Happy New Year, folks. Enjoy this list of things to do in Chicago this weekend — our treat. Kick off the flip of the calendar with brunch, an Afro Fusion dance party, Beatles tribute band, the last weekend of ZooLights or all of the above.
Brunch beginnings
In our professional opinion brunch is never a bad idea, particularly on the opening weekend of a new year. And like every year in Chicago, 2020 offers no shortage of good options. Politan Row, one of the West Loop’s 2019 food-hall openings, cracks its doors early for weekend brunch, with special options or offers from each of the seven vendors, including truffle BLT avocado toast from Smashed Radish, biscuits and gravy from Bumbu Roux and more. Don’t fret beverages, either; there’s also a full bar. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Politan Row, 111 N. Aberdeen St., no cover, menu prices vary; chicago.politanrow.com
Move your feet, or go home
Dance party Afro Fusion will keep the New Year’s party going this weekend with its first event of 2020. DJ Dee Money, DJ 3k and DJ Matrix will be moving the crowd for the evening, showcasing a variety of hip-hop, R&B, reggae and more for a party that runs into the early morning. 10 p.m. Saturday-3 a.m. Sunday, The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, $15-$20; eventbrite.com
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Last call zoo
If you wanted to see ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo during this holiday season you’d better go this weekend, because it’s the last one. The annual light show will leave the Zoo after Sunday, so be sure to mark your calendar if you’re going to be disappointed at missing the festive, brightly lit stroll. 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Lincoln Park Zoo, N. Cannon Drive at W. Fullerton Parkway, free; lpzoo.org
Customize your character IRL
Try a paint and sip, Dungeons and Dragons style, this weekend at Bonus Round Game Cafe. The game library invites players to purchase a D&D figurine ($7-$17) on-site, then use complimentary in-house painting supplies to personaloze the character. Wine, beer, cider and hard seltzer will be available for purchase a la carte. 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Bonus Round Cafe, 3230 N. Clark St., no cover; bonusroundcafe.com
The other JRPG
American English is a well-regarded Beatles tribute band and a favorite around Chicago, given that it’s based in the area. (Free* Beatles tribute band name: ‘Ello Submarine.) The group will bring the beloved tunes of the Fab Four to the fab venue SPACE in Evanston this weekend, a nice way to shake off some Sunday scaries and get set to go back to work post-New Year. 5 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. show, Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, $15-$35; eventbrite.com