LAKEVIEW — There's always plenty going on in Lakeview, and five events this weekend really highlight the neighborhood's diverse offerings.
Take Your Kids to Spanish Story Time: While it just opened at the start of 2016, The Spanish Square has already begun hosting a trove of events, including an intercambio for bilingual conversation practice and a flamenco guitarist. From 11 a.m.-noon Friday, children can enjoy story time at The Spanish Square, 1358 W. Belmont Ave. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" will be read in Spanish, and a book-related activity will take place after.
Enjoy Free Theater With a Powerful Message: Oracle Theatre is kicking off its 2016 season with "The Hairy Ape," which opens Saturday at 3809 North Broadway. The free production tells the story of an ocean liner coal shoveler who finds himself in New York City seeking belonging and validation. Director Monty Cole cast six black actors in the Eugene O'Neill play in an attempt to "capture the caged mind of a young, black man yearning to belong." Productions will be at 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and 7 p.m. Sundays through March 12. While the show is free, reservations are strongly recommended.
Celebrate Hip-Hop at a Winter Block Party: A free daytime event Saturday at Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark St., will give way to a mix tape release concert in the evening. The seventh annual Winter Block Party, presented by WBEZ, Vocalo and Young Chicago Authors, starts at noon with dance showcases, dance battles and open mic poetry readings and storytelling. Attendees can get a henna tattoo, face painting, $10 fade haircuts and a graffiti artist tag on a shirt or bag. At 7 p.m., a $10 concert will feature the release of the Louder Than a Bomb mix tape and performances by Kweku Collins, Jamila Woods and Ravyn Lenae.
Stuff Your Face for Charity: The Long Room, 1612 W. Irving Park Road, will host a charity pop-up brunch with guest chefs from Farm.Butcher.Table on Sunday. The organization sets up dining events with local food and chefs that raise money for partner charities like Growing Home and Howard Center. From 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, The Long Room and its Sidecar kitchen will serve Spanish sausage with tortilla Española and Hungarian sausage with potato pierogi. Tickets are not required for the event, and The Long Room will donate 25 percent of bar sales to the cause.
See Broadway Veterans Sing — Also for Charity: BLOWN by bocaj, a Lakeview hair salon dedicated to giving back, will host its first "Fight Song" charity cabaret Sunday. The event will raise money for the #needyourlove campaign started by "America's Got Talent" finalist Branden James, who will also perform. The salon's BLOWNback charity program will also donate to its partner charities, including Special Olympics Chicago, About Face Theatre and Fight Against LGBTQ Youth Homelessness. Jelani Remy, who plays Simba in Broadway's "The Lion King," and Chicago artists Jess Godwin, Meghan Murphy and Darrian Ford (also a Broadway veteran) will perform. Tickets are $50 and include a host bar and raffle. The event starts at 7 p.m. at Uptown Underground, 4707 North Broadway.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
