10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 12-15

Wintrust Arena (Photo: Allix Rogers)Wintrust Arena (Photo: Allix Rogers)

1. Explore

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is your key to the interiors of more than 200 buildings across 20 neighborhoods this weekend, from skyscrapers to private clubs, when the annual free architecture festival Open House Chicago returns. Highlights are numerous. Here are a few: in the Loop, visit the art deco lobby and 47th floor penthouse at One North LaSalle and the rehearsal studios of the Joffrey Ballet at Joffrey Tower (Sunday only); in Bridgeport the vast warehouse of Zap Props; the Frederick C. Robie House in Hyde Park (Sunday only); the new Wintrust Arena in the South Loop (Saturday only); and in Pilsen, meet mural artist Hector Duarte and take a tour of his studio.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (times vary depending on specific sites) at various locations across the city. Free. Browse the full list of sites.

2. Browse

More than 20 artists participate in the City Made Handmade Market as part of the 15th annual Andersonville Arts Week—which continues through Sunday in various neighborhood locations (get the full schedule of events here). The market is a nod to the City Made Fest, a larger event that took a hiatus this year. Get your fill of handmade soaps, chocolates, jewelry, candles and more.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday inside Arts Week Headquarters, 5202 N. Clark St. Free. / MAP; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday outside the Swedish American Museum, 5201 N. Ashland Ave. $5 suggested donation. / MAP

Katherine Anne Confections at City Made Fest 2016 (Photo: Starbelly Studios)Katherine Anne Confections at City Made Fest 2016 (Photo: Starbelly Studios)

3. Dive in

The city’s Friday Night Flights series returns for a toast to the season as part of the Chicago Riverwalk Oktoberfest. Sample German lagers and seasonal beers from more than 20 local breweries including Revolution, Half Acre, Begyle and Eataly’s Birreria. Tickets include 10 3-ounce samples. Vendors along the Riverwalk sell Oktoberfest-themed food. Live entertainment rounds out the festivities.

Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday along the Chicago Riverwalk, from LaSalle Drive to Franklin Street. $15-$20. / MAP

(Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr)(Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr)

4. Soak up

The 53rd annual Chicago International Film Festival kicks off Thursday with a screening of Reginald Hudlin’s new drama “Marshall,” with the director in attendance, along with actors Chadwick Boseman and Josh Gad and producer Paula Wagner. The festival continues daily through Oct. 26 with a lineup of new works from filmmakers around the globe, including documentaries, indie flicks, horror and fringe films, architecture-themed works, shorts, film noir, titles celebrating African-American filmmaking and the LGBTQ community, and more. Special presentations include tributes to Vanessa Redgrave (Oct. 16), Sir Patrick Stewart (Oct. 25) and Michael Shannon (Oct. 26).

Opening night details: “Marshall” screening times at 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8 p.m. at AMC River East 21, 311 E. Illinois St. $35-$40. VIP tickets available. Regular screenings cost $12-$15. Download the full schedule. / MAP

5. Listen

Celebrate the South Side roots of the blues at the first-ever Logan Center Bluesfest, a three-day event featuring concerts, workshops, film, food and conversations. Performance highlights: Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio (Friday); Grammy nominee Billy Branch with friends (Saturday); and a blues brunch with Mark Naftalin (Sunday).

Details: 6 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Many events are free; prices vary. / MAP

Billy Branch hosts a “Bringing the Blues Back to the South Side” showcase.Billy Branch hosts a “Bringing the Blues Back to the South Side” showcase.

6. Breathe

Enhance the possibility for Friday night frights this Friday the 13th at a returning Halloween attraction. The Realm of Terror haunted house returns for a 15th year with immersive sets, horrifying soundscapes and gruesome makeup. Recommended for ages 16 and up. An onsite bar aims to help game-time jitters.

Details: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday through Nov. 4 at 421 W. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach. $25-$35; $45 VIP. / MAP

Scare tactics: Realm of Terror features makeup effects by Stevie Calabrese of “Face Off” Season 9. Scare tactics: Realm of Terror features makeup effects by Stevie Calabrese of “Face Off” Season 9.

7. Swing your partner

Celebrating 60 years in Chicago, the Old Town School opens its doors for a night of music, dance and storytelling. Stop by the Fall Open House to join the Voice of the People sing-along of protest songs (7-8:30 p.m.), take a go-go dance lesson (8:45 p.m.) or get a barn dance-style workout with Paul Tyler and the Fiddle Club of the World (7:30-9:30 p.m.).

Details: 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave. Free. / MAP

8. Marvel

Toy soldiers and other small sculptures get a big spotlight this weekend when the Military Miniature Society of Illinois presents its 43rd annual Chicago Show, featuring hundreds of hand-painted figures, vehicles, aircraft, ships and more representing a range of historical periods and topics, including military, sports, science fiction, movies and fantasy. Extras include an auction, seminars, and vendors selling kits, art supplies and more.

Details: 3-8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Chicago Marriott-Schaumburg, at 50 Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $10; free for kids under age 12 and active military with proper ID. / MAP

9. Caffeinate

Twenty-four hours of anything might drive you nuts, but that theory is really put to the test at the 24-hour horror film fest The Massacre. The lineup kicks off with the 1907 short silent film “The Red Spectre” and concludes—yes, some 24 hours later—with the 1990 classic “Night of the Living Dead.” Tickets include come-and-go access to the theater, plus retail and food vendors, short films, and special guests.

Details: Doors open 11 a.m. Saturday at the Patio Theater, 6008 W. Irving Park Road. $20-$25. / MAP

Get comfortable. The Patio Theater sets the scene for a 24-hour fright fest. (Emily / Flickr)Get comfortable. The Patio Theater sets the scene for a 24-hour fright fest. (Emily / Flickr)

10. Laugh

Talk radio hosts and humorists Stephanie Miller, John Fugelsang and Frangela hit the road once more for Stephanie Miller’s Sexy Liberal Resistance Tour. Joined by special guest U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, the show skewers politics in the era of Trump. It’s “a show for every American who’s uneasy with putting a landlord with a reality show in charge of fighting ISIS,” the website states.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. $52-$92. / MAP

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.


Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors