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)