Weekend Best Bets: Glowing Photos, Vegan Food, Cat Videos

Events in and around Chicago the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 2

Lorenz Holder of Germany was the overall winner of the 2016 Red Bull Illume contest. The photo shows Senad Grosic ride his bike over a bridge in an autumnal Gablenz, Germany. (Lorenz Holder / Red Bull Illume)Lorenz Holder of Germany was the overall winner of the 2016 Red Bull Illume contest. The photo shows Senad Grosic ride his bike over a bridge in an autumnal Gablenz, Germany. (Lorenz Holder / Red Bull Illume)

The big event: Red Bull Illume
A touring, nighttime exhibition features 55 photographs displayed on light boxes. A panel of 53 photo editors selected the finalists from nearly 35,000 entries representing 120 countries. This is the fourth edition of the international contest dedicated to action and adventure sports.

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Details: 6:30-10:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 9 at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Free. | MAP

Free pick of the week

Oh the possibilities: Chicago VeganMania offers a primer on plant-based eating this weekend. Oh the possibilities: Chicago VeganMania offers a primer on plant-based eating this weekend.

Chicago VeganMania
Organizers of the eighth annual fest stress that you don’t have to subscribe to a plant-based diet to attend. It’s basically a “big friendly party,” they write. Learn about vegan lifestyles, cooking and try signature fare from local vegan restaurants and companies–including Original Soul Vegetarian and the Chicago Diner–at a food court. Kids activities, live music, speakers, workshops and chef demos with notable vegans–like former Bears player David Carter, and the Vegan Black Metal Chef (aka Brian Manowitz)–round it out.  

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. Free. | MAP

Also on tap ...

Fall Bangs 2016 Art and Craft Market Fest
This craft show and vintage sale moves outdoors for the first time and comes with a couple of twists, including a free Doritos bar (it’s like a salad bar, but stocked with six flavors of Doritos instead of veggies), tarot card readers, and free beard and bang trims (2-8 p.m. Saturday). Don’t miss an opening night after party on Friday (9-11 p.m.) at Heritage Bikes and Coffee (2959 N. Lincoln Ave.) with live music and more. A second party takes place on the terrace at St. Alphonsus on Saturday (6:30-9 p.m.) with live music.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at the intersection of Lincoln, Wellington and Southport avenues. Free. | MAP

Shop for indie wares at the first outdoor edition of the Bangs arts and crafts market.Shop for indie wares at the first outdoor edition of the Bangs arts and crafts market.

CatVideoFest
Your small-screen obsession comes to the big screen–and it's for a good cause. Watch 70 minutes of cat-tastic videos with host and “feline philosopher” Will Braden, who signs copies of his latest book, “Henri, le Chat Noir: Reflections on Human Folly from a Feline Philosopher.” Partial proceeds benefit local shelters, including Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Details: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. $12; $9 for members and kids under age 12. | MAP

How many cats can you handle? This weekend’s CatVideoFest offers 70 minutes of purr-fect screen time.How many cats can you handle? This weekend’s CatVideoFest offers 70 minutes of purr-fect screen time.

Oyster Fest
Fresh seafood from Shaw’s Crab House and Oyster Bah highlight this 28th annual affair expected to draw more than 3,000 people. Four local blues bands provide musical accompaniment to your feasting, including Bumpus. Wine, signature cocktails and Founder’s beer are also available for purchase. 

Details: 3-10 p.m. at Rush and Hubbard streets. $20 admission; food and drinks cost extra; free admission for kids ages 12 and under. | MAP

Seafood, blues and beer: It sounds like a winning combination to us. The 28th annual Oyster Fest returns Friday.Seafood, blues and beer: It sounds like a winning combination to us. The 28th annual Oyster Fest returns Friday.

Lincoln Square Apple Fest
Apples may be the excuse, but they’re not the only star at this 29th annual neighborhood event. Live music, chef demos, food vendors, hard cider, mulled cider, German beer, area farms and local businesses are all part of the party. A special area for kids is set up at Lincoln and Leland avenues. 

Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday along Lincoln Avenue, between Lawrence and Eastwood avenues. $5 suggested donation. | MAP


Bacon and Beer Classic
Feast on more than 50 bacon-infused dishes from local chefs and restaurants, then wash it all down with samples of craft beer and cider from local and regional breweries. Extras (do you really need anything else?) include games, a photo booth and a bacon-eating contest. Rain or shine.

Details: General admission noon-3 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. $69. | MAP


West Town Food Truck Social and West Town Art Walk 
A neighborhood twofer celebrates art and food with more than 15 food trucks selling signature dishes and beer while local DJs spin. The sixth annual art walk highlights Chicago artists of various disciplines at 35 neighborhood businesses, in addition to family activities in Eckhart Park and a car show along Chicago Avenue, between Paulina and Wood streets.

Details: Food Truck Social: 4-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday along Noble Street, from Chicago Avenue to Chestnut Street. Free. | MAPDetails: Art Walk and Sidewalk Sale: 5-8 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday along Chicago Avenue, from Milwaukee to Hoyne avenues and Ashland Avenue, from Chicago Avenue to Division Street. Free. | MAP

An afternoon in West Town: A food truck celebration and neighborhood art walk are on tap this weekend.An afternoon in West Town: A food truck celebration and neighborhood art walk are on tap this weekend.

Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement
Dance to oompah music and classic rock under a large heated tent at the annual fall festival. Vendors offer German food and beer; a kids fest takes place from noon-4 p.m. Saturday.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $12-$15; $8-$10 for kids ages 4-12; free for members and kids under age 4. | MAP


Curtis Mayfield Tribute
Celebrate the release of “Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield,” written by Todd Mayfield–the Chicago native's second-oldest son–and Travis Atria. Syd Brown and the Mayfield All Stars perform greatest hits. Learn more about the book and hear an interview with Todd Mayfield.

Details: 3 p.m. Saturday at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. $15-$25. Proceeds benefit Musical Arts Institute. All ages. | MAP


Logan Square Beer Festival
About 20 breweries pour samples of more than 50 beers at this fourth annual festival, including selections from Ale Syndicate, Bells, Half Acre, Lagunitas, Lake Effect, Revolution and Virtue Cider.

Details: Sessions from 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. $40. | MAP


The Defiant Thomas Brothers
The acclaimed sketch comedy duo of Seth Thomas and Paul Thomas–they're not actually brothers–returns to the stage after a nearly 10-year hiatus. 

Details: 10:30 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 19 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. $17.50. | MAP

The not-politically-correct duo of Seth Thomas and Paul Thomas, aka The Defiant Thomas Brothers, starts an eight-week run at Stage 773 this weekend. (Courtesy The Defiant Thomas Brothers)The not-politically-correct duo of Seth Thomas and Paul Thomas, aka The Defiant Thomas Brothers, starts an eight-week run at Stage 773 this weekend. (Courtesy The Defiant Thomas Brothers)

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
Celebrate the season at this monthlong family event kicking off this weekend with ticketed attractions, including a Ferris wheel and corn maze, plus a pumpkin sale, music and more.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Oct. 30 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. Free. | MAP


AIDS Run & Walk Chicago
Lace up for this end-of-season benefit for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Depending on your route, the dog-friendly, lakefront course extends north to Jackson Drive (5k walk) or south to 31st Street (5k run) or 41st Street (10k run). Relax in a beer garden after you cross the finish line.

Details: 8 a.m. Saturday at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. $60 race-day registration. | MAP


Oak Park Billiards sale
When Oak Park Billiards closed 10 years ago, the vintage Brunswick pool tables remained. But with a new tenant moving in, those iconic tables, along with hundreds of other items, are up for sale to the general public this weekend. Read more in our story.

Details: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Oak Park Billiards, 1019 South Boulevard, Oak Park. | MAP

When Oak Park billiards suddenly shuttered 10 years ago, all of the equipment was left inside. Many of the regulars who had left their cues there had to call the owners to retrieve them. (Courtesy of Karen Mcmillin)When Oak Park billiards suddenly shuttered 10 years ago, all of the equipment was left inside. Many of the regulars who had left their cues there had to call the owners to retrieve them. (Courtesy of Karen Mcmillin)

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.

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