Calendar

First Bites Bash

JANUARY 23

When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive What: Celebrate the city’s acclaimed culinary scene at the official kick-off event for Chicago Restaurant Week, featuring bites from more than 70 of Chicago’s most celebrated chefs. Guests can enjoy tastings from top Chicago restaurants, plus wine, beer, and spirits. This year’s event will feature Host Chef Thai Dang and Host Mixologist Danielle Dang of the James Beard Award-nominated HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen. $125 at choosechicago.com (VIP tickets available with full-sized beverages and an exclusive lounge for $175).

Evil Dead The Musical: The HD Tour

JAN 23 - FEB 29

When: Tues - Sat 7:30 p.m. Where: Greenhouse Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. What: "Evil Dead The Musical" takes all the elements of the cult classic films “The Evil Dead,” “Evil Dead 2,” and “Army of Darkness” and combines them for one of the craziest, funniest, and bloodiest theatrical experiences of all time. Five college students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons. Is it scary? No! Is it gory? No. This is a pure comedy start to finish. With a combination of blood, jokes, cheesy effects, and really awesome musical numbers, “Evil Dead The Musical” is unlike any live show you’ve ever seen. $30-$35 at evildeadtickets.com

Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo

JANUARY 23 - 26

When: Thurs & Fri 12 - 8 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive N, Schaumburg What: Plan all of your outdoor adventures in one convenient stop. Check out a 5,000 gallon fish dank, a fishing simulator, a boat yard, a bird watching seminar and more! $13 at chicagoland.sportshows.com

‘The Allied Race to Victory’

BEGINNING JAN 23

When: Mon 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Tues - Thurs 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Fri & Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sun 12 - 4 p.m. Where: Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 S. Michigan Ave. What: Focusing on the air, land, and sea actions of the United States Army, Army Air Forces, Marine Corps, and Navy, the new exhibit will provide an overview of the battles and actions that led to the Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific in WWII with documents, oral histories, photos and video from collections donated by those who fought the battles. These personal items lend an intimate and firsthand account to the efforts and sacrifices of millions of American servicemembers. The closing date of this exhibit is TBD. Included with $5 museum admission fee.

SoxFest

JANUARY 24 & 25

When: Fri 4 - 10 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Where: McCormick Place West, 2301 S. Indiana Ave. What: The 28th annual fan event is the unofficial start for the 2020 Chicago White Sox season, providing opportunities for autographs, photos and unique experiences with past, current and future stars of the Chicago White Sox. José Abreu, Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, Yasmani Grandal, Eloy Jiménez, and Yoán Moncada headline a list of 15 current White Sox players scheduled to appear. Friday $45 ($10 children age 3-14) at whitesox. com/soxfest. Saturday-only and two-day passes sold out.

Chicago Danztheatre’s Stories of Chicago

JANUARY 24 & 25

When: 7 p.m. Where: Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium, 1650 W. Foster Ave. What: Stories of Chicago highlights the socio-political limitations and cyclical systemic oppression that people of color experience by exploring the Civil Rights movement, migration and heritage, and acknowledging the influence of white privilege on a broad and local scale. Featuring performance works by Dance Loop Chicago, South Chicago Dance Center, and Re:Dance. $25 at the door or $19 in advance at danztheatre.org

Danztheatre's Stories of Chicago: See January 24 & 25

Chicago Danztheatre photo

Chicago Restaurant Week

JAN 24 - FEB 9

When & Where: Various What: During Chicago Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy special prix fixe menus at more than 400 restaurants throughout Chicago and nearby suburbs. These multi-course meals are $24 for brunch or lunch, and $36 and/or $48 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity). For a full list of participating restaurants, visit choosechicago.com

Uchi-Con

JANUARY 25

When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Where: Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St. What: Anime festival featuring gaming, cinema, and Asian culture with vendors, speakers, panels, workshops, and a cosplay contest at 1:30 p.m. FREE.

Mac & Cheese Crawl

JANUARY 25

When: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Where: Starting at Moe’s Cantina River North, 155 W. Kenzie St. What: Hot servings of mac & cheese from area restaurants during a bar crawl through River North. $10 admission includes seven mac & cheese servings, drink specials, and giveaways at macandcheesecrawl.weebly.com

Chicago Polar Bear Club Polar Plunge

JANUARY 25

When: 12 - 1 p.m. Where: Oak Street Beach, Lake Shore Drive & Division Street What: Throw on your best costume, and check a crazy item off your bucket list -- all while doing some good: helping to fundraise for local families in need of our support by jumping into icy Lake Michigan! Registration is $40 at chicagopolarbearclub.com

Polar Adventure Days

JANUARY 25

When: 12 - 4 p.m. Where: Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Drive What: Explore Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals (Siberian huskies, wolves, birds of prey and more), engage in winter activities (exploring in snowshoes, hot cocoa stroll) and create nature-inspired crafts. Dress for the weather as events take place both outdoors and inside the visitor center. FREE. $3 cash-only parking available.

Global Connections: Chinese New Year

JANUARY 25

When: 1 - 5 p.m. Where: Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. What: Usher in the “Year of the Rat” with a traditional Chinese New Year celebration presented with the Chinese Fine Arts Society, this vibrant display of cultural expression features festive décor, bold costumes, customary music and more. Authentic Chinese cuisine from participating restaurants will be available for purchase. FREE.

Global Connections: Chinese New Year: See January 25

Winter Brew 2020

JANUARY 25

When: 1-4:30 p.m./6:30-10 p.m. Where: DANK Haus German Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave. What: Each winter the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce takes the Chicago Street Festival scene indoors! The event takes place with local breweries from around Chicago who set up in the 5th floor ballroom and 6th floor skyline lounge. Each brewery will showcase at least two different craft beers, with some limited releases being offered. $15 at lincolnsquare.org. 21+.

Cash for Kids

JANUARY 25

When: 5 p.m. - 1 a.m. Where: Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. What: Chicago's only Johnny Cash Festival and fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Cash for Kids is a celebration of the creativity, vibe and spirit of Johnny Cash and the Carter Family’s contribution to American music. Enjoy 10 bands on 3 stages and join musicians and music lovers as they come together in the fight against pediatric brain tumors. Featuring the Waco Brothers, Hayden Thompson, Iron Horse, the Dark Passengers and more. $25 at the door or $20 in advance at team.curethekids.org.

Bald Eagle Watch Weekend

JANUARY 25 & 26

When: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Starved Rock Lodge, 2688 E. 873rd Road, Oglesby; Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, 950 N. 27th Rd., Ottawa; Starved Rock Visitors Center, 2668 E. 873 Rd., Ottawa What: The two-day event offers many programs, activities and exhibits occurring simultaneously at three locations. They are all within a short driving distance or take the trolley that conveniently connects all venues. Hop on and hop off with a $2 all-day armband available for purchase on the trolley. FREE.

Pure Drawing: Seven Centuries of Art from the Gray Collection

JAN 25 - MAY 10

When: Sat - Tues 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wed - Fri 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Where: Art Institute Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. What: One of America’s foremost art dealers, Richard Gray, along with his wife, the art historian Mary L. Gray, amassed over the course of nearly 50 years a remarkable collection of drawings representing 700 years of Western art. Included with Art Institute admission.

#MeToo founder Tarana Burke for MLK Celebration

JANUARY 27

When: 12 p.m. Where: Northwestern Chicago Campus, Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago Ave. What: 2017 TIME Person Of The Year Tarana Burke shares the story behind the genesis of the viral #MeToo Movement, and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment. FREE.

MLK Commemoration Celebration

JANUARY 28

When: 6 p.m. Where: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave. What: Join the University of Chicago as it honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on our collective responsibility to work toward a more equitable society. Keynote speakers include Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr., who marched in Selma with King, and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ. FREE.

-compiled by Dave Hamilton