There’s plenty to do this week—besides gathering the newly fallen leaves into one triumphant to jump into. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Through 10/21: Participating neighborhood restaurants—including Band of Bohemia, Spacca Napoli, Rainbow Cuisine, and Gather—offer prix-fixe menus or discounts for Lincoln Square Ravenswood Restaurant Week.
10/17-10/23: Leading figures from the worlds of medicine, entertainment, politics, tech, food, and more gather to talk about life’s central questions Chicago Ideas Week. Big names at this weeklong confab include Brian Grazer, Alicia Garza, Abby Wambach, and Bryan Cranston.
Mon 10/17 and Mon 10/24: The Chicago International Film Festival screens Insatiable: The Homaru Cantu Story, chronicling the tumultuous and eccentric life and work of the Chicago chef and inventor, edible photographs, miracle berries, and all. Director Brett A. Schwartz attends both screenings at River East 21 (322 E. Illinois). 10/17, 8:30 PM; 10/24, 6:15 PM
Tue 10/18: If ever you longed for a groaning mummy to pose just for you, tonight is your night. Emporium Arcade Bar (1366 N. Milwaukee) hosts a Halloween-themed Drink N Draw. Featuring live and undead costumed models and a stock of art supplies. 8 PM
Wed 10/19: Newberry Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson reads from her new book, Another Brooklyn, at Women and Children First (5233 N. Clark). 7 PM
Wed 10/19: The composer Béla Bartók had been fascinated by what he called “night music,” those particular, mystical sounds of nature at dark. Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph) houses these sounds as Grammy-award winning Emerson Quartet plays Bartok’s Quartet No. 4. 7:30 PM
Thu 10/20: Author Ann Patchett comes to First Evangelical Free Church (5255 N. Ashland) to discus her seventh novel, Commonwealth, with Nerdette podcast hosts Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen. 7 PM
Thu 10/20: Prove that you know everything about the show about nothing at Seinfeld Trivia Night at Reed’s Local (3107 W. Belmont). Get out your puffy shirts because this time around participants are encouraged to dress in costume. 7 PM
For more stuff to do this week—and every day—check out our Agenda page.