WICKER PARK — Happy September!
Here are some things to do in Wicker Park, Bucktown and West Town over the Labor Day weekend.
Go To An Art Show. Circle Contemporary gallery presents "Something Else," a group show featuring paintings, drawings, and sculptures by three artists from The Arts of Life studio and three Chicago-based artists. Free, from 5-8 p.m. Friday, 2010 W. Carroll Ave.
Back to School Ball. The Hideout's "school dance" themed ball encourages adults to throw on their best Homecoming duds — or vintage outfits — and dance to live soul and indie pop bands, to help support nonprofit and future rock star incubator Intonation Music Workshop. Tickets are $8 advance/$10 door, 9 p.m. Friday, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
Try Lots Of Sour Beers. Links Taproom's 5-day Sour Fest celebrates all the beers that taste not fully fermented, with 15 sour beers from several breweries (Avery Apricot Sour; Ballast Point Sour Wench; Upland Peach Sour, Firestone Walker Krieky Bones and more) on tap until the kegs go dry. From 11:30 a.m.- 3 a.m. Friday-Tuesday, at 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Because A Bartender Needs His Wrist. Continental's Greg Shirilla fell three stories while cleaning windows at another job and has been unable to work since the late June incident, according to Chicago Reader's Gossip Wolf. So Shirilla's employer will host a raffle, barbecue and silent art auction with lost of cool items, including an unpublished 1980 photo of Black Flag. From 3 - 8 p.m. Saturday, 2801 W. Chicago Ave.
Chill On A Patio. From Friday through Monday, MAK, Wicker Park's modern Chinese spot, welcomes patrons to its dog-friendly patio, for two happy hours: from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., score $3 beers (excluding Sapporo and Hitachino) and on Saturday only, get half-priced wine and sake (Gekkeikan Cap Ace Dry Sake, Zipang Sparkling Sake, Bandit Pinot Grigio) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 1924 W. Division St.
Early Labor Day BBQ at Frontier. Craft a build-your-own pulled pork sandwich from a pig smoked on site and and sides like baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw. Tickets are $19 and must be bought in advance/online. From 3-6 p.m. Saturday, at 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Gut Busting Brunch At Rhyme or Reason. Indulge in fried chicken and doughnuts, chilaquiles and "The Mac Daddy" — breakfast mac and cheese filled with cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, bacon lardons, ranch bechamel sauce, panko crusted chicken and grilled scallion ranch topped with sunny side up eggs. Wash it all down with a very loaded "Proud Mary" Bloody Mary topped with a hamburger slider. Weekend and holiday brunch hours are 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 1938 W. Division St.
Show Farmers You Appreciate Their Labor. The weekly Sunday Wicker Park Farmers Market does not stop for Labor Day weekend and offers plenty of stuff to bring to a barbecue, such as Ranch Valley Kitchens' spicy Bloody Mary Mix, fresh meats from Mint Creek Farms, mini fruit pies from Elsie Mae's Canning that are also great hostess gifts and more. From 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
