Windy City Events

Royster with the Oyster Festival (Thur. 10/15 – Fri. 10/23)

Get ready to shuck, rattle and roll as Shaw’s Crab House kicks off its 21^st annual Royster with the Oyster Festival this Thursday! Goose Island Brewery plays host to opening night only, where patrons will enjoy free oysters with the purchase of any Goose Island Beer.  The party moves to Shaw’s Oyster Bar the following night where guests can check out the Oyster Slurping Contest which invites contestants to slurp down a dozen oysters as fast as they can, and savor fresh, cold water delicacies on the half shell for equally delicious prices every night of the festival! The event culminates on the 23^rd with the famous Tent Party, which entertained more than 5,000 aphrodisiac seeking patrons in 2008. This famous finale will feature music from Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra, Melvin Taylor, and Kevin Purcell & The Nightburners, a smorgasbord of tasty treats, and the crowning of the Grand Slurp Off winner who will find him/herself $1,000 richer! Shaw’s will also be hosting two special dinners during Oyster week, one to honor Oyster Hall of Fame inductee Rodney Clark on the 21^st, and the other, a six course Beer Dinner hosted by Goose Island’s Brewmaster, Mr. Gregory Hall. Reservations are required. Finally, for the entire month of October, Shaw’s will feature oyster and beer pairings, so raise your glass to the month of the mollusk! › Continue reading

Pug Party at Zella (Sat. 10/17)

Sometimes I think there are more pugs than humans in this city, and if that’s true, there’s going to be one hell of a party this Saturday at Zella’s! More than 400 furry friends accompanied by slightly less furry canine lovers are expected to attend the event, one of the many “pug parties” taking place across the windy city. Live music, food and drinks (including $3 domestic drafts) will serve as party favors while the main event – the pet parade – will kick off at 3:15. Be sure to check out the specialty pug items for sale so that Fido goes home pooped and pampered!

Zella
October 17th: noon – 5 p.m.
$7; $4 for kids, pugs for free!
1983 N. Clybourn Ave.
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Cocktail Class at Nacional 27 (Thurs. 10/15)

Spice up your Thirsty Thursday this week and join award-winning mixologist Adam Seger for Nacional 27’s monthly cocktail class! Learn how to prepare a perfect ‘pear’ of libations such as an Heirloom Apple and Pear Mojito and a Latin Spiced Hot Apple Toddy, both perfect with a handful of candy corn. Guests will sip on others seasonal cocktails such as autumn infused martinis, nibble on classic Latin tapas, and take home coveted recipe cards so you can recreate your festive drinks throughout the holiday season!

October 15^th: 5:30 – 6:30
Tickets: $20
325 W. Huron St.
Nacional 27
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Opening Night at Lincoln Hall! (Fri. 10/16)

From the folks behind Schubas, one of the most respected and renowned music clubs in the city comes Lincoln Hall, a mid-sized music venue taking over the space of the former Three Penny movie theater. The original spot from brothers Chris and Mike Schuba helped launch the careers of The Dave Matthews Band, Modest Mouse, and Feist, so the stakes are high for this 4,400-square-foot concert space. In a space that more than triples its younger sibling, music lovers can wet their whistles at one of three bars including a pub-style booth lounge, and a beer only bar that overlooks the movie-screen-turned-music-stage. Both levels boast the kind of large sound and intimate atmosphere that made Schubas famous, so no matter where you’re stationed at this 167 capacity club you will get your money’s worth. While the focus will undoubtedly be the all-star musical roster, Lincoln Hall will be serving some grub including small plates such as pepper-glazed pork skewers and goat cheese and arugula flatbreads, as well as wraps and sandwiches. Lincoln Hall will kick off its opening night with Mike Doughty on October 16^th, an artist whose versatility and interactive style will certainly thrive in the new showcase. Rounding out the fall docket will be Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard, Matthew Santos, and Great Lake Swimmers to name just a few.

October 16^th: 9 p.m.
Tickets: $22
2424 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln Hall
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Modern Vintage Chicago Fall Fashion and Jewels Explosion (Fri. 10/16 to Sun. 10/18)

From the people who brought you Randolph Street Market Fest comes one of Chicago’s most progressive and chic fashion events to date. More than 100 vintage clothing and jewelry vendors and 100 Indie designers are coming together to celebrate high fashion in one of the city’s funkiest party lofts located in a warehouse space in the West Loop. A Friday night pre-party heralds the event and includes swag bags, a fashion show, disco dancers, cocktails and the opportunity to shop ‘til you drop! Expect glamorous, old Hollywood accessories from style icons such as Chanel, Pucci, Hermes and Dior, art deco textiles and vanities, costume and estate jewelry and more from the vintage show whose goal is to bring a “historical perspective to trend setting aesthetics.” The Indie designer show will feature haute couture from creators across the country with a focus on fusing the new and the retro, and organic and sustainable materials. When you arrive not so fashionably late to the loft, follow signs to the second floor and keep your eyes peeled for a one of a kind Vivienne Westwood knits or a funky Victorian centerpiece.

October 16^th – 18^th
Tickets $10 – $25
30 N. Racine Ave.
312-666-1200
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Bucktown Apple Pie Contest (Sun. 10/18)

If you can bake a mean apple pie, or are more savvy in the taste-testing department, get excited for the Bucktown Apple Pie Contest! A fundraising event for Holstein park, the contest offers 200 homemade apple crisps and brings together 120 amateur bakers for what Time Out Chicago has called “the clash of the pie pans!” Renowned chef Michael Taus from Duchamp and Zealous will serve as guest judge for the 5^th annual pastry party, and will assess pies based on taste, texture and appearance. For only $3, you too can sample some of Chicago’s best homemade cookin’ while dancing to live bluegrass music from Tangleweed! If scrumptious treats and knee slapping beats aren’t enough to bring you out, reevaluate your priorities, and then bid on something fabulous at the silent auction, or take your chances on a $1,000 cash raffle.

Free Event
Register a Pie!
October 18^th 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
2200 N. Oakley Ave.
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Pumpkin Carving Contest at Silver Cloud Bar (Tue. 10/20)

Last night I attended a pumpkin carving party and contest hosted by Silver Cloud with a group of four friends, and it was down right smashing! Upon our tardy arrival, the host and judge informed us that they were out of pumpkins. However, when my over-enthusiastic company suggested that we snipe the pumpkins adorning the windowsills and bar area, the guy could not have been more accommodating. After a few cocktails at the bar (there were Halloween inspired ‘tinis and the like, but we kept it simple – shame on us) we were set up with a large table in the back, three glorious pumpkins, and multiple carving sets. The soundtrack ranged from old school Bowie to the Golden Girls theme song and the wait staff was just as playful as the contestants.  The whole group agreed it was a great change of pace, and the spirited, rowdy patrons around us seemed to agree! The judge based the scoring on creativity, difficulty, and team attitude and announced the victors standing on top of the bar with a Halloween king crown on. Runners up included a Chicago skyline pumpkin and an owl carving, while the $50 bar tab grand prize went to the “Olympics Fail” pumpkin. Overall it was a fun filled, economical night, even though my Little Duckling carving didn’t make the grade. The Bucktown watering hole, famous for having the best Bloody Mary’s in town, will be hosting another contest on October 20^th. I suggest you do some forearm workouts in the meantime and get there by 9 p.m., as all extra pumpkins seem to have been pillaged by a group of remiss stragglers…

October 20^th 9 p.m.
Silver Cloud
1700 N. Damen Ave.
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The No Tie Ball (Sat. 10/17)

The UCCRF (University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation) is hosting its annual No Tie Ball on October 17^th at the James Hotel, and you’re invited! Throw on mama’s pearls, showcase those dapper suspenders, and don your shiniest ballroom slippers, but leave those neckties at home, ladies and gentlemen, because while the event is for a serious cause, the UCCRF is looking to host a night of fun and relaxation. (In other words, this is not not your average stiff-collared fete.) The benefit for cancer research includes hors d’oeuvres from award winning David Burke’s Primehouse, top shelf open bar, and music from local sensation DJ Rock City. The silent auction and raffle prizes will include spa packages and dining certificates to some of the best venues in the city, and rumor has it a celebrity-meeting prize will be awarded during the night! Proceeds support ongoing cancer research and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

October 17^th 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Tickets: $75-$85

The James Hotel
55 E. Ontario St.
UCCRF Tickets
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21st Annual Celebrity Chef Ball (Fri. 10/19)

This year’s 21^st annual Celebrity Chef Ball brought to you by Meals on Wheels Chicago will feature more than 60 chefs from all over the country, making it the largest in the event’s history! Sample dishes from Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, chef and owner of The Drunken Goat, Blackbird’s very own Mike Sheerin, head chef at Cibo Matto Todd Stein, and Jimmy Bannos, Chicago legend and chef and owner of Heaven on Seven. The charity’s most luxurious package, The Chef’s Table, is already sold out. (Bad news: you will not be treated to an eight course sit-down diner with live cooking and wine pairings; good news: there are still tickets to the Chef’s Tasting party which will save you $150 and spare you potential etiquette embarrassment! We’ll call it a draw.) And the Chef’s Tasting Party is quite the runners up package! The reception style event offers its guests dozens of savory tastings, premiums cocktails, casino gaming, an interactive photo booth and live music from Rock Candy for more than four hours! The high energy, cocktail attire event is definitely a see and be seen kind of celebration, and at a fraction of the price of other similarly swanky events! The Chef Ball has historically raised more than $200,000, enough to provide more than 40,000 meals to people in need all across Chicago, and with this year’s lineup, those numbers will surely rise! The Celebrity Chef Ball is brought to you by Bankers Life and Casual Company and will be held at Macy’s on State Street.

October 16^th 6:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Tickets: Meals on Wheels Chicago

Macy’s on State
111 N. State St.
$100 Tasting/ $250 Table
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Fall Beer Festival (Wed. 10/14)

Lettuce Entertain You staple, Brasserie Jo, is hosting a Fall Beer Festival with as many beer samples as there are colors in the trees (which is more than 40, in case you were too lazy to count.) The French powerhouse will offer local brews such as Two Brothers Brewing Company, Three Floyds and Half Acre along with regional, and international lagers hailing from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scotland. The $22 ticket also buys you passed appetizers from Chef Jean Joho’s kitchen, including her famous Tarte Flambees! In case you decide to get all cerebral on our arses, there will be plenty of connoisseurs on tap to answer even your most heady questions. Hurry up and purchase your tickets now as the Spring Beer Fest was a sell out!

October 14^th 6-8 p.m.

Brasserie Jo

59 W. Hubbard St.
312-595-0800
$22 per ticket
RSVP required
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