Time to plan the final week of January (time flies, huh?). Here’s some of what we recommend:
Mon 1/25: At the CH Distillery Dinner taking place at Uncommon Ground (1401 W. Devon), the West Loop distillery provides booze for cocktails—basil-blood orange gimlets, martinis—to accompany a prix fixe menu that includes dishes such as tri-tip streak with brioche and tapenade, and a churro stuffed with bananas and peanut butter cream. 6 PM
Mon 1/25: Emporium Arcade Bar (1366 N. Milwaukee) hosts New Foes Appear 4: A Super Smash Bros Melee Tournament. It’s BYO controller to this gaming tournament; the cover charge gets you a free shot. 7 PM
1/25-4/10: The Museum of Contemporary Photography (600 S. Michigan) celebrates 40 years with “MoCP at 40.” The exhibit is a chronological collection of pictures from notable photographers—Diane Arbus, Carrie Mae Weems, Sally Mann—from the museum’s permanent collection, in honor of four decades in business. Reception Thu 1/28, 5 PM.
Tue 1/26: All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records is a chronicle of the life of the record empire, directed by Colin Hanks and screening as part of Stranger Than Fiction, the series of documentary premieres at Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State). 6 PM
Wed 1/27: Poetry magazine’s Wintertime Party at the Poetry Foundation (61 W. Superior) features readings from Joanne Diaz (My Favorite Tyrants), Margaret Noodin (Weweni), and Phillip B. Williams (Bruised Gospels), plus musical guests Devil in a Woodpile. 6:30 PM
Through 7/17: “A Feast of Astonishments: Charlotte Moorman and the Avant-Garde, 1960s–1980s” features sculptures, photographs, video art works, installations, newly discovered props, and costumes for performance art works, annotated music scores, archival materials, film clips, and audio recordings all from the work of Charlotte Moorman. The exhibit is up at the Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle, Evanston).
Thu 1/28: Chicago filmmaker Holly De Ruyter’s Old-Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club is a tribute to a regional, wood-paneled dining institution/brandy manhattan stronghold. The director will attend the screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State). 6 PM
Thu 1/28: Top mixologists battle it out at the Reader‘s Winter Mix-Off at Roof (201 N. State). Drink cocktails by Kristina Magro of Pub Royale, Dustin Drankewicz of Tack Room, Mea Leech of Pump Room, Julia Momose of GreenRiver, Brian Bolles of the Betty, and more. 6-9 PM.
Through 2/4: Chicago Restaurant Week continues this week. See our list of recommendations to help narrow down the choices.
For more stuff to do this week—and every day—check out our Agenda page.