Wine Fest, Handmade Market, Magic Shows And More

CHICAGO — Spend the weekend exploring West Loop on a local author’s running tour, shopping local at Handmade Market and sipping on bubbles at Uncorked Wine Festival.

Neighbors can also explore the local arts scene with a “too-close-for-comfort” sci-fi play by Raven Theatre, a jazz show by a local quartet in Hyde Park and a new queer art exhibit and drag show at Co-Prosperity in Bridgeport.

Here’s a roundup of 15 things to do in Chicago this weekend:

The Raven Theatre Company’s production of “brother sister cyborg space” runs through March 17. Credit: Jenn Udoni, Franco Images

7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday

Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.

This sci-fi story “in the too-close-for-comfort future” follows Giselle, an environmental justice organizer, and her billionaire baby brother Elon. The two are, unsurprisingly, at odds. This play grapples with the climate crisis, political divisions within families, what defines humanity and “what we’ll do when time runs out.” The Sunday show will also feature a special 20-minute talkback after the show with Artistic Director Sarah Slight and the Edgewater Environmental Coalition’s Renee Patton. Tickets are $15 for students and $45 for general admission. Buy them here.

The Strokes by Roger Woolman. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

7 p.m. Friday

Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave.

Catch a special show by The Strokes Friday night with special guests Beach Bunny and NNAMDÏ. The Grammy Award-winning rock band is playing to support Illinois 7th Congressional candidate Kina Collins. Tickets are available online.

In “Liaison,” Chicago Tap Theatre teams up with two revered dance companies, Tapage and Tap Olé. Credit: Provided

7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

The Den Theatre, 1331. N. Milwaukee Ave.

“Liaison” is an international exploration of tap dance featuring three critically acclaimed dance companies: Chicago Tap Theatre, Tapage and Tap Olé. Tickets start at $25 online. There will also be a gala immediately after Sunday’s performance, with special guests, appetizers, drinks and more. Tickets are $125 for the gala or $145 for both the gala and the show.

A Metra South Shore Line train exits the Bryn Mawr station in South Shore on March 7, 2023.

8:40 a.m.-2:39 p.m. Saturday

Meet at Millennium Station, 151 N. Michigan Ave.

The Midwest Rail Rangers are taking a trip to the South Shore of Indiana, where riders can learn about South Side sights and see the historic steel-making area of Northwest Indiana, Indiana Dunes National Park plus La Porte and St. Joseph Counties. All riders must purchase a valid train ticket, and they can hop on or off at various locations along the route. Riders will be bused between the national park and the Gary Metro Station.

West Loop as seen from a penthouse unit at The Row, 164 N. Peoria St., one of Fulton Market’s latest luxury apartment complexes. Photographed on Sept. 28, 2023. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

9-11:15 a.m. Saturday

850 W. Adams St.

Explore West Loop and learn all about its history with Chicago author Connie Fairbanks, a longtime West Loop resident and writer of “Chicago’s West Loop: Then and Now.” While going on an easy-paced run through the neighborhood, attendees will dive into its history from the mid-1800s to modern day, learning all about prominent buildings, people, organizations, factories and more.

After the run, attendees can keep the party going at Madison Street Books, 1127 W. Madison St., for a Q&A with light bites and a chance to buy Read & Run merch and Fairbanks’ book. Sign up for $15-25 online.