The Chicago Traveler

Weekend Events

by Matt B on October 11th, 2007

Paris, Milan, New York, London, Tokyo… Chicago? The City of Big Shoulders joins the bigwigs of fashion this weekend during Fashion Focus Chicago, a six-day, citywide celebration featuring works by more than 100 local fashion designers. Exhibitions, neighborhood shopping tours, demonstrations, student designer events, and free industry seminars are all part of this third annual event. From casual to contemporary, Chicago's setting trends through its diverse boutiques and shops. Come find your inner supermodel.

Funny story… In 1962, New York Mets shortstop Elio Chac'n and center fielder Richie Ashburn would often find themselves colliding when they went after a fly ball. Ashburn would close in to catch it and yell out, 'I got it!' Unfortunately, Chac'n, from Venezuela, only spoke Spanish at the time, so he didn't understand the warning. Ashburn learned to yell out, -Yo la tengo!' (meaning 'I have it!' in Spanish). The new warning helped Ashburn avoid any more collisions with Chac'n… only to be run over by left fielder Frank Thomas. Thomas, after helping Ashburn get up, asked, 'What the heck is Yellow Tango-

This amusing baseball anecdote serves as the name for the indie rock band, Yo La Tengo. The New Jersey-based band has been a part of the indie-rock scene for a very long time, releasing more than 15 albums over a period of 20 years. Check out this great band at the Lakeshore Theater tonight.

• The city's largest art event, the Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival features works by hundreds of film, performance, video, and visual artists in locations throughout Bucktown and Wicker Park, including the Silver Room and People Lounge. (Oct 11-14)
• In 2005, Brandi Carlile was featured on Rolling Stone's '10 Artists to Watch in 2005' list, and ABC's Grey's Anatomy has showcased three of her songs. She'll be performing at the House of Blues tonight and tomorrow. (Oct 11-12)
• The Chicago Tap Summit includes classes for all levels of tap dancers. Expect to see performers like Robert Reed, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and Reggio 'The Hoofer' McLaughlin. (Oct 12-14)
• Formed in 1967, the Chilean musical group Inti-Illimani are the best internationally known members of the nueva canci'n movement, combining traditional Latin-American folk music and popular rock music with progressive and politicized lyrics. Contact the Old Town of Folk Music in Lincoln Square for more details. (Oct 12)
• Come to the dark side. Boasting to be 'North America's largest gothic festival and expo,' Gothicfest (at Excalibur) will feature live music from over 30 bands, plus national DJs, a suspension act, exhibits, tattoos, clothing, body art, and a multimedia projection show of gothic and horror film highlights. 21+ only. (Oct 12-13)
• Spoon may be an indie rock band, but their following comes from both the underground and popular music scene. They'll be jamming at the Riviera Theatre. (Oct 12)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Zach Klein, LeeLeFever

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POSTED IN: Art, Collectibles and Hobbies, Bars and Clubs, Entertainment, Events, Shopping