March 30, 2012
Hello and welcome to
this week's
edition of
your Insider Weekend Guide. We're quickly approaching April and the
weather is expected to be beautiful - once again. This week the theme is
"Fundraisers". We have many happening throughout the neighborhood this
weekend. But that's not all. We've also included many community events,
music, new restaurant information, plans for new developments, theater
and more. We've also included our handy Summer Festival Guide so you can
mark your calendars now and plan ahead. For full details, just click on
the photos below. If you'd like to receive information throughout the
week, we sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We've already exceeded 7,000 followers and would love to include you. Thanks, as always, for joining us and we'll see you in
the neighborhood.
_Bars
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Fundraiser
This
weekend a neighborhood resident is hosting a fundraiser at The Bedford -
1612 W. Division Street. A $5 donation is suggested (which is also good
for one drink). There will also be a silent auction and raffle and
proceeds will benefit CCFA's Terese Klein Scholarship Fund.
Fat Pour Plans Mid-July Opening
The space formerly the home of Adobo Grill at 2005 W. Division will finally have a new owner. Vacant for over a year, Wicker Park's newest 7,000 square foot bar Fat Pour is planning to open this July.
Trivia Tuesdays - New at Standard
Looking for something to do on Tuesday
nights? Head to The Standard Bar & Grill iin Wicker Park for Trivia
Night. Each week you're eligible to win cash & prizes; in addition
to lots of drink specials and $5 Quesadillas.
Community
Bucktown's Easter Egg Hun
Have kids? Be sure to bring them to
Bucktown's Easter Egg hunt this weekend at Senior Citizen Park (formerly
Holstein Park) at 2300 N. Oakley Avenue on Saturday. The first hunt is
for kids under 3 and starts at 10am. The suggested donation is $3 and
the weather should be great.
Development Update - The Pizza Hut Site
For 5 years the site
known as "The Pizza Hut site" has been vacant. Newly purchased in 2011
big plans are in the making which include commercial space on the first
floor, office space on the 2nd floor and 9 floors of apartments. Details
and plans for the space are here.
Gardeners - Join Wicker Park's Spring Team
Gardeners! This one's for you. As
you can imagine, it takes a lot of work and commitment to keep Wicker
Park proper looking great. Interested in gardening in the park? The
Wicker Park Garden Club would love your help throughout April. Sign up !
Don't Miss Gold Star's Fundraiser Saturday
The much beloved co-owner of Gold Star Bar, Susan
Stursberg, was recently diagnosed with cancer and a fundraiser is being
held for her on Saturday. The details of that fundraiser are here. An
additional opportunity to contribute/donate is happening simultaneously
so if you can't attend the fundraiser you can still help Susan. Thank
you so much for your help and contributions.
Get Ready for Spring - Tool Sharpening Workshop
Spring is here!
And if you're as busy as we are you probably haven't realized yet that
all of your landscaping and gardening tools need to be sharpened. Two
sessions are available this Saturday. Sign up for details. The address
will be provided after you sign up.
Sign Up! Beginner & Advanced Spanish Classes
She's back! After
several very successful classes, Elaine Winer will be back again in May
to teach both beginner and advanced Spanish classes. Don't miss this
terrific opportunity to learn Spanish in your own back yard -- and at
Club Lucky. With Elena Chicago you'll learn in a comfortable and casual
environment. What could be better?
Your Wicker Park Bucktown Festival Guide
Last week we let
you know that Do Division has been expanded this year and will be 3 days
June 1 - June 3. And for your convenience, we've developed this handy
little Neighborhood Festival Guide for you. So take a look and mark your
calendars. As additional details become available, we will let you
know.
Galleries
LVL3 - hArt for Arts Fundraiser
Please join LVL3 next weekend for the
3rd Annual hArt for Arts Fundraiser. On Saturday April 7th, a silent
auction and raffle will be hosted by LVL3 at 1542 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
Advanced bids begin this Saturday.
Music
Free Music Mondays - Every Monday
This Monday - and every Monday - you
can catch a free show at The Empty Bottle. This Monday don't miss: Tin
Tin Can/ Carolina Smith & The Good Sleeps/Jesse Hanabarger (of The
Hit Back). Shows start at 9:30pm 1035 N. Western Avenue.
Restaurants
Black Bull Tapas To Open in April
The
new facade is up at Black Bull Tapas at 1721 W. Division (the former
home of Angels & Mariachis) and the team is still on track to open
in mid-April. What can you expect? Good food, good wine and a warm
comfortable atmosphere.
Glazed & Infused Doughnuts Head to Wicker
Last year when Francesca's Forno closed
for their remodel, owner Scott Harris mentioned he would also be opening
a doughnut shop. Look for Glazed & Infused to open for business
also in mid-April directly across the street from the Damen Blue Line
stop. Did we mention they will be offering Bacon Long Johns?
Monthly Martini Party - Wednesday
It's that time again. The first
Wednesday of each month, Bucktown's Club Lucky hosts a martini party.
Next Wednesday the party is on. So mark your calendars and head to Club
Lucky on April 4th.
Retail/Shopping
Bump Couture's Pop-Up Shop & Weekend Sale
Bump Couture's high-end pop up shop has
moved in to the space soon-to-be the home of San Francisco's Sprout at
1943 W. Division Street in Wicker Park. This weekend they're hosting a
trunk show and sale for moms and moms-to-be.
Spring Eggstravaganza at Building Blocks Toys
Building Blocks Toy Store at 2130 W.
Division Street always has fun & engaging events for kids and
families. And in April you can bring your kids to their Eggstravaganza.
Prizes, giveaways, temporary tattoos and more are waiting for you. Mark
your calendars!
Theater
We love the variety of theater and performing arts
options available to us every week. Everything from comedy to drama to
film and more. Check our Theater section
for
the
many performances included in the Insider's Guide. This weekend you can take advantage of these performances:
Death & Harry Houdini Extended
Over the past few months we've strongly
encouraged our viewers to see Dennis Watkins in Death and Harry
Houdini. And, as we've suspected, these shows have been selling out at
The Chopin Theatre. If you've missed this run, which closes April 15th,
mark your calendars now. The show returns to The Chopin this Summer.
Don't miss it.
The 10th Annual Carnaval - Saturday
This weekend only, don't miss
Collaboration's 10th Annual Carnaval. One of the best parties of the
year, Carnaval is a fundraiser and launch party for Collaboraction's
Sketchbook 12. Starts at 8pm on Saturday.
They Are Dying Out - Closes This Weekend
This weekend marks the final weekend for They Are Dying Out at The Trap Door Theatre in Bucktown. They Are Dying Out is an epic meditation on the corporate mindset and how it infects the
souls of those who engage it. Business mogul Hermann Quitt knows that it
is impossible for him to live up to his own ideal image.....
Are you a Wicker Park or Bucktown Business? Get Featured! And, as we mentioned earlier, for up-to-the-minute information
throughout the week, please
join us on Twitter and Facebook where we publish information daily. We'd love to have you.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide
When
Francesca's Forno closed at 1576 N. Milwaukee Avenue to remodel their
restaurant and revamp their menu last year it was reported that owner,
Scott Harris, was also planning on opening a doughnut shop there.
Photo Credit: Chicagoist - Lemon Filled with Yuzu Curd
Photo Credit: Chicagoist - The Maple Bacon Long John
Wicker Park Gardening event
Wine Tasting
They Are Dying Out
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Fundraiser
Fundraiser for Susan Stursberg at Gold Star Bar
Katchafire • Common Kings • K’Nova • On Your Marx • Simmer Down Sunday DJs
March Madness at The Standard
Wicker Park Tool Sharpening Workshop
We reported several months ago that a new Chicago Athletic Gym was moving in to Wicker Park at
1635 W. Division (Division and Marshfield). A week or so ago the team behind the new gym thought they would be opening in early May. 
Good morning! Some
days nothing but a good old-fashioned bar brunch will do. And these
fine Wicker Park & Bucktown establishments offer brunch both
Saturdays & Sundays. So kick your weekend off right and start it
off here.
The warmest St. Patrick's Day in 140+ years has certainly brought the crowds to Wicker Park and Bucktown. 
So far today we've ventured to Bangers & Lace 1670 W. Division), The Anthem (1725 W. Division Street) , The Fifty/50 (2047 W. Division) and Standard Bar & Grill (1332 N. Milwaukee Avenue) for the big parties they've been having.
The people have been just as nice as the day. Did we snap your photo?
