PICK OF THE WEEK
Creme de la Krem
Lincoln Park hotspot Krem gets a makeover for its birthday, and you get a peek when the nightclub unveils its new look. Tony Macey hosts Krem’s One-Year Anniversary Party, featuring appetizers and Mumm champagne (9 -10:30 p.m.) and go-go dancers. Bring a toy to benefit Toys for Tots. 9 p.m. Friday. No cover. 1750 N. Clark St. 312-932-1750.
PARTY PICKS
Running hot and cold
Light up your weekend at the Fire and Ice Body Painted Fashion Show, Rednofive’s winter-themed follow-up to its Neon Barbie Halloween bash. A midnight runway show inspired by fire and ice features models sporting crystals and light blue, red and orange body paint. Go-go dancers add to the party vibe. 10 p.m. Saturday. $20. 440 N. Halsted St. 312-733-6699.
Free for all
Some say the best things in life are free. We agree. Toast a new West Town wine bar during Grand Opening Weekend Celebration at Connoisseur, which includes complimentary wine, champagne and food, plus gift bags and DJs. Reservations recommended. 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. No cover. 1041 W. Grand Ave. 312-738-3055.
Have one for Santa!
Need an excuse to drag your Santa suit out from under the mothballs? Try the inaugural Running of the Santas pub crawl in the Gold Coast. Start at HC, then make your merry way to Finn McCool’s (15 W. Division St.), Butch McGuire’s (20 W. Division St.) and McFadden’s (1206 N. State Pkwy.), where a $200 prize goes to the “hottest Santa.” Get $3 Miller Lite drafts at each bar. Bar Chicago (9 W. Division St.) hosts an afterparty at 10 p.m. 11:30 a.m. Saturday. $10. 1100 N. State St. 312-988-7887. Tickets: runningofthesantas.com/chicago.
BEST OF THE REST
Work it out
Somewhere between holiday shopping and croaking out “Jingle Bells” with coworkers at awkward holiday parties, Santa gifted you a snowball-sized ball of stress. Unwind with Massage and Mimosas at Eshe Day Spa and Salon. The treatment includes a half-hour massage (normally $65) and a sparkling orange cocktail. Reservations required. 11 a.m. Sunday. $50. 8 S. Michigan Ave. 312-629-0376.
Pep up
Sugar cookies and champagne are a great way to get a grip on the season, but this could be a better time to Get a Grip on Your Health. The free bi-monthly series of sport and fitness classes kicks off on Sunday. Professional instructors lead 30-minute classes in yoga, golf, Pilates, tai chi, tennis and more. Includes complimentary sandwiches and appetizers, raffle prizes and giveaways. Presented by Getagripchicago. 10 a.m. Sunday. Hamlin Park, 3035 N. Hoyne Ave. 773-592-6405.
Ho ho hazmat
What pairs nicely with a Santa hat? A hazmat suit, of course. The Chicago Hash House Harriers will supply both at the sixth annual Great Chicago Anthrax Scare/Santa Hat Run. And don’t worry: The only “poison” you’re likely to encounter is the booze you’ll find at the finish line of this four-mile fun run. So what’s with the name? A trail of flour and chalk marks the run route, and in 2002, on the heels of a nationwide mailroom anthrax scare, the annual run sparked a local scare. Includes post-race food and drink. 2 p.m. Saturday. $30-$44. Starts and ends at Hidden Shamrock, 2723 N. Halsted St. 312-409-2337.
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metromix@tribune.com
