CHICAGO — Shop handmade goods from dozens of local vendors at Ravenswood Makers Market, catch a screening of “Malcolm X” to kick off Music Box Theatre’s latest Black film series and party at a lesbian cocktail bar’s queer mixer.
Here’s a roundup of 25 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Historic YMCA Guided Tour
11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. Sunday
Historic Former Wabash YMCA, 3763 S. Wabash Ave.
Take a tour through a historic local institution that served Black Chicagoans for over half a century — and where Black History Month was born. Tours will be held Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through February with The Renaissance Collaborative, a group that works to save and restore the Y. Tickets are $20 online.
ERIS Brewery Birthday & Cider Release
Noon-11 p.m. Friday
ERIS Brewery & Cider House, 4240 W. Irving Park Rd.
Celebrate the Irving Park brewery’s 6th birthday with live music, food, birthday cake and more. ERIS will also be dropping a limited flavor of hard cider, PUNX pineapple upside-down cake, that you can preorder online. Once the cider is out of stock, it won’t be back until next year. Guests can also make an online reservation for guaranteed seating.
West Town First Friday
6-8 p.m. Friday
Various West Town locations
On the first Friday of each month, West Town neighbors can stroll through the neighborhood and explore local art galleries with a free local program. This weekend features eight participating locations, including The Brie Show Studio’s grand opening at 1716 W. Grand Ave. with drinks, music, live painting and more. Find an interactive map here.
Slow & Low: Chicago Lowrider Pop-Up Photo Exhibition
Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Friday
Pilsen Arts & Community House, 1637 W. 18th St.
This pop-up photo exhibit marks the beginning of the Chicago Lowrider Festival, a celebration of the vibrant, customized cars with low bodies and the Chicago community that surrounds them. Lowriders are also symbols of Mexican American cultural identity, and their iconic designs like whitewall rims and pinstriping serve as methods of storytelling. The photo exhibit runs through Feb. 11 and honors the release of a new limited edition “Slow & Low” book that documents the city’s lowrider community.
Movement & Making Arts Celebration
7-11 p.m. Friday
Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Gather with neighbors for a mixer, live music and crafting workshops at an event celebrating community and the arts. Crafters of all levels are invited to join and stimulate their minds and muscles. General admission is $20 online.
Shuler King
7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Catch Shuler King — the world’s only comedian, actor and licensed funeral director — on stage in Wicker Park this weekend. He rose to comedy stardom during the pandemic, amassing millions of views and followers on social media through his relatable short clips, and now performs sold-out shows across the nation. Tickets start at $22 online.
Ikebana Flower Arrangement Course
10-11:30 a.m. Saturday
Japanese Culture Center, 2940 N. Lincoln Ave., Unit 2
Neighbors can explore all things floral with Ohara Ryu Ikebana, or the Japanese art of flower arrangement. This monthlong Ikebana course is taught by Japanese instructor and traditionally trained artist Yuko Inoue-Darcy. Tickets for the four-part course are $248 online. Attendees should also purchase their own Kenzan flower holder and scissors online or from the instructor.
Books & Breakfast: ‘Noche Noche Ninos’
10 a.m.-noon Saturday
5055 S. Prairie Ave.
Families and young readers can enjoy a morning of books and breakfast with Lisa Brown, author of a Spanish-English bedtime story called “Noche Noche Ninos.” Along with a story time, food and activities, Brown will stick around for book signings and photos. Tickets are $5-10 online. The event is hosted by Da Book Joint, a Black family-owned bookstore on the South Side.
The Sojourner Truth Film Festival
10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Edlis Neeson Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.
This day-long film festival features rarely shown films by and about Black women. It’s inspired by the first-ever Black women’s film festival co-organized by Black feminist artists and activists, which was hosted in New York in 1976. This weekend’s screening is co-sponsored by Sisters in Cinema, a local nonprofit that supports and celebrates Black women, girls and gender non-conforming media workers so they can create and thrive as storytellers. Tickets are $10 per film, or $19 for all three. Purchase them here.
Toppers Pizza ‘First 50’ Event
Doors open 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Toppers Pizza, 6147 N. Broadway
Want to win a free pizza for the year? You can if you’re one of the first 50 customers at the new Edgewater location of Toppers Pizza. The Wisconsin-based chain is known for its unusual pizza varieties like Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese Pizza. Participants must be 18 or older.
Cher Drag Brunch
11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Lark, 3441 N. Halsted St.
Brunch and sip on bottomless cocktails and mocktails at this Cher-inspired drag show featuring Pixel and Venus Carangi. Tickets are $65 online.
Mardi Paws Fundraiser
Noon-3 p.m. Saturday
Canine Crews, 1616 N. Washtenaw Ave.
Help raise funds for the Wicker Park Dog Park at a Mardi Gras-themed celebration. Neighbors can bring their pups and enjoy a taste of The Big Easy with New Orleans-inspired food and drink, games, raffles, a photo booth and more. Tickets are $40 per person and $10 per dog online.
Chicagoland Therapist Networking Event
1-4 p.m. Saturday
Revolution Brewing — Brewery & Taproom, 3340 N. Kedzie Ave.
Local therapists can connect with colleagues, network and learn about resources at this networking event. There will be appetizers and beverages available. Guests can also purchase alcoholic drinks through the Tap Room. Tickets are $10 online and are going fast.
Chicago Tool Library Repair Fair
1-4 p.m. Saturday
Chicago Tool Library, 4015 W. Carroll Ave.
The nonprofit Chicago Tool Library is hosting a repair fair. Neighbors can bring their “broken and beloved” bikes, appliances, clothes, jewelry and more to repair them alongside volunteers. Those who don’t need anything repaired are still invited to attend and learn a new skill. All guests are asked to mask up.
Ravenswood Makers Market
1-6 p.m. Saturday
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N. Ravenswood Ave.
This family-friendly market features 25 makers selling handmade jewelry, knit goods, home decor, soaps, art and more. Shoppers can browse with a drink from KOVAL in hand. Admission is free.
‘Melanin, Roots, and Culture’ Film Series
1:15 p.m. Saturday
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Celebrate Black History Month with “Melanin, Roots, and Culture” — a film series honoring Black artists and creators throughout February. It kicks off this weekend with Spike’s Lee’s 1992 movie “Malcolm X” starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Delroy Lindo. The picture serves as a tribute to the Black activist and liberation leader. Tickets are $11 for general admission and $8 for members. Buy them here.
Cider Summit Chicago
2-6 p.m. Saturday
Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom, 840 E. Grand Ave.
Taste ciders galore at this 10th annual event featuring over 150 ciders, cider cocktails and spirits from local and global makers. Guests can pair their drinks with on-site snacks and cuisine from Chelsea’s Gluten Free and Sausage Fest food trucks. General admission tickets are $40 and VIP tickets are $49.99 online. They can be coupled with pre-opening tickets for early admission and additional charcuterie tastings. This is a 21+ event.
Focaccia Art Baking Class
3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday
Bettie’s Chicago, 852 N. Larrabee St.
Bake and decorate your own Italian focaccia bread at a retro diner-themed event space on the Near North Side. Each student will make focaccia, then use it as a canvas for toppings like vegetables and herbs. Tickets are $95 online.
Fruit Cocktail: Spill The Tea
4-7 p.m. Saturday
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Dance the evening away with friends and neighbors at this bimonthly queer tea dance and mixer. Tickets are $12 online.
Cacao Ceremony
5-7 p.m. Saturday
Wildlight Yoga, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., #301
Enjoy an evening of “cacao and connection” at Wildlight Yoga. During this ceremony — a spiritual practice that dates back to the Mayans and Aztecs — attendees can indulge in cacao while enjoying conversation, meditation and music. Tickets are $50 online.
Laugh It Uptown: Jessica Misitano
7-10 p.m. Saturday
Uptown Taproom, 1265 W. Wilson Ave.
“Laugh it up” with local comic Jessica Misitano at Uptown Taproom’s bimonthly comedy showcase, hosted on the first and third Saturday of each month. Tickets are $15 online.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Drive
Ballet meets Bowie in “Star Dust: From Bach to Bowie,” a tribute show by New York City-based dance company Complexions Contemporary Ballet. The celebrated performance also features David Bowie classics like “Young Americans” and “Heroes.” Tickets are $30 online.
Cross-Cultural Orchestra Performance
8 p.m. Saturday
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.
More than 90 Chicago musicians will perform Romanian folk music and select Middle Eastern pieces. The University Chamber Orchestra and Middle East Music Ensemble will be sharing the stage for this collaborative concert. Admission is free.
Gentle Morning Yoga
10-11 a.m. Sunday
Ducksfloat Collective, 4541 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Start off your Sunday on a gentle note as you move through a one-hour yoga, open to “all bodies, experience levels, and identities.” Tickets are $20 online.
Logan Square Preservation Meet-Up
3-5 p.m. Sunday
Lardon, 2200 N. California Ave.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at a reconstructed Logan Square space that’s home to three neighborhood spots — Lardon, a charcuteries and sandwich cafe; Meadowlark, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar; and Union, a restaurant serving up American fare and locally brewed beer. Owner Steve Lewis will take guests through a private tour of the restored building, sharing its history and how he salvaged its original details. Admission is free, and there will be a cash bar for cocktails and coffee.
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