Ghetto Fabulous RECOMMENDED EVENTS THIS WEEK: Seasonal: * Redmoon Winter Pageant. Ongoing: "Beyond the Sea" now playing everywhere. ..-Su: * Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. ..-Su: Holiday Sports Festival at McCormick Place. ..-Mo: Winter Vacation at Chicago Public Schools. Fr: New Years Eve. Fr+Sa: TV Marathons. Fr+Sa: * Tributosaurus (The Who) at Martyrs'. Fr: Safe Alcohol-free Family Events Night. Fr: * Navy Pier Festivities. Fr: Critical Mass at Daley Plaza. Fr: Various NYE club parties. Fr: * First Night Evanston. Fr: Harmonious NYE Celebration at Holmes Place Gym. Fr: Umphrey's Mcgee at Riviera Theatre. Fr: "Reverse" New Years Eve at TBA. Fr: Last Race of the Year at Heartland Cafe. Fr: Mike Epps New Year's Eve Party at Arie Crown Theater. Fr: Rock 'N Roll Ball at Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. Fr: Schizoclub Gallery New Year's Eve Party. Fr: * "New Wave" (drum&bass) NYE at SmallBar. Fr: Local H at Double Door. Fr: Poi Dog Pondering at Park West. Fr: * Synesthesia "Class of 04" NYE Bash at Darkroom. Fr: Cracker at House of Blues. Fr: Penny buses and trains on CTA. Sa: New Years Day. Sa: Iron Chef America marathon on FOOD. Sa: Hair Of The Dog Dance Party at Double Door. Sa: "Contemporary Insanity" at Neo. Sa: Old School w/ DJ Chris Gin at Cans Bar and Canteen. Su: Earth at Perihelion. Su: "Adult Swim" on TOON. Mo: Boom Boom Room at Green Dolphin. Tu: Was Not Was at House of Blues. Tu: VNV Nation at Metro. Tu: FINAL Noctronica at SmartBar. We: Women Obsession at Berlin. We: Elvis 70th Birthday Spectacular at House of Blues. We: Funk the Mental at Sonotheque. We: Future Roots (drum&bass) at Streetside Cafe. Th: Epiphany. Th: Bone Thugs N Harmony at House of Blues. Seasonal: * Winter Wonderfest. -2005.01.02 Yearly. All ages. Free admission, $12 equipment rental / all day activities pass, coupons available. (Fr/Sa -10p) Daily 10a-8p. Festival Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring hundreds of lush decorated trees, sparkling lights, wintertime decorations and a main town square with vending. Includes ice rink, large inflatable slide/bungee games. Santa and elves listen to children's wishes in a mountain top village. Closed 12.25, open -11:45p 12.31. Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. On-site parking, or Grand Red line stop then take free trolley. http://www.navypier.com Winter Vacation. -2005.01.03 Yearly. Chicago Public Schools. http://www.cps.k12.il.us * Redmoon Winter Pageant (since 1991). -2005.01.11 Yearly. All ages. $? Times? Secular celebration of the changing seasons and the coming of Winter takes a new, whimsical form every year. Filled with Redmoon's trademark mix of music, puppetry, mask, and physical performance. The cast includes dozens of children from Redmoon's outreach programs alongside adult volunteer and professional performers. http://www.redmoon.org Redmoon Central, 312/850-8440, 1463 W Hubbard. Ongoing: Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival. Almost 100 different courts planned. -Sunday Yearly. All ages. 10a-4p. Includes tournaments and play zones. Spectators free, registration and fee to participate. Enjoy bungee run, climbing wall, bowling, fishing, aerobics, boxing, golf, ping-pong, badminton, four square, double dutch, tennis, adventure, whiffle ball, fencing, more. 312/744-3315 http://www.choosechicago.com McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore. S A1-2, N B1-2. http://www.mccormickplace.com Umphrey's Mcgee. -Friday $49 18+ 7:30p. "The Best Show On Earth" http://umphreysmcgee.com Riviera Theatre, 312/275-6800, 4647 N Racine. Now playing. Fat Albert, Meet The Fockers, The Life Aquatic, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Spanglish, The Aviator, Closer, Finding Neverland, SpongeBob, The Polar Express, Kinsey, The Incredibles, Surviving Christmas, ... Theaters Everywhere. http://bedno.com/movies Movies and Beer. Smoking, heckling, FUN! -Thursday 18+ (ID reqd) $5. 8p Sa,Mo-Th; 7p Su: Team America - Trey Parker and Matt Stone. 10p Sa,Mo-Th; 9p Su: SouthPark - Trey Parker, Matt Stone, ... Brew & View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield. Around the corner from the Red line Belmont stop. http://www.brewview.com Friday 2004.12.31: 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 "Beyond the Sea" now playing. The Bobby Darin story w/ Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Greta Scacchi, Caroline Aaron, Peter Cincotti, Michael Byrne, Matt Rippy, Gary Whelan, William Ullrich, ... http://www.beyondtheseathemovie.com Theaters Everywhere. http://bedno.com/movies Clubbing elite NYE parties. 21+. Well produced and restrictively priced mainstream parties: John Barleycorn, Le Passage, Zentra, Crobar, Palmer House, Whisky Blue, Funky Buddha, Cherry Red, Four, Narcisse, Sound-Bar, Circus, Biology Bar, ... http://chicagoscene.com Other noteworthy parties. Yearly. 21+. Neo ($15+ includes Champagne), Berlin ($10 warped anti-party), Exit ($60 New Years Evil w/ The Effigies), Spin, Circuit, HotHouse, everyplace else. TV Marathons. -Saturday Yearly. All ages. Free. SCI playing continuous original Twilight Zone for 48 hours, other networks (Spike, MTV, VH1, DSC, Bravo) doing similar. http://tv.yahoo.com * 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 IMax, Carousel, ice skating and more all the way until the city fireworks spectacular around 11:40p. Also some of the cruises still have tickets available. Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. Take the free trolley. 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://cityofchicago.org Critical Mass. Last Fridays 5:30p. THE monthly gathering of bicyclists making their presence known downtown. Now joined by some bladers. Daley Plaza, 773/486-4861, 50 W Washington. http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org * First Night Evanston (since 1993). Becoming an excellent and pleasant scene. No alcohol. Yearly. All ages. $8-12 6p-?a. Entertainment at over a dozen locations; Jazz, blues, salsa, comedy, puppets, art, circus, bike races, parade, fireworks at midnight. See site for details. http://firstnightevanston.org 847/289-4248, Davis at Orrington, Evanston. Take Purple line to Main. Harmonious New Year's Eve Celebration. 18+ $65-85 8p-2a. Alcohol and tobacco free. Six hours of breema, Tai Chi, Kirtan Singing, Chlorine-free pool and hot tub, co-ed sauna and steam room, yoga, bodywork, astrology, veggie dinner and snax, music and dance. Holmes Place Gym, 355 E Grand. W of Navy Pier. Some $8 parking. http://www.iwomp.com "Reverse" New Years Eve. 18+ $10 8p-?a. Danny The Wildchild, Mark Almaria, Paul Anthony, Ry-N, MF, Martin Stoy, Knex, Billy-O, Adonis Childs, Alex Zelenka, Steve Ecks, Carla Starla, Regge, Raymond Baer, Rue, Lex. 708/216-9703 http://eclecticgrooves.com Location TBA. Last Race of the Year. Athletes United for Peace 5K. Yearly. $20 8p. Probable HeartlandCafe/RedLineTap/NoExit NYE party after. Heartland Cafe, 773/465-8005, 7000 N Glenwood. http://www.heartlandcafe.com Mike Epps New Year's Eve Party. Ages? $37.50-62.50 8p. "Jup & Bap Present" http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0258402 Arie Crown Theater, 312/791-6516, 2301 S Lake Shore. in McCormick Place. http://www.ariecrown.com Rock 'N Roll Ball. Yearly. 21+ $85+ 8p-2a. National headline beands perform. Includes food and drink tickets, party favors and dancing. One of the city's largest parties. Good view of fireworks show at midnight. Simulcast on ABC7. 312/836-4299 http://www.bigcreekevents.com Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. Take the free trolley. http://www.navypier.com Schizoclub Gallery New Year's Eve Party. Ages? $? 8p-?a. Live music (Josef Levitis' flamenco guitar for esthetes and Lena Potapova's elecronic improvisation for those who aren't quite human), food, dancing, body painting, prizes, more. Call to reserve. http://www.schizoclub.com/newyear.html Schizo Club, 312/498-3547, 2054 W Chicago. http://www.schizoclub.com * "New Wave" NYE. 21+ Free 9p-?a. Poorly named understated event w/ cutting edge DJs Snuggles & Casper, Glyde & Poolside, Carbide & MF. #3 Stoli. http://bassbythepound.com SmallBar, 773/772-2727, 2049 W Division. Wicker Park. Just west of Damen. Local H. 21+ $55 Doors 8p. 9p. W/ Detroit Cobras. Price includes beer, water, soda, wine, and well drinks. http://www.localh.com Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee. Wicker Park, near Blue line Damen stop. http://www.doubledoor.com Poi Dog Pondering. 18+ $40 Doors 7p. 9p. W/ Lost Souls Of The Great Lakes. http://poidogpondering.com Park West, 773/929-1322, 322 W Armitage. http://www.parkwestchicago.com * Synesthesia "Class of 04" NYE Bash. 21+ $20 9p-2a. DJs Tommy Sunshine, Tobias, Trancid. CD giveaway. Complimentary Champagne toast. Video installation. Yearbook photos taken. John B hosts. http://syne.tv Darkroom, 773/276-1411, 2210 W Chicago. http://darkroombar.com Cracker. 21+ $85+ 9:30p. W/ Michael Tolcher, in the Back Porch Restaurant. http://www.crackersoul.com House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago Penny buses and trains. Yearly. 10p-6a. Also some extended hours. Not all lines participate. CTA, 708/836-7000. http://www.transitchicago.com * Tributosaurus. -Saturday 21+ $10 Early show 7p, late show 10:30p. "The Jurassic beast with multiple musical faces. A different band every month, featuring local music celebrities." 12.31-01.01: The Who. http://tributosaurus.com Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln. http://martyrslive.com Saturday 2005.01.01: New Years Day. Legal holiday. Yearly. Observed by the making of New Year's resolutions, personal commitments to specific behavioral changes. http://www.how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolution.com Iron Chef America Mini-Marathon. Fiercely competitive cooking translated from Japan. All ages. Free. 8p-3a. Eight consecutive episodes featuring battles with great American chefs. http://www.foodtv.com FOOD. On cable. Hair Of The Dog Dance Party. 21+ Free! Doors 8p. 9p. W/ DJs Vnlo, Mzzo, Whatupdoh, Stick, Dirty Hippy, Scratch Spinnington, Get Gay, Pull Start, Diaper Rash, Schnitzel, Yellow Fever. Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee. Wicker Park, near Blue line Damen stop. http://www.doubledoor.com "Contemporary Insanity" Saturdays 21+ $5+ 10p-5a. THE BEST Industrial/EBM nite in town. http://derklempner.com Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton. Sometimes parking rare. http://neo-chicago.com Old School w/ DJ Chris Gin. Sa/Su 21+ Free Fr -2a, Sa 10p-3a. Kitchen sink music, requests, video games, sports and movies, 26 beers, kitchen. Cans Bar and Canteen, 773/227-2277, 1640 N Damen. Wicker Park, 1blk N of North/Milwaukee. http://www.cansbar.com Sunday 2005.01.02: Earth at Perihelion. Our orbit's nearest point to the sun. Yearly. Fortunately by cosmic standards we're close to circular at 147.5-152.6Mkm (91.7-94.8Mmi). http://aa.usno.navy.mil "Adult Swim" Sundays All ages. Free 10p-12a. Extraordinarily good block of free-form thought-jazz toonage. May include Home Movies, Venture Bros, The Oblongs, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, SeaLab 2021, Brak, Space Ghost, Harvey Birdman, Family Guy, Milk Chan, more. http://www.adultswim.com TOON. On cable. http://www.cartoonnetwork.com Monday 2005.01.03: Boom Boom Room. Mondays 21+ $0-5 10p-4a. Long running weekly w/ DJs Lego, Michael Serafini, JustJoey, Uncle Milty. 4kft dance space, multiple bars and environments, late night dining, state-of-the-art sound and lights, tent, private dock, free parking. http://www.music-101.com Green Dolphin Street, 773/395-0066, 2200 N Ashland. At Webster. http://www.jazzitup.com Tuesday 2005.01.04: Was Not Was. 21+ $25+ Doors 7:30p. 8:45p. http://www.zerecords.com/artists/artist.php?id=38 House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago FINAL Noctronica. 21+ $5-10 10p-4a. Industrial, EBM, darkwave, electro, and noise w/ DJs (censored) and Gremlin. http://agppresents.com SmartBar, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop. http://www.smartbarchicago.com VNV Nation. 18+ $23-26 10p. "Cult-status ebm/future pop gods VNV NATION return to Chicago on their 2005 Matter+Form US mini-tour with special guest CodeR23, a Front 242 side project featuring Patrick Codenys and Richard 23" w/ DJ Weird Sketch. http://vnvnation.com Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop. http://www.metrochicago.com Wednesday 2005.01.05: Women Obsession (since 1990). Ladies night for ladies. 1st/2nd/3rd Wednesdays 21+ Free 6p-12a. W/ Go-Go Girls, drink specials, then 80s theme midnt-4a. http://www.womyn.org Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. At Red line Belmont stop. http://www.berlinchicago.com Elvis 70th Birthday Spectacular. 18+ $18+ 8p. House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago Funk the Mental. Futuristic Electronic Grooves w/ Live Video Mixing. 1st Wednesdays 21+ Free. 9p-2a. Chris Widman (WLUWs Abstract Science) & Don Solo showcase futurefunk, jazztronica, freakstep, & triphop from around the world on Sonotheque's audiophilic sound system, live visuals by Merkaba, $2 PBRs, $4 Cosmos. 01.05: Dave Siska (WNUR), Kate Simko. 773/275-2552 http://www.cardiojam.com Sonotheque, 312/226-7600, 1444 W Chicago. Just east of Ashland and west of Blue Line Chicago stop. http://sonotheque.org Future Roots. Wednesdays 21+ Free 10p-2a. Drum&Bass, Broken Beat, Funk, Dub; w/ R&S Soundsystem DJs: Stunna, Radiata, Pipeline, 40oz. $3 Goose Island Drafts, tasty food. http://bassbythepound.com/feedback-nu Streetside Cafe, 773/252-9700, 3201 W Armitage. At Kedzie. http://streetsidecafe.net Thursday 2005.01.06: Epiphany. Yearly. Observes the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus, 12 days after Christmas. http://christianity.miningco.com Bone Thugs N Harmony. 18+ $22+ Doors 7:30p. 9p. http://www.bonethugsnharmony House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago Notes: ALWAYS call before going to a listed event. ALWAYS call before going to a listed event. Disclaimer. My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that no Bedno accepts any liability whatsoever for your use of any information presented here, as-is, at your own risk, ad infinitum, etc etc. http://bedno.com/terms Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com. Many thanx to ChicagoFun.com for hosting this system. ChicagoFun.com is THE one-stop special-event planning resource for the Chicagoland area. http://ChicagoFun.com