Windy City Events

INDIE INCUBATOR XI- A Festival of Chicago’s Best Short Films (11/30/10)

Short films will fill the 10 foot screen and all the plasmas in the popular night spot, The Original Mother’s, for the eleventh incarnation of Indie Incubator Film Fest on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, and management even breaks out the couches and free popcorn, too. These shorts are anywhere from 30 seconds to 20 minutes in length, and genres run the gamut from comedy to horror, with everything in between. It is never boring, with energetic hosts and great films, the crowd is constantly entertained.

Now in its fifth year, Indie Incubator has gained credibility, momentum and a distinct voice in the Chicago area independent film scene. The fest has prided itself as the best alternate venue outside of the traditional festival circuit for local filmmakers work to get shown and get noticed. They have yet to charge a single film maker ANY submission fee! “Submission fees are a racket,” says Matt Kubinski, creator of the fest. “Why should independent filmmakers be charged just to submit their film for the possibility of being shown at these fests? Don’t films already cost enough to make?” › Continue reading

TBOX2010: The Biggest Thing To Happen Since TBOX2009. What Every Pub Crawl Wants To Be (12/11/10)

If you haven’t heard of TBOX, I’d be surprised.  But now that I’m going to tell you about it, this is all you’ll be hearing about.  A coworker of mine had a 3-word description of it, “A Hot Mess”.  For the uninitiated,  here’s all you need to know: Cereal, stickers, costumes, thousands and thousands of people (over 7,000 last year!) and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking.  This epic pub crawl starts at 8am at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville and goes till the bars close.  Yeah.  That’s one hell of a day.  So get some friends together, find a costume, pick up some cereal from the grocery store and buy your tickets online at www.tbox2010.com.  Read on for more details! › Continue reading

Lagunitas Fest At The B.O.B. (Fri. 7/23 to Sun. 7/25)

If you’re a fan of good beer, good whiskey, and good food without the chaos of overcrowded bars, then the Bar on Buena is the place for you. Located a few blocks north of the Sheridan Red Line stop, the Bar on Buena is known for their eclectic beer selection and their wide array of whiskeys. Starting tonight, July 23rd, the Bar on Buena is hosting its annual Laugunitas Fest. The fest will feature new, and rare, brews and brands, along with food and live music. The fest will be going on all weekend, so there’s plenty of time to stop by and check it out!

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Mayor’s Office of Special Events Announces 2010 Schedule; Outlines Changes in Festivals

The Mayor’s Office of Special Events today announced the schedule of free family programming offered by the City this year and outlined changes in events and festivals including a major change to the Independence Day fireworks event. › Continue reading

2nd Annual Snow Days Chicago Festival (Fri. 1/29 and Sat. 1/30)

Snow Days Chicago is offering a plethora of reasons why it’s better to brave the windy city weather this time of year versus those boring warmer climates.

The events during Snow Days Chicago on Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th include a national snow sculpting competition, an activities igloo (don’t tell me you’ve never wanted to go in an igloo), dogsled racing demonstration, “snowboard rail jam”, and plenty more.

Grant Park will be filled with over 27 unique snow sculptures this weekend, and … (best part)… it’s FREE. So if you’ll be downtown at all during the festival, you have no reason not to swing by the Michigan Ave. local to catch some winter wonder.

The fest kicks off Fri. January 29th at 4 pm and ends 8 pm. Snow Days will be open Sat. Januray 30th from 11 am to 8pm. And, again, absolutely no cost (no, not even for an igloo tour).

Grant Park, S. Balbo & Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60603

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

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

No Shave November Is Here! How Long Can You Go Without Shaving?

No Shave November is here, finally!  Some say it’s an annual celebration of Manhood while others say that women can equally participate.  I don’t think there are any clear cut rules besides the obvious, don’t shave.

I’m not quite sure when it started, or why really.  It’s just one of the many fun internet holidays that gained popularity through internet forums and word of mouth, much like Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept. 19).  I made it 2 weeks last year and hope to make it the whole month this year.  A quick google search provided a plethora of links and videos of people celebrating this annual tradition.  So I’m curious, have any of you participated before?  Have you even heard of it? I say, give it a try!  You have nothing to lose but will at least gain a few more minutes of time in the morning by dropping your shaving routine!

Wicker Park Halloween Prowl (Sat. 10/31) 12pm

WPB, the special service area for Wicker Park and Bucktown, and Collaboraction Theatre company, a 14 year old award winning arts organization, invite the public to join them as they create a theatrical procession of dancers, actors, musicians vampires, and mummies that travels through Wicker Park, making stops to trick-or-treat dance and cavort at local parks and businesses along the way.

This unique civic effort is aimed at giving local families an opportunity to join a sidewalk costume parade with a 20 person performance ensemble led by Collaboraction, who is known for it’s unique theatrical events, such as their annual SKETCHBOOK Festival of short plays, music and visual art and their public events such as the quarterly After Dark series at the Art Institute of Chicago. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to create a joyous costumed public procession through the vibrant neighborhood of Wicker Park” said Anthony Moseley, Executive Artistic Director of Collaboraction. Moseley adds “If you like to dance, sing and carouse Halloween-style, please join us at noon at Ashland and Division [google map]and bring your noise makers and wear your costumes!”

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce and other neighborhood partners, including Friends of Pritzker School and the Wicker Park Advisory Council, will be sponsoring other “Boo-Palooza” activities throughout the afternoon, including pumpkin decorating, face painting, and a Monster Mash Music Bash.

Haunting in the Square, an Artistic Halloween Celebration! (Fri. 10/30 and Sat. 10/31)

The Dadio Foundation and Collaboraction Theatre Company present the 1st annual Haunting in the Square, an artistic Halloween Celebration that will include interactive programming for kids by day and short plays, DJs and dancing for adults by night. Family friendly programming will take place until sunset on both days. This unique event will be held in at the Firehouse Square, a 19,000 square foot outdoor courtyard that is part of the historic firehouse at 459 N. Wolcott [google map]. › Continue reading