June 1st 2012

 

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide.

 

Wicker Park's Do Division Festival and Sidewalk Sale kick off today so this week's Weekend Guide is all about Division Street with a few community events and a little news too to be sure you're in the loop on the neighborhood. The Do Division Festival is centrally located between Damen Avenue & Leavitt but sidewalk sales will be happening up and down Division Street -- all the way to Ashland Avenue. The street is also packed with large patios due to the extra wide sidewalks. So no matter where you land, you'll have a terrific time.

 

Thanks, as always, for joining us. Enjoy the fest and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

 

  BARS

         

Division Street Bars

 

 

 

COMMUNITY  

     

Farmers Market Opens Sunday

With our warm weather starting as early as St. Patrick's Day, it feels like the Wicker Park Farmers Market should have opened a long time ago. But it's officially opening this Sunday at 1425 N. Damen Avenue right in the Park. We will see you there. Farmers Market.

 

 

The Magic Boat Puppet Show in the Park

For young and old alike, please join The Magic Boat Puppet Show at the Wicker Park Playground - 1425 N. Damen Avenue -Sundays at 11am. This annual Summer event will continue through September. Lots of fun and the shows coincide with the Wicker Park Farmers Market. So you can visit the Farmers Market in the park and then head on over to the The Magic Boat Puppet Show.

 

 

 

 

  MUSIC

Final Lineup & Tonight's Do Division Headliners

Do Division's Festival includes a wide variety of music including: The Antlers, Peanut Butter Wolf, Murder by Death, Pinebender, Le Butcherettes and more.  The full line up is here and tonight The Black Belles and JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound will be kicking off the festival. Do Division Details.

 

 

 RESTAURANTS

Black Bull Tapas to Open Today

When Angels & Mariachis closed their doors in January stating they were remodeling, we didn't realize they were remodeling into a brand new concept.But they have. Focused on small plates and an extensive Spanish wine list, Black Bull Tapas is working hard to open tonight at 1721 W. Division Street :  Black Bull Tapas.

 

Division Street Restaurants

We've heard from a representative at the West Town Chamber of Commerce that there will be as many as 15 food trucks participating at Do Division this year. They'll be located at the Polish Triangle located at Ashland/Division/Milwaukee Avenue. So you can grab food coming to - or leaving - the fest. But if that's not for you, we've included a guide to great restaurants you can enjoy right on Division Street. Almost all include dog-friendly patios. Division Street Restaurants.

 

Win FREE A Gift Card from Forever Yogurt

This has nothing to do with Division Street but we wanted to let you know first that we're kicking off a fun contest where you can win a FREE gift card compliments of Forever Yogurt. All you need to do is spot us walking our dogs around the neighborhood and we'll give you a gift card for FREE Forever Yogurt right on the spot. Look for our announcement & details later on Facebook & Twitter. 

 

 

 

 RETAIL/SHOPPING

  

Do Division Celebration

Be sure to stop by Elevenzees this weekend at 1901 W. Division Street. In addition to their Sidewalk Sale Saturday & Sunday, they'll also be hosting a store wide celebration which will include: crab cakes, wine, raffles, scavenger hunts for kids and more. Elevenzees.

Steve Quick Jeweler to Open This Fall

Steve Quick Jeweler is a boutique and custom jeweler with stores currently located in Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park. This Fall they'll be opening their 3rd location right on Division Street in Wicker Park. We will keep you posted on the details but look for Steve Quick Jeweler's soft opening this September at 1909 W. Division Street. Details.

 

Insider Deal of the Week

Head to Division Street's Via Carducci at 1928 W. Division Street every Monday - Wednesday and you can enjoy half off a bottle of wine. Via Carducci offers excellent traditional Italian food, terrific service, a beautiful patio and this great deal. Insider Deals.

 

 

 

 THEATER 

 

Romeo & Juliet - The Chopin Theatre

Located at 1543 W. Division Street, The Chopin offers a wide range of film, music and theater entertainment options. This weekend you can see "a fun and  inventive spin" on the Shakespeare classic Romeo & Juliet. Ticket Information.

If you're interested in receiving up-to-the minute news & event information from us throughout the week, please feel free to join us on Facebook & Twitter. We'd love to include you. Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.    

 

 

 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

Your Handy Pocket Guide to Wicker Park & Bucktown's Best Festivals

 

Want to know where to head this Summer and beyond? We can help. We'll provide the up-to-the-minute information about Wicker Park & Bucktown's best fests, line ups shopping and more.We're your one stop shop to all neighborhood festivals. We've included everything from  Do Division to Green Music Fest, Wicker Park Fest, Renegade Craft Fair, the Bucktown Arts Fest and, or course, additional information about Coyote will follow. We will see you there.

Do Division

 

Green Music Fest

June 23rd June 24th

Damen & Schiller -

1425 N. Damen Avenue- Wicker Park

Headliners Dinosaur Jr and The Raveonettes

Festival Details - Line Ups and More

Wicker Park Fest

July 28th and July 29th

Milwaukee Avenue Between Wood and North Avenue

12:00pm - 10:00pm

Festival Details -  Line Ups and More

Bucktown Arts Fest

August 25th August 26th

Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley

Festival Details

 

 

Renegade Craft Fair

 Want the full details? Head to our Events section. We've included each Festival, lines up as they're announced, news and more. Stay tuned for full 2012 details.

On Division Street (Of Course) in Wicker Park from Damen Avenue to Leavitt Street (2000 W. Division)

$5 Suggested Donation

Do Division Fest 2012 heads to Wicker Park the weekend of June 1st and for the first time will be a 3 day event beginning Friday night. Do Division will take place from June 1st - June 3rd and will be packed with shopping, music, food, drinking and lots of fun. So kick off your Summer in Wicker Park.

 Final 2012 Line Up

We're excited to present the final music line-up for these 3 days:

Damen Stage: Programmed by Empty Bottle Presents

Friday, June 1st
Black Belles 8:30 pm
BBU 7:15 pm
Moon Furies 6:00 pm
Hosted by Peter O'Connell [Wham City Comedy] 4:45 PM

Saturday, June 2nd
Peanut Butter Wolf 8:30 pm
Besnard Lakes 7:00 pm
Craig Finn 5:30 pm
Mannequin Men 4:00 pm
Peter O'Connell 3:50 / intro
In Tall Buildings 2:30 pm
Chris Connelly 1:00 pm

Sunday, June 3rd
The Antlers 8:30 pm
Pinebender 7:00 pm
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons 5:30 pm
Teengirl Fantasy 4:00 pm
People's Temple 2:30 pm
Eiren Caffall 1:00 pm

Leavitt Stage:

Programmed by Subterranean and House Call Entertainment

Friday, June 1st

JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound @ 8:30 pm

Todd Hembrook & The Hemispheres @ 7:15 pm

The O’My’s @ 6:15 pm

Saturday, June 2nd

Le Butcherettes @ 9:00 pm

O’ Death @ 7:45 pm

White Mystery @ 6:45 pm

Brown Bird @ 5:45 pm

The Blind Staggers @ 4:45 pm

Magic Milk @ 3:45 pm

Sunday, June 3rd

Murder By Death @ 8:00 pm

The Soft Pack @ 6:45 pm

Gypsyblood @ 6:00 pm

Mutts @ 5:00 pm

Young Jesus @ 4:00 pm

 

 

Wicker Park's Do Division Fest includes a variety of great music, fantastic food, retailers and shopping.  Sidewalk sales fill the perimeter of the area and the extra-wide side walks allow plenty of al fresco dining at the incredible area bars, restaurants and bakeries ... in addition to all of the food being served directly at the fest itself.  And for the first time, you'll even be able to take advantage of food trucks stationed at the Polish Triangle at 1500 W. Division Street.

 

May 24, 2012

 

Hello and welcome to your Memorial Day Edition of your Insider Weekend Guide.

 

First and foremost, thank you so much for your help in making us Wicker Park & Bucktown's most popular neighborhood guide. We've reached almost 8,000 followers on social media alone and 10's of thousands of people visit us online each month. We couldn't do it without you and are very appreciative of your support.

 

Secondly, we receive information, events and news all day long. Our Weekend Guide is expanding every week so we've streamlined the format a little so it's easier for you to read. Hope you like it. Just click on the accompanying links for more detailed information on any topic. Last but not least, we've included our highlights for Memorial Day Weekend. Chicago Craft Beer Week continues with special events planned up and down Division Street, Poi Dog Pondering will be playing 2 VIP shows this weekend, there's lots of Summer Fest news to share (with Do Division right around the corner), you can win FREE brunch for 4 this Sunday and a couple of sweet deals are waiting for you too.

Thanks, as always, for joining us. Have a great, long Memorial Day weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

 

  BARS

         

Division Street IPA Crawl

 

 

 

COMMUNITY  

     

Do Division June 1st - June 3rd

Do Division 2012 is just around the corner and will be a 3 day festival for the 1st time in its history. Shopping, food and, of course, great music will be waiting for you. The final line-up includes: Pinebender, The Antlers. Peanut Butter Wolf, Le Butcherettes, Murder by Death and more. But that's not all, there are also lots of fun activities for kids. The details are here: Do Division.

 

The Magic Boat Puppet Show in the Park

For young and old alike, please join The Magic Boat Puppet Show at the Wicker Park Playground - 1425 N. Damen Avenue -Sundays at 11am. This annual Summer event kicks off this Sunday and will continue through September. Lots of fun and the shows coincide with the Wicker Park Farmers Market. So you can visit the Farmers Market in the park and then head on over to the The Magic Boat Puppet Show.

 

Wicker Park Fest Headliners

Although still 2 months away, Wicker Park Fest has announced the headliners for the 2012 neighborhood festival which will include: The Drums, Cursive and local favorites including Joe Pug and Kill Hannah. The festival will take place on Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue & Wood Street July 28th and July 29th. Stay tuned for additional details about: Wicker Park Fest.

 

 

 

 

  MUSIC

    

93XRT Presents Poi Dog Pondering Weekend

Local Chicago favorites Poi Dog Pondering will be playing not 1 - but 2 - shows this weekend at Wicker Park's Double Door - 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue. VIP Packages are available and include cds, signed posters, drinks and more. Get your tickets early. Poi Dog.

 

Raw Natural Born Artists Showcase

RAW: natural born artists is an independent arts organization that hand-selects and spotlights independent creatives in visual art, film, fashion, music, hair & make-up artistry, photography and performing arts. Tonight, they'll be showcasing who they feel represents the best of the best. Doors at 7:30pm. Show starts at 8pm. Raw Showcase.

 

 

 RESTAURANTS

FREE Brunch for 4 This Sunday

Would you like win FREE Brunch for 4 for this Sunday at Bucktown's Riverside Cafe? Just look for our announcement later today on our Facebook & Twitter pages. Share our announcement and you'll be entered automatically into our random drawing. The winner will be selected Friday afternoon. Win FREE Brunch for 4.

 

Glazed and Infused Now Open

Donuts donuts donuts. Yes you can now score gourmet doughnuts directly across the street from the Damen Blue Line el stop at Glazed and Infused. Just look for their window on the west side of Francesca's Forno at 1576 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Open early...and late. Doughnuts.

 

Jazz Tuesdays at MC

Perfect for Summer, MC Restaurant has announced they will be hosting jazz every Tuesday night from 6pm -9pm. With free parking & wi-fi, a beautiful patio and the banh mi/domestic beer special for just $6.95, MC will be a great spot to relax this Summer. And the banh mi is excellent. Details.

    The Trenchermen Looks to June

Although the folks behind The Trenchermen hosted a fundraiser/preview party May 17th, it looks like it will still be several weeks until Wicker Park's newest upscale eatery opens their doors. According to Grub Street, there is still a lot of work to do and they're guessing the opening date will be closer to the end of June. The Trenchermen.

 

 

 

 RETAIL/SHOPPING

 
 

20% Off Store Wide Memorial Day

Chicago's premier fair trade, eco-friendly store Greeneheart Shop has announced a store wide sale this Memorial Day Weekend.  You'll find unique, beautiful and recycled merchandise that helps to create a better world. The details are here. Sale.

Eat for Beauty - Friday

Kelli Komar reveals the secrets of achieving radiant skin from the inside out at this educational, fun and interactive workshop being held at Elevenzees Friday night. Join Kelli as she discloses the ancient secrets of Ayurveda to help you create a customized holistic dietary skin care regimen that will balance your body and skin. Eating For Beauty.

 

Insider Deals of the Week

Shear Sapphire is a Women's & Men's Salon at 1712 W. North Avenue in Wicker Park and their 1st Anniversary is just around the corner. As their way of saying "thank you" to you,  they're offering a couple of great deals. First: men can score 50% off any hair cut service. And women, you can get a FREE haircut with a purchase. These offers won't last forever. So hurry! Insider Deals.

 

 

 

 THEATER 

 

Theatre of War - The Chopin Theatre

Tonight only: Theatre of War is an artistic investigation of the disconnect between the experiences of most citizens and those of people directly impacted by war. This show takes place just days after the city bids farewell to the NATO summit. Theatre of War.

If you're interested in receiving up-to-the minute news & event information from us throughout the week, please feel free to join us on Facebook & Twitter. We'd love to include you.

 

And if you'd like to receive our Weekend Guide each week, sign up. It's easy.

 

Have a great weekend and we'll see you in the neighborhood.    

 

 

 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

Do Division Street Fest 2012

June 1st, June 2nd and June 3rd Noon - 10pm each day

Division Street between Damen Avenue and Leavitt Street in Wicker Park

$5 Donation Suggested

 Do Division Fest 2012 heads to Wicker Park the weekend of June 1st and for the first time will be a 3 day event from June 1st through and June 3rd. (June 2nd and June 3rd 12noon - 10pm each day).

The Fest takes place from Damen (2000 W. Division) to Leavitt. 

The partial line up has been announced and includes: 

Le Butcherettes

O’Death

Murder By Death

The Antlers

BBU

Mannequin Men and

Pinebender

Wicker Park's Do Division Fest includes a variety of great bands, fantastic food, retailers and shopping.  Sidewalk sales fill the perimeter of the area and the extra-wide side walks allow plenty of al fresco dining at the incredible area bars, restaurants and bakeries ... in addition to all of the food being served directly at the fest itself.

Each and every year this event is packed and getting bigger. Do not miss this fantastic and fun event. It's a great kick-off to Summer. 

 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter for updates about fest details including the full line up.