WED 8/2
Little ‘looza
You can bet your cold case of beer that we don’t need a reason to party mid-week, but here’s a nudge if you need one: Junior’s Sports Lounge gears up for this weekend’s mega music fest with Pre-Palooza. Includes live music by Half Way Jane and The Ricky Canning Band, $5 Skyy martinis and Bacardi mojitos, plus two-for-one appetizers. 9 p.m. No cover. 724 W. Maxwell St. 312-421-2277.
Put a cork in it
Champagne brings out your creative side, but your ideas go flat after too much, uh, celebrating? Take a peek at the Third Annual Champagne Chair Tour, a showcase of 50 tiny chairs–culled from more than 600 entries–constructed from the wire, cork and foil of two bottles of bubbly. 10 a.m. through Monday. Reception Thursday at 6 p.m., RSVP recommended. Free. Design Within Reach, 10 E. Ohio St. 312-280-4677.
Give us some ice
Temps may have dropped a few degrees (as if you need reminding, sweat machine), but we think there could be some truth to the name of this benefit bash, The Summer’s Hottest Party. Swing by for champagne, cocktails, appetizers and a raffle. 6 p.m. $35-$45. Proceeds benefit Best Buddies Illinois. Luxbar, 18 E. Bellevue Pl. 312-828-9313. RSVP recommended.
Easy reader
You were set to hop on your chopper and hit the open road until your heat-induced vision revealed a bike- and car-less reality. Ease your road woes with tales of asphalt adventure at this month’s installment of RUI: Reading Under the Influence. Guest writers Jotham Burrello, Drew Bazini, Rob Duffer and others take on the theme of roadtrips alongside hosts Carly Huegelmann, Amanda E. Snyder and Julia Borcherts. Includes drink specials, trivia and giveaways. 7 p.m. $3. More info: TheHotReadings@hotmail.com. Sheffield’s, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-281-4989.
THU 8/3
Ship shape
Your consistently disheveled hair attests to Chicago’s handle as the Windy City. It’s a good thing, too, since the lakefront plays host to a fleet of wind-powered vessels. Yep, Tall Ships Chicago 2006 kicks off with a Parade of Sail along the lakefront (10 a.m.) and opening ceremonies at Navy Pier (noon). Tour the ships for a closer look at what awed nearly 2 million visitors at the 2003 Tall Ships display. Through Aug. 9. $11-$12 to board ships. Find additional details at metromix.com. 312-744-3315.
FRI 8/4
Lump-ilicious
Don’t have a taste for the mainstream? Pool your friends for a group toast to local counterculture magazine Lumpen, celebrating its 15th anniversary at Wicker Park gallery Heaven. The bash features art exhibit “The Lumpenthology,” live music by Water Babies, Aleks and the Drummer and DJ Logan Bay; plus live-action silk screening, Korean-Polish barbecue fare and more. 8 p.m. $10. 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave., Second Floor. 773-342-4597.
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
