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11 Things To Do In Wicker Park, Bucktown This Weekend

By Alisa Hauser | October 20, 2017 9:52am
 Cat circus (clockwise from top left) Bucktown Pub's chili cook-off and a salmon platter at the just-opened Yolk on Division Street.
Cat circus (clockwise from top left) Bucktown Pub's chili cook-off and a salmon platter at the just-opened Yolk on Division Street.
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WICKER PARK — Happy Friday!

The weekend weather is projected to be unseasonably warm and mostly rain-free.

Here are a few ideas for things to do in Wicker Park, Bucktown and Noble Square.

Wind down the week with vinyl. The Closed Sessions Cocktail Hour(s) returns to The Robey Hall Friday night. This month's guest DJ is Manny Rodriguez from Jugrnaut Chi, along with Alexander Rtc Fruchter. Free, doors at 8 p.m, 2022 W. North Ave.

Chili cook-off.  Local bars and restaurants (Links Taproom, Cortland's Garage, Haymarket Pub & Brewery, The Butcher & Larder, DMK Restaurant Group, Bangers & Lace, The Map Room Chicago, Native Rituals, Dark Matter Coffee, Mabel's Table and Empirical Brew Pub Brewery) will compete for the winning chili at Midtown Educational Foundation's 5th annual chili cook-off. Money from the all-you-can-eat $15 online/$20 at door admission will be used to assemble and deliver Christmas baskets full of food and presents to families in need. From 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Bucktown Pub, 1658 W. Cortland St.

Halloween festival. The Pulaski Park festival offers hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a zipline (new this year), a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, food concessions and more, according to a flyer. Admission is $10. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 1419 W. Blackhawk St.

Mr. Dave Halloween party. Children's musician Mr. Dave and Latin Grammy award winner 123 Andres will co-host an all-ages party and concert in Wicker Park, presented by the Wicker Park Advisory Council in partnership with Wicker Park Committee, WickerICE, JCYS, Alyx Pattison for State Representative 4th District, and the Chicago Park District. Costumes encouraged. From 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave. 

Pet costume parade. The newly relocated Bow & Meow Pet Spa as well as its neighbor, My Vet Animal Hospital, will host an open house with free dog food samples, raffles, treats, games for pets and their owners, as well as a pet costume parade. From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 1643-1647 W. Cortland St.

Celebrate Nick's Pit Stop anniversary. The popular family-run Bucktown chicken restaurant is pulling out all the stops for its 20th year, with free free food and refreshments, face-painting, balloon-twisting and music from DJ La Vie. Free, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 2023 N. Damen Ave.

Brunch and discuss art. Chopin Theatre's annual informal get-together will discuss how to make the city more livable through the arts and pay tribute to poet Gwendolyn Brooks and her understanding of public art based on her poem "Chicago's Picasso." A free brunch (space limited; reservations encouraged on the theatre's website) is followed by the opening of international street artist Hiroyasu Tsuri's new mural. There also will be a panel discussion on public art. From 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, 1543 W. Division St.

Free jazz at Empty Bottle. The monthly Mirrored series hosted by Skyler Rowe will feature Chicago drummer Nick Alvarez (whose been busking in the now-closed right turn lane at Damen and Milwaukee) and Anthony Bruno (tenor saxophone), John Sutton (bass) Alexander Adams (on electronics), and Matt Murphy (guitar). Free, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday before the Windy City Soul Club hits the stage, at 1035 N. Western Ave.

Be amazed by cats. Animal trainer Samantha Martin will bring her circus troupe of felines, The Amazing Acro-Cats, back home to Chicago this weekend. The show features a cat walking on a tightrope, a cat riding a skateboard and an all-cat rock band, "Tuna and the Rock Cats." Tickets are $21 for students and seniors, and for $23 adults. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St.

Brunch at Yolk.  The city's seventh Yolk opened last weekend, offering brunch staples like eggs benedict, French toast, chicken and waffles and a lox and bagel platter. View the menu here. Hours are 7 a.m. -3 p.m Saturday and Sunday, 1819 W. Division St.

Visit Park Gardens, farmers market. Wicker Park's gardens are designed, funded and maintained by the Wicker Park Garden Club's members in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Check the gardens out on Sunday before or after the Wicker Park Farmers Market, where you can buy fresh veggies, cheeses, meats and specialty items, like bagels and crepes. Market hours are 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.