September 13, 2012
Hello and welcome to this week's edition of
your Insider Weekend Guide.
This weekend a number
of beautiful art galleries are hosting opening receptions for new
exhibitions, FatPour is having their official Grand Opening Party,
Milwaukee Avenue will be closed for 15 blocks to host "Open Streets",
Neon City takes place on Friday to celebrate the Polish Triangle with
art and music, the Bucktown 5k kicks off on Sunday ...and so much more.
There are also fantastic opportunities for live music this weekend and
there is always neighborhood news to share.
Thanks, as always, for
joining us. Have a terrific weekend and we'll see you in
the neighborhood.
ART
Alleys & Parking Lots Opens Saturday
This new exhibition features the work of Joel Ross in collaboration with photographer Jason Creps. The
artists install signs, photograph them and then abandon them at
locations throughout Chicago and Southern Illinois. The opening
reception for this and Monique Meloche's newest "On the Wall" exhibition
is this Saturday. For additional information: Alleys & Parking Lots.
Apocalyse 2012: Genesis 2013 Opens Friday
Jackson
Junge Gallery asks artists to render their vision of an apocalypse
and, more importantly, portray their ideas of what a new world might
resemble following this apocalypse.The artwork chosen for the upcoming exhibit showcases this duality. “APOCALYPSE 2012
: GENESIS 2013”, at Jackson Junge Gallery, 1389 N. Milwaukee Ave. in
Chicago, runs from September 14th to October 28th, 2012. Apocalypse 2012.
State of the Art Opens Friday
Park Schreck Gallery
is pleased to announce the upcoming show State of the Art, featuring
work by Ray Becoskie and Jane Carney. Ray's sophisticated yet
playful compositions would make a welcome addition to any home. The
Opening Reception is this Friday from 7pm -10pm. Park Schrek.
BARS
Bears vs Packers Tonight - Where To Catch The Game
We can't wait for the
Bears vs Packers game tonight. And if you're looking for a great spot to
kick back, grab some great food, drink and have plenty of room for
football with a great view of the game, well we have a few ideas for
you. Bear Down.
FatPour Grand Opening Party Friday
FatPour is officially
opening this Friday! They will be hosting their Grand Open Party from
4pm - 2am at 2005 W. Division Street. A very big thank to you to the
team at FatPour for donating VIP tickets in our giveaway. Evan Jones was
our lucky winner but the party is open to the public so be sure to head
over to Wicker Park's newest bar on Friday. Grand Opening.
COMMUNITY

Bucktown 5k - Sunday
The Annual
Bucktown 5k is this weekend. Sponsored by RAM
Racing, join your neighbors, friends, and family at our annual
neighborhood race! Sunday, September 16 line up outside Burr
Elementary School and race friends to the finish line...or at least
finish the little over 3 mile course. And enjoy a Taste of Bucktown
directly following the race: Bucktown 5k.
Neighborhood Celeb Spotlights - Lady Gaga and Rahm Spotting
Wicker Park has had its share of 'celebrity' news this week. First, Mayor Rahm Emanuel
made an appearance at this year's Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday
around 1pm and we bumped right into the Mayor just outside of Moonshine.
Secondly, The Mob Doctor spent all day on Wednesday filming inside of Zakopane. And last but certainly not least, Lady Gaga also made an appearance in Wicker Park this week; and even stopped by Salud at 1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue for a shot of tequila.
Neon City - Lights Up The Polish Triangle
This sounds like it will be a fun event this Friday in the Polish Triangle located at Ashland, Division and Milwaukee Avenue. From 5pm -10pm, the space will be transformed using public art + music and will
come to life with color through neon paint, sweatbands, glow sticks,
special lighting and the livelihood of people enjoying the festivities. Neon City.

Open Streets - Sunday
Open Streets is
heading
to Wicker Park this weekend. Initially launched in the Loop last year,
Open Streets has expanded their reach to include the
Wicker Park & Bucktown neighborhoods. 15 blocks of Milwaukee Avenue
will be closed to vehicle traffic although bicycles and skateboards will
be allowed. An impromptu urban park will be set up for a few hours.
Sounds like fun but if you park on Milwaukee Avenue on Sunday, your car
will be towed. Open Streets.
The Magic Boat Puppet Show
For young and old alike,
please join The Magic Boat Puppet Show at the
Wicker Park Playground - 1425 N. Damen Avenue - This Sunday at 11am. The
season is winding down and there's only one show after this one. So
when you stop by the Farmers Market this Sunday, be sure to stop by the
playground. Magic Boat Puppet Show.
MOVIES

Home Movies and The Avant Garde
In honor of the tenth anniversary of Home Movie Day, the Northwest Chicago Film Society will be screening two programs of avant-garde films that exalt, appropriate, and reshuffle home movies. Co-sponsored by Chicago Film Archives. Don't miss the first of these this Sunday at 7:00pm. The Avant Garde.
MUSIC

Berkley's - The Memorials - This Weekend
Thomas Pridgen, the
former
drummer of the Latin infused-prog group The Mars Volta, arrives with his
newest project The Memorials this weekend. The Memorials, a
collective of Pridgen and two of his best friends from before his Volta
days; singer Viveca Hawkins and guitarist Nick Brewer will be at Double
Door for an early show on Saturday. The Memorials.
Riot Fest - The Offspring, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello & More
Every once in a while a
great event pops up just beyond the borders of the neighborhood...and
we just have to mention it. Riot Fest is one of those events. This year
Riot Fest is being hosted by The Congress Theater on Friday and will
take place in Humboldt Park on Saturday/Sunday. Great acts like Elvis
Costello, The Offspring, Iggy Pop, The Jesus & Mary Chain and more
will be heading to Riot Fest. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, you better hurry.
RESTAURANTS

Carriage House - Opens September 18th
Wicker Park's newest
Southern eatery is all set to open on September 18th at 1700 W. Division
Street in the space formerly the home
of Edge at Division Street and Paulina. This will mark the 2nd Wicker
Park restaurant for the team behind The Bedford and Chef Mark Steuer
will be a the helm once again. The Carriage House.
Grass Fed Opens for Lunch
Bucktown's Grass Fed located at 1721
N. Damen Avenue has quickly established themselves as the go-to steak
restaurant in the neighborhood. And now they're open for lunch. Serving
up fresh salads, burgers and sandwiches Grass Fed is open for lunch
Monday - Friday starting at 11:00am. And there are plenty of options for
vegetarians as well. Take a look at their brand new Lunch Menu right
here: Grass Fed.
Pizano's Opening Soon
The paper is off the windows. The
staff has been in training this week. And when we spoke to Pizano's
Corporate Office this week, they told us they're just waiting for
Chicago's final blessing. Can't wait for a big slice of deep dish pizza.
How about you? Coming soon to 2056 W. Division Street. Pizano's Pizza.
RETAIL/SHOPPING
Deals, Sales & Special Offers
Don't forget the Wicker
Perks! We update our deals every week so keep your eyes open for new
special offers- like $2 slices of pizza- or existing offers ending soon
like ORA Dental's new patient special for $129 which is ending at the
end of September. We'd hate for you to miss a really great deal: Wicker Perks.
Temple Beautiful's Book Club Meetings, Belly Dancing + More
Wicker Park's Temple Beautiful offers a wide variety of classes for overall health and well-being. From inspirational, motivational book club meetings to modern belly dancing classes, you can find it at Wicker Park's Temple Beautiful 1901 W. Division Street.
Those are the
highlights for the week. And as always, if you'd like additional
information throughout the week, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.
The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide