Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

August 25, 2011

Good morning and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. As always, there are great events and news heading our way this weekend beyond. Enjoy and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

    Bars

Whether you're participating or just watching this sounds like fun. On Labor Day, Bangers and Lace will be hosting their "Dog Eating Contest". You must stop by the bar now to register. We cannot wait to see how many dogs people can down in 5 minutes. Also...football season is here again and we've featured your favorite places to watch the game. Who'd we miss?

 Dog Eating Contest - Bangers and Lace 

Best Neighborhood Football Bars 

   Community

It's hard to believe that Summer is winding down. The final Summer Movies in the Park are over and the final Open Mic in Wicker Park is this Friday. Last month there were many talented performers and we hope you can make it. The Bucktown Arts Fest is also this weekend and the Renegade Craft Fair is right around the corner. Mark your calendars!

  Bucktown Arts Fest - This Weekend

   Final Wicker Mic - Open Mic

    Keeping Renegade Craft Fair On Your Radar

The Bucktown Arts Fest will be kicking off their weekend with a special gala event hosted by Jackson Junge Gallery.You'll find wine, jazz and, of course, beautiful art at tonight's event. And on Friday, don't miss LVL3's new exhibition opening: This Is The Same As That. This is LVL3's first 2-person exhibition featuring Dave Murray and Letha Wilson.

  Bucktown Arts Fest - Kick Off Gala

    Music 

  Free Reggae at Double Door

  Tonight - RSVP & You'll Get in For Free

    Shopping

In preparation for Fall, many neighborhood shops are hosting big sales this weekend and beyond. Akira is hosting a big Fall and Fashion Party on Friday night and  Wicker Park's Lenscrafters is offering "Insiders Only" a very special 50% off lenses plus an additional 15% off your entire purchase.  That extra 15% off any purchase is only available to us. So grab so those great new shades for less. Hurry! Their offer is ending soon. But that's not all. Many shops are participating in a sidewalk sale sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. So if you're walking around the neighborhood this weekend you should be able to find some incredible deals.

 

      Fun. Fall. Fashion with AKIRA - Friday

 

      Exclusive "Insider-Only" Lenscrafters Special 

      Weekend Wicker Park & Bucktown Sales

Theater created by kids for kids is a growing trend and this weekend, you and yours can catch The Last Adventure. Also fun for the family, an early warning for the Amazing Acro-Cats. These shows sell out very quickly and they're heading back to Bucktown in September. And on a more adult note, Marilyn's Dress arrives for one night only and Bucktown is filled with burlesque. More is heading our way in September.

     The Last Adventure - For Kids

      The Amazing Acro-Cats

      Marilyn's Dress - The Rip Off Tour

     Bucktown Burlesque

These are just a few of the highlights for this weekend and beyond. We have 100s of ongoing special events on our website. So feel free to check in...often ...for the most updated information available. Or for additional neighborhood information throughout the week, please join us on Twitter and Facebook where we post updates/information daily. We'd love to have you.

Thanks again for your support and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

August 18, 2011

Good morning and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. Thanks so much for being part of our amazing team. We are very appreciative of your support, feedback and input. Keep it coming. As always, there are great events and news heading our way this weekend beyond. Enjoy and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

    Bars

As many of you know, the Garfield Park Conservatory suffered a significant amount of damage this Summer due to excessive hail. Many have rallied to help and this weekend it is The Violet Hour's and Big Star's turn to help. Please join Avec, Blackbird, The Violet Hour and Big Star this Sunday for their sidewalk sale from 12pm - 4pm. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Garfield Park Conservatory.

 The Violet Hour - Big Star Sidewalk Sale -Sunday 

   Community

It's hard to believe that Summer is winding down. Last week Wicker Park hosted their last Movie in the Park and Sunday Bucktown will hosting theirs. So bring your friends and family to watch the very funny "Despicable Me" this Sunday in Bucktown. We've also included an updated guide for Summer and Fall Festivals still on our radar. The Bucktown Arts Fest, Renegade Craft Fair and Coyote Arts Fest are just around the corner. And last but not least, the "Miss Wicker Park Pageant" is back. Sign up ... and spread the word.

         Movies in the Park - Bucktown

        Your Summer/Fall Festival Guide

         Miss Wicker Park Returns

Please join Park Schrek Gallery for their opening of "Developed Nuance" this Friday from 7:00pm - 10:00pm in Wicker Park. "Developed Nuance" features the work of Ray Becoskie, Jonathan Stein, and Daniel Brown. All three artists have a particular and refined way of making images and are new to Park Schreck Gallery. Don't miss their opening at Park Schrek.

   Opening Reception-Developed Nuance

    Music 

  JD McPherson- Friday

  High Places - Sunday

    Restaurants

Tipsycake has officially opened in Bucktown. Their cakes are not only delicious, they are truly works of art. Tipsycake also offers classes and afternoon tea daily from 2pm -5pm. Reservations are recommended. We also want to recognize Santullo's this week. When we asked our viewers who had the best pizza in the neighborhood, Santullo's came in a very respectable 2nd place. They also recently received very positive feedback from The Michelin Guide and they're running a "Happy Hour Special" Monday - Friday.  Last but not least, Chicago Food Planet is hosting neighborhood tours through November 26th. They've been selling out quickly. So if you - or anyone you know - might be interested be sure to sign up.

            Tipsycake Officially Opens

         A Little Santullo's Love

  Neighborhood Food Tours

Once again we are blessed with fantastic theater and performing arts options in the neighborhood. This weekend bring your Gleeks to the very popular Gleetastic Cabaret at Davenports. The number of performances are very limited. If you're interested, buy tickets now. The Tooth of Crime is this weekend only: Stardom is stressful. But when one star falls another is ready to take their place -- at the Gorilla Tango Theatre. Looking for humor?  Free comedy at Crocodile Friday and Saturday night. And when you buy a drink, you get a free slice of pizza.

     Gleetastic Cabaret - Friday

     The Tooth of Crime

     The Show Below - FREE Comedy Friday & Saturday

In closing, USA Today cited Wicker Park & Bucktown as one of their Top 10 destinations in the US. Great exposure for the neighborhood and we couldn't agree more. For more information : USA Today. For additional neighborhood information throughout the week, please join us on Twitter and Facebook where we post updates/information daily. We'd love to have you.

Thanks again for your support and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

Wow...it's hard to believe that Do Division, Green Music Fest and Wicker Park Fest have all come and gone. But there are great festivals still to come late August through September. One of our biggest street festivals - Renegade Craft Fair - is just a month away. 

Bucktown Arts Fest 2011

August 27th and August 28th

Holstein Park 2200 N. Oakley - Bucktown

 

 

Renegade Craft Fair 2011

September 10th and September 11th

Division Street Between Damen Avenue and Paulina - Wicker Park

 

 

 Coyote Arts Fest 2011

          September 30th - October 1st

          Flat Iron Arts Building & throughout the neighborhood.

Mark your calendars and we will see you there !

 According to USA Today, August 8, 2011:

Many of the nation's urban areas are booming with new restaurants, parks and condos. Richard Florida , who studies urban trends, says much has changed in the last decade. "It was almost as if someone stepped on the accelerator," says the senior editor for The Atlantic magazine and a professor at the University of Toronto.

All these areas are great to visit, he says, offering a slice of local urban life. He shares up-and-coming neighborhoods with Larry Bleiberg  for USA TODAY.

Wicker Park & Bucktown Noted as One of USA's Top 10 Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods

USA Today's Full Article is Right Here

August 11, 2011

Good morning and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. Thanks so much for being part of our amazing team. We are very appreciative of your support, feedback and input. Keep it coming. And thank you for making The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide the go-to resource for neighborhood events and information. Here's what's heading your way in the week ahead. Enjoy ... and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

    Bars

It's time for a great party and the Fifty/50 has one planned for Friday. Extra good timing because they have a great patio and the weather is perfect. Oh and now you can use your cell phone while you're there. Welcome to the Fifty/50's Cell Phone Party.

    The Fifty/50 Cell Phone Party 

   Community

There are many fantastic community events happening in the neighborhood this week. That's the good news. The bad news is that August marks the end of some of our best Summer events. The puppets are back on Sunday for their final performance in Wicker Park and Movies in the Park return for our last Summer movie in Wicker Park at 1425 N. Damen. The week's feature is Scott Pilgrim vs The World. The Polish Triangle Farmers Market continues today from 2pm -8pm and the Built Festival in Bucktown is this Friday/Saturday. This fest will feature over 100 performers, artists and musicians.

    Thursday Farmers Market

    Bucktown's Built Festival

  Magic Boat Puppet Show

   Movies in (Wicker) Park

Chicago Artist Brian Morgan will be at Jackson Junge Gallery on Saturday at 2pm. Brian will be discussing his exhibition "Momentum Wild", his technique, inspiration and the creative process. Also at Jackson Junge Gallery, 1st Ward residents can meet their Alderman: Joe Moreno. Alderman Moreno will be at Jackson Junge Gallery tonight from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Stop by and say hi.

    Brian Morgan's Artist Talk Saturday

    Music 

  Stiff Little Fingers

  The Mad Dog Blues

    Restaurants

We're sad to report that Earwax Cafe has closed their doors again. A week ago a "closed" sign was hung on the front door and the restaurant was dark. One of our sources told us the staff was informed of the closing only last Wednesday and it appears the owner is looking for a tenant. Stay tuned for additional developments. On a happier note, please join Piece tonight for their 10th Anniversary Celebration. They'll be sharing their Anniversary Ale tonight and the party starts at 8pm. Last but not least, we confirmed with Prasino today that they are on track to open Friday. We've been reporting on Prasino for many months and it's terrific to see them ready to open.

     Earwax Cafe Closes .... Again

   Piece's 10 Year Anniversary Party

    Prasino Opens in Wicker Park Friday

   Shopping

Surprisingly, in a down economy, development continues to move in to the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods. At the corner of North/Damen/Milwaukee big plans are in the works for Caribou Coffee, Walgreens and AT&T. Additional plans are below. And the delicious and much-beloved Tipsycake hopes to open Friday in Bucktown. Our fingers are crossed! 

  Tipsycake Heads to Bucktown - Friday

 

  Development Hits North/Damen/Milwaukee

As always, we are so very lucky to have a wide variety of theater and performing arts options in the neighborhood. This weekend the Magic Parlour continues with Dennis Watkins Friday Night at 10:30pm at The Chopin.  This weekend only, "Suns Out Guns Out" at Gorilla Tango Theatre. All the audience needs to do is to provide a suggestion and a play forms before your very eyes. A Nude Hope continues to sell out early so buy your tickets if you're planning to see that show also at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Wait until the 'day of' and you're probably not going to get a seat. We update our Theatre & Performing Arts section daily. So check in any time to see what's new.

  Wicker Park & Bucktown Theatre

  The Magic Parlour - Friday Night

For additional information throughout the week, please join us on Twitter and Facebook where we post updates/information daily.  We are experiencing a few minor problems with Facebook. Our apologies for any inconvenience.  Twitter continues to work perfectly. So please join us - and almost 4,000 of your closest friends. We'd love to have you.

Thanks again for your support and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

August 4th, 2011

Good morning and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. Thanks to everyone who sends us their events. Please keep it coming! We are happy, as always, to share these events with you. This weekend is Lollapalooza and it should be great. But even if you're not venturing to Grant Park, the weather should be nice and there is lots of fun to be had right here. Thank you for supporting the Insider's Guide and have a terrific weekend.

    Bars

This weekend the weather should be beautiful. As a reminder, here are your picks for best patios in the neighborhood. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know. We've included an early warning for next weekend's big bash at The Fifty/50 and for those who may have missed the announcement earlier this Summer, Pipeworks Brewing Company is moving in to Bucktown.

       The Fifty/50 Cell Phone Party 

      Pipeworks Brewing Calls Bucktown Home

   Community

Just a friendly reminder that the Polish Triangle Farmers Market is today Thursday from 2pm -8pm. So you can stop by on your way home from work. And next week don't miss the grass roots effort: the Built Festival. The Built Festival is next Friday/Saturday and will feature over 100 performers, artists and musicians. The best part? The venues are made from shipping containers.

    Thursday Farmers Market - Polish Triangle

      The Built Festival - Next Friday & Saturday

Cyclists! Don't miss Chicago Artist Brian Morgan and his exhibition "Momentum Wild" at the beautiful Jackson Junge Gallery in Wicker Park.  In this exhibition, Morgan departs from his usual focus on political satire to focus on the diversity of urban bicycles and the men and women who ride them.

  Momentum Wild at Jackson Junge

    Music 

Don't  miss our 3 part interview with the Double Door. As many of you know, Double Door has played host to incredibly talented acts for almost 18 years including: Lloyd Cole, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nash Kato & Urge Overkill, Ben Harper, New York Dolls, The Melvins, Liz Phair, thousands of local bands and yes, the Rolling Stones. Not only is it a neighborhood icon, it's one of the coolest places in the city. If you haven't been there GO. And if you have been there, stop by again and say hi. Sean, Andy and Lorri would love to see you.

But that's not all Lollapalooza is this weekend in Grant Park and we have the After Shows in the neighborhood right here. Hurry! Some have already sold out.

    The Past, Present & The Rolling Stones

   Lollapalooza After Shows in Wicker Park

    Restaurants

We're updating your Favorite Brunch spots and have already received the following additions: Toast, Milk & Honey, Jam, Jane's, Riverside Cafe and The Bristol. Any more of your favs you would like to include? Just let us know. But that's not all. If you haven't heard already, Piece beat 35,000 other pizzerias to be selected as best Indie Pizza of the year. Congrats Piece! It's also Piece's 10 year anniversary in Wicker Park. More on that next week.

   Weigh in on Your Best Brunch Picks

   Piece Wins Best Indie Pizza

   Shopping

Our favorite pop up shop - Re.Stock Shop - is heading out of Wicker Park. Sunday will be their last day. Their designer clothes were already sold at a huge discount. But now? Even bigger discounts are waiting for you. Prices have been slashed but you only have until Sunday.  But that's not all. Tipsycake, Lush and more are heading to Bucktown. For all of the details, check out our Shopping Section.

   Re.Stock Shop Heads out of Wicker

 

   Your Neighborhood Shopping Update

As always, we are so very lucky to have a wide variety of theater and performing arts options in the neighborhood. This weekend the Magic continues Friday Night at 10:30pm at The Chopin. Many new shows have started at Gorilla Tango and comedy continues at Crocodile. For a full list of great theater events, check the information below. We're also providing an early warning for Life's Ruff; a special show including rescue dogs. At The Den Theatre this Friday night, you can catch A Street Car Named Desire.

  Wicker Park & Bucktown Theatre

  Life's RUFF - A Tribute to Rescues Everywhere

  A Street Car Named Desire - At The Den

For additional information throughout the week, please join us on Twitter and Facebook where we post updates/information daily.  If you are a Wicker Park or Bucktown business, we will be sending a separate email to you shortly. So please keep you eyes open for that.

Thanks and we'll see you in the neighborhood.