Fri | March 1
Lord of the Flies may have seemed like a slog in high school, but that’s nothing compared to what creator Kurt Chiang has to go through in Analog, a Neo-Futurist production opening tonight and running through April 6. Experience William Golding’s tale of murderous, island-dwelling tweens like you never have before—that is, painstakingly transcribed. Within the walls of the Neo-Futurarium theater, Chiang recounts, in excruciating detail, writing out the entire novel by hand, including the notebooks and pens he used to do it. He interweaves text, spoken word, and space to showcase the abstract workings of his brain, and come to a conclusion reached by so many ninth graders and college seniors before him: that writing is a tortuous process. 5153 North Ashland Avenue. 7:30 p.m., $10–$20.
Ninth week is fast approaching, and with it an impending doom of 12 pt., double-spaced, Times New Roman, no-more-than-20-page papers. But for now it’s still the weekend—time to break out of your typographical prison and explore alternative ways of seeing words. At Typeforce 4’s opening night at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, enjoy complimentary food, drink, music, and 22 design projects by 45 typography all-stars who think outside the 1.25” margins. 3219 South Morgan Street. 6–11 p.m., free.
Sat | March 2
Consider yourself particularly footsy and brainy? Know what it means to be either? Well, then you’re more than qualified to attend Open Books Chicago’s Dr. Seuss Day, which is being held in honor of both what would have been Geisel’s 109th birthday and Read Across America Day. The nonprofit, which supports youth literacy, has enlisted the help of Wishcraft Workshop, Emerald City Theater, and Marsha’s Music to provide cake, face painting, theater games, and more things that can happen, and frequently do. The event is suggested for persons ages three and up—and that means YOU! 213 West Institute Place. 10 a.m.–1 p.m., free.
A few restaurant openings to take note of this weekend, the first being Chef Rodelio Aglibot’s Earth + Ocean in Mount Prospect, 22 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. This New American restaurant, the kind of place where you can get sushi with your pizza with your hummus, officially began service a couple of weeks ago, but the grand opening, which benefits Autism Speaks, is tonight. There’s also Longman & Eagle’s new imminently popular 16-seat bar, appropriately called The Off Site Bar (or OSB @ L&E, for short), which opened this past Thursday. OSB is just behind the inn and conveniently attaches to the restaurant’s patio for easy-access day drinking. The menu will be similar to that of L&E, but still unique, with the occasional food item and a pop-up sausage store on Saturdays starting on March 16. E&O: 55 East Euclid Avenue. 10–12 a.m. OSB: 2657 North Kedzie Avenue. Opens at 5 p.m.
Sun | March 3
Many Chicagoans are unaware that they live in a city with a rich history of candy. Just as the spice trade connecting the ancient civilizations of the East and West made Alexandria a destination nearly two millennia ago, Chicago’s flourishing railroad system made it an integral crossroads for Lemonheads, Milk Duds, and Frango Mints. Oh Henry! bars were first manufactured here in 1920, not to mention the recipe for Oh Henry! afternoon tea toast, invented in Chicago in 1926 (toast slices of bread, butter, top with candy). You can learn about these and so many more ways of eating sugar, but you’ve got to act fast because this is the last day to catch Sweet Home Chicago: The History of America’s Candy Capital at the Harold Washington Library Center’s Special Collections Exhibit Hall. 400 South State Street. 1–5 p.m., free.
Today’s race through a freezing Lake Michigan to raise money for the Special Olympics is as multifaceted as it is uncomfortable. On one hand, the much-hypothesized link between living in Chicago and being a masochist has never seemed clearer; on the other, it makes the goodness and charity of Chicagoans even more evident. Perhaps we can find a middle ground and just admit that some of us like being really, really cold. At the 13th annual Chicago Polar Plunge you can put a pinky, an elbow, or your whole body into the icy waters of North Avenue Beach to show your support—or, if you’re really ambitious, raise $150 to create your own team and compete. 1600 North Lake Shore Drive. Starts at 9:30 a.m., free.
