The Flecktones want you to sign up for the Centerstage contest.
Last December, music fans of all stripes gathered at the Congress Theater for the first-ever Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest, a day-long concert featuring big names like The Avett Brothers and David Grisman. Due to the impressive response, we're getting round two in a few weeks. This year's event offers another solid lineup, including Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Dr. Dog, Emmitt-Nershi Band and Van Ghost, as well as 50-plus vendor booths, live improv, film screenings and more.
Tickets for the event are $35 (free for kids 12 and under), but Centerstage is giving away four pairs of passes for free! To enter the contest by December 4, head here.
If you see something like this on Saturday, hop aboard. (via Flickr)
Santa, looks like you can put the folks at Miller/Coors on your "nice" list this year.
The Miller Lite Free Rides program, beginning this Saturday and continuing every Saturday through December 26 (plus New Year's Eve and New Year's Day), includes free double-decker buses running throughout the city from 8 p.m.-midnight, picking up inebriated passengers in the Loop, River North, Old Town, Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. In addition to being a great way to prevent drunk driving, we're guessing the rides will provide some good after-hours entertainment (no word on complimentary booze).
To find out if the party buses -- ahem, shuttles -- will be passing by your watering hole of choice (or planned New Year's Eve destination), call 1-800-FREE RIDES (1-800-373-3743), text "RIDE" to 44636 or visit www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com.
Note: If you prefer to hiccup in private, you can grab a cab quickly using the Our Town-approved GoFastCab text service.
So, it's been a rough year for many Chicagoans. The murder rate is rising. The economy is tanking. The Cubs choked, again. But you know, there's always one place you can go to get away from all that, a place you know you'll feel safe and secure: home.
Of course, home usually comes with its own set of problems - annoying parents, socially awkward cousins, repressed childhood memories. So before you make that trip back, you might want to loosen up by partying on Thanksgiving Eve (aka Black Wednesday), the biggest bar and club night of the year.
We're giving away a free ticket ($25 value) to District Bar's party, which includes three hours of gourmet food, cocktails and beer (plus specials afterward). View the full menu here.
To enter, send a Twitter message ("Sign me up for Black Wednesday contest") to @CstageChicago by Wednesday, November 18 at 3 p.m.
Did you bring a banana for lunch today? Put it to good use by taking it over to the Chicago Theatre box office. The first 100 people to do so (from now 'til 1 p.m.) will get two free tickets to the November 18 dress rehearsal of Cirque du Soleil's "Banana Shpeel." You can get your potassium fix another time.
(Thanks, Gapers Block!)
Riot Fest Through Sunday, various theaters, prices vary ($70 for a three-day pass to Congress Theater)
Several rockin' shows (not to mention a bowling tourney) are spread out across five venues (Congress Theater, Metro, Subterranean, Double Door, Cobra Lounge) during this fifth-annual fest. We're talking mosh-inducing rock and punk including Chicago's own Screeching Weasel, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Naked Raygun and more. Oi!
If you're like most Chicagoans, you know the basics of what your Halloween night will look like: a whirlwind of played-out pimp costumes, $2 Miller Lites and contests crowning girls with low self-esteem. But since this year's holiday falls on a Saturday, you actually have two weekend evenings to fill. Instead of spending your Halloween eve egging houses and knocking over mailboxes (that's a federal offense!), why not spend it dancing?
Freaky Deaky -- featuring electronic artists Chromeo, Crystal Castles and Boys Noize -- will fill the Congress Theater with sexy synths, distorted vocals and flat-out catchy beats on October 30. The 17-plus event, opened by locals E-Six & Roan, Loyal Divide, Kid Color, Rob Threezy and Hiroki, costs $35, but we're giving away tickets for free.
To be entered in the drawing, add a fan photo of your craziest Halloween costume to Centerstage's Facebook pageadd a photo to Centerstage's Flickr group by Tuesday, October 20 at 3 p.m.
And if you don't have your weekend all planned out yet, be sure to check out Centerstage's Halloween guide, your source for costume shops, haunted houses, freaky theater shows and, yes, bar parties with $2 Miller Lites.
In this town, when you hear the word "sketch," you probably think of comedy -- Second City, ComedySportz, etc. But the word has more than one meaning, and local artists aim to let you know about it with this week's launch of Sketch Thursdays, a rotating, once-a-month (second Thursday) event in West Town.
The first free installment (you must be 21 to enter) goes down from 6-9 p.m. at The Architrouve, and will feature local emerging artists sketching or painting throughout the night, then offering those works for sale until close.
But this isn't all about buying, or even drinking; you can bring along your own pens 'n' paints and create your own art -- just don't expect a seat, as those are mostly reserved for invited artists. If you want to get an invite to a future installment, or just find out when and where the next one will be, contact Matthew Westfallen, (312) 850-9390.
Svengoolie will be among the spooky stars at this weekend's Ghost Conference.(photo via myspace.com/svengoolie26)
Chicago Ghost Conference 5-11 p.m. Friday and 8:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday; Portage Theater; $50 for a two-day pass
Join paranormal experts and speakers for this annual event about all things otherworldly. This year's speakers include Lorraine Warren from A&E's "Paranormal State" and Jeff Belanger, paranormal author and creator of Ghostvillage.com, who join members of paranormal groups from around the country to educate, inform, network, share ideas and entertain others that are fascinated with the supernatural. If that's not enough, Chicago legend Svengoolie makes an appearance on Friday night.
You know what they say about doctors and apples, right? Well, you can get your daily fix of crunchy fruit goodness without leaving the Loop on Thursday, as Chicago's Downtown Farmstand (66 E.Randolph) is celebrating its one-year anniversary by offering free apples all day long (the market is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), according to The Stew.
While you're at the farmstand, we suggest you pick up a whole bag of locally sourced apples -- after all, you've gotta practice for the upcoming Bucktown Apple Pie Contest, which goes down Sunday, October 18 at Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley) from 2-5 p.m. The event costs $15 to enter; if you're not the baking type, you can visit for free (each slice will cost ya, though). Just remember, that whole "apple a day" thing doesn't apply to pies.
Love theater, but can't afford the tickets? You'll want to check out this site as soon as possible. It's the home of the Theatre Communications Group's Free Night of Theater, and it'll tell you which Chicago-area theaters will be offering tickets for nothing on particular nights throughout October (it's actually more than one Free Night, but who's quibbling?).
You can reserve tickets beginning September 29 for shows like "1001," "America: All Better!," "Boom," "St. Crispin's Day" and more. Need help choosing? Visit Centerstage for reviews and descriptions of every play.
"Shut Up and Let Me Go" -- it's not just the name of The Ting Tings' hit single, it's also what you'll be saying to anyone who tries to keep you from going to the U.K. duo's exclusive performance on Friday night at Rockit Bar & Grill. The 7:30 p.m. show is free, just make sure to RSVP to VIP@rockitranch.com to get on the list get there early because entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.
If they really won't let you go, maybe you can get away for Saturday night's Allstate Arena concert, headlined by Pink. Tickets are still available.
Things are sure to get splashy on Wednesday night.
"Peat can't be beat!"
"Smoke's no joke!"
"I love 15-year-olds!"
The Great Whisk(e)y Debate is coming up on Wednesday, and you can expect the participants to argue strongly for their causes (though we wouldn't recommend saying that last slogan too loudly).
The free event (7-9 p.m. at Faith & Whiskey in Lincoln Park) will explore the differences between American bourbon, Canadian whisky and Scotch whisk(e)y via the opinions of some well-soused experts. Complimentary samples will be provided to all attendees. RSVP to (773) 248-9119 or greatwhiskeydebate@gmail.com.
Dirty Sanchez and his pals are sure to put on an entertaining show on Friday.
Lucha Va Voom 8:30 p.m. Friday at Congress Theater, $25-$60
If you like your Mexican midget wrestling with a splash of skin (and who doesn't?) this event is for you. Top-ranked luchadoritos battle it out in the ring while scantily clad burlesque dancers provide entertainment between matches. Now that's what we call entertainment.
Make Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket proud on Saturday. (via talklikeapirate.com)
Shiver me timbers! Is it International Talk Like a Pirate Day again already? Seems like just last month we were shouting "avast!" at unsuspecting children. No matter. Come this Saturday, September 19, we'll be ready to parrrrrty. To make sure you arrrre too, we've compiled a list of ways to celebrate like a true pirate. Use at your own risk:
Storm one of the many ships cruising the Chicago River and demand to see the "plank." If you can't afford the tour fee, or you're prone to seasickness, just do the same thing at the ship-shaped El Barco.
Heckle the parrotheads at the Landshark Lager Oyster Fest (sponsored by Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Brewing). Actually, we'd suggest this any year.
Try to count all the decorative birds at Lakeview's Parrots. "One! Two! Three! Fourrrrrrr!"
Run aimlessly through noted parrot-haven Hyde Park in full buccaneer gear, calling desperately for your lost pal "Arrrrchie."
Head to the Cubs game armed with some Willie Stargell quotes. See who gets the joke. (Make sure to stop into the Captain Morgan Club to order a noggin o' rum.)
Hit the barrrr. Actually, five of 'em. The Booty Pub Crawl (beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, $20) starts at McGee's and moves on to Wrightwood Tap, Durkin's, Duffy's and Redmond's. A buffet, rum punch and domestic drafts are included in the price, and a free trolley will be your vessel for the night.
Learn how pirates really talked. The eye patch-obsessed Field Museum will be hosting all sorts of activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., including treasure hunts, sword-fighting performances and even an appearance from Navy Pier's mascot, Patch the Pirate Dog. Kids are encouraged to dress up - and we guess parents can, too. Free w/museum admission.
The Blacks reunite at Saturday's Bloodshot Beer-B-Q.(photo via bloodshotrecords.com)
Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q noon Saturday at Hideout; $10
Ok, so there's no Hideout Block Party this year. Done crying yet? Good. Because the popular fest's replacement ain't so shabby: local (and nationally acclaimed) alt-country label Bloodshot Records will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an all-day "Beer-B-Q". The lineup is predictably strong and diverse; along with the more high-profile appearances from Alejandro Escovedo and The Waco Brothers, we're excited for the reunion of The Blacks, whose two albums rank, for us, among Bloodshot's finest releases to date. There will also be food from Honky Tonk Barbecue, an art show, kids' area and more. Sounds like a fest to us.
Got a mid-afternoon hunger pang going? If you can hold out 'til tomorrow, you can satisfy it for free. That's because Thursday is September Sampler Day; all Panera Bread locations will offer complimentary portions of menu items like the breakfast sandwich, BBQ chopped chicken salad, Napa almond chicken salad sandwich (just had this last week -- it's solid) and desserts including chocolate fudge brownies and macadamia nut blondies.
To take advantage, stop into your local cafe between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. We won't tell if you go twice.
If an event were to include even two of these things, we know you'd be scrambling for tickets. Next Friday's Lucha Va Voom event at the Congress Theater has all three (plus, possibly, midgets). The touring spectacle has been featured in numerous publications and on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and included appearances from the likes of Jack Black, Robin Williams and Patton Oswalt...and now it's finally coming to Chicago.
Tickets range from $25-$60, but we have three pairs to give away! To be entered in the drawing, send a direct message with your namemessage with the words "Sign me up for the Lucha Va Voom ticket contest!" to Centerstage via Twitter by this Friday, September 11, at 3 p.m.
Trend alert! In the past week, we've told you about a Samsung-sponsored Jay-Z show and The Roots and Common's Hennessy-sponsored set at The Shine. Now comes news (via Time Out Chicago) that Kia Motors will host the latest of its free Soul Collective events in Chicago this weekend.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, guests will have the opportunity to test-drive the new Kia Soul, watch videos and, oh yeah, hear some music at the EnVent Event Space in West Town. Whether this trend of product-sponsored shows disturbs you or not, you've gotta admit, this looks like a pretty good lineup for a free event:
Friday, September 11 (noon-8 p.m.)
Plain White T's
DJ sets by Shala, Kid Color, MoneyPenny
Saturday, September 12 (noon-8 p.m.)
Times New Viking
DJ sets by Skyler, Kid Color, and Jubot of Yellow Fever
Sunday, September 13 (noon-4 p.m.)
The Walkmen (must test-drive a Kia Soul to get tickets)
DJ sets by Willy Joy, Black Holes
Apparently, next week is "free concerts with hip-hop legends week" in Chicago.
We already told you about the Samsung-sponsored Jay-Z show at the House of Blues on Tuesday; now Hennessy gets into the mix with an invitation-only event featuring Common and The Roots (who will also be serving as the house band) at The Shrine on Saturday, September 12. The show will also feature rockers Elevator Fight and Colin Munroe. Want to get on the list? WGCI 107.5FM is giving away tickets this week, and you can also enter to win spots on Hennessy's Facebook page and on www.okayplayer.com.
Make sure to keep an eye out for other upcoming shows on Centerstage's music calendar. Who knows, Nas could announce a free show at Sub-T before the week is out.
Next Tuesday, Sept. 8, Beyonce's better half will headline a free concert at 8 p.m. at Chicago's House of Blues.
The tickets are free, which means there's a big commercial promotion with it, of course, courtesy of Samsung and AT&T (you can try out their new JACK cell phone at the show). Here are the two ways to land the free tickets: (1) A certain number of tickets are made available each day leading up to the show on this Samsung site — which also shows the other free concerts around the country, and boy did we get the best act. (2) Listen to WPWX for ticket giveaways.
