EAT
City of Chicago Food Truck Rally
Daley Plaza50 W. Washington St.
Husky Hog BBQ, Pierogi Wagon, Chicago Cupcake, Beavers Coffee & Donuts and six other food trucks converge to satisfy your hunger, with Goose Island Beer Co. selling beer and wine. DJ Lisa Rene brings the beats. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday. No cover.
Broadway Armory Park5917 N. Broadway 312-742-7502
The sixth annual fest features cooking demonstrations, a food court serving fare from 17 restaurants, dozens of vendors and live music. You can also learn more about plant-based eating through Q&As and an "Ask a Vegan Expert" table. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. $3 suggested donation.
Soldier Field1410 Museum Campus Drive
Sample barbecue and sweets from restaurants including Barn & Company, Smoque BBQ and Sun Wah BBQ while watching 40 teams smoke meat at the third annual competition, which also features cooking demonstrations, live music and drinks from Lagunitas Brewing Company, Virtue Cider and Tito's Handmade vodka. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday. $49-$99. Tickets: windycitybbqclassic.com
DRINK
Hirter Uberbrew Homebrew Competition (Free!)
Dank Haus4740 N. Western Ave. 773-561-9181
An after-party for the German-inspired homebrew competition features live German music from Alpine Thunder and the chance to meet Hirter Bier's owners and brewmaster. The first 200 people to order a draft of the Austrian brewery's Privat Pils pilsener or Morchl lager ($5) receive a souvenir glass. 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Free.
Aragon Ballroom 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-561-9500
The fifth annual beer fest returns to Uptown with more than 200 beers from approximately 60 national and local breweries including Pipeworks, New Belgium, Great Lakes, Left Hand, 5 Rabbit and others. Also keep an eye out for the BeerHop Derby-a pinewood derby-inspired race where cars are made from beer bottles and cans-as well as a Beard Hoptacular facial hair competition and food for purchase from Dimo's Pizza and others. Three sessions: 6:30 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. $20-$85. Tickets: beerhoptacularblog.com
DO
Fall Ball
Logan Square Auditorium2539 N. Kedzie Blvd. 773-252-6179
Get dressed up for the second annual bash, which features performances by Outer Minds, Impala Sound and Erin Kilmurray, a set from DJ Swaguerilla and giveaways from Intelligentsia. 8 p.m. Saturday. $20. Tickets: ticketweb.com
One-Year Customer Appreciation Party (Free!)
Thalia Hall1227 W. 18th St. 312-526-3851
A building-wide celebration of Dusek's and Punch House's first birthdays features a performance from Los Angeles punk band No Age, sets from DJs John Mork and Samone, and food and drink specials including Kentucky-fried lobster and sparkling punch. 8 p.m. Sunday. No cover. RSVP required: ticketweb.com
Audio Archaeology 1324 W. Devon Ave. 773-856-3472
Catch performances from Pieptone, Joshua Wentz, Mereology and other musicians at this street festival benefiting the Howard Area Community Center. You can also browse goods from local businesses and artists, paint a pumpkin to take home and grab a sangria or beer from The SoFo Tap. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. $5.
Crossing Into Dream
Beverly Arts Center2407 W. 111th St. 773-445-3838
A surrealist fashion show featuring works from designers Sandra Leonard, Alan Emerson Hicks and Courtney L. Schneider celebrates the Chicago Artist Month theme, "Crossing Borders." The bash also features games and live music from Cloud of Shame, and the clothing will be available to purchase to benefit the Beverly Arts Center. 6:30 p.m. Friday. $25.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Buy tickets for Meals on Wheels' annual Celebrity Chef Ball on Nov. 7: mealsonwheelschicago.org
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye special contributor.