Ready for summer yet? I sure am! No one wants cold and snow once the holidays are over. The bright side to this dark and cold winter is that there is still plenty to do in the most fabulous city in the world! Laugh yourself silly, buy yourself a boat, get a tattoo for some kitties and stuff yourself full of tapas!
Wow, even a cold weekend in Chicago is better than being warm anywhere else!
(1) Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
This weekend finishes up the annual sketch comedy party. It runs through Sunday which means you still have a chance to check out some hilarious entertainers and laugh your pants off…or is it socks? Whatever article of clothing you chose to remove from laughing so hard I guess!
Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Avenue
(2) RV and Boat Show
For all of you outdoor lovers (yes, that does exclude me), check out the RV and Boat Show being hosted at McCormick Place this weekend. For only $10, it’s just like the Auto Show, except for RVs and boats! Do you have a nautical-themed pashmina afghan you can wear?
Runs from January 12th – January 16th; Open until 9:00pm all days except Sunday. And it’s true, I did hum “I’m On a Boat” while writing this paragraph.
McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
(3) Tats for Cats 
Last night, I was watching Pit-bulls and Parolees with my pit-bull mix, Clark. The show made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and I was determined to find a way to help the animals (or the parolees, I guess, but animals might be easier). Just my luck, I stumbled upon Tats for Cats. This Saturday and Sunday, Insight Studios is hosting a tattoo and piercing benefit weekend. All proceeds from piercings and tattoos done on those days will be donated to the Tree House Humane Society. Hours are from Noon – 10:00pm Saturday and Noon – 8:00pm Sunday.
Now I can finally get my husband’s name tattooed on my forearm while supporting a great cause! I am all about multi-tasking.
Insight Studios, 1062 N. Milwaukee
(4) Ba-Ba-Reeba Birthday Party
Who loves birthdays? Raise your hand. Especially if it’s your 25th (I like to still pretend sometimes…)
Okay good.
Now, who loves tapas? (Pause). Okay, great, that’s like, everyone.
So why not combine the two?
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba is celebrating their 25th birthday this Sunday, and is inviting the whole city to come! It’s kind of like when you were a kid and your mom made you invite all of your classmates to your party so as not to hurt anybody’s feelings, even the smelly kid.
From 11:00am – 10:00pm, enjoy your favorite tapas, coupled with some delicious sangria. Everyone who comes also gets a $10 gift certificate! When have you ever been to a birthday party where the guest of honor gave out the gifts?
The icing on the “birthday” cake? If you are turning 25 in 2011, you get a $25 gift card – If you are turning 50 in 2011, you get a $50 gift card. Bring your ID! And GET YOUR BEHIND OVER to Café Ba-Ba Reeba! You can’t lose!
Café’ Ba-Ba Reeb, 2024 N. Halsted
Be hip(po)! Have fun! You CAN ride on your boat and eat tapas, too! Most importantly, have a fun and safe weekend!
~Corie Scarpaci
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Listen to Ashley Lobo on Chicago radio,
WBIG AM 1280, Thursday mornings between 9-10,
with JoAnn & Ryan!