Friday, April 29, 2011

It's a "Zombie Lilacs Air Sex" Kind of Weekend

Royal Wedding events seem to be the big thang this weekend, but there is life after Will & Kate. (Although I'm currently obsessed with watching footage of the wedding.)

Unfortunately it appears Chicago is in for another rainy weekend, so try one of these fun activities to try to help cure that MAD case of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Zombie Pub Crawl - Saturday, April 30 2:30 p.m.
I'm not one to rip my clothes and spend hours perfecting that "un-dead" look, but watching a zombie pub crawl would be pretty damn entertaining. This hugely popular event will hit Andersonville tomorrow and day-of participants will pay $25. Don't have the right eyeliner to match your gaping wounds? Fantasy Costumes is providing zombie crawlers with a 20 percent off coupon.

Tim Meadows @ iO - Sunday, May 1 10:00 p.m.
If you haven't been to iO yet, this is the show to go to. Tim Meadows will perform with Second City veterans in Uncle's Brother, Meadows' popular iO LA show. Tickets are $10, and if I were you I would reserve them ASAP.

Air Sex Championship at The Empty Bottle - Saturday, April 30 11:59 p.m.
Yeah, it's what you think it is. Bring your own music and costumes. Be the best at fake doin' it, and you could win a prize. $10 admission.

The Lilac Festival - May 1 - 15
I am NOT a fan of the suburbs, and I try to stay in the city as much as possible. However, there are a few events that will compell me to spend my freetime in suburbia. The Lilac Festival is one of my favorite events because Lilacia Park is gorgeous, and the giftshop is full of the most awesome kitschy crap you'll ever find. I also like to pretend I'm a photographer, and the Lilac Festival makes it easy to take amazing photos.

Unfortunately this crappy weather is probably going to put a damper on the lilac blooms, but hopefully it won't be too bad. Here are some of the photos I've taken in years passed.




Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dining Out for Life

I love going out on Thursday night; I can pretend it's Friday which instantly perks me up. If you're hitting the town this evening, consider going to one of these venues. Tonight is the 18th annual Dining Out for Life, and each of these restaurants are donating a portion of tonight's sales to various AIDS service organizations.

Chicago raised over $100,000 last year, and this year the organization is hoping to raise over $250,000.

So, all you have to do to help is go out to dinner!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cadbury Cream Egg Brownies = Heaven

On Monday I bought two dozen Cadbury Cream Eggs, A) because I have a compelling need to buy massive amounts of 50 percent off goodies the day after candy-centric holidays, and b) because I found a link to a recipe I had to try over at Cornflake Dreams.

Cadbury Cream Egg brownies. Holy crap.

The recipe is from Gingerbread Bagles, and I made it last night. Now, I usually don't try recipes I read on these cute cooking blogs because they make it seem so easy, and I can burn just about anything. But I do have to say that I was very successful. (Although I feel I have to give some credit to the new Calphalon bakeware I got as wedding presents. The pieces are amazing!)

Here's the recipe with one minor change from Gingerbread Bagles' original: I substituted the 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder. I'd like to say it's because I'm so culinarily fancy that I wanted to add extra flavoring, but really it's because I forgot to buy the unsweetened, and it's the only one I had in my apartment. Fortunately, it worked great!

Cadbury Creme Egg Brownies

4 1/2 Cadbury Creme Eggs (total of 9 halves)
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Cut the Cadbury Eggs along the crease. You should have a total of 9 halves. Set aside.
(Note: This was not as hard as I thought it would be. I put the eggs in the freezer the night before, and they cut in half very well.)

Sift together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder and kosher salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl with the paddle attachment (a handheld mixer works too), mix together the packed light brown sugar, sugar, melted unsalted butter and vanilla extract on medium speed.
Add in the eggs one at a time.

Slowly add in the dry ingredients on low speed. Mix until just combined. Take a spatula and fold the ingredients together.

Throw in the semi sweet chocolate chips and fold them in.

Spread the brownie batter into a lightly greased 8×8 inch baking pan. The brownies will bake for a total of 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Once the brownies have baked for 25 minutes, remove them from the oven and carefully press the Cadbury Creme Eggs on top of the brownies. The center of the Cadbury Eggs should be facing up.

Next time I'll space them out better.

Put the brownies back in the oven and continue baking for 5 more minutes.

Cool the brownies and then cut into pieces. Enjoy!


Finished product!
 

I was afraid that it would taste like someone had just plopped one of the eggs on top of a brownie, but they baked together to form absolutely deliciousness.



 I'm thinking this will be an annual Chicago Quirk dessert!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I think I'm developing Royal Wedding Fever

I have to admit, I'm getting excited for the Royal Wedding. I thought for sure I'd have to reach for my vomit bag, but I find myself obsessively absorbing the details of the ceremony and reception.

Chicago has plenty of ways to celebrate the Windsor nuptials, but there are only a few worth going to. (The rest are just 'let's put the wedding footage on our TVs and make crappy themed cocktails.')

If you're a fancy lady...
My favorite of the bunch is the Royal Wedding Tea Party at The Drake Hotel. First, hats and gloves are required, which is fabulous. Attendees will experience the traditional high tea while watching royal wedding footage and enjoying live harp music floating in the background. There are two seatings, noon and 3:30 p.m., each with a fashion show. You can also take a tour of The Presidential Suite 550 where Princess Diana stayed during her visit to Chicago. Tickets are $35, and you need reservations.

If this wasn't smack in the middle of the day I would absolutely be there!

If you just want a cocktail...
For those of you who WANT the bar celebration, I would highly recommend the Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. This venue is awesome to begin with, but toss in royal wedding footage played on their huge projection screens and some hot drag queen diva performances, and you're gold. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, and for $30 you'll get a two-course meal and (of course) a themed martini.

If you're a royal wedding fanatic...
Hotels LOVE to create packages to tie in to Chicago events, but they're usually just an overnight stay, breakfast and tickets to whatever event. The Park Hyatt Chicago, however, has created the NUTS “A Touch of Royalty” package. Guests will get "sweets and treats" (don't know what that means), a horse drawn carriage ride, two "Kiss-Me Kate-inis", two “No More Waity, Katie” nail lacquers by Butter London and two tickets to The Art Institute of Chicago’s “Kings, Queens, and Courtiers” exhibit. But there's more! You'll also get a 4:30 a.m.wake-up so you can watch the wedding live AND an English breakfast in bed. What?!

Just for fun, here is an homage of awesome hats:


BTW I'm in love with the "No More Waity, Katie" polish from Butter London, and I think my own personal royal wedding treat will be spending $21 on nail polish. ($14 plus shipping from the UK)

Friday, April 22, 2011

It's a "Shakespearean Egg Hunt" Kind of Weekend

I know you've probably heard it a million times, but this weather SUCKS! I love Chicago, but this is the time of year where I begin to question my sanity for living here. At least I have the post-Easter candy sales on Monday to cheer me up.

Talk Like Shakespeare Day brought to you by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater - April 23
Love this! The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is creating its own holiday: Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Since April 23 would be Bill's 447th birthday, naturally we should all speak in pros or rhymed couplets. And if spouting sonnets all day doesn't fulfill your Shakespearean needs, why not enter the 'Where's William' contest? Download a Shakespeare mask from the website and take a picture of yourself as Shakespeare in front of something creative and e-mail it in. All submission will be given a chance to win an iPad. Entries must be in by 11:59 p.m. CST on April 23.

Northalsted Easter Egg Scramble - Saturday, April 23 9:00 a.m.
If you thought you couldn't take the kids into a gay dance club on Easter morning, you were WRONG. More than 25 businesses in the East Lakeview/Northalsted neighborhood will be handing out eggs containing discount coupons and gift certificates. Check out the website for the complete list.

Want free stuff for Earth Day? Lowe's is giving away one million trees at all of its locations, and Early to Bed is giving away Earth-friendly lube with every purchase today. If you want more information on Earth Day deals, I'll be tweeting all day. #EarthDayDeals.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Chicago Quirk's Favorite Things: Out of Print T-Shirts

As much as I try to be all JCrew/GAP/BlueFly, I'm really just a t-shirt and jeans type of gal. I was walking by P+L Boutique the other day, and I saw one of these t-shirts in the window. The total book nerd in me got very excited!  



These awesome t-shirts are created by Out of Print, an organization that promotes literary classics through fashion. According to the website, "each shirt is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book." (I'm assuming they don't mean library books....)

I called P+L Boutique to make sure they still carry them, but they aren't sure if they're going to order any more. Just in case, you can also get them at Belmont ArmyPenelope's, Una Mae's and the Out of Print website.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Reefer Madness!

Today is 4/20. Now, unless you're a film major or sporting white people dreads then you most likely don't care. But if you're in the market for a more drug-test-friendly way to celebrate the day, check out the Brown Paper Box Co. production of REEFER MADNESS! THE MUSICAL.

REEFER MADNESS! THE MUSICAL is a tounge-in-cheek (I don't actually know that that phrase means, but it sounds good) spoof on a 1936 flick called "Tell Your Children," warning parents of the hysteria that their Ozzie & Harriet children will experience if they try marijuana. I've never see a stage production, but the movie is hilarious. Check out a clip below.



This one-night-only performance runs 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general seating or $40 for VIP seating. What do you get with VIP seating? Special muchies during the show. And Studio BE is BYOB so it should be a really good time.

And if you're looking for the true story behind 4/20, read this story from the Huffington Post.

As a side note: I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, ready to roll my eye at all of my former classmates who posted a lame "4/20 rocks" status message. Instead I see 3D sonograms and check-ins at Legoland. When did this happen?!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

$17 for Six Doughnuts?!

I was perusing The Oatmeal today - I'm not sure why my company's IT department unblocked it, but it's been a very unproductive day - and I came across this comic:

How to make your restaurant insanely popular
Why is this relevant? About two weeks ago a tiny doughnut shop opened up behind the Merchandise Mart, serving your basic, everyday doughnut. Doughnut Vault doesn't have regular hours or a reliable product supply. The only way to know that they are open and serving food is to follow them on Twitter.

Oh yeah, and six doughnuts cost $17. This may very well be the most obnoxious food establishment in the city of Chicago.

Yes, I understand these doughnuts are supposed to be delicious, gourmet, all-natural, blah blah blah. But I'm not lining up at 8:00 a.m. in the morning in the hopes that they'll open at 9:00 a.m. and that they won't run out before I get one.

And by the way Doughnut Vault, tweeting pictures of all the people waiting in line makes you look like a douche.

(Why did all of the Krispy Kremes have to go away?!)

Monday, April 18, 2011

A Kosher-for-Passover Social Life

Passover is one of my favorite holidays, but, let's face it, not being able to eat anything "leavened" until next Monday night pretty much kills any fun dinner plans.

(For my non-Jewish readers, that mean from sundown tonight until sundown next Tuesday you have to eliminate anything that might in some way be construed as bread: pastas, most desserts, Cheeze-its, etc.)

Rather than stuffing a box of Matzo in your purse whenever you go out to eat, check out some of these venues for a much tastier Passover:

Mity Nice will serve a la carte Passover specials for lunch and dinner tomorrow through next Monday. The matzo-crusted Lake Superior whitefish and flourless chocolate cake sound good!

Find an excuse to leave Bubbie's seder early and head over to Joe's to celebrate the exodus in style. Tonight and tomorrow night you can order the pre-fixed seder dinner for $49.95. (Not a bad price for a full meal at Joe's.)

You can always count on The Bagel to not only have Kosher-for-Passover options, but to know exactly what you can and can't eat. Complete with old yentas lining the booths, you'll be overcome with a sense of guilt if you don't eat everything on your plate.

If you still want your cupcake fix, Sprinkles will have flourless chocolate cupcakes all week. I recommend ditching the macaroons and picking up a dozen of these for your seder.

And if you're looking for a few fancy recipes to try yourself, check out GourmetPassoverCooking.com. Me, I'm a walking stereotype: What do Jewish women make for dinner? Reservations!


Mmmmm, Matzo Ball Soup!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Last Night for the Western Double Feature at the Brew & View!!

The Brew & View just tweeted that tonight is the last night for their True Grit (2011)/Blazing Saddles double feature! How did I not know about this! Only $5 admission. True Grit plays at 8:00 p.m. and Blazing Saddles plays at 10:30 p.m.

You've probably heard The Brew & View called by it's other name: The Vic. When the venue isn't hosting various concerts it becomes a rowdy movie theater with a full bar. They serve pizza, and you can have food delivered to the theater. (However, you can't actually bring food into the theater with you. I don't understand that.)

The theater usually plays second- and third-run movies. Remember how those used to be called 99 cent theaters? If you go to the Brew & View website and fill out the survey, you can print the 'thank you for filling out our annoying survey' screen for a $1 admission. Otherwise you can usually see a double (sometimes triple) features for only $5.

A note before you run out and buy tickets. This is going to be a much more lively movie experience than AMC. Expecially if they're showing a classic. Feel free to dance around and say the lines with the actors.

Chicago's First Annual Food Truck Summit

One of the many crappy things about working in the suburbs is not being able to take advantage of the lunchtime food truck brigade. You can imagine my delight when I heard about the city's first annual Food Truck Summit.**

Head over to the Goose Island Brew Pub parking lot on April 19 to experience the city's most popular food trucks all at the same time. Participants include Flirty Cupcakes, The Southern Mac, Sweet Miss Giving's, Tamalli Space Churros, 5411 Empanadas, Hummingbird Kitchen and gaztro-wagon. The only downside is that each truck is offering a signature item rather than their entire menu.

This event is celebrating Time Out Chicago's food & drink writer Heather Shouse's new book, "Food Trucks: Dispatches and Recipes from the Best Kitchens on Wheels." The book release party will take place at the same time in Goose Island's Seibel Hall.


**I was super excited about this event until I realized that it's the second night of Passover, and I will not only be at a seder but also couldn't eat these bread laden food items anyway. I know Jewish holidays aren't a priority for gentiles, but maybe check on this sort of thing before you plan a major event.


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What do you do when your old laptop/camera/cell phone/etc. stop working? Throw it away, right? WRONG, and now you've made Mother Nature cry.

There are specific requirements when it comes to disposing of electronics, and, unfortunately, most people have no idea. You'll find a few donation sites throughout Chicagoland, but on April 14 Chicago Magazine is making it real simple.

Bring your old electronics to Tribune Tower tomorrow between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and Recycle Tech Solutions will haul it away to the proper facility. They'll even plant a tree for every item donated as part of its DreamGreen program.

What can you bring?
  • Cellular Phones
  • Laptop Computers / PC’s
  • Computer Parts: Power Supply’s, Mother Boards, AC Adapters, Memory
  • KeyBoards / Mice
  • Navigation Systems
  • Digital Camera
  • LCD/Plasma Computer Displays / Monitors (Non CRT)
  • PDAs
  • Digital Video Camera
  • Laser Toners
  • Smart Phones
  • External Hard Drives
  • Other Drives: Floppy, CD, DVD
  • MP3 / CD / DVD / VCR Players
  • USBs
  • Fax / Printer Cartridges
  • Mobile DVD Players
  • Wireless Internet Cards
  • Computer Wire
  • Network Devices: Switches, Hubs, Routers, Wire
  • UPS Computer Battery Back Up
  • Power Strips
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Office Printing Paper
  • Baled Cardboard
  • Copper Wire
There is a $10.00 donation to recycle these items:
  • CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitor (large backed monitors)
  • Television
  • Batteries (up to 10 pounds or $1.00 per pound)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Walmart? I doubt it.

I'd like to take a break for a minute from Chicago's quirky happenings to post this story from an important meeting last night. For those of you who aren't familiar with this story, Walmart is trying to put a small grocery store at the mall at the corner of Broadway, Halsted and Diversey, and, go figure, the neighborhood is not so happy. Below is the Chicago Tribune story recapping last night's public meeting.

There is NO way this is going to go through. Walmart is the anti-Lakeview. We live here for the snooty groceries stores and cute restaurants. And whereas I wish the food here was more affordable, it's a sacrifice you make. I'd be shocked if this went any further.

Lakeview residents turn out to hear, and jeer, proposal for Walmart store

April 11, 2011|By Dawn Rhodes, Tribune reporter

Facing an attentive but largely hostile crowd, Wal-Mart representatives presented their proposal for a grocery store in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood at a public meeting Monday evening.

About 200 people — many wearing anti-Wal-Mart buttons and stickers — filed into the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ to hear the proposal.

John Bisio, a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. public affairs senior manager, said that although he recognized the citizens' concerns, the smaller facility at Broadway and Surf Street would not interfere with the neighborhood's character.

"I think we have enough information that we've opened these neighborhood markets and we've kept them open," he said.

But many in the audience could be heard snickering at company representatives' arguments for why the 32,000-square-foot Walmart Market would be good for the North Side neighborhood.

"I don't want them in this neighborhood, and I wish they would hear us saying no," said Erin Edwards, 27, who works for North Side Anti-Hunger Network. "I'm all for job creation. But it would be wonderful for the people in this neighborhood to have the small stores that can provide fresh produce and to be able to pay their employees well so they wouldn't have to need our services."

Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, appeared at the meeting to tell residents that he wanted their feedback regarding his proposal with the zoning committee to limit the area of any big-box retailer to 25,000 square feet.
After the presentation, several residents overwhelmingly shouted down the proposal and urged Tunney to push forth the zoning limitation in City Council.

"There are plenty of parts of Chicago where Wal-Mart would be generative to the economy," Chris Spidle, 45, told store representatives during public comments. "I think here it would be dilutive."

Jessica McCabe agreed. "Why would Wal-Mart want to put a grocery store in an area where two miles in every direction there are five competitive grocery stores?" said McCabe, 20.

Walmart Market — previously called Neighborhood Market — is more of a typical grocery store, offering fresh produce, dairy and frozen foods. Occupying about 40,000 square feet, the markets are designed to fit the confines of a bustling metropolis. By contrast, the 150,000-square-foot supercenters that combine grocery with discount retail prevail in suburban areas.

The mega retailer has long met resistance in Chicago as the company attempts to expand into northern metropolitan areas. The first Chicago store opened in the Austin neighborhood in 2006 after Mayor Richard Daley vetoed a higher-minimum-wage ordinance for big-box retailers.

Two years earlier, the City Council used zoning laws to block the company from building at 83rd Street and Stewart Avenue. The company closed on the sale for the 13.5-acre parcel at the Chatham Market shopping center on Monday, according to a source close to the deal.

Friday, April 8, 2011

It's a 'reptiles and bacon with cheese' Kind of Weekend

Okay, so I failed at my goal last week of doing at least half of the activities of my weekend list. I'm already expecting failure this weekend as well, but you should go forth and have fun!

National Cheese Fondue Day @ Geja's Cafe - Sunday, April 10 12:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Technically National Cheese Fondue Day is on Monday, 4/11, but I think the Ã¼ber official cheese fondue people will look the other way on this one. Geja's is offering complimentary samples of their amazing Swiss Gruyere cheese fondue from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m. on the patio. I LOVE Geja's, and I can tell you that you should definitely try to make it. If you can't, though, the restaurant will offer complimentary cheese fondue appetizers from April 11 - 17 to anyone who mentions National Cheese Fondue Week. You can also get cheese fondue samples at the bar throughout the week.

Take the Gorilla Challenge - Saturday, April 9 10:00 a.m.
It's a scavenger hunt on crack! For $60 you can race around the city with your team of friends, solving clues and performing tasks for the opportunity to win the grand prize and/or smaller prizes along the way. Extra prizes for costume creativity. They've opened up an additional 250 slots today to register for the event, so hurry!

ReptileFest @ UIC Physical Education Building - Saturday, April 9 10:00 a.m.
Probably one for the kiddies, but I'd totally be that creeper petting the iguana in the back. Check out the Chicago Herpetological Society for the nation's largest educational reptile and amphibian show. Climb into a tortoise pen, get your photo taken with some huge lizards and learn about the reptiles living in our neighborhoods.

CHIRP Record Fair @ Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union  - April 9 - 10, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Time for the annual Chicago Independent Radio Project Record Fair & Other Delights. Enjoy a robust selection of vinyl, CDs, posters, artwork, 'zines and crafts. DJs and live bands will entertain all day and various vendors will offer every type of music you can think of. Admission is $7, but if you bring in any ad that mentions the record fair then admission is $5. And for those hardcore record collectors, there's a special pre-admission on Saturday from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. for $25. That includes reentry all weekend.

And don't forget that it's BaconFest on Saturday!!!!!!!! In honor of this delicious celebration, feast your eyes on the hottest trend in men's cologne:

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Windy City Sweets

You know the phrase "like a kid in a candy store"? Windy City Sweets is where the phrase was born. This gem has been nestled in the East Lakeview neighborhood for over 25 years, and I don't understand why more people don't know about it!

I dare you to think of a type of candy that you can't find here. I love taking out-of-towners here because they're always shocked at the sheer amount of candy packed into this cute little store. They even have candy cigarettes!!!

Wherease I love the occasional avant-garde dessert creation, sometimes it's nice to get a basic chocolate pretzel. Windy City Sweets bakes up a full array of old-fashioned gourmet confections on-site. There are dozens of truffles, chocolate-coated goodies and various candies to choose from. My personal favorite is a chocolate-cover s'more; a melty marshmallow between two graham crackers entirely dipped in milk chocolate.

If endless amounts of candy wasn't enough, the stores also has a full ice cream counter with all of your favorite flavors. Cup or cone?



Check out the website for super cute gift baskets and homemade candy treats. (I can't tell you how many times I've run in here for a hostess/birthday/holiday gift at the last minute.)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Happy National Caramel Popcorn Day! Yes, it's another stupid publicity holiday, but I don't care because they're giving away free Garret Popcorn.

From 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. today Garrett Popcorn Shops around the city are giving away free snack sized bags of Caramel Crisp. For every bag the stores give away, the company will donate $1 towards Save the Children's Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund.



Here's where you can find your free popcorn:
4 East Madison St.
2 West Jackson Blvd.
625 N. Michigan Avenue
26 West Randolph St.
600 East Grand Ave. (Navy Pier)
Merchandise Mart 2nd Level Food Court
500 W Madison St – CitiCorp Center – 2nd Flr
Chicago O’Hare Airport

(Did you know that April is National Fresh Celery Month, National Pecan Month and National Soft Pretzel Month?)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Acrylic Photographic Jewelry

I'm always looking for ways to express my love of the Windy City without walking around in a giant I Heart Chicago t-shirt. I came across this amazing Chicago skyline necklace and, upon further investigation, discovered a fantastic Chicago accessories designer.

Chicago Skyline
Chicago designer Jacqueline Sourvelis, owner of Le Photique, creates acrylic photographic jewelry in a variety of bracelets, earrings and necklaces. The pendants give off a delicate, glass-like appearance, making it a perfectly unique accessory.
35mm
Le Photique also offers customized jewelery where you can send her a photo, and she'll create an acrylic piece with your photo. It was even featured on QVC for the holidays!

Eiffel Tower at Night
Be sure to check out the sale section of her Etsy.com store!

Monday, April 4, 2011

2011 Summer Festival Guide

Summertime Chi, Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Chicago winters are quite possibly the worst thing you will ever experience - see Snowpocalypse 2011 - which is why we make the most out of summer. It may only be 50 degrees outside, but Metromix.com just posted the 2011 Festival Guide, and I'm so excited!

Food for thought: my beloved Lakeview neighborhood seems to have decided to open itself up to an endless stream of jokes this summer. The famous Lakeview Music Festival has become SausageFest; a street festival with an empasis on our favorite encased meats. Um, okay.

I will, of course, attend. Not because of my intense love of sausage, but because Marcy Playground is performing.

The Grande Dame of Royal Wedding Memorabilia

Sweet baby Jesus this is NUTS! There is a royal wedding commemorative refrigerator!
This wedding has gotten the Brits so worked up that GE is offering a legit, 5'9" side-by-side fridge freezer adorned with one of Will and Kate's official engagement photos. How did this come to be? GE's UK Facebook fans were asked what they would like to see on one of the company's new customizable appliances.

I can't handle it!

Friday, April 1, 2011

It's a "Violent Torpedo of Truth" Kind of Weekend

Okay, so my goal is to do all of these this weekend. Yes, that includes going to see Charlie Sheen. It may be wrong to encourage him, but how can I pass up tickets to the biggest train wreck on Earth?

Charlie Sheen @ The Chicago Theater - April 3, 8:00 p.m.
Will he make out with a hooker for an hour? Wrestle tigers? Pass out? Either way, the "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not an Option" tour hits The Chicago Theatre this Sunday night. And if you need even MORE Charlie, head over to Enclave later that night for a celebrity appearance.

Bakesale for Japan @ A Perfect Event - April 2, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This national bakesale will take place across the national benefitting Peace Winds Japan. Debbi Lilly of A Perfect Event will host an amazing bake sale featuring delicious creations from truffle truffle; flavors like sake & lime brownies, poundcake with orange blossom glade and Asian poached pear tart. Wash it down with sparkling teas infused with prosecco and chai and pomegranate green tea.

Midnight Showing of "The Shining"Music Box Theatre - April 1 & 2, 12:00 a.m.
No matter how many times you see it, "The Shining" never fails to scare. Intensify your horror experience with a midnight screening of the classic Kubrick film at the Music Box Theater this weekend.

National Pillow Fight Day @ Tribune Tower Plaza - April 2, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
It's pretty simple: bring pillow. Hit participants with said pillow. Get hit with said participants' pillows. You're not allowed to attack passers-by and/or children, and no intoxicated warriors allowed. Post battle refreshments at the Billy Goat. The Chicago event will take place in front of the Tribune building, but check out the website to locate your nearest battle.

P.S. If you're going out tonight, my advice is to stay away from Wrigleyville. Opening day turns into amateur night.