Look For ChiIL Mama October Special: Or ChiIL Mama's Alternative Guide To ChiILoween and Rocktobers Best Events Part I

Du-Jay loves Thumbkin Pie  

Photo by ChiIL Mama 

Whether you call it Rocktober, Chicagoween, Autumn Equinox or something else entirely, you've gotta LOVE this season.   Halloween happenings are plentiful, farmers markets overflow with the bounty of harvest season, and those muggy, humid days are a thing of the past.


If you want a comprehensive guide to all the free pumpkin patches, spooky entertainment, and conventional excuses to dress your littles like other people and things, we recommend Chicago Park District site, Chicagoween, and  Chicago Kids Fall Guide to Free Family Fun.


Over here, we're going to highlight the odd ball, funky fun events that are out of the mainstream, and a few better known events that are just too good to miss.


Since it's such an action packed month, and every day is Halloween, we're featuring a weekly best of, but we're also putting out an early heads up on some of the best events.   That way you know what's goin' on and can save the dates.    We will also feature events right after they happen, with photo filled recaps.   Happy haunting!


ChiIL Mama's Alternative Guide To ChiILoween and Roctober's Best Events 2010:


This Weekend:

RiotFest October 6-10th at multiple venues.  Dust off your Doc Marten's and spike up that mohawk for the best of old school punk.   I've gotta go dig up that Circle Jerks Tee from the 80's...   Age policies vary by venue, so check ahead for all ages shows if you plan to bring the punk kin.

Saturday, October 9th:   See the original grrrrl power, punk pirate, Pippi at the Swedish Museum, 5211 N. Clark 11-1

Look out for Pippi!  You can see her at the Museum's Pippi Longstocking film screening on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Families will watch Astrid Lindgren's famous character come to life in the original Pippi Longstocking movie dubbed in English.  Also, enjoy pepparkakor, saft, and popcorn during the movie.  Come dressed as Pippi or one of her friends! Cost is $1 per person.  Reservations are recommended.  For questions or to reserve your spot, please e-mail Museum@samac.org or call 773.728.8111.

Saturday, October 9th Kidical Mass Ride--Don't miss this fun, free bike parade for kids of all ages! The Logan Square Kidical Mass begins gathering at 10:30am at the Palmer Square bunny park (3100 W. Palmer) and pedals off at 11am. Saturday's forecast is calling for lots of sun and highs in the mid 70s-- a lovely day for a bike ride! The ride destination will be Holstein Park at 2200 N. Oakley, where there will be a free all-season workshop at 12 noon: Get Layered! Winter Cycling Tips & Tricks at the Holstein Park Playground.  Learn  how to keep your bike on the road as the temperature falls.  Free gators and balaclavas to first 25 attendees!!! For more info on all-season cycling, visit  www.bikewinter.org. CircEsteem's Gym Wheel ShowSaturday October 9th at 7:30 p.m. at Alternatives 4730 N. Sheridan Rd. Chicago Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Performers from Germany, Argentina, Japan, Columbia, Canada and the United States will take the stage at Alternatives. This show is part of the biannual gym wheel trainging and coaching courses offered by Wolfgang Bientzle, CircEsteem, and USA Wheel Gymnastics. About Wolfgang Bientzle CircEsteem Artisitc Director Wolfgang Bientzle is the most decorated Gym Wheel acrobat worldwide. He holds 8 World Champion Titles, 11 European Champion Titles and more than 60 German Champion Titles. As CircEsteem's Artistic Director, Wolfgang has been responsible for developing CircEsteem's recreational and competitive gym wheel programs.  Under his training, seven CircEsteem instructors and students have gone to two world championships.  Hundreds of students have experienced the thrills of gym wheel and it is with Wolfgang's guidance and wisdom that Chicago is the center of the United States gym wheel movement.   As performer, coach and choreographer, he has worked with Cirque du Soleil, Disney and Holiday on Ice. He has contributed to shows in more than 50 countries and is highly respected among the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, the World Circus Festival in Moscow and Gym Wheel and Circus organizations around the world.

Saturday and Sunday, October 9 & 10th 10am-3pm

Northpark Nature Center Harvest Festival

North Park Village Nature Center - 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Du-Jay and Sagezilla have gone to the NPNC Harvest Festival all their lives.   We particularly look forward to the scarecrow-building contest.   They provide the frame, hay, markers and a giant pile of thrift clothes.   We suggest BYO sharpies.   Costumes and embellishments from home are also welcome.

Families build life sized scarecrows in this free event, line em up for judging, then get to take them home as seasonal porch decorations.   Two years ago we won a pumpkin and "Most Creative" ribbon made of buckthorn wood and corn husks.   It still holds a place of honor in our home.

The Fest also features storytelling, live music, a farmers market, food vendors, hiking and more.

Even self described "meatatarians" like my husband, will have fun at VeganMania.   This kid friendly, family feast of entertainment and healthy eatin' is produced by a hip parenting team from Oak Park, so committed to activism they named their only son, Justice!   We've known them since the mid 90's and know what a great feast-ival they put on.   Check out VeganMania's 2nd year, which promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Chicago has a vibrant and exciting vegan community. And now we’re taking the opportunity to really show it off. EarthSave Chicago presents Chicago VeganMania: a joyous celebration of Chicago’s vegan culture, commerce, community, couture and cuisine.

Chicago VeganMania gives you a chance to sample great vegan food from a dozen different restaurants, watch a wide array of live music and dance, attend workshops and presentations from some of the nation’s leading vegan thinkers and doers, see the latest vegan fashion and the best vegan products and crafts, catch a vegan art show, learn Chicago’s hidden vegetarian history, and so much more!

All this for FREE!

Saturday, October 9, 2010
10am-6pm

Pulaski Park Fieldhouse
1419 W. Blackhawk
(between Division and North Avenue at Noble)
Chicago

ABC Wednesday: L is for...

Lunch!

Just kiddin'

Check out ABC Wednesday for more L fun.

Revolution Tattoo: Heavy Metal Harvest Party For The Big Kids-- AKA: Grown Ups

These guys are some fun friends of ours from waaaaaay back in the day.   They know how to throw a great party, so find a sitter and come bust your ear drums, trade some black t's, and relax without responsibility for a night. YOU'RE INVITED!   Revolution's Annual Halloween Art Show, Saturday, October 23.  8pm - Midnight - Heavy Metal Harvest! This extravaganza features over 30 artists. - Dudes Black T-Shirt Swap! For all you metal heads who want to trade in your old black tees for some new black t-shirt blood. - Cake Tease! Heavy metal baked goods including Whiskey Bacon Brownies and Bourbon Cupcakes.  - Three Floyds Brewery! Supplying delicious brews. - Costume Contest! Winner receives a $100 Revolution Tattoo Gift Certificate. Dress up as your favorite metal head to win. - Our very own oMs! Spinning all your favorite face melting tracks.

Riot Fest Is Here! ChiIL Mama has the set times...

There's still time to get tickets.    Don't miss the biggest punk party of the year.

ChiIL Mama's Win A Disc (and/or Tickets) Wednesday: The Verve Pipe--A Family Album

ChiIL Mama's footage from the V.I.R. (very important rocker) breakfast at The James Hotel and The Verve Pipe live at Kidzapalooza performing Worrisome One off A Family Album.


These guys are truly rockin' awesome (especially live).   A Family Album has been in heavy demand in our car, since August, and these tunes just don't get old.   Win a copy for your family and come on out and see The Verve Pipe live at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston.   You'll be happy you did!   Enter at the bottom of this post to win a CD and/or a family 4 pack of tickets to see them live.


Before we saw them at Kidzapalooza this past summer, they weren't really on our radar.   Sure, we'd heard their hit, The Freshmen, but we weren't expecting such a funky, fun transition when they made their foray into the world of kid friendly rock.   I am impressed.


This album is a keeper--one of Sagezilla and Du-Jay's absolute favorites.   Wake Up makes those early, cranky, school daze moments less stressful and more relaxed for all of us.   They both adore Complimentary Love and Be Part of the Band, Suppertime and Worrisome One.  


The kids have this CD memorized, and for once, I don't groan and say "Ack, not again." when they both clamor to hear it on the drive to school.   This music is smart, not condescending, and truly funny.   Clever, creative, and catchy, A Family Album will stand the test of time.


The Verve Pipe was one of our ChiIL Mama Win A Disc Wednesday give aways during our count down to Kidzapalooza and you can read the full review HERE.


Here's what S.P.A.C.E. has to say about the band:

With sales of three million albums worldwide and a reputation for spectacular live performances, the genesis of
The Verve Pipe can be traced back to the early 90s, when lead singer Brian Vander Ark and drummer Donny
Brown, members of two rival Michigan bands, joined forces.  After the additions of lead guitarist AJ Dunning
(later replaced) and keyboard/percussionist Doug Corella, The Verve Pipe released two independent albums which
attracted the attention of RCA Records. The label released their platinum major label debut Villains in 1996.  The album included the #1 single “The Freshmen,” one of the most successful multi-format tracks of 1997 and winner of an ASCAP Pop Award.  Their follow-up release, the critically acclaimed self- titled LP The Verve Pipe, featured “Hero,” a Top 15 hit at Modern Rock radio.

In addition to their success on radio, TV and film, sold-out concert dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe
and Australia, features in Spin and Rolling Stone and videos on MTV and VH1, the band have made numerous
television appearances, including "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "Late Night With David Letterman.

In 2009, the band was approached to submit a new song for a compilation album of children’s songs.
That session inspired A Family Album, an original collection of songs intended for the entire family,
with fun and inventive lyrics set to the memorable melodies the band is known for.  Recording this album set the
groundwork for a new rock LP, to be released in 2010.  The Verve Pipe is currently on tour performing both old
favorites as well as music from the new album.

ChiIL Mama Special:   You can enter in either or BOTH drawings below.   One entry per contest, per family, per week, but if you are in Chicago and can make the show, you can enter to win both the CD and the family 4 pack of tickets.   Entries accepted through Tuesday midnight.   Winner will be announced Wednesday, October 13th.



Enter here to win The Verve Pipe's CD 
A Family Album
(we'll mail out nation wide)


Enter here to win A Family 4 Pack of Tickets to S.P.A.C.E. to see The Verve Pipe live on October 16th at 3pm.

Win A Disc (and a hardback book!) Wednesday: Swing Cafe--And The Winner Is...

Sherry C. and the "S" family--Sedona, Sandia and Serena.   Big congrats!   You'll love this beautiful set.   Please e-mail ChiIL Mama at zbluesun@gmail.com with your contact information, within the week, and we'll send that right out to you.


For ordering information, and many more magical, multicultural titles, check out The Secret Mountain website.

Mellow Yellow Monday: ChiILin' At Lac La Belle In Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

We had some catch and release fun up in Wisconsin Tuesday and Wednesday.   This guy is the biggest fish Sagezilla  ever caught.   And that was one happy bass when we set him free.

Click the link below for photos from around the world, all featuring a little or a lot of yellow.

I ♥ Faces--Dinner Recipes

Ever have an opposite day with breakfast for dinner?   We love to do that every once in a while.   The kids get a kick out of it and always eat well.   You're never too grown up to enjoy a good stack of pancakes, an omelet, or French Toast for dinner.

This week, in lieu of a  judged contest, I ♥ Faces is looking for dinner recipes expressed in photos.   And in the spirit of opposite day, we offer you one of our favorite breakfast dinners--Swedish Kringle, along with a bunch of fun photos and some social commentary thrown in.   These can be shaped into just about anything you can imagine, just in time for Halloween.   Click HERE and enjoy!

We recently shared this recipe with the kids' school, for a multicultural heritage cookbook, that will be sold as a fundraiser.   We had a delicious school wide potluck where everyone made a dish to share and brought a recipe.    Everyone brought their own utensils, and we used large water and juice jugs, versus bottled drinks, to keep it eco-friendly

Click the link below to check in at I ♥ Faces for more yummy ideas expressed through photography.