LINCOLN PARK — It's a big weekend for "Straight White Men," pit bulls and "the mayor of the Armitage Brown Line station," along with food, of course, ahead of Valentine's Day.
Much of the activity, however, is concentrated on Sunday in the RANCH Triangle. After playing in previews and in a press performance earlier in the weekend at Steppenwolf Theatre, "Straight White Men" has its formal debut at 6 p.m. Sunday. Ensemble member Alan Wilder is the patriarch in a family that turns the conventional father-sons drama on its head. Playwright Young Jean Lee also directs. It runs through March 19 at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted St., with tickets ranging from $20-$89.
The RANCH Triangle Association holds its annual meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Vinci, just down the block at Halsted and Willow Street. Free food and drinks will be served for association members and invited guests. One of the honorees is Janet Martin, the popular CTA attendant know as "the mayor of the Armitage Brown Line station." DNAinfo's Mina Bloom did a video on her last summer.
Over in Old Town, the Vig, 1527 N. Wells St., holds what it calls a "boozy brunch" fundraiser for Peace for Pits, a nonprofit specializing in rescuing "bully breed" dogs like pit bulls. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and the $20 tickets include three mimosas or screwdrivers, homemade cinnamon ginger doughnut holes and a silent auction, raffles and a dog trivia contest. (Please pay cash at the door.) Peace for Pits boasts it saved more than 200 dogs last year.
Stretching into Monday, the Wrightwood Neighbors Association holds its 10th annual Taste of Wrightwood from 6-8 p.m. at New Life Church, 1110 W. Lill Ave. The 10 participating restaurants include Fiesta Mexicana, Tandoor Char House, Chicago Dog House, Clarke's and Barn & Co. It's free to association members in good standing and, in fact, "all residents who live or shop in the neighborhood are welcome," according to the association's Facebook page.
Finally, Valentine's Day cookies are already on sale in the market at Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St. A selection of cookies from Pastry Chef Erin Mooney goes for $4.95 and is expected to be available through Wednesday. Who can resist?
