CHICAGO -- This weekend, Chicagoans can brave the cold in more ways than one.
Perhaps you'd like to plunge into Lake Michigan to raise money for animal rescues at the 16th annual Shelter Shiver, or spend a day outside for Empty Bottle's 11th annual winter block party Music Frozen Dancing?
Andersonville Restaurant Week also kicks off this week while Chicago Black Restaurant Week ends, DMen Tap is celebrating all things Malört on Friday, the Ukrainian National Museum is hosting a knotted doll workshop, Cécile McLorin Salvant will be singing at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a new Irving Park art gallery is showcasing all things joyous in their inaugural exhibit.
Here's a roundup of 23 things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Through March 2, Chicagoans can explore Andersonville's dynamic food scene with unique prix fixe menus at more than a dozen participating restaurants, from Lady Gregory's and Ranalli's to Oda Mediterranean Cuisine and Minyoli.
Learn more and find a list of all restaurants and menus here.
6-9 p.m. Friday (opening reception), noon-6 p.m. Saturday (gallery hours)
Joy Machine, 4148 N. Elston Ave.
New Irving Park art gallery Joy Machine is celebrating its inaugural exhibit this weekend, "Light Preserver." The show features artists such as Moises Salazar Tlatenchi, David Heo, Liz Flores, Peter Frederiksen and Danym Kwon, "who cultivate and ritualize joy through humor, nostalgia, vibrancy, and the excitement of new possibilities."
Connecting the sounds of vaudeville, blues, jazz, baroque and traditional folk music, singer and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant has been lauded as "her generation's most accomplished jazz vocalist," in the words of Angela Davis. The three-time Grammy winner is bringing her inventive, electric performance to the Symphony Center this weekend.
The 9th annual Chopin in the City Festival, celebrating Polish composer and pianist Frédéric François Chopin, kicks off Friday with 10 days of shows and workshops around the city.
This weekend offers: an invite-only reception at the Consulate General of Poland 6:30 p.m. Friday; a night of music at Green Mill Jazz Club 8 p.m. Saturday ($20 cash at the door); a painting event at the Polish Museum of America noon Sunday (donation upon entry); and music at Promusica Audio 4 p.m. Sunday (suggested donation upon entry).
Co-curated by Agitator Gallery's Alex Wilson and Jason Greenberg, the Chicago Bike Winter Art Show is a 26th annual exhibition that presents multimedia work entirely inspired by bicycles. It features paint, print, drawing, sculpture, photography, video, audio and fashion. The exhibit is organized by Chicago Bike Winter, "a loose-knit advocacy group dedicated to promoting the joys, rights and opportunities for Chicagoans to bike."
Mariano's Bronzeville, 3857 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Part of a Black Artist Exhibitors Series, a recurring art showcase that features work by emerging Black artists, this exhibit spotlights Chicago-based figurative painter Thomas Williams. His work will also be available for purchase, and 30% of all art sales will go toward neighborhood nonprofits such as Bronzeville Helping Hand.
This event is free to attend, and free parking is available. Learn more here.
Enjoy drinks and eats while hearing personal stories from neighbors and friends at this storytelling event, which has been running since 2011 and has featured more than 900 performers on stage. In February, speakers include Julie Goldstein, Ken GoodSmith, Pete McNamara, Samantha McGrath, Sanjna Punja, Linda Sullivan and host Scott Whitehair.
The pub opens at 5 p.m. for this free show, and guests should arrive early if they plan on having dinner at the venue. Learn more here.
Malört ice cream, barrel-aged Malört, sweet Malört, spicy Malört and more are all on the menu Friday at DMen Tap. It's "an extravaganza of bad ideas" in honor of the interesting wormwood-based spirit.
The Chocolate Barista Michelle R. Johnson is coming to West Loop coffee shop Drip Collective to celebrate her oat milk brand's launch in Chicago. While "getting acquainted with Ghost Town Oats on bar," there will also be merch and Ghost Town Oat giveaways, bingo and a live DJ.
To celebrate Black History Month with Jai Brenai Productions, City Winery is hosting "a high-spirited soul experience" that'll take audience members through the timeline of gospel music. From traditional to contemporary, the performance will travel though hymns, quartet music and gospel choir tunes.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
At this all-ages museum event, kids and families can learn what it's really like to be an artist, scientist and engineer by hearing from African American professionals working in those fields. Stationed throughout the museum's main floor, they'll share innovative work happening in the city with "dynamic demonstrations, hands-on activities and one-on-one conversations."
Chicagoans can learn how to make their own Motankas -- or Мотанка, knotted dolls that symbolize prosperity, unity and protection. In this workshop led by Olha Verbytska, students can learn how to make the knotted dolls out of fabric, without need for a needle or scissors. Traditionally, ancient Ukrainian family talismans were made from the fabric of old family members' clothes.
Tickets for the workshop are $65 and all materials are provided. Learn more and register here.
In honor of Black History Month, Chicagoans can learn more about local African American "hidden figures" and hear stories about their contributions to ecology, biology and outdoor recreation. This free event is organized by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Sand Ridge Nature Center.
Enjoy a street fest-style party celebrating all things bacon at Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville. There will be bacon cocktails and mocktails, bacon whiskey shots, live music, a bacon-focused food menu, bacon-themed photo opportunities and giveaways.
Chicago Animal Care and Control is bringing back its Valentine's-themed adoption event this weekend, with adoption fees waived all day long. People who are adopting long-term residents, who have been at the shelter for at least 30 days, will have adoption fees waived through February.
Chicagoans can brave the February cold this weekend at this 11th annual outdoor winter block party, Winter Frozen Dancing. Goose Island Beer Co. and the Empty Bottle's "best worst idea," it features a musical lineup that includes Egyptian Lover, Bib, Landowner, Double Over and Clickbait.
The Chicago Tool Library's Repair Fair is back this weekend to help Chicagoans fix up various small appliances, clothes, costume jewelry, small electronics and bikes free of charge. People can bring up to two items, which volunteers can help fix depending on their skillsets. Volunteers can't fix gas tools, broken screens or fine jewelry.
Award-winning translator Chenxin Jiang will be in conversation with Paoloa Iovene and Yaerim Gen Kwon about "For Now I Am Sitting Here Growing Transparent," a poetry book by Yau Ching that Jiang translated. Ching's poetry is "simultaneously erudite and earthy" and shaped by her native Hong Kong, exploring themes of gender, aesthetics, colonialism and relationships.
This event in partnership with Third Coast Translators Collective is free and open to the public. Learn more and register to attend here.
9 p.m. Saturday
Latin Rhythms Academy of Dance and Performance, 210 N. Racine Ave.
Dance until 1 a.m. while DJ Machito spins tunes all night, making his resident DJ debut.
At this 16th annual event, Chicagoans plunge into Lake Michigan to help raise money for homeless dogs, cats and rabbits in the city. Participants can create teams, jump solo and have a chance to win prizes at an 11 a.m. Off Color Brewing after-party.
People can learn more, register to participate and donate directly to ALIVE Rescue here.
In this hands-on workshop, people can learn all about the traditional art of geometric pattern and learn how to create their own using a compass, ruler and color.
The workshop is $45 and all materials and tools will be provided. Learn more and register here.
As part of the Epiphany Center for the Arts' "Brazilian Series: Oí Brazil," Brazilian pianist and composer Heloísa Fernandes is performing in Chicago this weekend, bringing Brazilian jazz and classical fusion to the city. This is a 21+ show and organized with
International Latino Cultural Center.