Halloween may last for just one day, but Chicagoween lasts at least a week! For the next seven days, free fun includes all sorts of fun with skulls, skeletons and altars. And, just to shake things up a bit, there’s some fish, butterflies and a golem thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 1
Happy anniversary Notebaert Nature Museum! In celebration of the Museum’s 10th anniversary, admission is free. From critter cams that show you the world through the eyes of a great white shark, to a kitty cam that will open your eyes to your feline’s perspective, the Notebaert Nature Museum will have you seeing a whole new world. Make sure to adopt a butterfly while you are there. The museum is open from 10AM to 5PM.
Monday, November 2
Have you ever seen a mandarin fish? Well, have you? If you have, then you’ll be mighty pleased that you can see one for FREE today at the Shedd Aquarium. And if you have no clue what a mandarin fish is? Well then, clear your Monday schedule so you can stare in awe at it’s magnificence. The Shedd Aquarium is open from 9AM to 5PM.
Tuesday, November 3
Crystals, sugar and skulls, who would have ever thought to combine the three? Navy Pier, that’s who! Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Crystal Garden, check out some traditional artists, and decorate sugar skulls at this sweetly ghoulish all-ages event. Hours are from 11AM to 5PM.
Wednesday, November 4
Still grieving the end of the World Music Fest? Well, turn that frown upside down at World Music Wednesday at The Old Town School of Folk Music. This Wednesday, Israeli Yasmin Levy will wow you with her critically acclaimed Ladino sounds. Her performance begins at 8:30PM, and while this is a free event, a $5 donation is suggested.
Thursday, November 5
Continue enjoying the Day of the Dead at the National Museum of Mexican Art, located in the lovely Pilsen neighborhood. The Museum’s 23rd annual Day of the Dead exhibition includes ofrenda (altars) created by Arturo Velasquez Sr. and Sandra Cisneros, as well as works from more than 20 artists. The Museum is open from 10AM to 5PM.
Friday, November 6
If the Day of the Dead festivities haven’t convinced you that Chicagoween is a season, not a day, here’s further proof: The Chicago Cultural Center will be screening The Golem, a silent film from the 1920s. A golem, by the way, is a legendary creature that can save you by destroying your enemies… if you can control it. The film begins at 7PM.
Saturday, November 7
Wind down the week with a book and a view – a view of some fantabulous art, that is. The Harold Washington Library Center showcases the city’s art collection of over 50 works. It is the largest public art display in Chicago, and, fittingly, it is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings downtown. And… the collection is protected by gargoyles. On Saturday, the Library Center is open from 9AM to 5PM.
- Shannon Sankstone
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