Just a quick note for all you deal-hunters out there: Billy Goat will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on Thursday with 75-cent cheezborgers and 75-cent beers at all locations (except O'Hare) all day long. And when we say all day, we mean it: the celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. at the 430 N. Michigan location with Guy Bauer from the Johnny B Show on 97.9 FM (The Loop).
Author Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything Is Illuminated) comes to the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State) tonight at 6 p.m. to promote his new book, Eating Animals in a free event. While he insists the book is not just about becoming vegetarian, we're guessing that after an hour or so of hearing about the meat industry, you're not gonna be feeling like grabbing a burger. With that in mind, here are some dinner spots around the library that go easy on the meat:
Opera
In addition to vegetarian-friendly dishes like spring rolls, Sichuan peanut noodle salad and several sides, the venerable South Loop Chinese kitchen offers a full vegan menu including eggplant quinoa with cilantro pesto sauce ($14), kung pao tofu ($16) and Hainanese-style Kaipong with twice-cooked coconut curry rice, stir-fried choi sum, forest mushrooms, peanuts and sweet peas wrapped in lotus ($14).
Amarit
Thai is usually a safe bet for veggie eaters, and at Amarit you'll be able to subsitute tofu for meat in most dishes, or just spring for a light meal of spring rolls, miso soup and cucumber salad. Other Thai choices in the area include Tamarind and Thai Spoon.
India Grill
For a quick Indian fix, you may want to stop into Chutney Joe's just down the street from the library, where you can top rice or naan with a variety of vegetarian entrees like red bean rajma, spinach paneer, gobi potatoes, garbanzo masala and kali daal for as little as $5.99. But if you want more of a sit-down meal, head a bit further south for a full slate of meat-free cuisine, including vegetable korma and bhindi masala (okra with onions, tomatoes and spices, $9.99). India Grill is BYOB.
For more vegetarian, vegetarian-friendly and vegan-friendly dining options around the city, visit Centerstagechicago.com.
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.
As if we needed proof of how much everybody loves the Muppets, the Gene Siskel Film Center notes that the response to its "Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy" series last fall was so huge, they're bringing it back for another run (well, most of it).
Through December 2, the Center will show a number of films from the series, including Saturday's one-time-only show of "Muppets History 201: More Rarities from the Henson Vault," a followup to the popular Muppets History 101 from last year. In addition to several other compilations, you'll also be able to see special screenings of feature films like "The Muppet Movie" (celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009), "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal." Check out the website for the full schedule.
Artwork by Sergei Isupov looks over Navy Pier's Festival Hall during SOFA setup Wednesday. (Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
SOFA Chicago Through Sunday at Navy Pier; $15-$25
Celebrating its 16th year, the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair hits Navy Pier's Festival Hall to present work from top international galleries and dealers. Check out the opening night preview gala on Thursday ($50) to get a first glimpse at the show's best work. Hors d'oeurves and wine are included. Tickets for the rest of the show are $15 a day, or $25 for a three-day pass. Get them here or at the door. More: Check out the Sun-Times' SOFA photo gallery.
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!)
The Rocky Horror Show 8 p.m., through Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre; $20
Do the Time Warp (again!) at this live theater production of the musical cult classic, with shows running through Halloween night. Dress up as your favorite character (and who wouldn't take the opportunity to emulate Meat Loaf as much as possible?), but leave the props at home. There are special goodie bags you can buy at the theater to join in on the action.
It's a little odd that the Chicago Public Library, an institution that's probably shushed thousands of people over the years, last month encouraged locals to make noise, and lots of it. But ironic or not, the Sound Off! competition received over 40 entries from Chicago musicians eager to sing about their favorite city. Now the votes are in, with rapper Psalm One taking home the grand prize for "My Bucket Song" and Shawn Pennington's "Doors Closing" winning the people's vote.
Both artists will perform at the celebratory Sound Off concert, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Pritzker Park (344 S. State, across from the Harold Washington Library). It's free, so there's no reason you shouldn't be there and cheering for these great local artists. We promise, no one will give you a dirty look.
Psst...for a quieter library-sponsored event, check out author Michael Chabon, who will read from and sign his new memoir, Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father and Son, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Harold Washington Library's Pritzker Auditorium.
One of Chicago's biggest lakeside tourist attractions just got a little cooler - and we're not talking about the frigid environs at the top of the Navy Pier Ferris wheel.
We're talking about Adler After Dark, the new, 21-plus program that kicks off this Thursday at the Adler Planetarium. From 6-10 p.m., guests can enjoy cocktails and appetizers while checking out all the museum's exhibitions, sky and space shows, interactive live demonstrations, space-themed pub trivia and even tours of the huge Doane Observatory telescope (available only to Adler After Dark visitors). DJ D-Rek provides the soundtrack.
This week's event is free, while subsequent events (occurring on the third Thursday of each month) will be $10 in advance and $15 on-site.
Looks like the rest of Museum Campus is gonna have to step up its evening game. Get ready for "Night at the Field Museum" with Ben Stiller.
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.
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.
Thinking about going to Chicago Gourmet (September 26 and 27), but scared off by the $150 ticket price? For today only, you can snag a one-day ticket to the second-annual food-centric fest (featuring a who's who of local, national and international chefs) for just $89 courtesy of Groupon. We're guessing the event has worked out many of the kinks (e.g. too much wine, not enough food) from last year, so this is a foodie deal worth investigating.
Twice in its 120-year history, esteemed British journal Granta Magazine has dedicated its entire publication to the literary output of a single city. The first featured metropolis was London, many years ago. The second? Chicago, circa now. To celebrate the release of its all-Chicago issue, the mag is hosting a special event at the Chicago Cultural Center at 6 p.m. on Monday with two of the 28 featured authors, Audrey Niffeneger (The Time Traveler's Wife) and Aleksander Hemon (The Lazarus Project). The free event will be hosted by Steve Edwards of Chicago Public Radio. A reception will be held afterward.
Want in? RSVP (soon!) to Emily Long or (312)742-0821.
If you miss your chance, consider heading to the Stop Smiling storefront (1371 N. Milwaukee) for a Granta-sponsored poetry reading on Tuesday, featuring local poets Anne Winters, Reginald Gibbons and Diego Saenz.
The Chicago company of "Jersey Boys" has just annoucned the release of its final block of tickets; the show's two-year run at the Bank of America Theatre ends on January 10, 2010.
Tickets for the final month and a half of performances will go on sale on Friday, September 11, at 10 a.m.
Four courses for $250. Sound pricey? It won't sound so bad when you realize that the money's going to help kids with cancer.
Toque: An Evening with Chicago's Culinary Masters, a benefit for Children's Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI), goes down on September 10 at the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden, 400 S. State. Journalist and Tallgrass Beef founder Bill Kurtis emcees, while Michael Kornick (mk) acts as chef coordinator of a menu that also features Graham Elliot Bowles (Graham Elliot), Paul Kahan (Avec, Blackbird, The Publican), Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Randy Zweiban (Province), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate) and many more.
The fun starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails, a silent auction and featured chef's stations, followed by a sit-down dinner with wine pairings at 7:15 p.m. (there will also be a live auction at that time). For tickets and more details, visit www.onestepcamp.org.
African Festival of the Arts All day Friday-Monday, Washington Park (51st and Cottage Grove), $5-10 or $30 for a weekend pass
The 20th installment of this immensely popular South Side festival finishes with a bang as the "Godfather of Funk" himself, George Clinton, headlines on Monday. Leading up to that, check out acts like The Pharcyde and Booker T. Jones (Saturday), Ahmad Jamaal and the Soukous Stars (Sunday). There's also a kids tent and a food court with traditional African fare.
Michael Jackson Birthday Tribute Friday at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
While everyone else has been busy honoring the King of Pop's death, Kit Kat takes a night to celebrate his birth and life. The evening will feature Kit Kat's "Diva" Traci Ross, performing as both Michael and Janet Jackson, along with special appearances by Michael's "friends" Liza Minnelli and Liz Taylor. Kit Kat's "Black & White" martinis are $5, and the first 50 guests will receive a limited edition Kit Kat/MJ sparkled glove.
The Chicago Public Library invites you to answer that question for its latest contest, Sound Off, which promotes the institution's huge collection of free music (including CDs, DVDs, MP3s and sheet music). Submit your original, Chi-inspired song by September 27. A judging panel including Jessica Hopper (author of The Girls' Guide to Rocking) and Chris Force (Alarm magazine editor) will review the top submissions and select one Grand Prize winner, who will receive a free studio package courtesy of Steve Albini's Electrical Audio and a headlining spot at the Sound Off concert in October in Pritzker Park. The People's Choice winner, selected by online voters from September 28-October 3, will open the concert.
For all the rules, visit the website. Note: "My Kind of Town" is already taken.
