Yes, it's that beautiful time of year again.
Soon, the leaves will be crunching under our feet as we stroll along, pumpkin spice latte (or one of these arguably superior local alternatives) in hand on many a crisp Chicago day.
And, while that's all well and good, there's much more to do than to simply let your inner Mr. Autumn Man foliage-freak flag fly while counting down the days to the winter.
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We've rounded up 21 Chicago events that caught our eye in the weeks ahead to help you give your Roku box some rest and enjoy some of the finest entertainment our city has to offer.
'It's All-Right To Have A Good Time - The Story of Curtis Mayfield' @ The Black Ensemble Theater
The Black Ensemble Theater Facebook
Ongoing at The Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Ticket prices vary.
The story of Chicago music legend Curtis Mayfield told in a dazzling show that covers his work from the Impressions-era soul ("Gypsy Woman") to his later funk genius ("Super Fly").
The story of Chicago music legend Curtis Mayfield told in a dazzling show that covers his work from the Impressions-era soul ("Gypsy Woman") to his later funk genius ("Super Fly").
'A Study in Midwestern Appropriation' @ The Hyde Park Art Center
Hyde Park Art Center
Ongoing at the Hyde Park Arts Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Free.
The Michelle Grabner-curated group exhibition examines what the HPAC calls "the defining trait of appropriation in contemporary art from the heartland," and features artists from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
The Michelle Grabner-curated group exhibition examines what the HPAC calls "the defining trait of appropriation in contemporary art from the heartland," and features artists from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
Chicago Reader's Fall Cocktail Challenge
Andrea Bauer
Oct. 4 at the State and Lake Chicago Tavern at theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., 6 p.m. Tickets $40.
This "autumnal mixologist mash up" inspired by the Reader's ingredient challenge feature is bringing together 20 of the city's finest mixologists including representatives from Three Dots and Dash, Sable, The Bristol, La Sirena Clandestina, Hot Chocolate and more. A panel of judges -- including the Reader's food critic Mike Sula, "Check, Please!" host Catherine De Orio and cocktail consultant Todd Appel -- will name a winner, with the help of attendees' votes, in this boozy showdown.
This "autumnal mixologist mash up" inspired by the Reader's ingredient challenge feature is bringing together 20 of the city's finest mixologists including representatives from Three Dots and Dash, Sable, The Bristol, La Sirena Clandestina, Hot Chocolate and more. A panel of judges -- including the Reader's food critic Mike Sula, "Check, Please!" host Catherine De Orio and cocktail consultant Todd Appel -- will name a winner, with the help of attendees' votes, in this boozy showdown.
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Chicago International Film Festival
CIFF Facebook
Oct. 10-24 at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St. Ticket prices vary.
The 48th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicks off Oct. 10 for two weeks of must-see foreign films by big name directors, underground auteurs and everyone in between.
The 48th annual Chicago International Film Festival kicks off Oct. 10 for two weeks of must-see foreign films by big name directors, underground auteurs and everyone in between.
Chicago, I Love You
Chicago, I Love You Facebook
Oct. 10-20, various locations around town. Free.
A masterfully-curated 10-day celebration of the Windy City's music, art, photography, film, literature and comedy at venues stretching to all corners of the city, including The Green Mill, Lilly's and The Underground Lounge.
A masterfully-curated 10-day celebration of the Windy City's music, art, photography, film, literature and comedy at venues stretching to all corners of the city, including The Green Mill, Lilly's and The Underground Lounge.
40th Annual Historic Pullman House Tour @ Historic Pullman Visitor Center
Historic Pullman Society Facebook
Oct. 12-13 at the Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave., $17 (advance tickets through Oct. 10), $20 at the door. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pullman residents open their homes to the public for the annual Historic Pullman House Tour. These 120-year-old landmark homes range from executive mansions to 14-foot wide worker's cottages to multi-unit apartments, all with a charm and uniqueness that is part of the Pullman experience.
Pullman residents open their homes to the public for the annual Historic Pullman House Tour. These 120-year-old landmark homes range from executive mansions to 14-foot wide worker's cottages to multi-unit apartments, all with a charm and uniqueness that is part of the Pullman experience.
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Day of the Dead Celebration @ Chicago Public Library, Dunning Branch
Oct. 15 at Chicago Public Library's Dunning branch, 7455 W. Cornelia Ave., 4 p.m. Free.
Art teacher Amanda Rachmaciej directs children and adults as they make colorful calaveras and skeletons for an art exploration celebrating Mexican heritage and beloved relatives that have passed.
Art teacher Amanda Rachmaciej directs children and adults as they make colorful calaveras and skeletons for an art exploration celebrating Mexican heritage and beloved relatives that have passed.
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Margaret Cho @ Chicago Theatre
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Oct. 19 at the State and Lake Chicago Tavern at theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., 8 p.m. Tickets $29.50-$59.50.
Comedian and actress Margaret Cho is returning to Chicago for the first time in four years for her new show ("Mother") on a topic familiar to her fans: yes, her mother. Though we're excited for new material about Cho's mother's many quirks, we're also raring to hear her take on the government shutdown, Obamacare hysteria and other current events.
Comedian and actress Margaret Cho is returning to Chicago for the first time in four years for her new show ("Mother") on a topic familiar to her fans: yes, her mother. Though we're excited for new material about Cho's mother's many quirks, we're also raring to hear her take on the government shutdown, Obamacare hysteria and other current events.
Fall Ball @ Logan Square Auditorium
Mucca Pazza/Facebook
Oct. 19 at Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets $15 (limited), $20.
The inaugural Fall Ball is intended to honor the artistic expression and independent entrepreneurialism thriving in the city's Logan Square neighborhood and beyond with performances from Mucca Pazza, KOKUMO, The Fly Honeys, DJ Swaguerrilla on the decks and much more. Attendees are being encouraged to dress to the nines, naturally.
The inaugural Fall Ball is intended to honor the artistic expression and independent entrepreneurialism thriving in the city's Logan Square neighborhood and beyond with performances from Mucca Pazza, KOKUMO, The Fly Honeys, DJ Swaguerrilla on the decks and much more. Attendees are being encouraged to dress to the nines, naturally.
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Bucktown Apple Pie Contest @ Holstein Park
AP
Oct. 20 at Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave., 2-5 p.m. $25 registration, pie-tasting tickets vary.
The 9th annual lust for crust continues in 2013 with the Bucktown Apple Pie contest. Local bakers pit their best pies against one another and judges crown a prize-winning pastry by day's end. For non-bakers, slices can be purchased with all proceeds benefiting Holstein Park.
The 9th annual lust for crust continues in 2013 with the Bucktown Apple Pie contest. Local bakers pit their best pies against one another and judges crown a prize-winning pastry by day's end. For non-bakers, slices can be purchased with all proceeds benefiting Holstein Park.
Open House Chicago
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Oct. 19-20, various locations, 9 a..m to 5 p.m. Free.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) opens the doors of some of the city's greatest buildings for its third-annual Open House Chicago. Some 150 buildings will be open for two days: repurposed mansions, hidden rooms, sacred spaces, private clubs, iconic theatres, offices, hotels and more.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) opens the doors of some of the city's greatest buildings for its third-annual Open House Chicago. Some 150 buildings will be open for two days: repurposed mansions, hidden rooms, sacred spaces, private clubs, iconic theatres, offices, hotels and more.
Vintage Garage Chicago Season Finale @ 5051 N. Broadway Ave.
Vintage Garage Chicago/Facebook
Oct. 20, 5051 N. Broadway Ave., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 donation.
The Vintage Garage goes out with a bang with a special sale including a record ramp with CHIRP Radio and exciting goods from dozens upon dozens of vendors including Danielle Colby-Cushman (of American Pickers fame)'s 4 Miles 2 Memphis Wicker Park store. Last Vintage Garage until April!
The Vintage Garage goes out with a bang with a special sale including a record ramp with CHIRP Radio and exciting goods from dozens upon dozens of vendors including Danielle Colby-Cushman (of American Pickers fame)'s 4 Miles 2 Memphis Wicker Park store. Last Vintage Garage until April!
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Sound Opinions presents 'High Fidelity' @ The Music Box
The Music Box
Oct. 24 at the Music Box Theater, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 7:30 pm. Tickets $10 in advance through Sound Opinions, $12 day-of.
WBEZ's "Sound Opinions" hosts a screening of what's among the best Chicago-based movies of all-time. "High Fidelity" (starring Windy City native John Cusack) explores the grumpy lovelorn past, present and future of Wicker Park record store owner and resident "sad bastard," Rob Gordon.
WBEZ's "Sound Opinions" hosts a screening of what's among the best Chicago-based movies of all-time. "High Fidelity" (starring Windy City native John Cusack) explores the grumpy lovelorn past, present and future of Wicker Park record store owner and resident "sad bastard," Rob Gordon.
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'Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair' @ The Field Museum
Oct. 25-Sept. 7, 2014 at The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Admission varies.
The Field Museum opens its "secret" archives to reveal artifacts from one of the most defining events in Chicago's history, the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (at which the Field Museum itself made its debut).
The Field Museum opens its "secret" archives to reveal artifacts from one of the most defining events in Chicago's history, the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (at which the Field Museum itself made its debut).
'The Normal Heart' @ TimeLine Theatre
T. Harrison Hillman/TimeLine Theatre
Opens Oct. 26 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., various times. Tickets $24 (previews)-$50.
MacArthur Fellow-certified genius director/actor David Cromer (left) returns to Chicago to star in TimeLine's highly anticipated production of Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart." Nick Bowling directs the first Chicago staging of the production since the Tony-winning Broadway premiere in 2011.
MacArthur Fellow-certified genius director/actor David Cromer (left) returns to Chicago to star in TimeLine's highly anticipated production of Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart." Nick Bowling directs the first Chicago staging of the production since the Tony-winning Broadway premiere in 2011.
Chicago Beer Hoptacular @ Lacuna Artist Lofts in Pilsen
Chicago Beer Hoptacular
Nov. 8-9 at the Lacuna Artist Lofts, 2150 S. Canalport Ave., time TBD. Tickets $45-$85.
Explore the depth of the local craft brewing scene with tastings, demos and beer-based presentations in this two-day celebration of suds.
Explore the depth of the local craft brewing scene with tastings, demos and beer-based presentations in this two-day celebration of suds.
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