May 4, 2013
Hello and welcome to this week's edition of
your Insider Weekend Guide.
The first weekend in May is a busy one.
The very first neighborhood beer festival and flea markets are being
held this weekend. Plus there's Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, great
music, anniversary celebrations and more.
For up-to-the-minute news and updates throughout the week, be sure to follow us on social media. We offer
free giveaways like tickets, gift cards, dinners etc so if you're
following us on Facebook & Twitter, you'll never miss a thing. Thanks, as always, for joining us. Have a great weekend and and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
ART GALLERIES & NEWS
Celebrate 2 Years - And Cinco de Mayo
It's hard to believe it's been 2 years
already. Arts n Spirits is celebrating their 2 year anniversary on
Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food, margaritas and these incredible
paintings. So if you're looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, head to Bucktown. Happy Anniversary Arts n Spirits.
BARS - SPECIAL EVENTS
Beer Festival -TAP
The very 1st neighborhood Beer Festival is this weekend and it's called
TAP. TAP features beer and food from 20 local bars/restaurants and $35
buys you 10 tastes. For additional information: TAP [SOLD OUT]
Cinco de Mayo - Cinco
de Mayo just won't be the same without Salud. But if you're looking for
a way to celebrate in the neighborhood this weekend, these bars and
restaurants will be serving festive food and drink specials. Cinco de Mayo
Kentucky Derby Parties - Division Ale House will be hosting an Annual Pig Roast this year. $25 buys you a bottomless buffet filled
with roasted pork and sides including: cole slaw, baked beans and more.
Also this weekend, The Southern's Traditional Derby Party.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Chicago Bike Sharing in Wicker Park- Chicago's
Bike Sharing Program - Divvy- was announced this week and it looks like
the Polish Triangle (Milwaukee/Ashland) will be a location for rentals.
The details.
Community Events - Summer is almost here and we've been adding local Community Events to the Insider's Guide
like crazy. Free yoga, Movies in the Park, Historic Tours,
Learnapalooza and more are all heading our way. Be sure to check-in to
our Events section to see what's new. We'll be updating all of the
events as additional information becomes available. Also, it looks like Bocce Ball courts are in the works in Wicker Park.
Wicker Park, Bucktown Farmers Market - At
long last, the dates have been announced for the farmer's market being
held in Wicker Park proper. It will open at 8am on Sunday June 2nd. See
ya there. Farmers Market.
ENTERTAINMENT
Don't Miss Shows - This weekend Colleen Green
is at The Empty Bottle. Her slick melodies, simple songs and drum
machine are a winning combination. Tickets are just $10. Next week,
avant garde bass and drum punk rock duo Evil Beaver heads back to Double Door. Tickets are just $7.
Mother's Day Magic - The House Theatre has announced a very special show for Mother's Day. The Magic Parlour starring Dennis Watkins will host a matinee next weekend. These shows sell out so be sure to get your tickets soon.
Wicker Park Fest Headliners - The
1st wave of bands for Wicker Park Fest 2013 have been announced.
Headliners include Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and Cults. Additional
bands will include: Roky Erickson, Man Man and Bahamas. Wicker Park Fest.
REAL ESTATE
74 Homes Close in March - Good, Bad or Ugly?
In March, 74 homes
closed in the Wicker Park and Bucktown area (including neighboring parts
of East Village and Ukrainian Village). So how does that compare to
last year? The total # of sales is almost flat. The story of the
changing real estate market is in the average value of the homes being
sold and the low market time. Wicker Park, Bucktown Real Estate
RESTAURANT NEWS
Churros, HalfWit and Chocolate
- Big Star is now kicking off Sunday mornings bright and early with churros con chocolate
and Halfwit coffee served from their food truck on the Big Star patio.
They won't be open for business this weekend but will be resuming their
Sunday morning special on May 12th.
Le Colombe Heads to Bucktown
- Le Colombe is opening a 2nd location in Bucktown. According to a report published via Crain's Chicago Business, Le Colombe is opening close to the Damen Blue Line El stop but a specific location has not yet been disclosed.
Mother's Day All You Can Eat Brunch -
Club Lucky is hosting an incredible all-you-can-eat Mother's Day Buffet
next weekend. Their menu is amazing and kids under 5 eat for free. Be
sure to make your reservations now while there are a few spots left. Mother's Day.
Prix Fixe Cinco de Mayo Style -
Bucktown's Riverside Cafe is known for their delicious breakfast, lunch
and all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. This Summer Riverside Cafe will be
hosting several dinners as well and are kicking off their Summer plans
with a 5 course Mexican dinner for $25 this Saturday in honor of Cinco de Mayo.
SHOPPING EVENTS
Chicago Flea Market - Sunday - This
weekend Chicago Flea Market is kicking off their very first outdoor,
open air flea market at Schiller and Damen Avenue right in the heart of
Wicker Park. Artisans will showcase everything from jewelry to
stationery and food trucks will be ready and waiting. Chicago Flea Market
That's it for this weekend. If you'd like to receive this via email each week, just sign up below.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide
Image courtesy of MAK via Facebook
Win this awesome $25 Gift Card for some of the best Italian food in the neighborhood. It's our way of saying "Thanks For Being One of Our Amazing Viewers" And it's easy to enter. Just go to our 
National Record Store Day is an annual event where you can show your support of independent retailers throughout the country.
Do Division Street Fest 2013
