Happening In Chicago: 3 Ways To Stay Entertained Until Spring

Here’s how to spend the last few weeks of winter.

1. Check Out March Sadness at The Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

Not a college basketball buff? Here’s an entertainment alternative for the month of March that doesn’t involve a bracket: As part of its new Founder’s Comedy series, The Chicago Athletic Association hotel (12 S. Michigan Ave) will host a high-stakes comedy showdown, entitled March Sadness, on its historic “Stagg Court” basketball court on Friday, March 9.

The evening, also Founder’s Comedy’s inaugural event, will feature a cabaret-style show with five acts ranging from solo performances to improv groups. On the lineup: Jarrell Scott Barnes (MLK’s of Comedy, Laugh Factory), Boots (iO Comedy Theatre), Preach (LA Diversity Comedy Festival), Dewayne Perkins (MTV’s “Wild N’ Out”), and Odinaka Ezeokoli (Netflix’s “Easy”). Doors open at 8 p.m. for the 8:30 p.m. showtime. Tickets for the 21+ event can be purchased for $15/person at http://chicagoathleticevents.com/tc-events/founders-comedy-presents-march-sadness/.

2. Catch a Live Show at Wicker Park’s Newest Music Venue

The Bourbon Upstairs, a new live entertainment venue in Wicker Park, opened its doors this month with a flood of concerts and live shows on its calendar. The space, located directly above Bourbon on Division, will feature the same popular beer and drink specials along with Southern-inspired eats as its sister space downstairs. Performances currently on the schedule include Jon Stickley Trio w/Aaron Dorfman, Dan Layus (of Augustana), The East Pointers, The Wooks, and an album release show by EGi w/ZooFunkYou. Tickets start at $7. For full schedule and ticket prices, visit https://www.ticketfly.com/org/7858.

3. Indulge in a Five Course Wine Paired Dinner at III Forks

Celebrate winter’s departure here in Chicago with a toast to Napa Valley. On March 19, III Forks is hosting a multi-course dinner based around varietals from Duckhorn Vineyards. Standouts on the menu, prepared by Executive Chef Hans Aeschbacher and Sommelier Anton Licko include: Cold Smoked BBQ Deviled Egg with spiced bacon, paired with Napa Sauvignon Blanc, and a Smoked Nueske Duck Breast with cherry and onion gastrique and ginger carrot puree paired with Migration Pinot Noir. The five-course dinner is $125 per person (plus tax and gratuity), and reservations can be made by calling 312-938-4303.