The cold front foreshadowing another Chicago winter may have you chilled, whether from the breeze or the scared anticipation. Our favorite ways to warm up? Good food, good spirits and the occasional boogie. Plan your weekend around these surefire hits, and be sure to take a glimpse at our highlights for the week ahead.
ALL WEEKEND
Permanent Records 5th Anniversary Party
Ukranian Village-based music haven Permanent Records is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a three-day, high-decibel festival scattered at venues across the city. Headliners include Australian garage band Royal Headache, Disappears side-project E+, and local favorites Bad Drugs and Mayor Daley, shredding across the stages of the Empty Bottle and Hideout.
Where: Varies by show
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 p.m. Monday
Price: Varies by show
Beethoven Festival
If hearing the name “Beethoven” doesn’t conjure up images of a convivial St. Bernard, you’ll fit right in at the Chicago Urban Art Society’s Beethoven Festival, a five-day celebration of all things Ludwig von Beethoven. Homages to the great composer will span across discipline, spotlighting musicians, actors and poets interpreting Beethoven’s work.
Where: 2229 S. Halsted St., Chicago
When: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sept. 16 – Sept. 18
Price: Varies by festival package, $20 - $180
FRIDAY
Guinness Oyster Fest
What do oysters and beer have in common? They’re both most at home in a bar, and they’ll be together at Roscoe Village’s Guinness Oyster Fest, along with live music from Alien Ant Farm, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Men Without Hats.
Where: 2000 W. Roscoe Ave., Chicago
When: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday
Price: $7 suggested donation
Halfway To St. Patrick’s Day Party
Counting down the days until the river runs green again in March? Celebrate reaching the half-way point at Timothy O’Toole’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Party. The green beer and jameson shots will be flowing, and food specials include Reuben eggrolls, Dubliner burgers and potato pancakes. Leprechaun guaranteed.
Where: 622 N. Fairbanks Court, Chicago
When: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Price: Free
SATURDAY
Family Sports Festival
Log a little too much couch time this week? Get up and moving with the whole family for World Sport Chicago’s Family Sports Festival in Armour Square Park. The local organization dedicated to connecting Chicagoans to athletic activities will showcase 25 different sports, and provide information on how to continue playing them in the neighborhood. There will also be booths for pro teams including the Bears, Cubs and Bulls.
Where: 3309 S. Shields Ave., Chicago
When: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
Price: Free
Free Eventbrite Concert: Freelance Whales
Online ticketing platform Eventbrite is hosting a free Freelance Whales concert, where their new iPad app “Eventbrite At The Door” will accept donations to benefit Rock For Kids. The event is part of a national concert series called “Concert Confidential: 5 Cities. 5 Causes. 1 Night” that’s hosting free, intimate performances in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth. Rock For Kids provides free, quality music instruction to children in need.
Where: Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave, Chicago
When: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday
Price: Free
SUNDAY
A Tribute to Schoolhouse Rock!
Grab a Bill and pull into Conjunction Junction with Chicago’s Old Town School Of Folk Music for a salute to everyone’s favorite educational tunes, Schoolhouse Rock! This family-friendly tribute will revisit all the classics from the days before spell check.
Where: 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
When: 3 p.m.
Price: $12 ($11 for members)
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD:
MONDAY
Belvedere Vodka Spirited Dinner
Vodka’s value is often tied to its seeming absence of flavor--except for the true aficionados who know how to enhance its subtleties by building around it. Let two such experts give you a tour at Mercadito’s third ‘Spirited Dinner,’ building a four-course meal around the seldom paired spirit. Mexican cuisine is uniquely complementary to the spice and fruit components in vodka, and Chefs Patricio Sandoval and Aldo Ayala will spotlight the signature ingredient in the cocktails and several of the dishes.
Where: 108 W. Kinzie St, Chicago
When: 6:30 p.m. Monday
Price: $55
WEDNESDAY
Quickfire Cooking Competition
Still on the waitlist for a table at Girl & The Goat? The next “Quickfire” cooking competition series that challenges local masterminds Iron Chef-style will pit Stephanie Izard against Boka executive chef Giuseppe Tentori Wednesday, and they’re running a call-in to give away 100 free tickets for tasting, and 75 more for free drinks and a viewing. Phone lines open at 10 a.m. Friday at 312-981-7070.
Where: Perennial Virant, 1800 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
When: Wednesday
Price: Free, limited quantity