Here are some of our picks for the best events to check out this weekend—many of which promise to be tasty:
Fri 11/3: Shirley Blazen hosts female-identifying stand-ups, with headliner Grace Thomas, at Funny Grabs Back, a comedy benefit for Chicago House’s TransLife Care program held at Pinwheel Records (1722 W. 18th). A raffle follows, with opportunities to win concert tickets, books, or sweet, sweet Jeni’s Splendid ice cream. Free, raffle tickets $5 each, 5 for $10
Fri 11/3: [Insert] Boy, Danez Smith‘s poetry collection, won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for poetry. His second collection, Don’t Call Us Dead, is an imagining of the afterlife as experienced by black folks shot by the police. At Gallery Guichard (3521 S. King), he reads from this new work, then talks with with poet and sociologist Eve Ewing as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. 8:30 PM, $15, $10 students and teachers
Fri 11/3-Sat 11/4: The 2nd-annual portrait exhibition “You, Me and Everyone Else,” sponsored by C.C.’s Art Garage (2727 S. Mary), features 20 different Chicago artists and their favorite portrait, be it a photo or a painting, or something else entirely. Fri 6-9 PM, Sat 11 AM-4 PM, free
Sat 11/4: Live the life of pie for the sixth year in a row at the South Side Pie Challenge. Amateur bakers from across the city bring their goods to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (5480 S. Kenwood) in the form of fruit, cream, nut, and sweet potato/pumpkin pies, judged on presentation, crust, and the actual pie part. Slices are a mere $3 each. 2-5 PM, free
Sat 11/4: The 29th annual Polish Film Festival in America opens tonight at Rosemont 18 (9701 W Bryn Mawr, Rosemont). For a full schedule visit pffamerica.com. Various times, various prices
Sun 11/5: The new VGA Gallery (2418 W. Bloomingdale) is leaving the console for the newsstand. Their magazine Video Game Art Reader includes news, reviews, and essays about the history of gaming. Editors Tiffany Funk and Mick Reed answer questions at this launch party. 11:30 AM, free
Sun 11/5: Chefs from around the globe invite you to enjoy (or “enjoy”) grasshopper tacos, black corn fungus, and other odd delicacies from Chicago restaurants at the Strange Foods Chicago Festival at Stan Mansion (2408 N. Kedzie). Tickets include unlimited tastings and drinks, and proceeds benefit the Feed My Starving Children Foundation. 1-5 PM, $45-$55
For more things to do this weekend—and every day—visit our Agenda page.