PILSEN — Whether you're looking to help victims of recent natural disasters or support local artist, there is plenty happening in Pilsen this weekend:
Mexico and Puerto Rico Disaster Fundraiser
One of the neighborhood's newest breweries will raise money Friday for relief efforts in Mexico and Puerto Rico following the devastating natural disasters in those countries this past month.
From 4-7 p.m., Lo-Rez Brewing, 2101 S. Carpenter St., will grill up free Italian beef, chicken burgers and Italian sausage. Suggested donations will go toward Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and National Museum of Mexican Art relief efforts for the Red Cross in each country.
Register online for the free event. The brewery will match all donations made during the event.
Lo-Rez Brewing opened in Pilsen earlier this year and regularly hosts resident artists and other special events. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
Vecinos: Chicago Edition
Can't make it Friday? Pilsenites will have another opportunity to help those devastated by Mexican earthquakes, particularly those in Oaxaca, where two earthquakes struck within weeks of one another.
Vecinos is raising money for organizations working on the ground level in the countries by hosting a series of pop-up showcases around the country. On Sunday, it will come to Circus Studio, 2156 W. 18th Place, from 6:30-11:30 p.m.
The pop-up will raffle off work from local artists, host music acts and offer libations and food. Entry is $10 and includes one raffle ticket. Additional tickets are $5, and there is a cash donation bar.
Performers include West Side rapper Saint Icky, DJ Step, acoustic guitarist Ricky Liontones and rock act Avantist.
Chicago International Latino Theater Festival
This weekend will mark the start of the inaugural festival from the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance. "Destinos," or "Destinations" in English, seeks to amplify Latino artists and connect local theaters with international artists from Latin America and the Carribbean with performances over the next month.
Tickets for individual shows range from $15-$25 at well-known theaters like Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf and newly built The Yard at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
In Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., will host the U.S. premiere of "I, the Worst of All." The drama portrays Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz, a Mexican poet who was known as the "Phoenix of America."
Many of the shows will be performed in Spanish with projected English translation, while others rely on English and a "sprinkle" of Spanish. Visit the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance website for a full schedule and to purchase tickets.
Volunteer at El Paseo Community Garden
The community garden at 944 W. 21st St. is looking for volunteers to weed, clean up garbage, mow, move mulch and turn compost. Students can use the time as volunteer service hours.
Volunteers should bring gardening or work gloves if they have them and wear comfortable clothes and sunblock and bring water.
The volunteer day will be Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dusek's Blocktoberfest
Sunday promises to be a day of beer, punch, music and food at the family friendly Blocktoberfest at Duskek's, 1227 W. 18th St.
From noon-10 p.m., Dusek's will have cheddar pretzels, sausage sandwiches, stout churros, Surly Brewing beers and a book drive for Open Books. A portion of proceeds from the day will benefit Pilsen's Elevarte Community Studio.
Live performances include shows from Chicago house artists Sadar Bahar and Specter and Latin-influenced DJ collective Sonorama.
The first 100 people to RSVP online and arrive at the third annual fest will receive a free beer.
