Windy City Events

Chicago Printmaker’s Collaborative, 20th International Small Print Show (12/5 & 12/6)

Support local artists and find a unique holiday gift- or maybe something for yourself, at the grand opening party of the Chicago Printmaker’s Collaborative annual holiday sale.  Over sixty Chicago artists will be featured, and artists will be present to talk about their work or just chat over some hot cider at this cozy neighborhood event in Lincoln Square.  It’s a great opportunity to connect with local artists and see what exciting things are being produced by Chicago’s printmaking community. › Continue reading

Black as Ink, 3 Tattoo Films: Intuit- Center for Intuitive & Outside Art (Thur. 12/3, 6pm)

There’s painting, there’s sculpture, and then there’s permanently etching ink onto skin.  If you’re inked up or simply fascinated by this unusual art, then this film series at Intuit is for you.  For $10 ($5 for students and members) you will see three movies; Stoney Knows How (1981), Tattooed Lady of Riview, and Fullsuit: A Portrait of Blu-Bak (1991).  Afterwards, you can chat with two of the masterminds behind these films- Tom Palazzolo and Amelia Klem.  This series is held in conjunction with Freaks and Flash, the tattoo art exhibition which is up at Intuit until January 9^th, 2010. › Continue reading

Fashion and Shopping Extravaganza at The Creative Lounge (Sat. 12/5)

Flyer for the Fashion and Shopping Extravaganza in Wicker Park (Click for larger size)

Fashion Rocks Chicago and See More Shopping is inviting you (yes, YOU) to the ultimate all-inclusive shopping/fashion event I’ve ever heard of. The Fashion and Shopping Extravaganza this Saturday December 5th at the Creative Lounge in Chicago’s trendy Wicker Park offers plenty of reasons for you to log off eBay and hit the town for your holiday shopping experience.

Not only is there an incredible lineup of local fashion and jewelry designers, but this event will provide you with complimentary snacks, gift raffles, and will reward the early birds (it starts at 11 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m.) with goodie bags and mini-makeovers courtesy of Sugar & Spice. And all for FREE! Yes, zero dollars! Won’t cost you one measy penny, FREE.

This is the perfect afternoon shopping day for you and your girls, but complimentary snacks? This is also quite the date opportunity as well. Two birds, one stone.

Please rsvp to lidia@evilkitty.net

Now check out this SOLID list of the amazing up-and-coming local Chicago designers that will be selling some of their unique, innovative, and straight up HOT designs this Saturday:

Rosina Mae, Evil Kitty, Anastasia Chatzka, 5p1t, CC Bella, K Fleye, Mr. Tastees, Poise.cc.

This event is located at the Creative Lounge Chicago
1564 N. Damen, 3rd floor
Chicago, IL

Doodleganza: Museum of Contemporary Art (Tues. 12/1)

The MCA has a new series of events- Tuesdays in the Café; a more casual and family friendly take on First Fridays.  This Tuesday, and every first Tuesday of the month is Doodleganza: The Drawing Extravaganza.  Tuesdays are free admission days at the MCA, so start off by checking out the current exhibits, before heading over to Puck’s Café for an evening of drawing, wine, coffee, and snacks.  This Tuesday, artist Paul Nudd will lead the “art class meets social gathering” and will present special activities for an evening of doodling that involves all skill levels.  Bring your creative juices and the inner desire we all still have to doodle! › Continue reading

Late Night Andersonville Festival (Fri. 12/4)

Holiday themed entertainment at Late Night Andersonville Fest.

I think we all need another reason to leave the house and walk around on a calm winter night under Christmas lights listening to street performers offer their interpretations of Frosty the Snowman. Sure beats a dirty, crowded outlet mall, am I right? Of course I am.
One night only! You better hop on the El on Friday December 4th at 6 p.m. and take advantage of the sales until 10. Not only sales but artist demos, silent auctions, toffee tasting, picture framing workshops, and pictures with Santa (c’mon, those never get old), plus waaaay more. Don’t miss this.
Neighborhood: Andersonville
5200 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60640
773-728-2995

Rosina-mae fashion show (Fri. 11/20)

Essay Fiesta at The Book Cellar (Mon. 11/16)

The store front of the Book Cellar; a quaint, sophisticated and downright adorable Lincoln Square bookstore.

Although I really wish I was, I am just not a reader. This is, at long last, not a huge problem. The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square has a bazillion events for the book enthusiast or wannabe-book enthusiast, like myself. Among the events, the Essay Fiesta stood out to me.

Vaudezilla presents The ABSOLUT Comedy Show 2 Free Chicago Burlesque Shows (Sat. 11/14)

Saturday, November 14, 2009
11:00pm & 2:00am
Exit Chicago
1315 W North Ave.
Cover Charge: FREE!

Vaudezilla [link] is turning Exit into one big laugh factory along with our sponsor, Absolut Vodka…because you all know that everything’s funnier with booze! Come and yuk it up with us as we bring some real knee-slapping burlesque to The Absolut Comedy Show, featuring our special guest host: Belmont Burlesque’s MsPixy and her Giant Martini!

You’ll get TWO different sets of hilarious burlesque acts (11pm and 2am) and all night long, you can enjoy $3 Absolut drink specials and Vaudezilla’s trademark swag bags. › Continue reading

Fractured Lens Video Fest: Portage Theater (10/22) 8pm

The Portage Theater is hosting a 3rd Fractured Lens Video Fest this Thursday.  Anyone attending is invited to bring in their own short films (there are rules of course, but just check out their website) and to share and watch others.  It will be a feature length of submitted shorts.

The Portage Theater is an historic theater that opened in the 1920′s, and it has been hosting an assortment of different events and movies there (they had a night of Point Break last week).  It will be a great way to watch films the way that the minds behind them intended them to be seen.  Plus, it’s only $7.

Fractured Lens
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave [google map]

Around the Coyote: Fall Arts Festival (Sat. 10/17 & Sun. 10/18)

Around the Coyote’s 2009 Fall Arts Festival in Wicker Park is happening this weekend and it sounds like a really unique show. There will be over 100 artists working in a variety of disciplines: visual artists working with painting, drawing, and photography; as well as performing artists working with poetry, music, film, video, and new media. The Fall Arts Festival exhibits in unique venues such as vacant storefronts to bring a sense of vitality to otherwise forgotten spaces. Our festival presents the best of the vibrant emerging art scene in Chicago at a pricepoint that is accessible for any art buyer.

The event takes place at various locations in Wicker Park including 1287 N Milwaukee, 1240 N Milwaukee and 1815-25 W Division.  For the full schedule and map visit: aroundthecoyote.org

October 17 : 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
October 18 : 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.