CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chicago Loop, Andersonville, Portage Park

Lakeview: Haven’t solidified your New Year’s Eve plans yet? Ring in 2019 at ComedySportz Theatre! There are 3 shows- at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm. General admission tickets are $35. Tickets include the 90-minute show, a countdown to midnight (for London at the 5 pm show, Reykjavik at the 7 pm show, and Chicago at the 10 pm show), a champagne toast, a fabulous photo booth, and candy! To purchase tickets in advance, click here.

Lincoln Park: Join Chicago-based singer, songwriter, and preschool music teacher Jeanie B for sing and dance along FUN! “Sing-Along with Jeanie B” is at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum this Saturday, December 29 from 11 to 11:45 am. Jeanie’s musical styles range from rock and folk to classic country, blues, bluegrass, and Bossa Nova/jazz- sure to get you and your kiddos singing and dancing! The sing-along is free with admission to the museum. Museum tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $6 for children’s ages 3-12, and free for children under 3. Members are free every day. For more information, check out the museum’s event page.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Spoil yourself for the end of 2018! Join Violet Hour for Cocktails 101: End of Year Splurge Edition! On Sunday, December 30 from 1-3:15 pm, Violet Hour is celebrating the end of a year of cocktail classes in style by dressing up their classic Cocktail 101 class. This class has something to offer for both novice cocktail-makers and those who may have already taken a 101 class. Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with one of VH’s professional mixologists as you sip and dive deeper into these delicious selections. For more information, click here.

Chicago Loop: Get your kids ready for some magic with The Wizard School Scavenger Hunt! Families with kids 10 and up will go in search of art echoing characters, places, and enchanted objects from the Harry Potter books and movies at the Art Institute of Chicago. On Saturday December 29 from 1-3 pm, be prepared to track down flying owls, Hagrid-like giants, centaurs and unicorns akin to those from the Forbidden Forest, dragons seemingly straight out of the Triwizard Tournament, and eerie figures similar to Death Eaters and Dementors. Adult tickets are $26 and children tickets are $18 (both include museum admission). For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.

Andersonville: Want to get a little crafty this weekend? Mark your calendars for the Handcrafted Beginners Jewelry Making Class with Gemology + Color Theory. This Saturday, December 29 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, you’ll learn the basics of jewelry making; including how to use jewelry tools, some gemology facts, the meaning of color, and tips on color combination. The class is open to anyone 15 years of age and up. Tools and materials are provided. The session is $45. To book your tickets now, click here.

Portage Park: Is Winter Break starting to drag? Bring your kiddos to the Austin-Irving Branch of the Chicago Public Library on Thursday January 3 from 1-2 pm for LEGO Builders Club! All Legos are provided- just bring your kiddos and their imaginations for an afternoon of building! This event is recommended for ages 5 and up. Click here for more information.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO