Thu 4/10
It’s the time of year for birds to start gathering nesting materials and squirrels popping out of their tree hideaways. Tonight, a bunny will show up in Schaumburg, but be wary of getting too close—this one definitely has a bite. Legendary drag performer Lady Bunny brings her acerbic humor and groan-inducing gags that “go there” to Chicago Improv at the Woodfield Mall this evening, and the show title says it all: Don’t Bring the Kids!
7 PM, 5 Woodfield Mall, Store K120B, Schaumburg, $35 ($50 VIP for premium seating) plus two-item minimum food or drink purchase required, 21+, improv.com/chicago
Fri 4/11
The National Public Housing Museum opened last week, and its existence is unique amongst institutions that have received federal capacity-building funding. The main building used to be one of the Jane Addams buildings in the Chicago Housing Authority’s near-west-side ABLA Homes development, and the museum’s origins can be traced back to the residents’ desires. Community leader Deverra Beverly and others began campaigning for a memorialization of the presence of public housing in Chicago soon after the city and the CHA started to demolish units in the 90s; the museum, which includes installations of restored public housing apartments and an archive of oral histories culled from former residents, is a fitting celebration of community.
Wed and Fri–Sun, 10 AM–5 PM, Thu 10 AM–8 PM, general admission free to all, Historic Apartment tours $25, $15 students, seniors, and children, 919 S. Ada, nphm.org
Sat 4/12
Yoga, stretching, and other movement work can open up the mind–body connection (and let loose other kinds of passages, as anyone who’s been in a crowded hot yoga studio has smelled), but some of us can get distracted by the soothing, new age music that tends to accompany the meditative art. Thankfully, there are options: today’s Doom Movement Yoga session promises 60 minutes of Hatha and Vinyasa style flows set to a soundtrack of “rhythmic doom metal” sure to soothe the hesher within.
12:30 PM (doors 12:15 PM), Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, $20 (includes a Toke THC seltzer), 21+, gmantavern.com
This weekend is full of local vendor and maker markets for those interested in doing some spring sprucing up! Today, the Empty Bottle hosts Handmade Market Chicago, featuring over 30 local handmade artists and their wares. It’s free to browse, the bar will be open, and Pizza Friendly Pizza will be open for brunch next door.
Noon–4 PM, 1035 N. Western, minors admitted when accompanied by an adult guardian. handmadechicago.com
The massive and overwhelming Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) brings all the cosplayers to our front yard this weekend (specifically, McCormick Place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). This means that public sightings of people in costumes will be up in the evenings. Bassline in the South Loop is celebrating with Multiverse of Afters, an “unofficial after rave” hosted by Collective Media and EDM Chicago. Cosplayers and costumes are encouraged.
9 PM–3 AM, 2239 S. Michigan, $20–$30, 21+, wamitickets.com/events/735
Sun 4/13
Three at the market: Hyde Park Handmade (organized by Reader alum Vera Videnovich) returns to the Promontory and concentrates on south-side craft, fashion, and food vendors. DJ Sean Alvarez provides soul and other sounds for smooth shopping.
11 AM–3 PM, 5311 S. Lake Park West, free to browse, all ages, instagram.com/hydeparkbazaar
The Ramova Theatre hosts a monthly Community Market featuring local artists, makers, and farmers selling their wares in the lobby and beer garden. Kids’ activities are planned, and shoppers with friendly dogs are welcome to hang out with them in the outdoor market area (service animals welcome everywhere).
11 AM–4 PM, 3520 S. Halsted, free to browse, all ages, ramovachicago.com
On the north side, Schubas hosts their fourth annual Schubas Garage Sale this afternoon, which offers an array of vintage and upcycled clothing vendors this year, as well as home decor and possibly extra treasures from the music venue. DJs from CHIRP Radio will be spinning.
Noon–4 PM, 3159 N. Southport, free to browse, all ages, lh-st.com
Wed 4/16
Curator Giovanni Aloi worked with the Driehaus Museum to invite contemporary artists to select a part of the museum’s collection, study the item’s history, and respond with site-specific installations. The resulting exhibition, “A Tale of Today: Materialities,” features work from 14 artists and art groups that investigate both the culture of the institution and the actual materials that make up its building. It’s on view through Sunday, April 27.
Wed 11 AM–7 PM, Thu–Sun 11 AM–5 PM, 50 E. Erie, $20, $15 students and seniors, free for children 12 and under and active military, free for all on Wednesday evenings from 4–7 PM, driehausmuseum.org
More in NEWS & CITY LIFE
The news you should know in the city you love.
On April 1, Cook County began a long-discussed process to consolidate parallel electronic monitoring programs under the Office of the Chief Judge.
Plus: Pritzker vetoes a bill to protect warehouse workers, Tony’s Fresh Market rejects union push, and more labor news from across the state.
Plus: Anthony Quezada confirmed to City Council and the latest on striking tenants.
Upcoming events and activities you should know about
An effort to shutter a registry for violent convictions raises questions about how Illinois should treat people who’ve completed prison sentences for gun violence.
The Turnaway Play addresses de facto bans of the procedure.
