You have a nice long weekend ahead of you so why not make the most of it! Festivals are starting to emerge, unique comedy shows are ready to fire up, and all things celestial are just waiting to be explored! So get out there this weekend and discover all the fun and amazing events going on in the city!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
ALL WEEKEND LONG, JANUARY 17th - 20th
Tomorrow Never Knows Festival 2019 @ Various Venues, Various Times,
WHAT: TNK unites Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Metro Chicago, Hideout Inn, Smartbar, and Sleeping Village for a fantastic festival
SO WHAT: Tomorrow Never Knows has been putting on amazing shows in the harsh Chicago winter for over a decade. Taking place over the course of five days in January, TNK curates the best of rising local indie artists as well as acclaimed national acts, including both musicians and comedians. It’s also housed in some of the best venues in town, making for a true Chicago experience!
NOW WHAT: Individual show prices vary, so check out all the great concerts happening as a part of the fest!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17
Adler After Dark: Space Odyssey @ The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 6:00pm - 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Escape the chilly evening for an exploration of the outer Solar System
SO WHAT: Join in on the fun in this great after dark experience including the chance to participate in a special museum-wide game where you and your “crew” will solve challenges, make decisions, and collect the necessary supplies to make it through a dangerous Solar System. Think
Oregon Trail meets
Settlers of Catan but in space! You'll also be able to get “
Year of the Moon” off to a great start and get early access to the Adler’s newest sky show,
Imagine the Moon, before it opens to the public on January 18! Plus you'll be able to jam out with the otherworldly
Terrible Spaceship, Chicago
‘s premier ambient synthetic horror pop band, and their homage to Orson Welles’ classic radio drama,
War of the Worlds, set to an original score—
Invasion 1938!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for members in advance. Prices go up to $25 for general admission and $20 for members at the door. Make it a night to remember!
Jen Kirkman @ Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 7:00pm
WHAT: Some excellent comedy to get you through the week!
SO WHAT: Jen Kirkman is back in town with a brand new hour of fantastic comedy that you haven’t already seen on her Netflix specials
I’m Gonna Die Alone and
Just Keep Livin’?. Whether she’s writing on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Amazon show,
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or appearing on shows like
Conan and
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Kirkman’s wit is always a welcome treat!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $26 for this great show
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th
Sam Trump's Soul Vortex @ The California Clipper, 1002 N California Ave, 10:30pm, 21+
WHAT: A night of exceptional music
SO WHAT: Sam Trump is a multi-instrumentalist/ singer/songwriter who has become heavily involved in Chicago’s live music scene as a band leader, sideman and show curator. He is known for creating soulful experiences that you won’t forget.
NOW WHAT: There is a $5 cover, so don’t miss this!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th
Level Eater Game Day @ Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S Morgan St, 1:00pm - 5:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A day of games!
SO WHAT: The famed and fabled Level Eater gaming event returns to the Co-Prosperity Sphere with a huge number of daytime activities you do not want to miss. Get an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons, play as bold warriors in a miniature arena battle, or get a demo of games in the works from Chicago designers! Check out the wares from Cat & Mouse Games and learn the art of painting heroic or monstrous miniatures!
NOW WHAT: Admission is FREE
Faux Co / She Rides Tigers / The Thin Cherries @ Montrose Saloon, 2933 W Montrose Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Some excellent music at this Novo Showcase!
SO WHAT: Ever find yourself needing some more new music in your life? Well you’re in luck because the Novo Showcase is going to serve up some great local acts for your Saturday night!
Faux Co.’s blend of melodic pop and gritty rock, the fuzzy guitars of
She Rides Tigers’ riff-laden power pop, and
The Thin Cherries’ undeniable indie pop hooks will all be on hand to satisfy your music needs!
NOW WHAT: Entry for the great night of tunes is only $5! Get out there and jam out!
Poster by Toler Wolfe.
Grace Thomas' Farewell Show @ Cards Against Humanity Theater, 1917 N Elston Ave., 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: One last Chicago hurrah for a fantastic comedian!
SO WHAT: ClickHole writer and stand up comic Grace Thomas is leaving Chicago at the end of the month. Before she goes, she’s performing a fun hour of comedy filled with unique presentations, characters, songs, stand up and interactive experiences. The evening will feature Sarah Squirm, the Shrimp Boys, Megan Stalter, Dave Losso, Richie Owens, Robert Flanagan, Gena Gephart and Toler Wolfe.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $10!
Hot Reads: A Drinking Sketch Show @ Logan Square Improv, 2908 N Wisner Ave, 10:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Two of Chicago’s most beloved pastimes in one stellar event: bad sketch comedy and drinking.
SO WHAT: Hot Reads produced by Morgan Csejtey, Alan Giles and Annie Sullivan, takes some of Chicago’s best comedians and has them perform their most bizarre sketches while everyone plays drinking games. So BYOB and get ready to experience some weird sketches from Robel Arega, Laura Mulcahy, Molly Ruthenberg, Cassie Ahiers, Devin Middleton and Michelle Castro!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $5.00! It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s BYOB!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20th
Logan Square Farmer’s Market @ Emporium Arcade Bar Logan Square, 2363 N Milwaukee Ave, 10:00am - 3:00pm
WHAT: The Logan Square Farmer's Market, one of the few farmers markets in Chicago that runs weekly through winter, providing much appreciated direct income to farmers and the local food economy.
SO WHAT: You'll find 35+ local (farmers within 250mi of Chicago and closer for food purveyors) farm and food vendors providing some much need local goods throughout the day. There will also be select arcade games available to play throughout the market and tunes from local musicians from 11:30am until 2pm ! Plus select drinks like bloody marys, Irish cream, farmers market cocktail specials and drip coffee will be waiting for you!
NOW WHAT: It's free! Just head out to Emporium and get in touch with the local farmers!
Lunapalooza @ The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: The Moon takes center stage at Lunapalooza!
SO WHAT: Take your lunar experience to the next level with the Adler Planetarium’s awesome lunar eclipse observing event! You’ll be able to check out the show and participate in both outdoor observing and indoor activities that celebrate Earth’s celestial companion. You’ll also have the opportunity to catch their newest sky show,
Imagine the Moon!
You can check out all the cool activities over on their event page!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $12!