IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Art smart
Do you collect investment pieces or is guerilla street art more your style? Either way, discoveries abound at the 18th Annual Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival, the city’s largest art bash. New this year: curators Ben Schaafsma and Stevie Greco lead tours of site-specific, outdoor installations and discuss citywide public art projects (6:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday) at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse (1425 N. Damen Ave.). General fest: 6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown. $10 day pass; $40 all-access pass. 773-342-6777.
BEST OF THE REST
Fashion passion
Whether you’re the office fashionista or a prime candidate for TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” you’re bound to score at Shop CHICago (below). Browse wearables from more than 40 emerging designers, and freshen your attitude with spa treatments and beauty consultations. Includes a cash bar and DJs. VIP tickets ($40) include 1 p.m. entry, swag bags and complimentary champagne. For the rest of us: 2 p.m. Saturday. Free. Chase Promenade Plaza at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. Tickets: genart.org.
Boo II
Slasher flicks get sequels, so why shouldn’t their onstage counterparts? Oracle Theatre follows up last year’s horror play “Disturbed” with “Disturbed II.” Here’s how it works: Audience members stand against the walls of a dark room while performers pop out of corners and doors. Video projection, sound and special effects aid the creep factor. Shows begin every 30 minutes. 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Through Oct. 31. $7-$9. 3809 N. Broadway. 773-244-2980.
Whole hog
Love an open-pit extravaganza, but lack a back yard in which to throw one? Hang with Red Light’s executive chef Jackie Shen at her Patio Pig Roast and Pork Cooking Class, a traditional alfresco swine feast complete with sides and beer. Shen also demonstrates two pork recipes from her forthcoming cookbook. Noon Sunday. $65. Reservations recommended. 820 W. Randolph St. 312-733-8880.
PARTY PICKS
Think pink
Beautiful things begin with a B — Belvedere cocktails, Bud Select and bubbly, to name a few — at Enclave’s Second Annual Pink Party to benefit The National Breast Cancer Foundation. Includes appetizers and music by the Team Canada DJs. 8 p.m. Friday. $20. 220 W. Chicago Ave. 312-654-0234.
Dark days
Take a walk on the dark side at Gothicfest, billed as North America’s largest event of its kind. The two-day fest features 30 bands, including Bella Morte (below), Regenerator and Attrition, plus nationally known DJs, extreme suspension acts and a multimedia show of gothic and horror film highlights. 3 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. Saturday. $32.50 per day; $55 for a weekend pass. (21+). Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St. 312-559-1212.
Bubble bash
Want to try a new champagne but can’t tell from the bottle whether it’s from chateau fab or chateau puke? Find a fizzy palate-pleaser at Efferfest, where you sample 30 sparkling wines paired with bites from chef Andre Christopher. Trio Mare sets the stage with live Brazilian jazz. 3 p.m. Saturday. $50. Pops for Champagne, 601 N. State St. 312-266-7677.
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metromix@tribune.com
