THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – The Thaw Continues!
It’s time to bid farewell to January and its polarizing weather! Hopefully, February will treat us better but until then here’s what’s happening this weekend as the thaw continues.
And you thought the polar vortex was cold! Are you up for braving the icy waters of Lake Michigan for the 23rd annual Chicago Polar Bear Club Plunge this Saturday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Oak Street Beach (1000 Lake Shore Dr.) in the Gold Coast neighborhood? This frigid tradition challenges brave participants to plunge into Lake Michigan (costumes are encouraged) to raise money for local struggling families in need with 100% of all proceeds going directly to these families. Afterwards, it’s time to dry off, change clothes, and head on over to the post-plunge party, if you’re not frozen solid!
Gentlemen, come join other revelers who eat meat with their hands at the 2024 Chicago Beefsteak this Saturday (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) at the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center (4740 N. Western Ave.) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. This 17th annual beef banquet offers attendees the opportunity to feast on all-you-can-eat steak, with your hands, while dressed in suits/blazers and ties! Not to worry about your messy hands though since butcher aprons are provided. In addition, live music and an open bar stocked with plenty of German beer are featured as well!
As the city continues to celebrate its award-winning culinary scene during Chicago Restaurant Week, City Cruises is joining in with a Premier Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River on Saturdays and Sundays through February 4th located at River Esplanade (455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.) on the Near North Side. Besides offering their decadent menu of seasonal specialties, a new dish exclusive to Restaurant Week will also be served along with creative cocktails, and exceptional service at a reduced rate. In addition, live DJ entertainment, and not to mention fabulous scenic views of the city’s skyline are all part of this two-hour adventure!
Need to have some good laughs after dealing with this past month? You’re in luck, since Chicago is home to some of the best comedy around with the following Saturday events:
Chicago Comedy Hour (9 p.m.-10 p.m.) at the De Maat Studio Theater at Piper’s Alley (230 W. North Ave.) in the Old Town neighborhood hosts a comedy variety show featuring sketch, improv, and standup comedy from some of the best up and coming Chicago comedians!
Best of Annoyance Sketch (9:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.) at The Annoyance Theatre (851 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood showcases their best and funniest performers delivering brand-new content as well as new openers hot to the comedy scene!
This is Your Brain on Beer Comedy Show! (8 p.m.-10 p.m.) at Midwest Coast Brewing Co. (2137 N. Walnut St.) on the Near West Side where standup comedians do two sets: a dry set and the other after having a few delicious brews. Plus, the audience gets to choose the comedian whose skills were the best, after they have had a few brews themselves!
This Sunday brings us the NFL’s Conference Championship Games with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium (3:00 p.m. ET) on CBS and the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET) on FOX. Finally, football fans across America will know who will be in the Super Bowl this year! Is your team one of them?
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
