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This year's Chicago Gourmetis bigger than ever, with even more events surrounding it than ever before as well as some serious star power. Also on tap for the weekend: the family-friendly UniverSoul Circusreturns to Washington Park, Latino Fashion Week Chicago showcases local designers and style, and Prost! continues its annual Oktoberfestcelebration in Lincoln Park.
Have a great week!
Prost! Celebrates Oktoberfest (through Oct. 28)
How about some Bavarian fun every day until the end of the month? That's happening at Prost!, where fans of the contemporary German eatery will be able to celebrate Oktoberfest with traditional food (house-made wurst, gigantic hot Bavarian-style pretzels), frosty beer on tap and live music. Every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 28, there will also be a contest for best dressed Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest.
Address: Prost! Chicago, 2566 N. Lincoln Ave.
UniverSoul Circus (through Oct. 18)
A cross between Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Cirque de Soleil, UniverSoul Circus caters to a largely African-American audience and features a number of acts appropriate for families. Entertainment includes exotic hip-hop dancers, aerial performers, Russian acrobats, dancing dogs, Caribbean dancers, elephants and more under a traditional Big Top. Find out how to get tickets right here.
Address: Washington Park, 5531 S. King Dr.
Chicago Gourmet (Sept. 25-27)
Alas, the main events of Chicago Gourmet are sold out, but that doesn't mean you'll have to miss out on getting a taste of the city's largest and most prestigious food festival. Kicking off the weekend's festivities is the first-ever A Toast to Charlie Trotter hosted by chef Emeril Lagasse. The lunch happens 1-3 p.m. Sept. 25 at Hyatt Regency Chicago. Also that evening is Late Night Gourmetat Underground.The party occurs 9 p.m.-midnight and includes appetizers, cocktails and dancing.
Immediately following the main event on Sept. 26 is Punch Kings, Pigs n’ Tiki, a Polynesian-inspired event with exotic punch creations by the city's top bartenders and an offbeat pig roast. That happens 8-11 p.m. at Harris Theater Rooftop. And the only family-oriented event occurs at Maggie Daley Park 8-11 a.m. Sept. 27. Rise & Shine Gourmet is for kids and adults, and includes a sunrise yoga class, brunch and more. Information on all events and more may be found right here.
Address: Millennium Park (Additional Chicago Gourmet events take place at nearby locations.)
Bacci Pizza Fest (Sept. 26)
Bacci's known for its jumbo slices, and this weekend 100 participants show off their skills during the 13th annual contest to see who can take down two in 20 minutes. It'll be a fun spectator sport certain to make onlookers hungry as they watch contestants chow down on 2,500 square feet of pizza. The top finisher will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
For more great pizza around town, see our top picks for Chicago pizza beyond Chicago-style pies.
Address: Bacci Pizzeria,2301 W. Taylor St.
Gene Siskel Film Center's Neighborhood Night (Sept. 28)
Named in honor of the famed film critic, the Gene Siskel Film Center gives back to the city with this neighborhood-oriented cinema event happening quarterly. Screenings of four movies happen at 6 and 8 p.m. and there will be a reception sponsored by Mariano's between the films. Here's what is on tap for the low price of $6:
6 p.m.: A new restoration of Jean-Luc Godard’s "A Married Woman"
6 p.m.: A new restoration of Whit Stillman’s insightful "Metropolitan"
8 p.m.: "How Strange to Be Named Federico"
8 p.m.: First Chicago run of "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution"
Address: Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.
Arami's Noodle Night (Sept. 28)
A sure sign that autumn is back is the return of Noodle Night at Arami. The West Town Japanese eatery showcases several types of ramen on special and they'll be paired with exclusive sake and Japanese beer. Some of the highlights include yaki udon (stir-fried udon noodles with braised beef, aromatic vegetables, katsuobushi and kamaboko), tantanmen (spicy miso broth with chicken, poached egg, eggplant, snow peas and fresh grated garlic) and the signature Arami ramen of pork belly, soft egg, grilled enoki and house tsukemono.Reservations may be made by calling the restaurant.
Address: Arami, 1829 W. Chicago Ave.
Looking for more places to indulge in ramen? Here are Chicago's top noodle bars.
Andersonville's Neo-Futurist Theater always showcases fresh, offbeat material, and the latest collection of "That's Weird, Grandma" sketches is no exception. They're especially intriguing because they were created by Chicago Public School students and performed by Barrel of Monkeyscompany members. Get ready for a series of all-time favorite sketches and songs from the long-running revue, plus never-before-seen stories from the 2014-15 school year.
The production occurs at 8 p.m. Mondays through Oct. 12.
Address: Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.
Here are even more exciting, theatrical productions to check out this fall.
The ninth-annual Latino Fashion Week is a five-day celebration showcasing top Latino designers from Central and South America, the Caribbean and the United States. The kickoff cocktail-attire event occurs 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Block Thirty Seven and features top local designers and media personalities on the runway. Additional events include a fashion-focused luncheon, after-parties and "youth fashion day," which helps to develop the next generation.
Get tickets and more information right here.
Address: Block Thirty Seven, 108 N. State St.
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