Now through Saturday, Logan Square Mutual Aid (LSMA) is looking for volunteers. Today and tomorrow, the group needs help calling or texting families to arrange the week’s food deliveries. Friday they’re looking for help sorting food and packing bags for Saturday’s drop-off (work shifts from 2-4 PM and/or 4-7 PM; work space at LSMA’s free store, 2311 N. Keystone). And Thursday night (6-9 PM) and Saturday (11 AM-1 PM), LSMA welcomes donation drop-offs and also needs volunteers to organize and restock the store. The group also needs drivers to deliver food bags and volunteers to organize the warehouse and load cars for delivery. Further information, including where to direct questions, can be found on LSMA’s Instagram or website. (MC)
If you’re not already aware, Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year–what some have dubbed “Blackout Wednesday.” While there is no shortage of places to party tonight, here are a few suggestions—for those 21 and older, of course.
The lonely-hearted will want to check out Schubas (3159 N. Southport); at 8 PM, they’re hosting the Perfect Mash, an interactive dating show hosted by the queer speed dating pop-up Hot Potato Hearts. Tickets ($10) include a chance to win a date with one of the three contestants, which you can learn about on Hot Potato Hearts’ Instagram.
If you’re looking for a gay ol’ time (pun intended), check out the annual Blackout Wednesday Black Light Party at D.S. Tequila Company (3352 N. Halsted). The lights come down low as Miss Toto and Boy J welcome drag performances by Angelíca Grace, Johnny, and Nico. With no cover, drink specials all night, and music by DJ Rico Smash, things are going to really pop off, starting at 10 PM.
Now if music is more your priority, might I suggest Research & Development night at the Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee)? If you’re familiar with the monthly dark techno offerings of DJs JS Alvarez and Makeen, then you’ll know it normally happens on the final Thursday of the month—but with dance music this good, how could the Whistler sacrifice November’s slot to Thanksgiving! Tonight’s DJs include Linda, Scim, They.Party, and Makeen and the party starts at 9 PM. This event is free, and the dance floor will fill up fast so get there sooner rather than later. (MC)
Sometimes I’ll joke with our music editor, Philip Montoro, and ask why the Chicago Reader does such a disservice to the city of Chicago by not covering more polka events. While the truth is that we actually have covered polka musicians and enthusiasts in the past, Montoro’s section proved me very wrong earlier this month when our longtime contributing writer Steve Krakow told the story of “Li’l Wally” Jagiello for his Secret History of Chicago Music column earlier this month. If reading about Jagiello’s prolific polka discography and legacy enticed you to seek out more accordions for your aural pleasure, tonight’s Thanksgiving Eve Polka Hop, at Polonia Banquets in Brighton Park, will give you a chance to listen to the music and memories and dance the night away, Blazonczyk-style. In 1965, Chicago polka legend Eddie Blazonczyk hosted the first of many Thanksgiving eve polka dances at the then-named Polonia Ballroom, and it proved to be such a popular evening that Blazonczyk and his band continued to host the event for years, until he passed away in 2012. Tonight is billed as “One More Time” as Eddie’s widow Tish Blazonczyk takes over hosting duties, with son Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze band holding court. Admission is $12 at the door (6-10 PM, 4604 S. Archer, go to Tish’s Bel-Aire Recordings website for more information). (SCJ)
Versalicious! was published in 2003.
Metal Blade Records sponsors tonight’s Metal Movie Night at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport), where two films from the Satanic Panic era of troubled teen cinema will be screened: 1988’s Black Roses and 1986’s Trick or Treat. Black Roses stars soap opera regular John Martin as a small-town high school teacher who is challenged with saving teenage souls from a heavy metal band that might actually be demons in disguise. And Trick or Treat stars Marc Price (he was “Skippy” on Family Ties!) as a bullied teen into metal who discovers that his music idol Sammi Curr might be trying to make a heavy comeback . . . from the grave. Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne make cameo appearances, and predictably, all hell breaks loose. A pre-show party featuring vending from Death Rattle Market and the Horror House plus music from Metal Blade starts at 6 PM in the Music Box Lounge; movies begin at 8 PM. For tickets, go to the Music Box Theatre website. (SCJ)
