It’s a bigger weekend than usual, thanks to a bunch of fashion events and the seventh-annual
Madhatter's Ball. But don’t get too pooped out because you’ll need plenty of energy on
Mother’s Day!
THURSDAYIt’s a South American affair over at
Alhambra Palace (1240 W. Randolph St., 312-852-1054), as they host
Taste of Brazil. Entertainment includes samba girls—decked out in full exotic costume—the
Bucket Boys, Capoeira demonstrations, a full Brazilian band, and deejays
Eddie Mills and
World spinning global beats. Dinner reservations available; show begins at 7:15pm. Free.
Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222) hosts another
20 Looks fashion show, this time featuring hot spring and summer styles from Bucktown boutique
Veruca Salt (1937 N. Damen Ave., 773-276-3888). Get there at 9pm for the complimentary champagne reception, and one lucky guest will win a $200 gift card to Veruca Salt. 9pm-2am. $10.
The Oak Street Council hosts
Toast to Mom with participating stores offering Champagne, chocolate and vittles to customers, along with extended shopping hours. Stores include
Kate Spade (101 E. Oak St.),
Yves Saint Laurent (51 E. Oak St.) and
Frette (41 E. Oak St.). 5-7pm. Free.
Around the corner is the
Walton Street Walk, a shopping event to benefit
Civitas, a local non-profit group supporting early childhood development. Support their efforts by picking up goodies at such stores as
Jake (939 N. Rush St.),
Tory Burch (66 E. Walton St.),
Burdi Boutique (58 E. Walton St.) and
SABBIA fine jewelry (66 E. Walton St.). Each store will provide comp cocktails and cuisine from
Gibson’s, Le Colonial and
Pane Caldo. 5-9pm. Free.
Bloomingdale’s Medinah Temple (600 N. Wabash Ave., 312-440-4515) hosts
Savvy Summer Style . . . Entertaining with Wine with celebrity event planner
Amanda Puck and wine expert
Sarah Powers from
St. Francis Winery in the culinary kitchen on the first floor. 6-8pm. A $25 reservation fee can be redeemed for a gift card at the event.
Head to Roscoe Village for the annual
Beers & Babes event, a shopping party just for dudes. Hosted by cool kids' store
Kickin’ (2142 W. Roscoe, 773-281-6577), staffers will be on hand to help clueless dudes pick out just the right thing for (and become a real hero to) the pregnant women in their lives. And with every purchase of $100 or more, guys will get a gift for themselves: a $20 gift certificate to the
Village Tap (2055 W. Roscoe St., 773-883-0817), which will also lead a beer tasting, with plenty of gourmet sausage and other "guy" food. 6-9:30pm. Free.
FRIDAYChocolate Grape (2113 W. Division St., 773-772-3990) debuts with its grand opening celebration this weekend. Present
this certificate for 10 percent off on all purchases at this new truffle, vino and cheese lounge in Wicker Park.
The Kendall Lewis Trio (who’s son of legendary jazz artist
Ramsey Lewis) jams at 9pm at new River North spot
The Joynt (650 N. Dearborn St., 312-573-2233), but if you arrive between 7-9pm, you’ll be able to indulge in complimentary wine. Hosted by
Lip Service Productions. RSVP to downtownmissyb@yahoo.com for comp admission.
Return to
Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222) and help them celebrate their first-year anniversary in style. There will be a GREEN carpet, in Lumen's true eco-friendly fashion, and they've secured celebrity deejay
Bobby French, who spins at
LAX in LA for likes of
Halle Berry and
Leonardo DiCaprio. 10pm-2am. Free.
SATURDAYThe Gold Coast outpost of
The Goddess and Grocer (25 E. Delaware Pl., 312-896-2600) throws an Argentine wine tasting where guests get to sample a number of Sauvignon Blancs and summer wines, including 2006 Mapema Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza and 2007 Crios Torrontes, Cafayate. Free. Noon-2pm. No reservations required.
Get the Mother’s Day festivities started a day early at
RA Sushi (1139 N. State St., 312-274-0011) during a
Treats & Tea Retreats Japanese tea party. Moms get a "cup of tea" with RA Sushi’s signature Zen Mojito that features Zen Green Tea Liquor as well as an array of signature RA dishes. $25. 1-4pm. Reservations required.
It’s been 20 years since eight
Northwestern U students founded the
Lookingglass Theatre Company, which now cranks out critically acclaimed productions several times a year in its new Mag Mile home. Founding members
David Schwimmer ("Friends") and
Joey Slotnick (“Nip/Tuck"), along with local personality and nightlife kingpin
Billy Dec (Rockit Bar & Grill; Underground), created the
Madhatter’s Ball seven years ago as a fundraiser for the young professional set—and it's still going strong. It’s happening tonight at
Underground (56 W. Illinois St., 312-644-7600)—which will be transformed into an "Alice in Wonderland" boogie ball—with an open bar, appetizers and music by resident deejay
Jem. Tix start at $125 and may be purchased
here.
