Do you have spare coats, boots, gloves, hats, or socks? The Rogers Park People’s Survival Program, which is connected to the Chicago-wide collective For the People is leading a winter clothing drive, and searching for these priority items to be redistributed locally. They are also looking for underwear (never worn!), blankets, and basic hygiene products. Please do not bring anything else; the group does not have the capacity for it. For the foreseeable future, donations will be accepted every Saturday from 11 AM-1 PM in Willye B. White Park (meet near 1610 W. Howard). Questions can be sent through Instagram DMs or email: [email protected]. (MC)
The Avondale horror-themed coffeeshop The Brewed (2843 N. Milwaukee, owned by Jen Lemasters and Nick Mayor of Bric-a-Brac Records along with Jason Deuchler, aka DJ Intel) seems like it would be a great place, thematically speaking, to hang out this weekend. Thankfully the shop is collaborating with retailer The Horror House to give you extra reason to come over. Today and tomorrow, you can attend Halloween Hangout, a two-day Halloween-themed market featuring small business and artist vendors, themed drinks for sale, giveaways, and horror movies playing in the background. Plus there’s a costume contest both days, so dress up you and yours before heading to shop. The festivities run from noon-5 PM today and again Sunday evening from 6 PM until 1 AM Halloween Monday. (SCJ)
Looking for a spooky good time while supporting the arts? Maybe a little pre-gaming before some late night Halloween fun? Public Media Institute, which runs Lumpen Radio, Lumpen Magazine, and programs art and cultural events, is holding a festive fundraiser at Co-Prosperity (3219 S. Morgan) featuring DJs Fanita Banana, Logan Bay, and Jeremiah Meece. There will be a costume contest, a drinkable “blood” fountain installation by the art group Spacore, and visual design by August Abitang. The party kicks off at 7 PM and is free for donors and members of PMI; otherwise, it’s $16 to enter. (MC)
If you’re in the spooky spirit but parties aren’t your thing, check out the University of Chicago’s University Symphony Orchestra tonight. At 7 PM and 9 PM, they offer a program entitled “Enchantments & Spells,” a selection of haunting music including Goldmark’s Merlin Overture, Revueltas’ Sensemaya, the Dream Pantomime from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, and the Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath from Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The orchestra will be supported by the University of Chicago Women’s Ensemble and solo singers from the University of Chicago Vocal Studies Program, as well as dancers from the Hyde Park School of Dance. Costumes are highly encouraged—especially for little ones! Catch the show at Mandel Hall (1131 E. 57th) at the University of Chicago. Admission is free, but donations ($10/adults, $5/children and students) are welcome. The 7 PM performance will be livestreamed; go to the ensemble’s website for more information. (MC)
