* Welcome to the rock
HIDDEN AGENDA
Beginners rope instruction at Hidden Peak Climbing Gym at Lake Shore Academy, 937 W. Chestnut St., 312-563-9400; lakeshoreacademy.com
Check it out if you … are looking for a way to make exercise more challenging, or you’re gearing up to make the most of the outdoors when spring comes.
The details: From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays by appointment, new climbers can learn the basic skills including rope use and belaying. The session will teach you how to get into a harness, grab a hanging rope and use it to get to the top. The $35 lesson also includes equipment rentals, admission for the day and a pass to come back and try climbing on another date, which typically costs $10. You’ll regularly find nearly a dozen 18- to 30-year-olds spending time exchanging strategies as they try their hand at bouldering, a rope-free method of scaling shorter and steeper surfaces — like the 22-foot faces that line Hidden Peak’s walls. There’s always a mix of beginners and very serious climbers who like the no-frills spot where the courses are regularly changed to offer new challenges.
The payoff: Feeling the satisfaction of scaling a cliff along with having a great workout.
Saturday: B-Movie Madness
PORTAGE PARK
A seven-hour showcase of indie B-movies and horror comedies, including “Better Off Undead,” “The Driller Killer,” “The Stalking Hand” and “It’s My Party, and I’ll Die If I Want To.” 5 p.m. Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-706-9836. $10-$15
Chicago Blues Tour Winter 2009
LOOP
Take a bus from Alcock’s to nine South Side lounges and see 12 bands, including Diamond, Guy King and Tail Dragger. 8:30 p.m. Tickets: chicagobluestour.com. Alcock’s, 411 S. Wells St. 866-548-3258. $40.
Free
Polar Adventure Days
NORTHERLY ISLAND
The winter celebration features ice sculptures, crafts, arctic camping demos, storytelling, a look at Siberian huskies and more. First 500 visitors receive a free hot chocolate. Noon; Through Feb. 21. Northerly Island, 1400 S. Linn White Drive 312-742-7529.
REDEYE/MMX pick
* Beer School Beer Festival
WRIGLEYVILLE
Sample rare and specialty craft beers from more than 15 breweries. Admission includes 12 drink tickets, which are good for one beer each; purchase additional tickets for a fee. 1 p.m. Reservations recommended. Sheffield’s, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-281-4989. $40
Free
Green City Winter Market
Lincoln Park
Stock up on organic fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, meats and baked goods. Also features tastings from local chefs and producers highlighting items for sale at 10:30 a.m. with an RSVP to admin@chicagogreencitymarket.org. 8 a.m. Through April 18. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive 773-880-1266. Free
Sunday: REDEYE/MMX PICK
* ‘Road to the White House’ film series
WASHINGTON PARK
Films celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and President-elect Obama’s presidency. Part of the museum’s three-day “Celebrate Change” event. 12:30 p.m. DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. 773-947-0600.
28th Annual Chicago Music Awards
LINCOLN PARK
Wilco, Kanye West, Smashing Pumpkins and R. Kelly are among the 200 nominees representing 43 categories. 6 p.m. VIP reception; 7 p.m. awards show. Tickets: ticketmaster.com. Vote for nominees: chicagomusicawards.org. Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. 312-427-0266. $50-$75
Weekend:
Free
The Exquisite City: City in Cardboard
STREETERVILLE
See an architectural model of a fantasy city made almost entirely of cardboard. Also includes an audio installation of music and sounds recorded on Chicago streets. 10 a.m. Through March 15. Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph St. 312-744-2400.
Free
Green Revolution
MUSEUM CAMPUS
Explores the contributions of African-Americans in ecology, conservationism and related environmental fields. 9:30 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. Sunday. Through March 1. Free with general admission, $9-$13. Free general admission Jan. 5-31. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive 773-684-1414.
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Are you the next McLovin?
TP&R Casting is holding an open audition for an upcoming Universal Pictures project starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.
Reps are seeking a 15- to 17-year-old man for the role of Edward, an awkward high school senior not unlike Christopher Mintz-Plasse in “Superbad.”
The Chicago open call is from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at TP&R Casting (10 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 2N). Bring an ID and a recent photo.
Can’t make it? Visit Facebook (Search Facebook group “Are You the Next McLovin?”) or MySpace (myspace.com/universalpicturescasting) for more information.
