CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS- Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Old Town, Logan Square, Portage Park

Lincoln Park: Your tastebuds have been waiting and it’s finally time… the list of restaurants for Savor Lincoln Park 2017 has been released! If you’re not already familiar, this one-night-only event will include food, drinks, silent auction items, and even a vintage photo booth. Restaurants include Earls Kitchen + Bar, Geja’s Café, Kings Bowl, Knife & Tine, Nando’s Peri-Peri, and White Oak Tavern. Revolution Brewing will be featured, along with other samplings of wine and beer. The event will take place at the iO Theater, 1501 North Kingsbury Street, on January 24 from 6-9 pm. You can purchase tickets here for $40 or at the door (if available) for $50.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Legenza’s On Tour Brewing Company is a brand new feature in this neighborhood, having opened yesterday at 3 pm. The space includes a brewery, tasting room, and barrel-aging room. The business will be credit card only, no cash accepted (except for tips). The brewery is located near numerous local breweries, including Goose Island, Forbidden Root, Like Minds, and Hubbard’s Cave. The brewery itself will not serve food, but they are encouraging guests to BYOF (bring your own food). They also plan a food-truck lineup release for February. Located at 1725 Hubbard St., the brewery is open from Wednesday to Sunday. You can find more information here at their website or on their Facebook page.

Lakeview: On January 15, the Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center will be offering a free 3-hour workshop. The workshop will focus on self-defense strategies, in addition to discussions on how to properly advocate for targeted communities. Focus will also be placed on de-escalation tactics for victims of bigoted acts, including homophobia, racism, and Islamophobia. You can find more information about the center on their website. The workshop will run from 1:30 to 4:30 pm this Sunday.

Edgewater: Edgewater’s first wine-bar and restaurant opened in late December at 5959 N. Broadway. Income Tax has a simple menu, divided by region: Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. It includes eye-catching dishes like the Strangolapreti: fried spinach dumplings served with ricotta and brown butter. This quaint spot takes reservations and is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 5- 11 pm.

Logan Square: The quirky, beach-themed bar, Surf, in Logan Square will close its doors after only 6 months of “hanging ten”. The owners will be replacing the bar with a pop-up event space, designed to be an extension of the arcade Emporium next door. Co-owner Danny Marks is beginning a partnership with Fernet-Branca, a liquer brand. The new place will be called “Branca Bar” and will host different food, art, and drink partners for short engagements. Branca Bar opens February 1.

Portage Park: In Chicago’s bustling theatre scene, there’s always something to see. Through January 15, The Gift Theater (4802 N. Milwaukee Ave.) is presenting 10 short plays. Each play is 10 minutes long. Though the festival is presented annually, the plays are different each year. The theatre’s improv troop, Natural Gas, will also be featured in the show. Catch the show this Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 3:30 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO