Chicago's Negroni Week festivities kicked off Sunday. (Hilary Higgins/For RedEye )
May 30, 2014|By Julia Borcherts | For RedEye
EAT
Reopened
Ombra 5310 N. Clark St. 773-506-8600
A 4,000 pound wood-burning oven is the centerpiece of this newly reopened Venetian-style spot, which features wood-fired pizzas including one with housemade sausage, greens and smoked mozzarella ($15) and wood-grilled entrees such as skirt steak with farro, grilled vegetables and romesco sauce ($19) in addition to traditional fare. 5-10 p.m.
Anniversary Party
Roots Handmade Pizza 1924 W. Chicago Ave. 773-645-4949
The West Town restaurant celebrates three years but you get the gifts: free souvenir can koozies and West Town Bakery cake, 20 percent discounts on dine-in Quad Cities malt crust pizzas (regularly $14-$28), half-price canned beers and ciders and $3 Jameson shots and Roots House Brew drafts. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
DRINK
Negroni Week
Various locations
The classic Italian cocktail—made with gin, vermouth and Campari—is the star of this week-long nationwide movement to give back. Chicago establishments including Analogue (2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.), The Dawson (730 W. Grand Ave.) and Scofflaw (3201 W. Armitage Ave.) donate partial proceeds from sales of the drink to their favorite organizations. Through Sunday. Participating bars and charities: negroniweek.com
DO
'The Last Sunday In June'
Greenhouse Theater Center 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-404-7336
"Buyer & Cellar" star Michael Urie (also of "Ugly Betty"), his real-life partner Ryan Spahn and others perform a staged reading of this comedy by Jonathan Tolins about a turning point in a gay couple's relationship during the 2003 Pride Parade. Ticket sales benefit About Face Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $20. Tickets: greenhousetheater.org
Peep Show
Links Hall and Constellation 3111 N. Western Ave. 773-769-7540
See new dances come alive as two companies—Honey Pot Performance Group and Adriana Durant in collaboration with Striding Lion Performance Group—create new works on the spot from audience suggestions with live original musical accompaniment by James Falzone in side-by-side studios. Grab a drink from the cash bar and wander between studios to observe both. 7 p.m. $5. Tickets: linkshall.org
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
The June 7 Bacon Chase at Montrose Beach features unlimited finish-line bacon. Register here: baconchase.com
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.