Tue 10/30
Have a ball
Fancy yourself a patron of the arts? Prove it with some face time at the Masked Ball. The costume party and fundraiser for the Sansculottes Theater Company includes an optional mask-making workshop with professional puppet maker Dan Kerr-Hobert, plus live acoustic tunes, appetizers and more. Proceeds benefit the Sansculottes Theater Company. 6:30 p.m. $10-$30. Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W. Cuyler Ave. 773-540-3576. RSVP required for the workshop: info@sansculottes.org.
Pretty spooky
There’s nothing scary about the Lake View YMCA’s Halloween Spooktacular, unless, of course, you’re afraid of having too much fun. Highlights include a costume contest, appetizers, cocktails and soda. Proceeds benefit Lake View YMCA. 6 p.m. $40-$50. Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St. 773-248-3333.
Wed 10/3I
On the air
For comedy lovers, nothing could be sweeter than The Sound of Young America. The live taping of the Public Radio International radio program hosted by Jesse Thorn features performances and interviews with local comedy troupes and comics. Participants include The Second City Touring Company, Schadenfreude, stand-up comic Hannibal and others. 8 p.m. Free. The Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St. 312-664-4032.
Play dead
Despite its name, Halloween is alive and well at the Dead on Division Bash, where Ryan Manno of WKQX (101.1-FM) broadcasts live from The Original Mother’s and judges a costume contest featuring cash prizes. Guns ‘n’ Roses tribute band Appetite for Destruction adds to the carnage with a live performance. The party continues down the street with fire eaters at Bootleggers (13 W. Division St.), fortune tellers at The Lodge Tavern (21 W. Division St.) and more. 7 p.m. No cover. 26 W. Division St. 312-664-6656 ext. 124.
THU 11/1
Music to your ears
If you’re an aspiring musician, you’ve already heard this song and dance: mad chops and a memorable voice only get you so far. For Sound Advice, turn to entertainment lawyer Chris Payne. The host of the “Local 101” program on WKQX (101.1-FM) dishes on how to get airplay and accepts demos from the audience. Attorney Brian Rosenblatt lends his own insights about entertainment law. 7:30 p.m. Free. Chicago Music Garage, 345 N. Loomis St. 312-997-1972.
FRI 11/2
Drink up
If you plan to pound cocktails to ring in the weekend, you might as well do it for charity at Chug for Jugs. The benefit for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer participants includes cocktails, beer and a raffle of Chicago sports memorabilia. 8 p.m. $30. The Yard, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-477-9273.
