THE CALENDAR
this week
April 25-26
BACONFEST
Kevin Hickey of Bottlefork and Lee Ann Whippen of Chicago q are just two of dozens of chefs serving bacon-based fare at this foodie fest, which also includes bacon libations, bacon-inspired art and more. A portion of proceeds benefits local food charities.
Time: Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Place: UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt
Cost: $100 general admission, $200 VIP. For more information, visit Baconfestchicago.
com.
April 25-27
CHICAGO COMIC AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPO Fans of all things pop culture — think comics, anime, toys, games, television and movies — convene at McCormick Place for discussions, panels, screenings, demonstrations,
April 26
HIGH JUMP SPRING BENEFIT Themed “A Spring of Opportunity,” this benefit kicks off High Jump’s 25th year with cocktails and dinner, followed by an alumni speaker, video presentation and a paddle-raise auction. Proceeds help provide equal-educational opportunities to middle school students with limited resources, aiming to send them to top college prep schools and ready them for college. Time: 6:30 p.m. Place: The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson
Cost: $350. For more information, visit
Highjumpchicago.org. performances, celebrity appearances and much more.
Time: Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: South building at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore
Cost: $25 Friday, $35 Saturday, $30 Sunday, $60 threeday pass, $5 kids, free under 5; tickets an additional $10 at the door. For more information, visit C2e2.com.
April 26
ALEXIAN BROTHERS BALL DE FLEUR
Take in the Field Museum’s World’s Columbian Exposition exhibit, then enjoy dinner and dancing to music from the Becca Kaufmann
Orchestra at this 28th annual event benefiting Alexian Brothers, which provides support to the homeless and mentally ill and those in need of hospice through a range of programs. Time: 6 p.m. Place: The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore
Cost: $500. For more information, call (847) 385-7304 or visit Alexianbrothershealth.org/foundation.
next week
April 30
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE LUNCH & LEARN Raising the next generation is no easy feat, so talk tips, tricks and advice with other Chicago parents over lunch. A panel discussion featuring fitness guru Jim Karas, Karyn’s owner Karyn Calabrese, style expert Amy Tara Koch, cartoonist Pat Byrnes and “Chicago Fire” art director Stephanie Gilliam is moderated by The Second City’s Butch Jerinic. Proceeds benefit CCT’s arts and education programming. Time: 11:30 a.m. Place: Bin 36, 339 N. Dearborn
Cost: $135 single tickets, $185 VIP. For more information, visit Chicagochildrenstheatre.org/shows/lunchlearn.
May 1
MIKVA CHALLENGE CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS
This 15th annual benefit dinner honors reporter and author Jonathan Alter with the Public Service Award; Chairman of the Board of Crown Family Philanthropies Barbara Goodman Ma
nilow with the Civic Leader Award; and Alcott High School with the Excellence in Action Civics Award. Proceeds from the event support Mikva Challenge’s civic engagement programs for Chicago youth. Time: 6 p.m. Place: Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan
Cost: $250 or $500. For more information, visit Mikvachallenge.org/springbenefit
May 2
BUTTERFLY BALL
Don your best black-tie to dine and dance alongside co-chairs Matthew and
Lisa Harrington, Rock and
Manisha Khanna and Lisa Pollina, plus emcee Anne
Thompson of NBC News, at the Notebaert Museum’s largest fundraiser, benefit- ing its education programs. Time: 6 p.m. Place: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon
Cost: $600. For more information, visit Pjhchicago.com/event/butterflyball.
May 2
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART’S GALA DE ARTE Themed “Sueños y Esperanzas” (“Dreams and Hopes”), this evening helps support the museum and its educational outreach programs. Join corporate chair Anne
Pramaggiore, president and CEO of ComEd, emcee John
Quinones of ABC-7 and
co-chairs Yolanda Stemer and Jessica Priego for dinner, cocktails and live music from Grammy-nominated
mariachi trio Ella. Time: 6 p.m. Place: Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus
Cost: $500. For tickets, email Danielle@nmmart.org.
May 2
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO OPENING NIGHT GALA Lederhosen and dirndls admired but not required at this evening of Austrian elegance, celebrating the Lyric Opera’s production of
“The Sound of Music,” starring
Billy Zane. Hosted by the Women’s Board and co-chaired by Alison W.
McNally and Eileen Murphy, the evening features dinner and a performance of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.
Time: 5:30 p.m. cocktails, 6:15 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. performance
Place: Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker
Cost: $500. For more information, visit Lyricopera.org/
edelweiss.
May 3
VINEYARD VINES DERBY PARTY Get decked out in your Derby best for a day at the races right here in Chicago. Sip Mint Juleps — courtesy of Woodford Reserve — and place bets on the winning horse for prizes. Splash’s own Ramzi Dreessen and Zak Stemer join Amelia Canham Eaton, Heidy Best
and Mark Beier in hosting the fashionable fête. Time: 3-6 p.m. Place: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, 58 E. Oak
Cost: Free. To RSVP, email Vineyardvines@zapwater.com.