Chicago Weekend Fun!

Last weekend I took a break from the weekend reviews, but not I am back with your weekly dose of entertainment options this weekend! Chicago has turned chilly with fall winds and colored leaves this week. I walk to the train in a scarf and gloves in addition to the wool coat now.  I have noticed that more people are opting to stay in on weeknights and weekends since the weather is changing. I recommend getting out now before it becomes oppressively cold. Enjoy those last few trips walking along the lake and wandering in town shopping before you can’t be outside for more than a few minutes.

Christmas is also starting to arrive as we prepare for Halloween. The Macy’s on State Street (Formerly Marshall Fields) and the Bloomingdales Home Store downtown are all decked out for Christmas already. You can get a jump on your Christmas shopping now, or shop online this holiday season. But, we still have to dress up for Halloween, carve some pumpkins and gourds, eat a ton of Halloween candy and have a huge Thanksgiving Turkey dinner with the family first! Check back in a few weeks for more details about what is happening in Chicago over the holidays.

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Friday October 26

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Friday night is Go out to a Movie Theater night!

New Movie Reviews - Opening This Weekend:

Dan in Real Life: Steve Carrel keeps his comedic movie career going with this new romantic comedy about a guy that covets his brother’s girlfriend and has interesting kids.    

Saw 4: No one needs to see these tortuous gruesome films. Avoid at all cost.

Rails & Ties: This movie was directed by Clint Eastwood’s daughter Allison Eastwood. It stars Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden and is about a train accident and the aftermath for the people involved.

Music Within:A soldier comes back from Vietnam with hearing impairment and finds a new place in the world as an advocate for the handicapped community.

Bella: This is said to be like the movie “Once” but set in New York city. Just 2 people enjoying the randomness of their meeting and crossing paths that moment in time. If it is half as good as once it is worth seeing. (I’m adding Once to my netflix queue now)

Gone Baby Gone: A film directed by Ben Affleck, since acting hasn’t really gone so well for him latley. He cast his brother in the lead role of the investigator trying to figure out the crime of a child abduction. Its not a funny movie at all, its a serious drama type. And Google’s ratings are all 5 stars right now.

Nothing interesting here? Check out these recent films that are still going strong at the box office:

Michael Clayton, Rendition, We Own the Night and The Game Plan

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Saturday October 27

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Halloween Parties and Clubs in Chicago with Halloween events this weekend: If you are looking to get your drink on with costumes.

Creepfest 312-654-0234
If Enclave’s is creeped out for halloween and it includes a creepy three-hour cocktail reception (9 p.m.-midnight) Costumes Required and Encouraged. 9 pm Saturday. $30. 220 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 312-654-0234. Tickets: chicagotwentysomething.com.

Halloween Frenzy 773-278-6600
Bands are playing at Subterranean and its a dancing halloween night. Opens at 9:30 pm on Saturday ONLY $5. @ 2011 W. North Avenue Chicago, IL. 773-278-6600.

Haunted House Music Bash 708-536-8455
The Congress Theatre features House music legend Lidell Townsell live @ (10 p.m.), and 15 more DJs bring the party home all night and morning long. Starts at 8 pm on Saturday. Tix: $25-$30 Address: 2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 708-536-8455. Tickets: ticketmaster Yo.

Nocturna Halloween Ball
Horror Films, Costume Contests and a Scary DJ are all going to turn the House of Blues Orange. Doos open @ 11 pm Saturday. $10-$15 (18+ only). Address: 329 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 312-923-2000. Tickets through ticketmaster or HOB box office.

Mix ‘n Mash Bash 773-528-7569
When they give you a 500.00 bar tab for winning a costume contest you kinda gotta show up right? Go Mix. Opens at 9 pm Saturday. $30 Address: 2843 N. Halsted Street Chicago, IL Call 773-528-7569 for more information.

X-ecutioner’s Ball VI 312-266-1944
Grrrr ok, the gory horror fans only need apply here at Excalibur. (as if it isn’t creepy enough regularly?) You can win $1,000 cash at Excalibur’s big deal party. 7 pm Saturday. $10-$15 Excalibur Address: 632 N. Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 312-266-1944

RedEye/Metromix Halloween Bash 312-644-0100
The newspaper funded bash is at 10pin Bowling Lounge this year, which is a small venue. Go hit some pins and scare up some guys phone numbers at 9 pm on Saturday. $35 10 Pin Bowling Alley Address: 330 North State Street, Chicago, IL a part of the HOB complex now known as the Hotel SAX. Call 312-644-0100 for info and Tickets thrugh redeyechicago.com

Double Door Halloween Bash
Double Halloween Fun at DoubleDoor party. Bands get costumed more than normal as The Last Vegas as Alice Cooper, The Midnight Shows as Boy George and more at 9 pm Saturday. $12 cover charge. The Double Door is located at 1572 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL. Call 773-489-3160 or go online to ticketmaster.com for tix.

Sidetrack’s Halloween Party 773-477-9189
Sidetracks apparently just has the parade on a screen as entertainment, and alcohol of course. Check it out if you’re bored. And they have a costume contest later for $500 @ 10 pm. 7 pm Halloween Wednesday Oct 31. Free, No cover. Address: 3349 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL call 773-477-9189.

The Coffin Banger’s Monster Mash Party 847-345-4008
Not sure what to say about this one, it’s the first of it’s kind. Do the monster mash.

Halloween Masque Bash 312-733-2222
Like Absinthe? Come get some at Lumen’s Halloween party with green glow. @ 8 pm Wednesday October 31. $15-$20. 839 West Fulton Market Street, Chicago, IL 312-733-2222

Metromix ‘Scareoke’ Party 773-348-5600
Our Halloween-night bash at Victory Liquors is the only karaoke contest in town where you’ll actually win prizes for having the worst voice. If the crooning is too much to bear, just drown it out bobbing for shots. 7 pm Wednesday October 31. FREE No cover. 2610 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 773-348-5600.

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Sunday October 28

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Howl’oween Dog Parade in Chicago – Dress up your doggie and go see the parade. From 1 to 3pm and it’s Free! Located at the Museum of Contemporary Art on 220 E. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Call (312) 280-2660 for more info: Sunday, October 28, 2007

Chicago Antique Market – I Love antique markets. I could spend days going through stuff and exploring. I rarely buy things there though because if someone knows it’s an antique they probably know its value and have marked up the prices. The rule of thumb is not to fall in love with something, try and know its value before you go with a book or online research and only buy if you can get a good deal. They love it when someone wanders in from the neighborhood not intending to buy anything and then walks off with a $500.00 fireplace mantle that they have no idea where to put. This market is at 1350 Block of West Randolph and inside the historic Plumbers Hall. 9am-5pm general admission $8 both days and 7:30am early outdoor buying Saturday only for $20. chicagoantiquemarket.com

Childrens Halloween Party 10/27/2007 from 10:00 am to Noon @ the Farmer’s Market – Join us for Halloween fun for kids of all ages. Costume contest, face painting, apple cider making demonstration, craft project (make a goody bag to be used for trick or treating with farmers/vendors) chicagogreencitymarket.org

Bonus: Halloween is Wednesday October, 31 so get your favorite costume and wear it to work just to scare your coworkers.