Event: Pop Up Fashion...

What: Target's Bullseye Baazar
When: Thursday - Saturday, May 7-9 / 10am - 8pm
Where: Tribune Tower, 445 N. Michigan Ave.
Cost: Free
Website: www.target.com

Who doesn't love Target?! Well, I do. Until my sister & I moved 2,000 miles apart, we had our "Target Sundays", a special weekly event shared by sisters. A Target Sunday consisted of heading to the store at 8pm when nothing else was open, spending 2 hours scouring the shelves and then leaving 2 hours later wondering how you spent $100 (and knowing you could have spent much more)!

While Walmart, K-Mart & all the other marts of the world struggle to find a place in the world of hip... Target has a following of loyal lovers spanning the ages of 8 to 80 from the corn fields to the urban city limits.

For one weekend only, in one city only --- Target (or Target' as it is so affectionately known) is opening a 3 day shopping spot on Michigan Ave. Chalked full of special deals on home, apparel and accessories - the event features a select group of designers & products - making this a surely special event.

(Photo: www.target.com)

Event: One's Junk, Another's Gem

What: Big Swap Bonanza
When: Saturday, May 2 / 7am - 3pm
Where: Soldier Field
Cost: $3 Adults, Free 12 & under
Website: http://chicagoantiquemarket.com/bigswapbonanza/

For one day only, Chicago's Soldier Field is becoming a "Salvage Field" of sorts. Whether you wish to channel Robin Williams in Cadillac Man or are planning a more settle approach, the Big Swap Bonanza claims one will be able to mosey on over to "Buy, Sell & Rope a Deal!"

The oversized yard sale is tomorrow May 2, but it's not too late to snatch up a spot to sell your stuff. $50 gets you a display station, parking spot and promises of endless characters contemplating over your used & useless. So, break out that last on the shelf dress you never lost the 20 pounds to squeeze into, the box set of Dawson's Creek DVDs that made you cry every time Dawson chose Jen over Joey & that ceramic ashtray you made in shop class. The BSB is a good excuse to clean your basement while filling your wallet with cold hard cash during these tough economic times.

Already Finished your Spring Cleaning?! Well, $3 gets you in for an afternoon of browsing and a massive hunt for a hidden treasure.

(Photo: http://chicagoantiquemarket.com/bigswapbonanza/)

Workshop: Drinking & Drawing DO Mix

What: Drink & Draw @ Spudnik Press
When: 1st Wednesday of every month - next event: May 6, 7-9:30pm.
Where: 1821 W Hubbard, Suite 308, Chicago, IL 60622
Website: www.spudnikpress.com

Spudnik Press, a co-op artist studio on W. Hubbard is dedicated to encouraging new talent to take shape in their alternative art space. Not only does Spudnik offer several workshops, classes & events - but they offer cool ones that you would want to take part in even if your best artistry might currently be a glorified stick figure.

While searching their catalog several "random" events pop out to me... the Screenprinting Shirts for Your Band & Recycled Hardback Books workshops, the Poetry & Prints event - and even something less random, like the Open Studio Night each Monday & Thursday - good for hours of printing.

My favorite of all is undoubtedly, the Drink & Draw - a monthly event devoted to drawing practices ---- No instructors. No need to be a professional. All you need to bring is your friends, some creativity, and both a sketchbook & drawing utensils. The folks at Spudnik will provide a theme for the evening and plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Past themes have included: interactive still life, models & surrealist games.

"What'll You Have?! An iced cold PBR & some art please!"

(Photo: http://www.catalog.niddk.nih.gov/ImageLibrary/index.cfm)

Event: Celebrating Vinyl in Chicago & Beyond

What: Record Store Day
When & Where: April 18, Nationwide
About: If you are one of the many that let the needle dull on your Fisher Price Record Player, this event may not be for you --- then again, you may be just the audience that Record Store Day is targeted at. There is nothing like listening to some good tunes on the turntable... the faint crackle in the track takes us all back to a time when iPods were something only dreamable in Back to the Future 2. Hop on over to your local Record Store to get back in the game, and for those of you already in it - then support your spins.

Several Chicago area locations are participating with special events, promotions & live music in store. For example, Reckless Records in Wicker Park (& the other locations) has a pretty packed list of bands - starting at 1pm.

Website: www.recordstoreday.com

(Photo: recordstoreday.com)

Place: Tea Hows...

There may be a Starbucks on every street corner, but skip the Tazo, the prepackaged goods and the long lines... and head to your local tea shop. For month's I've been wanting to check out Tea Essence - a little place just a few steps from the L and a few blocks from my house. Well, today I finally did - and let me tell you fresh is best. When you walk into this place they have a table with an impressive spread of over 50 different types of blends all in little sampling jars for you to take a sniff. After a friendly recommendation from the hostess - I went with a warm treat off the signature list - the Autumn Kauai Cocktail... a blend which was quite lite & tasty.

On top of several drinks to choose from, Tea Essence also offers tea tasting & blending classes - and to piggy back on the game posts... they have board games too! Make the most of the unpredictable Winter/Spring climate - and go with a hot masala chai one day & a sweet Arnold Palmer the next.

My prediction: First - 40 was the new 30, now Tea is the new Coffee....

To find your own neighborhood tea house - check out All the Tea in Chicago, and if Tea Essence is in your hood - try Yelp or Twitter for more.

Tea Essence
1913 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-2727

(Photo: nytimes.com)

Event: T-A-N-G-O/Creative Gaming

The Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely a place to check out for some good random fun... everything from the flirtfest that is First Friday, the popular Stitch & Bitch - and now introducing: Bingo/Tango. Actually, this monthly happening has been going on for a while now, but it's new to me - so I thought I'd share with you. Talk about an interesting twist on the senior citizen center favorite, the MCA integrates the classic game of Bingo with interesting art & tango turns.

Bingo/Tango - second Tuesday of each month
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.280.2660

If Bingo excites you... check out a few of the other places you can go for a good game day.

• Scrabble Sundays at Swim Café (from 1-6pm)
• Blue Line: Board Game Night (Monday nights, Beer & Wine Specials)
• Cat-n-Mouse Game Store (various themed game nights)
  

Bars with Board Games: Coopers (Lakeview), Guthries Tavern (Wrigleyville), Lemmings (Bucktown), Green Eye Lounge (Bucktown), Blue Frog (River North)

(Photos: www.kidsinmo.com & wikimedia.org)

Events: Hear Ye, Hear Ye... Introducing Festivals '09!

It's just a few weeks to go until festival season is upon us. I've pooled together some of the windy city winners - and even a few that may be new on your list. Click on each event for more information straight from the horse's mouth. Now, rest up & get ready!

April
17-19: Green Apple Festival

May

15-17: Chicago Mayfest
24: Bike the Drive
27-30: Chicago Turkish Festival
28-31: Mayfest in Lincoln Square
30-31: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
30-31: Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale

June
12-14: Chicago Blues Festival
12-14: Party at St. Mike's
13-14: Andersonville Midsommarfest
13-14: Old Town Art Fair
13-14: Wells Street Art Festival
20-21: Chicago Summerfest
26-(July) 5: Taste of Chicago
27: Chicago Pride Fest

July
(June) 26-5: Taste of Chicago
10-12: Irish American Heritage Festival
11-12: Chicago Folk and Roots Festival
11-12: Rock Around the Block
11-12: West Fest 2009
14-(Aug) 25: Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park
17-19: Pitchfork Music Festival
19: Chinatown Summer Fair
25: Venetian Night
25-26: Taste of Lincoln Avenue

August
(July)14-25: Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park
1-2: Northalsted Market Days
1-2: Retro on Roscoe
7-9: Lollapalooza
14-16: North Side Summerfest
15-16: Green Music Fest
22-23: Lakeview Music Fest
29-30: Bucktown Arts Fest
29-30: Taste of Greece 2009
29-30: !Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival

September
4-6: Chicago Jazz Festival
12-13: Celtic Fest Chicago
12-13: Renegade Craft Fair

October
3-4: Chicago Country Music Festival

(Photo: www.chicagofests.com)

Place: Blow, Blow, Blow

It may be cold outside, but it's hot in Humboldt Park. For nearly 8 years, Chicago Hot Glass brings a creative spin to a material that people often look past for brighter bling. Providing education in glassblowing, fusing, kilnforming, and torchworking - CHG is your glass headquarters. Whether you are looking to learn, attend an event or host a glass party of your own - their is an assortment of ways you can get involved.

*Thanks to Jess for the "hot" tip!

Chicago Hot Glass
1250 N. Central Park Avenue
Chicago IL, 60651
(773) 394 - 3252

(Photo: www.chicagohotglass.com)

Event: Whiskey a Go-Go

Whether you like it with a little soda or on the rocks - a scotch, bourbon or irish - single or double malt... picking one favorite doesn't matter because Delilah's on Lincoln is bringing you a week of Whiskey. With samplings, music & liquor lectures - a week's worth of the wheaty wonder is sure to temp the tastebuds.

For more info visit here...

Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-472-2771

(Photo: www.delilahschicago.com)

You Ask - and I Shall Return...

After hearing "Whatever happened to your blog?!" many times over the past few months... I'm trying to carve out a little time each day to fill you in on some on my favorite random events. So, read the blog and join the Facebook group... the more of you that read, the more I'll write!

Event: A Summons From the King

Who knew "Have it Your Way" meant more than whether or not you wanted your Whopper with or without American Cheese?!

Well, Burger King's cool factor is getting as hot as a cup of their 'JOE'... first the rollout of their YouTube Channel (featuring Seth MacFarlane customizable cartoons) & now I hear about this 'Burger King Studio' which they boast as "part art gallery, part think-tank with a dash of Mad Scientist’s experiments thrown in for good measure…"

Starting this Friday - 5 artists, 5 murals, and 5 artists' shirt designs that you'll get to custom print/layer/get messy with yourself. Opening night will be clad with DJs, drinks, etc. - but the screenprinting continues through Saturday & Sunday.

Opening Party:
Friday, October 24, 7-10pm
featuring live silk screening
music by E6 & Matt Roan

Additional Hours Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 7pm.

1904 W. North Ave. (Bucktown)

Should be fun, and to make it even better - It's FREE!

Event: Freaky Flicks in the Park

Americans love Halloween, like they love their Apple Pie... so Bucktown/Wicker Park brings you both in just one week! (The Bucktown Apple Pie Contest took place last Saturday). The Summer series of movies in the park may be over, but the spooky classic "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" will be playing this upcoming Saturday for one night only in Wicker Park. Not that the park isn't already a bit scary to walk through in the dark - Ghosts, Witches & Political costumes are sure to bring the place to another level of frightening!

Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Admission: $5.00
Children 2 and under: FREE!
Haunted Trailers begin at 6pm
Movie Begins at 6:30pm

Wicker Park
1425 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL
(312) 742-7553

Workshop: Groove to Your Own Beat - Exotic Style

Ladies, go on & shake what your Mama gave ya! Ms. Bea Haven specializes the art of burlesque. Head on up to Lincoln Square to learn some skills that are sure to start the party. The classes start with yoga & "sexy moves" - and take it up a notch to find a rhythm that complements your body & personality.

Ms. Bea Haven’s
Art of Burlesque
Tuesdays, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
September 9 - December 9, 2008
Design Dance, 4710 N. Damen in Chicago
$16 for a single class

Visit the official site.

I Know... I Know... I Know....

I've been quite the slacker for the past few months, but I'm making a real effort to get Random Chicago back to the level of randomness that I once boasted.

In the meantime - a few events happening this weekend...

Renegade Craft Fair
I learned about this in my latest issue of ReadyMade (If you don't know this magazine, you are definitely missing out - run to Whole Foods today, pick up a copy and subscribe). Local & National Indie Crafts of the Etsy sorts.

The Wine Crush
The street festivals are winding down, but the drinking city that Chicago is can't let go just because the weather is rainy & cool. Check out the Wells Street Wine Festival tomorrow - $25 for 10 tastings.

And I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for a good garage sale - someone's trash is a another's gem.

While your at it - swing by Renegade, get inspired, pick up a ReadyMade, find a project, pick up your tools at a garage sale, cork open a bottle of wine - and finally, get crafty!

Event: Sports, The Random Kind

What: Chicago Assassins, Summer Tournament
When: June 2 - 23
Where: City of Chicago & Metro Area
Cost: $20, Includes single admission to three-week tournament, all tournament materials and eligibility for cash prize.
About: Ok, this is a new one for the books: A Water Gun Assassination Tournament! The Chicago Assassins hold 3 Tournaments each year --- and you are in luck as the next is just around the corner. "Agents" receive targets, can work within teams & have 3 weeks to accomplish their mission.... and at the end what better to walk away with a chunk of dough & bragging right to claim you could ace any Hit Man/Sniper film audition?
Website: http://chicagoassassins.com/