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

Lakeview: The Chicago Composers’ Big Band is showcasing their take on the Billboard Hot 100! The concert is on Wednesday February 27 at 8:30 pm. Each piece in the program is an arrangement of a tune that has been #1 on the Billboard Charts. The members of CCBB come from a variety of backgrounds and are accomplished and creative, both as writers and performers. Tickets start at $12 and are available here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Charm your way through a St. Patty’s Day bar crawl! Drink, dance, and chat your day away in a sea of green! On Saturday, March 16 from 10 am to 6 pm, your package includes two $5 gift cards for food or drink, drink specials at each bar, a St. Patty’s shot glass medallion, no cover at participating bars, the chance to win the Grand Prize trip for two to Dublin, and more. Participating bars include Swig, Whiskey Business, The Flat Iron, and The Tankard. Additional venues may be added as well! Tickets start at just $10- buy yours here!

Lincoln Park: Lynfred Winery is celebrating 40 years and the people and businesses that supported them throughout those years! And what better way to celebrate than with a Winemaker Dinner at Geja’s Cafe?! This celebratory evening is on Monday March 4 from 6:30-9:30 pm and will include fun, fondue, and family stories. The reception features an Oktoberfest wine, the cheese fondue is paired with a Vin de City white, the main course fondue is paired with Fred’s Red, and the dessert fondue is paired with a Sweetheart Red. The dinner is $70 per person, including tax and gratuity. Call 773.281.9101 now to make your reservations. You can find further info on the event’s Facebook page.

River North: Spring is coming! Join Executive Chef Cedric Harden for a Spring Ingredients Cooking Class! On Saturday March 23 from 12-2 pm, this springtime cooking class will feature seasonal produce and traditional food that comes with the spring season. Ticket price is $65 per person and includes beverages and lunch. Purchase your tickets here, now!

Lincoln Square: Mark your calendars for Lillstreet Art Center’s 12th Annual Empty Bowls Benefit. On March 8 from 5-8 pm, this event is a celebration of community, art, and giving and supports First Slice Pie Cafe’s efforts to fight hunger in Chicago. For $25, attendees will choose from a selection of ceramic bowls, handmade and donated by Lillstreet artists. Then, they’ll enjoy a delicious bowl of soup and leave with their unique piece of art- all while giving back to the Chicago community. 100% of the funds raised will benefit First Slice’s initiatives to fight hunger in Chicago. Their Outreach Program with schools, churches, youth groups, community centers, and social service organizations serves almost 600 meals per week to Chicago’s homeless and needy. Find more information on the event’s Facebook page.

Oak Park: Get ready to sip, sizzle, and swing to live music at Jazz Thaw. Jazz Thaw features 13 jazz performances inside 11 local restaurants on Saturday, March 2 from 3-10 pm. All the performances are free and participants have the option to order drinks and food from the restaurants’ menu. Jazz Thaw is presented by 90.9fm WDCB “Chicago’s Home for Jazz” and Downtown Oak Park. Performers include The New Deal- Gypsy Jazz Quartet, Barry Winograd & Jim Ryan, Will Kurk Trio, Alyssa Allgood Organ Quartet, Abigail Riccards Duo, and more. Find more information about this soulful event here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO