chicago @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, Noon – 4:30pm
WHAT: Shopping, eating, and drinking all in one place
SO WHAT: Grab a drink from the Empty Bottle Bar, and start shopping the Handmade Market Chicago! They will bring a nice collection of makers with 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

THE WHOLE CURATED WEEKEND & BEYOND

Chicago Humanities: 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. There's tons of talks going on this season, so head over to their website which is constantly updated with new talks. And be sure to check out their podcast Chicago Humanities Tapes, which features conversations with some of their best presenters and other great humanities-minded minds! Take a look at some of their upcoming events below:

• 11/6 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 06-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall SOLD OUT
• 11/7 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 07-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall SOLD OUT
• 11/8 Margaret Atwood: Book of Lives @ Francis W. Parker School SOLD OUT
• 11/8 Kurt Vile and Terry Allen in Concert 08-Nov @ Old Town School of Folk Music - Maurer Concert Hall
• 11/11 Padma Lakshmi’s All American @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
• 11/12 GOOD THINGS: An Evening with Samin Nosrat @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture SOLD OUT
• 11/13 Salman Rushdie: The Eleventh Hour @ Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture

Check out their talk "Edward Burns Shares a Pint with Chicago" below!

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 2025

Movies on the Big Screen and Home @ Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave, various times
WHAT: A great way to support a great local movie theater
SO WHAT: The Music Box Theatre recently underwent some great renovations, and it's ready for all your movie needs with some excellent films like Bugonia, It Was Just An Accident, Train Dreams, Snake In The Eagle's Shadow, midnight screenings of Lifeforce, and so much more!
NOW WHAT: Sit back and enjoy a new film at one of our favorite movie theaters in the city!

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 at their website for showings this weekend and in the future!

• 11/6 Sinners 7pm
• 11/6 Nightmare on Elm Street 9:30pm
• 11/8 Home Alone 7pm
• 11/8 Nightmare on Elm Street 9:30pm
• 11/9 Sleepy Hollow 7pm
• 11/9 Scream (The Original!) 9pm

NOW WHAT:Tickets are $35 per car for these movies, so bring the family for a safe movie watching experience! Double Features are $45 and triple features are $50

University of Chicago Folk Festival @ Your favorite spot in your home, All Ages
WHAT: A fantastic folk festival
SO WHAT: University of Chicago Folk Festival might have come and gone but their digital presence is still around, making sure the wonderful music reaches as many people as possible! You can check out the past few years of performances on their Facebook page and their YouTube channel any time you want! This past year's performers included bohola – Jimmy Keane and Pat Broaders; Rhys Jones, Joseph Decosimo & Nokosee Fields; The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen, and Brian Miller; T'Monde; Izaki Metropoulos, Sophia Metropoulos Laouto & Geroge Lawler; Gabe Carter, and many more!
NOW WHAT: Head over to their Facebook page and their YouTube channel and enjoy the show! We highly encourage you to donate to help support this fantastic folk festival!