CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, River North, Logan Square, Evanston

Lincoln Park: Still looking for your Easter weekend plans? Get ready for NEWCITY’S Easter Wonderland in the Plaza! From 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, March 31, there will be Easter activities, visits from the Easter Bunny, and special appearances by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter. Plus, Kiss FM will be onsite hosting a special Easter Egg Hunt! Your egg could contain candy, cash, or a NEWCITY retailer gift card. The event is free to all, so get in the Easter spirit and come on down! Find more information here.

Lakeview: Taste of Iceland in Chicago 2018 is coming up fast! This Icelandic culture festival takes over Chicago April 5-8. The weekend begins with the Taste of Iceland Cocktail Kick-Off at The Dawson (730 West Grand). This free event is on April 3 from 6-8 pm. You’re invited to shake, stir, and sip Icelandic cocktails through a demonstration and hands-on tutorial led by The Dawson’s beverage team and Trevor Schneider, one of Iceland’s premier mixologists. Register here! On Saturday April 7, check out “Shortfish: Iceland’s Premier Short Film Festival” held at the Music Box Theatre. The short film division of the Stockfish festival focuses on up and coming Icelandic filmmakers. The Shortfish screening will include six short films and will run for approximately 90 minutes. Admission is free, on a first come, first serve basis. While there is no age restriction on the films, they are not recommended for children. Find more information here! Want to know more about Taste of Iceland? Check out the whole itinerary here!

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Experience a miraculous world of magic, mind reading, and hypnosis from world class “Astonishment Artist” Mat LaVore. The Den Theatre presents “Mat LaVore’s Magic & Mystery!”. Is it possible to change someone’s memories? Read minds? Predict the future? Magic & Mystery is a spellbinding 90-minute show with revolutionary magic and hypnosis. This Friday, March 30, the show is at 7:30. Mat will also be performing at The Den on April 13 and April 20. Buy your tickets here, now!

River North: Get ready for the One of a Kind Show + Sale Chicago! The third annual show returns to the Merchandise Mart Friday April 27 through Sunday April 29. Over 300 talented artists and designers from across North America will be in attendance. Shop directly from the makers and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience with great food and entertainment. The show is Friday from 11 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Adult tickets are $12 and are good for all three days. Kids 12 and under get in for free. Find more information about this awesome event here!

Logan Square: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Mary 19! Eat The Neighborhood: Ramp Foraging Walk and Dinner is here. Meet your group at Jam (2853 N Kenzie) at 3 pm. You’ll peruse the surrounding neighborhood for edible plants with Chicago’s own professional forager, Dave Odd. Then you’ll head off to the woods to see wild ramps in their natural habitat! Then head back to Jam at 5:30 for a three course meal made from the very things seen on your walk, specially made by Chef Ian Voakes. It’s $50 per person for the walk ($90 per couple) and $50 per person for dinner. RSVP by texting or calling Dave Odd at 847-409-8623 or call Jam at 773-292-6011. Check out the Facebook event here.

Evanston: Evanston Games & Cafe hosts weekly game night on Tuesdays! The demo library is always free and available to peruse, but Tuesday nights are special. They bring the community together for a weekly board game meetup! Stop by any time after 6 pm to learn a new game or meet a new friend- and bring your appetite! Sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods are provided by the award-winning chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook. Find more information here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO