We think you should definitely start planning your weekend because there's just so much to do in our fantastic city! Especially with the start of Chicago Restaurant Week, you'll be sure to find a great place to eat while you brave the freezing Chicago winds!
Let's get on with your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th
The Mighty Wurlitzer @ the Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St., 6:30pm - 8:00pm
WHAT: The Wurlitzer organ at the Chicago Theatre is one of the world's famous theater organs. It's been installed at the theater since the 1921 grand opening. It's rarely played any more but you will have a special chance to hear it and learn its story as part of the 2019 Movie Palace Series.
SO WHAT: The
Atlas Obscura Society Chicago is offering this event, which will start with a mini-tour of the theater by Atlas Obscura field agent and theater historian Leyla I. Royale. The tour will be followed by an in-depth discussion of the Mighty Wurlitzer by pipe organ master Glenn Taller, the resident organist at the theater. Finally, there will be a showing of a short silent film, accompanied live on the Wurlitzer.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $40 each plus fees. Buy them
here. Advance ticket sales only. Meet under the marquee of the Chicago Theatre at 6:20pm--10 minutes before start time. Royale will welcome you into the lobby at 6:30pm. All ages welcome but suggested for 15 years and above. Walking shoes are appropriate. There will be several staircases. Photography allowed.
Mineral & Tancred @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: CHIRP welcomes two great bands at Lincoln Hall
SO WHAT: Mineral had been together for less than four years before their breakup in 1997. But those four years produced a few singles and
The Power Of Failing and
EndSerenading. Despite nearly two decades of no releases, Mineral reunited and this year are releasing new music! Rediscover the post rock goodness that has finally come back to life! Joining them will be the wonderful pop sounds of Jess Abbott performing under her solo pseudonym
Tancred. The former Now Now guitarist and vocalist has been making stunning albums under her Tancred project and after last year's
Nightstand, this is the perfect time to see her live!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $30 for this great night of music!
FRIDAY & BEYOND, JANUARY 25th - FEBRUARY 7th
Chicago Restaurant Week 2019 @ Various Restaurants, Various Times
WHAT: The 12th annual culinary celebration!
SO WHAT: Over 370 restaurants take part in Restaurant Week (which is actually two weeks), letting everyone have a taste of Chicago’s restaurant scene from Italian, French, Spanish, Chinese and more! You can feast on delicious multi-course menus all across the city and suburbs including over 100 new participants for 2019.
You can find all the participating restaurants on the Restaurant Week website.
NOW WHAT: The prix fixe menus range from $22 for brunch or lunch, and $33 and/or $44 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th
MØ & Abra @ The Vic, 3145 N Sheffield Ave, 6:30pm, 18+
WHAT: The perfect soundtrack for your Friday night!
SO WHAT: Karen Marie Ørsted, better known as MØ, mixes her gorgeous voice with smooth and utterly danceable electro-pop that refuses to escape your head. Forever Neverland is MØ’s first full length since her 2014 debut No Mythologies To Follow and adds some amazing songs to her discography. Joining her will be the unique R&B of Abra!
NOW WHAT:
Tickets are $30 for this fantastic show!
First Ward Ball @ Bassline, 2239 S Michigan Ave., 7:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+
WHAT:
Atlas Obscura Chicago re-creates Chicago's famous turn-of-the-(19th)-century
First Ward Ball, a night of
debauchery supported by gamblers, madames, and the most crooked of Chicago's politicians.
SO WHAT: You can party like it's 1890 with a night of music, vice district history, burlesque performances, casino games, and more! The Bassline live music venue is near the original First Ward Ball location in the notorious Levee district. The event will feature performances by
Charlie Scarlet,
Sigourney Beaver,
Aurora Gozmic,
Brooklyn Britches & the Whispers, and the
Street Jaxkson Band. You'll also learn the real life history of the First Ward Ball with presentations by local experts, including “Life In The Levee” by tavern historian
Liz Garibay, "A Night in the Levee: Which Brothel Is Right For You?" by author and historian
Adam Selzer, and "King Corruption," an interactive look at political corruption in Chicago by
Paul Dailing of
1001 Chicago Afternoons.
NOW WHAT: Buy tickets
online for $65 plus fees, or at the door for $75. Tickets include all performances, presentations, and entertainment. A cash bar and raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event (cash and credit accepted). The Atlas Obscura Society seeks out secret histories, unusual access, and opportunities to explore strange and overlooked places hidden all around us. See their
Facebook page for more event news.
Etta James Tribute @ Uncommon Ground, 3800 N Clark St, 7:30pm - 10:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A celebration and tribute to one of the greatest singers of all time!
SO WHAT: Join Uncommon Ground for a tribute to Etta James on her very birthday. This special seated dinner show in the venue's intimate Listening Room will feature the likes of Alysha Monique, Laura Burke, Velvet, and Josly Marie Alvarado honoring Etta James with their magnificent and soulful voices! While you enjoy these amazing voices you'll be able to treat yourself to beers from Greenstar Brewery, the first all organic brewery in Illinois, and food from the first 4-star restaurant with a certified organic rooftop farm in the U.S.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door! Full food and beverage service is available throughout show, not included in ticket price
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26th
Gnash / Mallrat / Guardin @ Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake St., 7:00pm, All Ages
WHAT: A nice sampler of excellent music from Los Angeles, Australia, and New York
SO WHAT: Gnash’s blend of alternative R&B and hip-hop styles have been gaining speed since his trio of breakup EPs U, Me, and Us. He’ll be on tour in support of his debut full length
We and will be making a stop right here at the Bottom Lounge! Joining Gnash will be one of our favorite performers Grace Shaw, who crafts instantly infectious songs as
Mallrat (Erin McAuliffe
interviewed her before her great opening set for Maggie Rogers back in October) and
Gaurdin with his dreamy lofi hip-hop!
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $26 for this fun lineup!
Slumber Party II: Hosted By Sidewalk Chalk Featuring Akenya & Iverson 3.0 @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 8:30pm, 21+
WHAT: Some music for a good cause
SO WHAT: Slumber Party is a new series where the aim is to celebrate the Chicago community. Each show partners with a different charity doing work in the community, and this time that organization is the
Chicago Community Bond Fund. Stop by an denjoy some great music from the likes of
Sidewalk Chalk,
Akenya, and
Iverson 3.0.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door for this great show!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27th
Donut Fest Chicago 2019 @ Chop Shop, 2033 W North Ave, 8:00am - 10:00am & Noon - 2:00pm
WHAT: Mmmm... donuts.
SO WHAT: Donut Fest is back for the 6th year! The best bakeries in Chicago will gather and bring you the best crullers, rings or long-johns for you to sample. Go out and discover all the tastes associated with these delicious entries from some of the city's best bakers and finest coffee purveyors.
NOW WHAT: Tickets are $50 for the 8am-10:00am session and $35 for the Noon-2pm session ! Tickets get you samples of donuts, three coffee vouchers, a mug and goodie bag!
$1 Beer Night: Discus, Camp Howard, Fauvely, Beach Bunny @ Sleeping Village, 3734 W Belmont Ave, 9:00pm, 21+
WHAT: Cheap beer and excellent tunes
SO WHAT: Take a break from pricey shows and drink and chill out with amazing music and beer deals at Sleeping Village! This $1 Beer Night will feature
Discus and their beatific guitars,
Camp Howard and their experimental indie-rock jams, the deeply personal dream-pop of
Fauvely,
Beach Bunny’s singer-songwriter Lili Trifilio bringing her alt-pop to the stage in a solo set!
NOW WHAT: Entry is $5, the Hamm’s is $1, and the show is going to be amazing! Venue and show are cash only.
