If like me you're on other entertainment mailing lists, you've been
swamped with ads for parties at the Congress Plaza, Hard Rock Cafe,
Drake, Hyatt, Rive, Transit, White Star, Grand Ballroom, etc.
Frankly, YOU COULDN'T PAY ME to go to any of them! For those
seeking something less pretentious, I recommend these inclusive,
creative and inexpensive NYE events:
TimeBomb at Charybdis (art, bands, free beer and games all night for
under $30), raves at the Congress Theatre and in Wisconsin for $30 or
less, mega-debauchery at Berlin for only $10, and vast family fun in
Evanston and Navy Pier for $10 or less. Runners-up for clubbing: Neo,
Circus, Exit, Double Door and Pazzo's.
NEW FEATURE!!!http://Bedno.com now has a MAP link for
every event! Check it out.
NEW PHOTOS!!! There's ton's of new shots at http://bedno.com/photos.php from the last few busy
weeks. Come see Charybdis, Rainbo, holiday decorated houses, the
Christmas rave and more!
See ya next year ;)
RECOMMENDED: * Ongoing: Fiddler on the
Roof at Shubert Theatre. * Fr-Su: Mayor's Holiday
Sports Festival at McCormick Place. * Fr-Su: Dark Star Orchestra
at Vic Theatre. * Fr-Su: Timebomb at
Charybdis. * Fr: Bang at Crobar. * Fr: Cosmix at Berlin. * Sa: Indus Recording Artists
at Subterranean. * Su: New Years Eve. * Su: Last Race of the Year
5K at Loyola Park. * Su: Bulls host New Jersey
at United Center. * Su: Navy Pier
Festivities. * Su: Safe Alcohol-free
Family Events Nights everywhere. * Su: First Night in
Evanston. * Su: The Second Coming rave
in Wisconsin. * Su: Third Eye Blind, The
Jayhawks, Nina Gordon at House of Blues. * Su: Bring It Home rave at
Congress Theatre. * Su: NYE 2001 "A Space
Odyssey" at Circus. * Su: Crystal Countdown at
Navy Pier. * Su: Rock-n-Roll Ball at
Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. * Su: "It Came From Planet
Berlin" at Berlin. * Su: Ano Nuevo at Hot
House. * Su: Party at Joe's Sports
Bar. * Su: ODDITY at Neo. * Su: Party by Srin and DJ
Mark Centennial at Pazzo's. * Su: Timebomb at
Charybdis. * Su: YOUR FAVORITE
HANGOUT. * Su: 2001: A Rock Odyssey at
Double Door. * Su: Free buses and trains
on CTA. * Mo: New Years Day. * Mo: TV MARATHONS. * Tu: Bulls host Milwaukee at
United Center. * Tu: BattleBots 2. * Tu: Nocturna NEW LOCATION
at Metro. * We: Bass By The Pound -
Seminar at Big Wig. * We: Lunacy at Crobar. * Th: Bulls host Washington
at United Center. * Th: Adult Skate w/ Bar at
Rainbo Roller Rink.
Seasonal:
Stereo Exchange Holiday Sale. Audio and video, car and home,
used and new. -2000.12.31 Mo/Fr -7p, We -5p, Sa -4p. 12p.
Gotta plug my dear friend Dave's Blow Out on high and low end
electronics, DVD, TVs, turntables, stereos, DJ gear, auto, vintage.
Also sales, repairs, installation and computer service. Stereo Exchange, 773/784-0004, 4743 N Western. Near Lawerence
and Lincoln. MAP http://TurntableRepair.com
Collection of Holiday Songs, Recipes and Stories. -2001.01.02
Yearly. All ages. Free.
Check out this terrific comprehensive set of popular holiday songs,
recipes and stories. Also available for PDAs. http://bedno.com/winter
Hanukkah. A Jewish holiday, begins at sunset, lasts eight days.
-2000.12.29.
Marks the reconsecration of the temple of Jerusalem and the miracle of
the lamp. http://judaism.about.com
Mayor's Holiday Sports Festival. Almost 100 different courts
planned. -Sunday All ages. Fr 1-6p, Sa 10a-5p, Su 11a-4p.
Floor hockey, 3 on 3 basketball, nerf football, soccer, volleyball team
tournaments. There is a charge and deadline to register is 12.15! Also
free climbing wall, pingpong, badminton, fishing, kidz zones, etc.
312/744-3315 http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore. South Building. MAP http://www.mccormickplace.com
Fiddler on the Roof. -2001.01.07 All ages. $23-60 Tu-Su various
times.
Shubert Theatre, 22 W Monroe. Downtown. MAPTicketMaster:312/902-1500.
Now playing.
The Family Man, What Women Want, Dungeons and Dragons, Grinch, Rugrats
in Paris, Unbreakable, The Sixth Day, Charlies Angels, Little Nicky,
Pay It Forward, ... http://bedno.com/movies
WAY too much GREAT dance and theater and comedy and poetry to
cover.
Get yourself a Reader or NewCity magazine. Hundreds of city locations.
*Timebomb! (eve). The Annihilation of the Millenium.
-2000.12.30 18+ $10 (doors 8p) 9p-?a.
"An explosive act of poetic terrorism. Chaos, revolution, anarchy,
activism, and apocalyptic manifestations of all art forms are on the
menu." Great new 120'x120' space. Now featuring giant slide, swings,
cargo climbing nets, minute of fame video booth, percussion structures,
pinball, skee-ball, video games, dome hockey, skater half-pipe, visual
art, sculpture, graffiti, installations, and much more.
Entertainers:
12.29: Naked & Shameless, I Love Rich, (drum&bass)DJ Four/4.
12.30: Magnesium, Dark Ritual, Decoy, DJ Gregor Mortis. Charybdis, 773/427-9970, 4423 N Milwaukee. Near I 94, 5 blocks
from Blue Line Montrose stop. MAP http://www.charybdisarts.com
Bang. "The Quality Of Sound". Fridays 21+ $15+ 10p-4a.
Resident Chris Gin with visiting heavyweight headliner David Waxman.
Always well produced, nice change of scene with Hiroki in the mezz.
Lots of house, crowded late. Dress well, no tennis shoes. Crobar, 312/413-7000, 1543 N Kingsbury. No public transit. MAP http://www.crobarnightclub.com
Indus Recording Artists. Hip-Hop and more. 21+ $5+ 10p-?a.
Rubberoom, Earatik Statik, Thawfor, Franco American, The Opus
Productins, Djz Rude One, Doc West, Stizo, Jay Bird. Hosted by AMC of
WNUR 89.3. http://www.earatikstatik.com Subterranean, 773/278-6600, 2011 W North. North and Milwaukee in
Wicker Park. MAP
Sunday 2000.12.31:
New Years Eve. Yearly.
Last day of the year. Typically observed with a countdown to midnight,
at which time one kisses the nearest person. Celebrate with confetti
and champagne. http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear
Last Race of the Year 5K. Athletes United for Peace. Yearly.
$20-25 8a.
*Navy Pier Festivities. Yearly. All ages. Free 2p-12:30a.
In addition to several major private parties, all public facilities at
the Pier will be open for special extended hours! Enjoy the DinoFest,
IMax, Carousel, ice skating and more all the way until the city
fireworks spectacular at 11:40p. Then take the free trolley and CTA
home.
Also some of the cruises still have tickets available. Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. Take the free trolley. MAP http://www.navypier.com
Safe Alcohol-free Family Events (S.A.F.E.) Night (since
1995). Yearly. All ages. Free Various times. 4p.
Sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Substance Abuse Policy. Events at
some fifty locations citywide including community centers, churches,
schools, park district facilities, etc. All include entertainment,
music, games, food and activities for all ages. See site for details. 312/747-2606 http://www.cityofchicago.org/SubstanceAbuse/SafeNite.html
*First Night Evanston (since 1993). Becoming an excellent
and pleasant scene. No alcohol. Yearly. All ages. $8-10 6p-?a.
No fireworks this year. Entertainment at over 20 locations, culminating
with a performance by the Midnight Circus. Featuring Jazz at bank,
comedy at library, salsa at church, puppets at YWCA, blues at
bookstore, much much more. See site for details. ALSO: Winter bike ride/parade/decoration contest from Turin's
(1027 Davis) 7-9:30p. http://firstnightevanston.org Davis at Orrington, Evanston. 847/289-4248, Take Purple line to
Main. MAP
A DropBass/N'Joy event. DJs Mark eg, Swamp, Halo, Kenneth Graham, I
Double, Sifu, Dave Trance, Grover, Andrei Morant, Rotatorm. Also Jes
One, Paul Anthony, Miss Hollie, Stan Doublin, Doormouse, Ry-N,
Project:ph612 (Centrific, Cadre, & MK Ultra), Frankie Vega, Loki, Acg3,
and a dozen more. Serious sound and lights, security, vending, water,
restrooms and security. No drugs, alcohol or carry-ins. Pre-sale
(Untitled/Level) gets you a mix-tape and fast entry.
630/415-3158 TBA.http://www.dropbass.net
Third Eye Blind, The Jayhawks, Nina Gordon. 21+ $150 7:30p.
DustTrax presents this year's most conveniently located rave,
promising laughter, smilez and serious music. Three rooms (main,
techno, Catalyst), LIVE PERFORMANCE by Paul Johnson, Dajae sings Auld
Lang Syne at midnt. DJs Terry Mullan, Funk, Angel Alanis, Mazi, Dan
Curtin, Glenn Underground, Robert Armani, Stacy Kidd, Skip, Gant
Garrard, Robert Curcio, Tommie Sunshine, Craig Alexander, Acetate.
Three full service bars! Rave toy vendors. Parking and shuttle bus
available. Excellent cyber lights, lasers, strobes, psychedelics, etc.
773/509-2977 312/409-0618 http://www.dusttraxx.com Congress Theatre, 312/836-5900, 2135 N Milwaukee. MAP
NYE 2001 "A Space Odyssey". 21+ $? 8p-4a.
Advertising "live drum&bass" and circus acts. Premium open bar
8p-midnt, Champagne, prizes, balloons, snax and buffet.
312/397-0580 Circus, 312/266-1200, 901 W Weed. MAP http://www.circuschicago.com
Pure. New Years Eve 2001. 21+ $55 -$85 8p-3a.
Join PURE and UR Magazine as they transform the historic Congress Plaza
Hotel into a clubbers paradise. Featuring DJs John Curley, Bear Who?,
Charles Little, Dayhota, Walsh & Sommer, Angelist. Open bar 9p-midnt.
312/377-7873 http://www.purefuture.com Congress Plaza Hotel, 773/529-0220, 520 S Michigan. Exit I-90 at
Congress Parkway. MAPTicketMaster:312/902-1500. http://www.congresshotel.com
Crystal Countdown. A mature Phil Stefani dinner event w/ big
band dancing. Yearly. All ages. $150 8p-1:30a.
The LOOP (97.9FM) NYE Rock-n-Roll Ball (since
1997). Yearly. 21+ $85 8p-2a.
The Smithereens, KANSAS & Kenny Wayne Sheperd. Includes 10 food and
drink tickets, party favors and dancing in the Tom Tom Lounge. One of
the city's largest parties. Good view of the city fireworks show at
midnight. Simulcast on WLS. Editor is obliged to mention that I heard
bad reviews of last year's event regarding service, crowds and seating. http://www.wlup.com Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. Take the
free trolley. MAP http://www.navypier.com
*"It Came From Planet Berlin". 21+ $10 9p-5a.
DJ Greg Haus hosts a space-age inter-galactic other-worldly
astro-themed party. Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
MAP http://www.berlinchicago.com
Ano Nuevo. Hot Latin Dance Celebration. Ages? $20 9p-?a.
Gypsy flamenco guitarist Tomas de Utrera -10p, then A bailar! with
Orquestra Latira, spanning Caribbean, Central/South American genres.
Includes party favors and champagne toast. Hot House, 312/362-9707, 31 East Balbo. MAP http://www.hothouse.net
NYE party. Michelanjelo and The Nadas. $120 9p-2a.
Top shelf open bar. Sumptuous Catered Buffet. Breakfast buffet after
midnight. Party Favors. Joe's Sports Bar, 312/337-3486, 940 W Weed. MAPTicketMaster:312/902-1500. http://www.joesbar.com
ODDITY. 21+ $? 9p-4a.
"A celebration of the passing year and the next one to come and all the
odd things we can think of. ;) ... performance by Boa ... Magic by the
Amazing Jeffery and his lucious assistant ... DJs CarrieMonster,
Kangal, guest.". http://www.gothicchicago.com Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. MAP
Party by Srin (ex Karma owner) and DJ Mark Centennial.
Exclusive crowd in classy venue. 23+ $100 9p-2a.
Features atrium, wintergarden, two story waterfall, palm trees,
balcony, lounge, glass ceiling windows. Includes four hour premium open
bar, midnight champagne toast, vege friendly buffet dinner, party
favors, valet, coat check. Also DJ Tony T spinning trance, rave,
hip-hop, progressive, Hindi/Bhangra and world. Discount ($139) rooms at
Fairmont available. srinreddy@netzero.net Pazzo's, 312/913-1600, 311 S Wacker. MAPTicketMaster:312/902-1500.
Timebomb! The Annihilation of the Millenium. 21+ $29.99 INCLUDES
LIBATIONS! (doors 8p) 9p-?a.
"An explosive act of poetic terrorism. Chaos, revolution, anarchy,
activism, and apocalyptic manifestations of all art forms are on the
menu." Great new 120'x120' space. Now featuring giant slide, swings,
cargo climbing nets, minute of fame video booth, percussion structures,
pinball, skee-ball, video games, dome hockey, skater half-pipe, visual
art, sculpture, graffiti, installations, and much more.
Entertainers: Pointy Teeth, The Poncey Lads, Oucho Sparks, Apartment,
Prolixon, Royal Space Force, Metronome, more. Charybdis, 773/427-9970, 4423 N Milwaukee. Near I 94, 5 blocks
from Blue Line Montrose stop. MAP http://www.charybdisarts.com
YOUR FAVORITE HANGOUT. Every major club has something going. 9p.
Some of the best not listed here in detail include: Crobar (Glee Club)
312/413-7000, Drink 312/733-7800, Elbo Room 773/549-5549, Empty Bottle
773/276-3600, Excalibur 312/266-1944, Exit 312/395-2700, Funky Buddha
312/666-1695, Fuse 312/932-9289, Dragon Room 312/751-8700, Lakeview
Links 773/975-0505, Liar's Club 773/665-1110, Park West 773/929-5959,
Rainbo 773/271-6200, Signature Room 312/787-9596. http://bedno.com/find.php?s=dance
2001: A Rock Odyssey. Featuring Local-H and guests. 21+ $50
(doors 9p) 10p-?a.
Price includes hosted bar. Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee. Wicker Park, near
Blue line Damen stop. MAPTicketMaster:312/902-1500. http://www.doubledoor.com
The Flaming Lips, Hum. SOLD OUT. 21+ $40 (doors 9p) 10p.
Also Darrell Woodson, Oscar MacMillan, Greg Norwood in SmartBar $30 21+
10p. Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop.
MAP http://www.metrochicago.com
MTV playing 11.5hrs of
Real World starting at 8:30a. SCI playing 42hrs of Twilight Zone starting yesterday
at 8a. TCM shows
Kubrick's 2001 (1968) wide screen twice in a row starting yesterday at
11:30p. http://www.tvguide.com
Ice skating evening for bladers. Wednesdays -2001.02.21 Yearly.
All ages. 5-7:15p.
Meet after work for ice skating. It's free, big, semi-crowded. There's
hot chocolate, snax, and $2-3 skate rentals. Beers at Governors pub
after (7:15p). SoS is open 9a-7:15p (-9:45p Th), closed 30minutes every
2hrs. Special exhibition skaters MWF at 11:20a. Skate On State, 312/744-2898, State between Washington/Randolph.
Red line Washington stop. MAP http://www.cityofchicago.org/events/SkateonState.html
Bass By The Pound - Seminar. THE weekly drum-n-bass scene.
Wednesdays 21+ $7 9p-2a.
J Magik (Infrared Recordings UK) joins residents Gylde, Flipside, etc.
Great tunes, cool decor, good drink selection, teeny dance area,
web-cast! http://www.bassbythepound.com Big Wig, 773/235-9100, 1551 W Division. Near Blue line Division
stop. MAP http://www.bigwignightclub.com
Lunacy. Industrial, SM/tattoos, pretty darn hot. Wednesdays 21+
$5-15 10p-4a.
A fetish friendly dark playground of decadence with go-go girls, buff
boys, visual assualts, bondage and tattoos. Now with Residents Chris
Gin and Mystic Bill spinning, Pat Parsons in the Mezz. Dress well, no
tennis shoes. Ladies free, strange pets welcome, $1.50 drink specials. Crobar, 312/413-7000, 1543 N Kingsbury. MAP http://www.crobarnightclub.com
Women Obsession (since 1990). Mainly a ladies night for
ladies. 1st/2nd/3rd Wednesdays 21+ Free 10p-4a.
Large smooth wood rink, goes through a series of sessions for mixed,
backwards, couples, etc. Hip/Hop, urban, R&B DJ. Some of the roller
skating regulars have awesome moves. Bladers welcome, an excellent
winter option. http://Bedno.com/skate Rainbo Roller Rink, 773/271-6200, 4836 N Clark. MAP http://www.usa-skating.com/usa/locations/chicago.html
Alternative Beat. DJs Laura B and Jen Jameson. Thursdays $0-10
10p-4a.
Simulcast on Q101 midnt-2a. This night is notably good and Karma-like.
Excellent decore, service, lights and sound. Pretty heavy for
mainstream, gets quite crowded after 1a. May also be good Fridays.
We $0 -4a, Th guys $5 -4a, Fr/Sa $10 -5a. Aura, 312/266-2114, 640 N Dearborn. MAP http://www.aceplaces.com/aura/home.html
Attractions:
Mars Exploration Station exhibit. Examines how people will live
there. All ages. $0-5 Free Tuesdays.
Dramatically expanded, much high tech exhibitry. Excellent new web cam.
Mo-Th 9a-5p, Fr 9a-9p, Sa/Su 9a-6p. Adler Planetarium, 312/922-7827 (STAR), 1300 S Lake Shore. MAP http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
NEW: Major show of ancient Egyptian artwork. Masterpieces. Interesting permanent and visiting exhibits.
All ages. Free Tuesdays.
Mo/We/Fr 10:30a-4:30p, Tu/Th 10:30a-8p, Sa/Su 10a-5p. Art Institute of Chicago, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan. MAP http://www.artic.edu
Winter celebrations. World class, easy to get to, great
restaurant. All ages. $7-15 parking.
Now featuring seasonal plants, kid stuff, ice carving demos, more.
Open daily (except xmas) 8a-sunset. Chicago Botanic Gardens, 847/835-5440, 1000 Lake Cook Road,
Glencoe. MAP http://www.chicago-botanic.org
Quality exhibits and activities for young minds. Free Thursdays.
10a-5p Tu-Su.
Botanical art (-2000.12.30). Many other local works. All
ages. Free.
Also: good stuff at the Randolph Cafe daily at 1p, late Thursdays.
Mo-We 10a-7p, Th 10a-9p, Fr 10a-6p, Sa 10a-5p, Su 11a-5p. Chicago Cultural Center, 312/346-3278 (FINE-ART), 78 E
Washington. MAP http://www.cityofchicago.org/Tourism/CulturalCenter
Kremlin Gold: 1000 Years of Russian Gems and Jewels
(-2001.03.30). Star Wars: The Magic of Myth.(-2001.01.07). Underground Adventure. Walk through
hugely magnified soil ecosystem. Sue(permanent).
All ages. $4-8, Free Wednesdays. 9a-5p.
Organic Produce: A Gut Show. Art based on human internal organs.
All ages. $3-5 Free Tuesdays. Tu-Sa 10a-4p.
International Museum of Surgical Science, 312/642-6502, 1524 N
Lake Shore. MAP http://www.imss.org
Zoolights Festival (-2000.01.07). 100K twinkles, ice
sculpture, treats, see the conservatory. All ages. Free.
World class. Now with web cams.
11.1-3.31 8a-5p, 4.1-5.25 8a-6p, 5.26-9.3 Mo-Fr 8a-6p Sa/Su/holidays
8a-7p, 9.4-10.31 8a-6p. Buildings close earlier. Lincoln Park Zoo, 773/742-2000, 2200 N Cannon. MAP http://www.lpzoo.com
Ed Ruscha, Catherine Opie (-2001.02.14). $0-8 Free
Tuesdays.
Isaac Julien (-2001.01.07). Age of Influence: Reflections in the Mirror
of American Culture (-2000.12.03).
We-Su 10a-5p, Tu 10a-8p. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New
years Day. Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago. MAP http://www.mcachicago.org
Christmas Around the World/Holiday of Light
(-2001.01.07). Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a
whole day. All ages. $3-13, Free Thursdays.
New: Collection of over 5000 fast food toys back to 1977.
Mo-Fr 9:30a-4p, Sa/Su 9:30a-5:30p. Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake
Shore. MAP http://www.msichicago.org
Come Home to the Holidays (-2000.01.01) Huge Dinofest
exhibit ($11-17 -2001.01.07). Oooooodles of good fun and
beauty, IMax, food, Shakespeare, VR games, ... All ages. Free.
Santa and crew welcome kids, holiday lights are up, there's music and
the outdoor skating rink is open. Also see the free new Smith Stained
Glass Window exhibit.
Mo-Th 10a-8p, Fr/Sa 10a-10p, Su 10a-7p, closed 12.25. Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. Take the free trolley. MAP http://www.navypier.com
Truly stunning world class aquarium. $11-18.
Rear outside deck has the city's best drop dead view of our skyline.
Now with web cams.
Sa/Su 9a-6p, Mo-Fr 9a-5p (-6p in summer), many special late days, Free
Mo/Tu Sept-Feb. Shedd Aquarium, 312/939-2438, 1200 S Lake Shore. MAP http://SheddAquarium.org
Notes:
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
HELP!!! Volunteer correspondents needed. See your work in print,
reach thousands, get comps, make a difference.
My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that http://Bedno.com
accepts no liability whatsoever for your use of any information
presented on this site, etc, etc.
Freebies. Get toys for referring us to friends.
Refer friends to get free toys!
Tell a friend. Be a pal.
Tell all yer friends to join http://bedno.com - THANX! Also, instead of
forwarding this to friends please ask them to join directly. It
matters, really.