April 20, 2012
Hello and welcome to this week's
edition of
your Insider Weekend Guide!
For the week ahead, we've included our recommendations for fantastic events like the Blackhawks Playoff Party this Saturday,
Earth Day celebrations, lots of fundraisers, National Record Store Day,
great deals and a little news too. We're very sorry to report that Cafe De Luca will be closing their doors.On a happier note, you can still score "Insider Only" deals at Mai Chi- Wicker Park's only French-Vietnamese restaurant at 1401 N. Ashland Avenue and Riverside Cafe.
For full details, just click on
the photos below. If you'd like to receive information throughout the
week, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
We would love to include you. For additional information about any of
the events below, just click on the photos. Thanks, as always, for
joining us and we'll see you in
the neighborhood.
Bars
Blackhawks Home Game Event
Saturday catch Game 5 of the
Blackhawks Playoffs at The Anthem. This weekend they're hosting a Home
Game Event which includes: a raffle with Blackhawks signed memorabilia
(provided by the Blackhawks), a Blackhawks PA announcer, the game shown
with full audio and more. Starts at 9pm. Looking for the Bulls? They'll
be on at 7pm. 1725 W. Division Street
Gold Star Fundraiser at Double Door
Gold Star Bar has been a staple in the
Wicker Park neighborhood for many years and co-owner Susan Stursberg
was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.
Medical bills are high and a benefit is being held this Sunday at
Double Door on her behalf. If you can't attend the benefit, you can
still donate directly to a fund established for Susan. Thank you for
your support. 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Community
Getting Dirty - 7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
This Sunday is Earth Day and there are
many different ways to get involved in the community this weekend.
Parks are being cleaned, the Wicker Park Garden Club is teaching green
techniques in the Field House, the Annual "Green & Clean" is being
facilitated by the 1st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno & more. Find out how
you can be involved, make a difference and have fun too.
Community Meeting - Miller Lumber Site
We reported earlier that a new Wicker
Park development is being planned and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants
had been invited to participate in the development at 1815 W. Division -
the site of Miller Lumber. Looks like the original plan is being
revised and LEY hasn't fully committed to the project yet. If you'd like
to participate in a meeting to discuss next steps on this development,
Alderman Moreno is hosting a meeting on April 26th at 1148 N. Honore.
The details are here.
Sign Up Today for Beginner & Advanced Spanish Classes
Want to learn Spanish? Sign up for
Elena Chicago's May Classes with Elaine Winer. She's received rave
reviews from her students and you learn in the comfortable and casual
environment at Club Lucky in Bucktown at 1824 W. Wabansia. But hurry!
Classes are starting soon.
Galleries/The Arts
Choose Your Own Adventure - Jackson Junge
Join the Members of the Wicker Park Choral Singers as they
venture into fundraising this weekend at Jackson Junge Gallery in
Wicker Park. Hors d'oevres, beer, wine will be served and you get to
vote to determine what music/entertainment will be selected for the
evening. 1389 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Music
Green Music Fest Announces Headliners
If you missed the announcement earlier, the headliners
for Green Music Fest this year will be Dinosaur Jr. and The
Raveonettes. Green Music Fest will be held Saturday June 23rd and Sunday
June 24th. We will provide additional details about the line up as we
receive them. See you there.
Lollapalooza After Shows Coming Soon
The line-up has been announced and 3-day passes have
already sold out for Lollapalooza 2012. As always, we will keep you
posted on the After Shows being hosted in the neighborhood. Those shows
have not been announced yet but we will publish and distribute the
information as soon as we receive it.
Soul Summit Dance Party
This weekend don't miss the Soul Summit Dance Party; a
monthly event which features 3 DJs and a variety of guests which are
featured each month. Soul Summit spans the spectrum of early R & B,
funk, blues and soul. 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Restaurants
Bucktown's Cafe De Luca Closing - Grass Fed Heads to Bucktown
We're very sorry to report that Cafe De Luca - located at 1721 N. Damen Avenue has sold and will be closing their doors at the end of May just before their 13th Anniversary. Heading into their spot? Grass Fed; a new steakhouse focused on organic and sustainable meat.
Club Lucky - Dine Out for Life Fundraiser
Please join Club Lucky next weekend for Dining Out
for Life. Each year Club Lucky participates in this terrific fundraiser
and a part of the proceeds from anyone dining at Club Lucky that day
will be donated to an organization called Food & Friends. Make your
reservations for next weekend
now.
El Rincon Azteca- Wicker Park's Newest Mexican Restaurant
El Rincon Azteca has opened their doors in the spot
previously the home of Crepe Crave at 1752 W. North Avenue. We tried the
chicken tacos and delicious Horchata for lunch but the menu is
extensive and they're open from early morning (7am) through late night.
Be sure to stop by.
Five Dollars $5 Off Sunday Brunch at Riverside Cafe
Don't forget! Insider's Only
can still save $5 on Riverside Cafe's All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Brunch.
But you have to hurry This offer expires April 30th. Kids under 3 eat
for free too.
Great Deals at Mai Chi- But Not For Long
We love Mai Chi- Wicker Park's only French Vietnamese Restaurant at 1401 N. Ashland Avenue. The food is great. There's FREE parking and FREE wi-fi. And now, they're offering fantastic DEALS only available to Insiders like you. But you have to hurry. These offers end April 30th. If you head there today, we may just see you. We're thinking about Crab Rangoon, Green Curry Chicken, the Noodle Salad and a little Chicken Satay for an appetizer. See you there later.
Nanda Milano Trattoria Heading to Division ?
Traditionally, we prefer not to publish information until
we speak directly to the owners of a business or project. However, we
did notice a sign posted on the door of the space formerly the home of
Dee's Place at 2114 W. Division Street and it
appears a new Italian restaurant will be opening their doors in that
space. Stay tuned for additional details.
Real Estate
Foreclosure Spotting
This 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom vintage rehab
with a granite/stainless kitchen, beautiful bathrooms and hardwood
floors throughout is currently located at Bosworth/Division and is
listed for $222K. Interested? Don't wait. These foreclosures sell very
quickly.
Retail/Shopping
Building Blocks Toys Earth Day Party
Bring the kids to Building Block's Earth Day Party
this weekend. Balloons, temporary tattoos, prizes, giveaways and of
course, lots of toys will be waiting for you. So celebrate Earth Day with Building Block Toys at 2130 W. Division Street.
Greenheart Shop's Ice Cream Social
Did someone say free ice cream? Just in time for Earth Day, don't miss Greenheart
Shop's Fair Trade ice cream social this weekend. The ice cream social will be held at
their Wicker Park shop Sunday from 12pm-5pm and did we mention it's free? 1911 W. Division Street
Meet Renowned Psychic Nancy Wallace
Nancy Wallace has accomplished a level of psychic ability
that is almost unheard of and her accurate portrayal of your past,
present and future will astound you. There's limited availability this
Saturday so be sure to schedule your appointment today. 1901 W. Division Street
National Record Store Day
National Record Store Day is this Saturday. Chicago
record label Numero Group will be having their annual pop-up store at
The Empty Bottle from 9am -6pm and Reckless Records will be hosting
in-store acts in each location including their location at: 1532 N.
Milwaukee Avenue.We have the details right here.
Small Businesses & Home Offices
Our neighbors at Wicker Park's Staples 1300 N. Ashland
Avenue have asked us to let small business owners and/or those with home
offices know that they're offering some incredible Sales
right now. But that's not all, they also offer rewards for recycled ink
cartridges, PC service + support and printing services.
Theater
Girl You Know It's True
Girl You Know It's True opens this weekend at The Chopin Theatre. When Bixby, a 40-ish playwright fails to get his work produced he
conjures up a radical new identity for himself: an impostor ...and his "stand in" shoots to fame. 1543 W. Division Street.
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The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide