MON 5/19
Wild blue yonder
Ready to break out of your Monday routine in a big way? Audition for Blue Man Group. The open casting call for the funky performance-art show seeks tall men and women (between 5 foot 10 and 6 foot 1) with athletic builds, plus acting and drumming skills and a willingness to relocate. 11 a.m. Free. Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. 773-348-4000. Guidelines: bluemancasting.com
The art of good taste
No matter what your taste buds are craving, you’re likely to find it at A Taste For Every Palate, featuring libations and vittles from 25 LGBT-friendly restaurants and purveyors, including Deleece, Firefly, M. Henry and La Cocina de Frida. Stroll through the Museum of Contemporary Art’s galleries and exchange notes with other singles at a “post office” booth manned by comedy troupe GayCo. Includes an awards ceremony and silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center. 6:30 p.m. $75-$100. 220 E. Chicago Ave. 773-388-8992. Tickets: howardbrown.org
Rising stars
The city’s best up-and-coming chefs (as selected by starchefs.com) take the spotlight at StarChefs Rising Stars National Chef Awards, where you can sample signature dishes with wine pairings and cocktails. Honorees include Kendal Duque (Sepia), Michael Sheerin (Blackbird) and 10 others. A VIP reception (6 p.m., $200) includes vintage Nicolas Feuillate Palmes d’Or champagne and caviar. 7 p.m. $150-$200. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave. 212-966-7575. Tickets: starchefs.com/risingstars
TUE 5/20
Sips and tips
Spring is finally here, which means that summer’s just around the corner (we hope). Improve your odds of finding a fling at China Grill’s singles’ cocktail party. Sample appetizers and cocktails and get cooking tips from chef Cliff Ostrowski so you can entertain friends — or a new flame — at home. 6:30 p.m. $30-$35. 230 N. Michigan Ave. 312-334-6705.
A fine pair
Treat yourself to a taste of France without stepping outside your comfort zone at Pairings: Vive la France, featuring a wine tasting and discussion of regional Alsatian cuisine. Dine on a four-course meal from chef Joncarl Lachman — highlights include pan-roasted quail and braised rabbit — with pairings by Lakeview’s Kafka Wine Co. 6 p.m. $70. Includes tax and tip. HB … Home Bistro, 3404 N. Halsted St. 773-975-9463.
WED 5/21
Gossip master
Get the real scoop on Tinseltown celebs at “Going Out On a Limb: Confessions of a Hollywood Insider,” the new solo show by gay comic and syndicated gossip columnist Billy Masters. He dishes the dirt, shares exclusive photos and videos, takes questions and even solves a blind item or two. 8 p.m. Through Sunday. $20. Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. 773-883-1090. Tickets: www.bailiwick.org
———-
metromix@tribune.com
