Mega-retailer EXPRESS takes over the sidewalk tonight with a live fashion show at the Bean. Psyching passersby up with free ice cream on Michigan Avenue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the brand is set to showcase its men’s and women’s fall collections before they hit more than 600 retail stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Pick out your new fall wardrobe, take pictures in the Instaprint photo booth and meet special guest Lisa D’Amato, winner of “America’s Next Top Model All Stars.”

EXPRESS Rock the Sidewalk fashion show

Friday, May 25

5:30 p.m.

Bean at Millenium Park

201 E. Randolph St.

There’s been plenty of speculation about the 2012 Lollapalooza line-up but the festival makes it official tomorrow night with a special announcement at Debonair Social Club. Starting at 10 p.m., DJs will spin sets from past Lolla acts to amp the crowd up for the midnight revelation. “Special guests” are expected to be in attendance, and the party continues after the lineup has been released with acts such as Greg Corner and Team Bayside High + Dani Deahl to keep you dancing until the wee hours. RSVP and show up early to be one of the city’s first to be in the know!

RSVP at do312.com/easteregghunt

Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773.227.7990

Epic returns for another season of its educational and tasty lunches with executive chef Mark Pollard at the kitchen’s helm. On the third Thursday of every month, the restaurant will feature a themed prix fixe lunch that guests will not only have the pleasure of tasting, but witnessing the preparation of in a 30 minute demo prior to the meal. February’s menu, titled “To the Heart through the Stomach: Cooking with Aphrodisiacs,” will include a meal of oysters, avocado salad, seared scallops, chocolate-banana torte, and, of course, wine. Can’t make it for lunch? Each monthly meal is also offered as a regular prix frix menu in the dining room Monday through Thursday for $48.

Epic Demonstration Lunch

$30 per person

Thursday, February 23

1 p.m.

Call for reservations at 312.222.4940 or email carissa@epicrestaurantchicago.com

Epic, 112 W. Hubbard St.

FM*Gallery opened in the Fulton Market neighborhood this past fall, and now that they’ve planted their roots in the art scene, they’re inviting you to come help them create it! Every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., you can sign up alone or with a group for a BYOB painting class in the gallery’s showroom space. Instructors will provide a list of materials needed before class. Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore a new hobby, a serious artist seeking to brush up your skills or just looking for something to fill your calendar, this event is for you!

 Painting Classes at FM*Gallery

Private Class Session, $45 per hour; Intro Session, $125, two class package, one 3 hour class per week; Standard Session, $285, eight class package, one 3 hour classes per week, Group Event, $400, $40 per person, 10 guest minimum.

Every Wednesday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

FM*Gallery

310 N. Peoria St., 312.730.0611

Chicago Collection has been nominated for the 2012 River North Best Business or Service Award! Help us win here!

As much fun as it is to be a tourist in our own town with all the usual attractions, it’s also fun to see the hidden gems we’ve yet to discover throughout Chicago.

Introducing the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago 2012. This ultimate, live-like-a-local handbook to the Windy City goes beyond the typically listed attractions to showcase Chicago’s best restaurants, nightlife, art scene and kid-friendly activities and more as chosen by resident and editor Adam Shielke. Essentials such as highway maps, public transportation explanations and dotted neighborhood guides are also included alongside Shielke’s humorous and all-too-true commentary: Parking in East Lakeview IS “absolutely awful,” and one SHOULD “bring your bars of gold” to shop on the Mag Mile and Oak Street.

Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago 2012

$20

Available at Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N. Broadway St., 773.883.9119

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s your last chance to reflect on 2011 before the New Year—and your last chance to catch The Fine Print Theatre Company’s new production, “Christmas in Chicago.” Taking a comedic, musical approach to nostalgia, the show features four comedic improvisers, who take to the stage to poke fun at the recession, Occupy protests and all the rest of the events that made this one a year to be remember.

This combination of humorous satire and traditional Christmas songs with original arrangements by Aaron Benham and Charlie Worth on piano make it a Christmas story like no other. But be sure to get your tickets now: The show’s been selling out like hot cakes!

Christmas in Chicago

$10-20 

Through Sunday, December 18

8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday

Chicago Dramatists,1105 W. Chicago Ave., 312.633.0630

Ring in the New Year and pop open those bottles with charm and pizzazz this holiday! We love this adorable bottle opener in the shape of a ring pop: Manufactured by Wild Eye Designs, the opener is comprised of stainless steel and glass and is available in pink, blue, amber, green, red and clear. Sure to dazzle the crowd, this nifty piece is the perfect stocking stuffer for that fabulous someone on your list.

Wink Bottle Opener Ring Pop

$10-15

Available at fredflare.com

Photo Credit: National Hellenic Museum

Ancient Greece arrives in Chicago this winter with the brand new, four-story, 40,000-square foot National Hellenic Museum in Greektown. The only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history, arts and culture and, of course, mythology of the Greek culture, the museum caters to guests of all ages. Children and adults alike will enjoy interactive computer experiences that allow you to test the knowledge of Aristotle and the weaving skills of Athena, and also tell you which Greek god you’re most like in “Gods, Myths & Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece.” The museum’s permanent exhibit, set to open in 2012, will be previewed on the second floor, while the Gus & Mary Stathis Library and Resource center houses 2,800 square feet of information on Greek American History. Those courageous enough to brave the cold should be sure to check out the rooftop terrace for a spectacular panoramic view of the magnificent Chicago skyline.

National Hellenic Museum Historic Grand Opening

Adults, $10; seniors and students, $8;  children ages 12 and under, $7; members and children ages 3 and under, free.

Saturday, December 10

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

333 S. Halsted St., 312.655.1234

Read all about local band Republic of Lights in the winter issue (out now!) then catch them live next week at Schuba’s!

Republic of Lights at Schuba’s Tavern

$8

Tuesday, December 13, 8 p.m.

Schuba’s Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., 773.525.2508