THU 11/8
Show some Muscle
Raise your glass to a new local fashion company touting classic-with-an-edge designs at the Chicago Muscle Launch Party. The night is an homage to all things Chicago, with a fashion show of the featured gear, suds from Three Floyds Brewery, Kilo Kai rum cocktails and performances by local bands Hillbilly Idle, The Love Junkies and others. 9 p.m. $10. Proceeds benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital. Victor Hotel, 311 N. Sangamon St. 312-733-6900. RSVP: rsvp@426brand.com.
Hang ten
Follow the pink carpet to the Reeling Film Festival Opening Night Party. The 26th annual GLBT film fest (running through Nov. 18) kicks off with a surf-themed cocktail reception (6 p.m.) and screening of director Jonah Markowitz’s flick “Shelter,” a romantic drama about two surfers (8 p.m.). Stick around afterward for a question-and-answer session with actor Brad Rowe. $40-$45 for film and party; $12-$15 for film only. Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. 773-293-1447.
FRI 11/9
Catch the rhythm
Curious about capoeira? The International Capoeira Angola Foundation of Chicago can help. Attend all-level classes, lectures and demos at the Pastinha-Zumbi Memorial Weekend, honoring two mestres (masters) of the Afro-Brazilian dance-combat art form. Saturday’s festivities include a film screening of “Quilombo Country” (8 p.m.) and a samba dance party ($15). $20-$60 for classes; free lectures. Quilombo Cultural Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave. 773-227-8879. Complete schedule: quilombocenter.org.
Candlelit nights
Light up your weekend at Vermilion by celebrating Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. The contemporary Indian eatery offers a spice-infused three-course dinner and alluring cocktails such as lychee martinis and tamarind margaritas. On Saturday night, things really heat up when a DJ spins Bollywood, bhangra and Indian fusion (9 p.m.-3 a.m.). 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. $50 for three-course dinner; regular menu prices vary. 10 W. Hubbard St. 312-527-4060.
Bid for fame
Didn’t have the acting chops to land a role in your high school musical? Mad cash is all you need to star in an amateur production of “The Pajama Game.” No theater experience is necessary to bid on 50-plus roles at Victory Gardens Theater’s 26th Annual Casting Auction. The highest bid in the event’s history was a whopping $17,000 to play Eliza Doolittle in 2004’s “My Fair Lady,” but plenty of roles go for about $50. Performances are set for Feb. 15-16, 2008 at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport Ave.). 6 p.m. $50. Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-549-5788.
SAT 11/10
Sounds vine to us!
Looking for a way to fend off falling temps and embrace the autumn harvest? Toast the season and sample more than 64 wines from California, Spain, Italy, France and New Zealand at a Fall Wine Tasting and Sale. Order your favorite bottles for pickup the following week. 3 p.m. $25. Four Farthings Tavern and Grill, 2060 N. Cleveland Ave. 773-935-2060.
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lmarnett@tribune.com
