NATO Takes Chicago, Chicago Takes NATO

This weekend’s NATO summit is inspiring a mix of welcoming promotions, confrontational protests and regular Chicagoans heading out of town. Here’s a selective listing of events, protests and promotions inspired by the gathering.

Already Happening

Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads Over two hundred restaurant locations will present tasting menus, featured items, desserts, wine selections and cocktails inspired by the NATO nations. For more information visit chicagosculinarycrossroads.org. Through May 25.

NATO Cupcakes Magnolia Bakery, 108 North State. $3. Through May 25.

 May 17

Occupy Chicago’s Day of Environment: Planet over War! Bring your bike and rally against the environmentally destructive agendas of NATO and the G8. Rally outside of the Canadian Consulate, meet at the corner of Jackson and LaSalle. 2-11pm. Free. For more information visit natoprotest.org/events.May 18
Cycles of Revolution ¡Brake the Banks! Bike Protest Meet up with Grassroutes Caravan and ride to confront NATO. For more information visit grassroutescaravan.org.

Tomorrow’s Music Today II Concert This concert features compositions by University of Chicago doctoral candidates performed by the Grammy Award-winning artists of the Pacifica Quartet and eighth blackbird. Fulton Recital Hall, University of Chicago, fourth floor of Goodspeed Hall, 1010 East 59th, (773)702-8068. 7:30pm. Free.

The People’s G-8 National Nurses United March and Rally Performance by Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against The Machine. March meet-up at Sheraton Hotel, 301 East North Water. 11am. Rally at Daley Plaza, 50 West Washington. 12pm. Free. For more information visit nationalnursesunited.org.

Neighbors of Brasserie by LM The restaurant offers a twenty percent discount off food and beverage for guests who identify themselves as a “neighbor” of Brasserie by LM. Essex Inn, 800 South Michigan, (312)431-1788. 6am-10:30pm. For more information visit brasseriebylm.com. May 18-21.

Counter-Summit for Peace and Economic Justice Plenary speakers from national labor, economic justice, peace, immigrant rights, Afghans and Afghanistan war veterans and workshops. People’s Church, 941 West Lawrence. 9:30am-6:30pm. Free. For more information visit natofreefuture.org. May 18-19.

May 19

Woody Guthrie Centennial Concert Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against The Machine, headlines a musical celebration to honor the one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of legendary American folk hero Woody Guthrie. Metro, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-4140. Ages 18+ with valid ID. 8pm. $26. For more information visit metrochicago.com.

Trinity Episcopal Church Protestors planning to march against NATO are invited to camp on the church’s lawn during the NATO weekend. 125 East 26th, (773)860-6988. Free. May 19-21.

Healthcare Not Warfare! Join the Mental Health Movement in getting the word out and knock on the doors of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s neighbors. Irving Park Brown Line stop, Horner Park, Irving and California. 10am. For more information visit facebook.com/SaveOurClinics.

May 20

Rally with Coalition Against NATO/G8 and Iraq Veterans Against The War Local and international speakers include Jesse Jackson, Sr. March to McCormick Place to follow rally. Petrillo Bandshell at the corner of Jackson and Columbus, Butler Field in Grant Park. 12pm. Free. For more information visit cang8.org.

March with Labor Against NATO Join the Occupy Chicago Labor Working Group for a unified union contingent to send a strong message of opposition to NATO. Butterfield Park at the corner of Monroe and Lake Shore Drive. 12pm. For more information visit facebook.com/groups/OccupyChicagoLabor.

May 21

March on Boeing Company  Occupy Chicago will march on Boeing’s headquarters. 100 North Riverside Plaza. For more information visit facebook.com/OccupyChicago.

—Compiled by Nikki Dolson