An apple pie contest, a vegan food festival, Oyster Fest and more things to do in Chicago this weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
EAT
Shaw’s Crab House Oyster Fest
Corner of Hubbard and Rush streets 312-527-2722
The annual outdoor fest sells six varieties of oysters, king crab bites, lobster rolls, clam chowder, fish tacos and beer from Founders Brewing Co. and features live music from Bumpus and Breezy Rodio. 3-10 p.m. Friday. $20. Tickets: oysterfestchicago.com
Apple Fest
Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Eastwood avenues 773-728-3890
Vendors sell apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples and other apple-focused dishes at the 29th annual fest, which also features cooking demonstrations and live music. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $5 suggested donation.
Bucktown Apple Pie Contest at Holstein Park
2200 N. Oakley Ave.
Buy pie swag and slices of homemade pie made by about 80 locals while listening to music from Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders. Proceeds fund improvements for the park. 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Free.
Shred415 Workout & Brunch
2033 W. North Ave. 773-537-4440
Burn calories with a 45-minute interval workout combining cardio and strength training, then recover with a light brunch featuring avocado toast, eggs, fruit, coffee and a mimosa. Mats are provided, but bring a water bottle. 10:30 a.m.-noon Sunday. $30. Tickets: ticketfly.com
Chicago VeganMania
5917 N. Broadway 312-742-7502
The eighth annual bash features a vegan food court with 24 vendors plus cooking demonstrations, live music, panel discussions, speakers, a mini-spa and a bookstore. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. $5 suggested donation.
DRINK
Villainous Costume Party
1658 W. Cortland St. 773-394-9898
Come dressed as your favorite villain for the chance to win cash prizes and swag from Around the Bend Beer Co., which will be pouring their new Villainous IPA. Vourteque performs on the back patio. 7 p.m. Saturday. No cover.
DO
‘The Black Slot’
6157 N. Clark St. 773-828-9129
AshtonRep Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Warren Hoffman’s satire of racial politics in American regional theater, which follows an African American playwright whose hot new play is rejected because a better known writer’s work is being produced in the theater’s “black slot.” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. $25. Tickets: astonrep.com
Paragon
3914 N. Clark St. 773-230-4770
Otherworld Theatre presents 40 short science-fiction and fantasy plays performed by 110 actors. The second annual fest is divided into roughly one-hour blocks over the course of two days. 11 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday. $7 per block, $15 day pass, $22 weekend pass. Tickets: otherworldtheatre.org
HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAY
Pub Royale (2049 W. Division St. 773-661-6874) offers 25 percent off select drafts, $5 mango lassis, $2 samosas, $6 lamb dumplings, $14 mussels with fries and $3 sides of fries from 3-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday.
