Chicago Earth Day Events
You’ve got a whole world of deals in your hands on Earth Day.If you forgot to show your support of our planet by switching off lights and electrical appliances during Earth Hour last month, you get a second chance. April 22 marks Earth Day, an event launched in 1970 to raise social awareness of our environment. These days, the world-wide “holiday” boasts all kinds of festivities, including an event on the National Mall in Washington, DC, that draws hundreds of thousands of people. Here in Chicago, you can show your support by volunteering at various sites around the city and stopping by one of these Chicago restaurants and bars to celebrate Earth.
Farmerie 58
April 17-25
The new-ish River North restaurant is paying its respects to Earth for a whole week, offering a three-course prix-frix menu for $33. Diners can enjoy a selection of sustainable and locally grown dishes from Chef Nathan Kosakowski, produced with such ingredients as Miller Poultry Amish chicken, local honey and spring peas. The green-friendly menu will include such dishes as grilled ramp soup, wild mushroom salad, Great Lakes perch, Amish chicken breast, Pacific halibut, honey panna cotta and a chocolate tart.
On Earth Day, Farmerie will be donating partial proceeds from the evening to Friends of the Parks, a designated park advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve, protect and improve the city’s parks and forest preserves.
Sweet Cakes
April 21-26
Stop into this Ukrainian Village bakery to receive discounts and giveaways as the place “renews its vow” to maintain a green business. Already utilizing compostable and biodegradable cups, plates, utensils and straws, Sweet Cakes would like to encourage all customers to become a little greener. The bakery will have a week-long collection for the Alliance for the Great Lakes, an organization focused on maintaining clean lakes through education, habitat recovery and improved water quality.
La Madia
April 22
Customers stopping into this contemporary pizzeria on Earth Day will dine by candlelight and be offered the Late Night Fixe, which includes a salad and pizza of your choice accompanied by a glass of the wine of the week or select beer for $27.
Opera
April 20-26
The South Loop Asian-fusion eatery will celebrate Earth Day with a special menu consisting of organic Asian green salad, 5-spice-crusted lamb rack and organic lemongrass and agave sorbet.
Stretch Run
April 22
The sports-crazed River North bar offers environment-themed drink specials including the $4.50 Red Mountain Range martini (vodka, triple sec, Rose’s lime juice and cranberry juice) and the $4.50 Starry Night shot (Jager and Goldschlager).
Cityscape Bar
April 22
Head to the 15th floor of Holiday Inn Mart Plaza to get a great view of Earth’s (ok, mostly man’s) creations and celebrate the holiday at Cityscape. Organic drink specials are on the menu for Earth Day with all Tru organic vodka and Tru organic vanilla vodka drinks going for $5.00. You’ll also find $4 bottles of Peak organic amber ale and $5 glasses of Clos Du Bois chardonnay and organic sauvignon blanc.
Hard Rock Cafe
April 22, 9 p.m.
Local rock band Maggie Speaks kicks off its 2009 Listen Green Tour with a $10 show at Hard Rock Cafe. In addition to performing, the band will educate the audience on all the methods it’ll be using on tour, including reusable water bottles, low-wattage lights, a more fuel-efficient van and more. All of the proceeds will go toward Keep Chicago Beautiful, a non-profit organization that works with the Chicago area’s business community, schools, neighborhoods and government agencies to improve the environment through education, public awareness and community involvement.
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Party After Pride
With Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade just around the corner (Sunday, June 28 at noon – and don’t forget Pride Fest on Friday and Saturday), it’s time to start planning the after-party. These local bars, clubs and parking lots (yes, parking lots) have already handled the details, now all you have to do is show up.
Beat the heat at Sidetrack
Established in 1982 with no signs and beer cases as seating, this Boystown bar doubled in size within two years; today it’s one of the largest gay pubs in the city. The spacious, steel-clad interior boasts several sectioned-off areas including a swank outdoor patio and a rooftop deck. And while it’s bound to be packed on parade day, it’s still one of the few bars where your chances of carrying on a conversation are likely. That might have a little something to do with Sidetrack’s lack of a dance floor, though the stageless interior has never stopped the club’s slick crowd from busting a move. You can even beat the parade heat by watching the festivities from Sidetrack’s air-conditioned interior (open at 11 a.m.) while slurping down one of its popular fruit-fueled, liquor-infused slushees.
Disco all day at Crew & Wild Pug
Located in Uptown next to the historic Green Mill, this gay sports bar is just far enough from the parade route to keep things (somewhat) calm. And because nobody wants to miss out on the festivities, Crew will wait to open its doors until after the parade at 3 p.m. To celebrate, the pub will be decked out in a disco theme, complete with dancing at the adjacent Wild Pug bar. But before you hit the dance floor, we suggest fueling up with a little something from Crew’s menu, like pulled-pork sandwiches, mini corn dogs or beer-battered chicken strips. Those looking to stay fit for summer can opt for one of Crew’s freshly made salads or wraps; we recommend the fire-grilled cobb salad with spicy-marinated chicken or the vegetarian’s revenge wrap with grilled black bean patty, veggies and jack cheese on a whole wheat tortilla. But hey, no one’s gonna blame you if you head straight for the booze, especially when Crew boasts more than 60 domestic and imported brews like Bell’s Oberon, Blue Moon, Delirium and Red Stripe.
Fill your face at Big Chicks
Venture a few blocks north (and a little to the east) of Crew and you’ll find Big Chicks, where plenty of men and women come to kick it on Sundays for the pub’s infamous free buffet. This Uptown favorite is a bit removed from the parade route, making it the ideal getaway for those looking to escape the madness. But that doesn’t mean you’re in store for peace and quiet, as Big Chicks is almost always packed with loyal locals.
Bust a move at Berlin
We can’t think of a popular gay bar where you won’t find at least some trace of dancing, but this is the place to go if you’re itchin’ to show off some salacious moves?because at Berlin, anything goes. The club is known for bringing in some of the hottest names in DJing and its post-Pride party is no exception. Expect plenty of crazy lights and old school favorites, as the ’90s dance show kicks off with a lineup of DJs, including The Lady Speedstick, Butch Cassidy, Lady Miss Navy Pier, Nina Ramone and John Twatters.
Get down with Girl Blast at Ann Sather (Belmont)
La Tache Owner Lynne Malec will host Chicago’s biggest post-pride party for women from 1-10 p.m. in Ann Sather’s parking lot. The 11th annual Girl Blast will feature burgers, hot dogs, cocktails and guest DJs all day long for just $12 (you could also win a seven-day Alaskan cruise). Guests can also head over to La Tache, where Malec will offer the restaurant’s signature martinis, like the Andersonville (vodka, rum, pineapple juice) and the Riviera (vodka, Campari, orange juice, soda) for a measly six bucks each. In addition to the discounted drinks, a selection of French-inspired desserts will be offered at half-price, including a trio of gelatos, profiteroles, chocolate-raspberry layer cake and key lime pie.
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Being single means one of two things: you’re either unlucky in love, or you’re lucky enough to be free. If you live in the city, where there are just as many parties for singles as there are for couples, we’d say it’s the latter. Check out these Chicago events that prove Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers.
The girls of Belmont Burlesque will break your heart, if you let ‘em.
The Broken Hearts Burlesque Ball at Abbey Pub
Friday, February 13, 9 p.m.; $15
Think about it: how often can you get away with watching half-naked ladies and gents prance around when you’re in a committed relationship? Pretty much never. Now, aren’t you relieved that you won’t need to ask permission from the old ball and chain this year? The risque romp, otherwise known as the Broken Hearts Burlesque Ball, will feature a tantalizing lineup of performers from Belmont Burlesque. Featured players include Pearl Pistol, Red Hot Annie, Backdoor Aly, Hot Toddy, Dizzy Lizzy Delicious, The Honey Buns, The Amazing Tomas, the Belmont Bombshells and DJ Joe Black of Midnight Spookshow, who will spin between each set. Guests are encouraged to go all out with festive black, red or burlesque-inspired costumes (think stilettos, corsets and glitter); cash prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed.
Valentine Massacre at Cobra Lounge
Friday, February 13, 9 p.m.; free
Cobra Lounge knows what it’s like to suffer from a bloody, broken heart. And the popular club also knows how to put on a bloody show where things will likely be broken. The love-loathing Valentine Massacre kicks off with a burlesque show, featuring Miss Maya Sinstress and Kendra James. The Reverend B. Dangerous will also host a virtual freak show during which he drives nails into his body, while the metal band Skank thrashes over Cobra’s sound system. The romance-bashing festivities will continue on Valentine’s Day with a live performance at 9 p.m. from The Chamber Strings, Kevin Tihista’s Red Terror and Lonesome Cougar with Dorian Taj. Stoli and Kilo Kai drinks will be offered for just four bucks each, and with no cover, you’ll have plenty of dough to splurge on booze.
Passion and Spice at Le Bar
Friday, February 13, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; free
What better day to ward off love, or find a new flame, than Friday the 13th? That’s when Le Bar, located in the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, will pamper a select group of single guys and gals with a series of cocktails ($12 each) created by mixologist DJ Love. First, Love will take guests through the first stage of romance (and maybe even spark some among the crowd) with the Passion and Spice, a mix of agave nectar, cayenne peppers, cherry liquor and tequila. Next is Aphrodite’s Chalice with raspberries, rose champagne and gin. And finally, there’s Cupid’s Arrow, a symbolic drink of commitment, with Veev, lychee puree and rose champagne. The first 25 guys and 25 gals to arrive will receive gift bags packed with certificates to local spas and restaurants, cosmetic cases, leather-encased playing cards and shopping deals from Bloomingdales.
Shred Your Ex at Stretch Run
Saturday, February 14, 4 p.m.; free
If you’re looking to get lucky on Valentine’s Day, but don’t have a date lined up, head over to Stretch Run. The downtown sports bar will play matchmaker when it opens its doors to some of Chicago’s finest bachelors and bachelorettes. Drink specials range from $4-$5 and include the Love Buster with Disaronno, champagne and orange juice, the Forget About Your Ex martini with vodka, pomegranate liqueur, Chambord, lime juice and champagne and the Heartbreaker with Chambord, peach schnapps, vodka and a mixture of orange, pineapple and cranberry juices. If cocktails aren’t really your thing, the bar will offer all of its drafts for just $4. Bring a picture of your ex to shred and score free chocolate strawberries or a fried pickle.
Jake Melnick’s Besame Margarita should put you in a romantic mood, even if you just had a bad breakup. No Drama at Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
Saturday, February 14, 9 p.m.; free
Keeping in line with the bar’s casual atmosphere, Jake Melnick’s is hosting a drama-free singles event (we recommend burning those photos of your ex before heading over). In addition to the regular lineup of 150 domestic and imported beers, guests will enjoy a festive selection of craft brews, including Magic Hat #9, Founders Double Chocolate Breakfast Stout and half-price Leinenkugel Red bottles. Ladies can sip on $5 Valentine-inspired cocktails like the Pama Kiss with vanilla vodka, pomegranate liqueur and champagne or the Besame Margarita, a blend of Patron Silver and pomegranate liqueur. Additionally, all ladies will receive complimentary handmade chocolate bon bons to pair with their sweet drinks, while the guys score free condoms from Magic Hat Brewing reps. Jake’s full dinner menu will be served until 11 p.m. and a $5 late-night menu, featuring a selection of salads and fried grub, will be offered beginning at 9 p.m. Also, there’s no cover, so you can splurge on drinks all night while dancing to the sounds of DJ Tecknique.
“Love Hurts” Tribute at Fat Cat
Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m.; free
Love hurts, and so do tributes to cheesy ?70s songs. But that’s not stopping Fat Cat from rocking out to a cover of Nazareth’s famous 1975 hit, “Love Hurts.” The event is open to both singles and couples, but the breakup-inspired drinks are a warning to any canoodling types not to get too cozy. The bitter list includes poisons for those seeking vengeance against their exes, with names like The Cheating Bastard, The Dirty Bitch and The Breakup, $5 each. Food specials are just as brooding with a “Hit the Road Jack” half-pound burger and a “Call Me When You’re Sober” PBR-infused chili, $8.95 each.
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