When voting’s done, elect to have some laughs or some libations
sun-times staff November 5, 2012 7:36PM
Article Extras
Updated: December 7, 2012 6:07AM
For the undecided, there’s still time to commit to Election Day entertainment plans. For those who may need a few more laughs than the pundits can provide (“Hotter than a Laredo parking lot” bring back fond memories?), comedy clubs roll out the red carpet for voters while neighborhood taverns post candidate-themed cocktails for the electorate. Here are but a few options:
COMEDY
SECOND CITY
Exercise your right to vote and receive half-price tickets Tuesday night to Second City’s 100th Revue, “Who Do We Think We Are?” Shake off the stressful election season with a great night and a strong cocktail.
8 p.m., 1616 N. Wells, (312) 337-3992; secondcity.com
Tickets: Receive half-priced tickets with your voter receipt by using promotional code “VOTER” when purchasing. Limit of four tickets per order. (Regular price: $23.00).
iO
Whirled News Tonight, the topical satire improv group, presents “Electapalooza,” a free results-viewing party.
6:30 p.m., 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199; www.ioimprov.com
LAUGH FACTORY
Instead of the televised talking heads, head to “Presidential Prediction 2012!” hosted by WGCI’s Tony Sculfield. The evening features Laugh Factory political comics who plan to debate results and keep audiences informed as results are posted. Voters who wear their “I Voted” sticker receive $10 off the ticket price.
8 p.m., 3175 N. Broadway, (773) 327-3175 ext. 1; www.laughfactory.com
Tickets: $20
THEATER
For those who want a bit more history mixed with Election Night current events, “44 Plays for 44 Presidents” is just the ticket. The chronological, biographical presidential survey celebrates the comic, tragic and at times surreal lives and legacies of POTUS beginning with George Washington and ending with No. 44: President Obama. Tickets include beer and wine.
7:30 p.m., 5153 N. Ashland, www.neofuturists.org
Tickets: $19.99
ART
The Chicago Loop Alliance’s final Pop-Up Art Loop show, “Ark of the Archetypes: The Politics of Projection,” presents Rick Valicenti’s perception of the many faces of the 44th president. The 2011 Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award winner applied the president’s likeness to archetypical images — including “The Coach,” “The Neighbor,” “The Special Force” and “The Heartthrob”— to comment on the different personas he embodies when representing the United States.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Inland Steel Building, 77 S. Dearborn; through Nov. 17, www.PopUpArtLoop.com.
Free
FILM
Join independent filmmakers for a panel discussion and screening of “As Goes Janesville,” a film chronicling the lives of three laid-off General Motors workers from Paul Ryan’s hometown. The film is part of the Midwest Independent Film Festival.
5 p.m. cocktail reception; 6:30 film. Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark, www.MidwestFilm.org
Tickets: $11
FOOD
PIZZA
If your dining plans include ordering in, Pizza Persona has two candidate specials: The Obama will be a Hawaiian pizza, while the Romney pie includes Spicy Thai sauce. Need to feed a crowd? Both pizzas and dessert are $20.12. 614 W. Diversey; (773) 327-8500; pizzapersona.com
FONDUE
Keep your “I Voted” sticker for a $20.12 percent discount on fondue at Geja’s Cafe. 340 W. Armitage. (773) 281-9101; gejascafe.com
cupcakes
Magnolia Bakery goes non-partisan with a Patriot Pack, a dozen mini vanilla cupcakes topped with red, white and blues sprinkles.
108 N. State Street, (312) 346-7777; www.magnoliabakery.com
DRINK
For those who vote with a eye towards a strong drink, there are bars mixing the strong stuff in anticipation of a long night. Here are but a few:
† Kit Kat Lounge, 3700 N. Halsted, (773) 525-1111, KitKatChicago.com
Vote your choice with $6 candidate martinis: the Barack ’n’ Roll Martini (Hpnotiq Harmonie, grenadine, Effen vodka, white feather garnish) or the Mitt ’Tini (hree olives submerged in cherry vodka, a splash of cranberry juice, triple sec and garnished with a cherry.)
† Tesori, 65 E. Adams, (312) 786-9911, www.tesorichicago.com
Show your sticker and receive a $6 martini from either side of the the aisle: the BaRacks Obama or the Mitt Rumney.
† Maria’s, 960 W. 31st, (773) 890-0588, community-bar.com
Head to Bridgeport for the final Brew Ha Ha election night party for a night of artisanal tipples. The public house offers four cocktails — the better to show off your election spirit — including Biden My Time; The Oh, Bama; the Mint Romney, and Ryan’s Song.
† For a decidedly American evening, the Bar 1 taverns (North Side institutions Duffy’s Tavern & Grille, Durkin’s Tavern, Maeve, McGee’s Tavern & Grille, Redmond’s Ale House and the Wrightwood Tap) offer Chicago residents 99-cent Bud brews for the evening. While toasting victory or nursing sorrows, drinkers can vote in the bar’s straw poll. Participants’ votes count in a raffle for a new television.
