Weezer has become pop rock icons in a way that no other band has quite been able to accomplish. Between their branding, fan base and catalog of genius poppy punky rock, the band are an anomaly among the rest of the rock acts from the 90's...and quite legendary. It's been nearly eighteen years since the formation of the band. While things have changed since we first saw the Happy Days inspired video for Buddy Holly, Weezer is still here. Their live shows are now a mix of old Blue album era fans and a younger audience turned on by their new albums, and in each show there is something to be found for everyone.

Insider Info: Okay, confession time: I've seen Weezer three times and may have cried at all of the shows. What can I say, in high school Rivers gave me shivers, I was weak-kneed for argyle vests and black rimmed glasses. Aside from my crush-y fan-girling, they really were excellent live. The band is always tight and just consistently on. They are known to dig deep into their back catalog no matter what album is out. When I saw them on their Maladroit tour they ended up playing the entirety of Pinkerton. You can be sure to expect a stellar performance but you never know what these nerd-rockers will whip out!

Kid Sister has had us waiting for a hot minute and a half for her full album. It was in 2007 that Chicago first got a taste of our fave local female rapper blowing up to real fame when Kanye West made a guest rap in her Pro Nails video. Her over-anticipated album drops on Tues November 17, so it will be interesting to see if the hype has worn off by her fashionably late entrance. Surely her House of Blues show will be a celebration as it marks the end of a national tour and the drop of her album. In true hometown style, Kid Sis will be playing with Flosstradamus--a local DJ duo that includes her real brother, Josh Young.

Insider Info: Chicago house music legends Green Velvet will also be making an appearance! Green Velvet are best known for their rave-tastic 90's single "La-La Land" or to the younger audience, for their electro infused 2007 single "Shake & Pop" which Kid Sis lent a verse to for a remix. My guess is Green Velvet and Kid Sis will then be making live collaborations which makes this show one to not miss!

Lotus is one of the latest and greatest electro-jam bands to come into the scene.  I saw them at Rothbury this year and found their style to be the most unique blend of String Cheese Incident-esque jam with EOTO-style dance sound. You will have no choice but to dance, because their pace will get your booty shakin’!  Take that energy combined with local stars The Hood Internet and you have an unforgettable night.  The Hood Internet are full of mash-ups of hip hop an indie music (think Lil’ Wayne vs. Modest Mouse or Flo Rida vs. MSTRKRFT).  We all learned from Girl Talk that mash-ups are amazing, so I expect them to blow our minds! Do not miss this excellent team of artists (even if it is the day after Thanksgiving!)

Insider Info: Lotus is a band that focuses on the issues.  They are great supporters of the national group Students for Sensible Drug Policy.  Look for local SSDP members at their table to learn more about the drug war in America.  Also, Lotus and The Big Gigantic teamed up to remix each other’s songs into an album.  When you purchase the album, proceeds benefit Musicopia, an organization which supports music education in Philadelphia.

What better way to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of the telescope than by watching a 3D film pairing classical music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with beautiful, cascading images of astronomy? Pictures selected from various observatories around the world will be viewed along with musical selection 'Pictures at an Exhibition' originally written by Russian composer, Mussorgsky. This definitely is not an ideal day out for the kids.  However, it is an experience to be had considering many of the images have never been viewed by the public, let alone in 3D!

Insider Info: If you are stuck babysitting for the day and the kids aren't exactly excited about Russian classical music, there's always 'Fly Me to the Moon,' another 3D movie playing at the Adler Planetarium. This one, however, is about house flies that go on an intergalactic adventure - much more kid-appropriate. Tickets are only available at the box office and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis - so if it's a rainy Saturday afternoon, you might want to get there early. Call before you go, though, because times are subject to change without notice.

A visit to the Douglas Dawson Gallery is a trip every Chicagoan should make to escape their daily surroundings. A destination in itself, the gallery specializes in non-western art, particularly work from Asia.  The current exhibition is part gallery show and part fundraiser to benefit the construction of a new monastery. Twenty photographs by Buddhist monk Nicholas Vreeland are for sale and are priced at $1,000 each. Each one is signed, numbered, and part of a limited edition of 25. If you can’t make it to the gallery, all photos are for sale online.

Insider Info: In 1983, the few Rato monks able to escape Tibet built a two-story building. Today, the monks need $500,000 for the new monastery, and this show is traveling to other cities in an effort to raise the money. Rato Dratsang is growing quickly and the 120 monks live four to a room. It is also one of a few state monasteries, owned by the Tibetan government and under the direction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. All funds raised by the sale will be used exclusively to complete the reconstruction of one of Tibet's most prestigious monasteries.

Long before avant garde artists began experimenting with slicing up and re arranging photos, bored aristocratic Victorian women were creating photo collages. This is the first real exhibit to explore this little-known phenomenon. Not only will this exhibit explore the roots of collage and this early ahead-of-it's-time form, but it will also bring a glimpse into the private lives of women in this era. You will see their personal and public photos put together to create a sense of reality and potential fantasy.

Insider Info: While photo collage is the aspect that makes these pieces ahead of their time, water colors are also beautifully infused in many of the pieces. Much of the work seems to be a shot straight from the imagination of these women, as fantastical imagery of human heads on animal bodies, imaginary landscapes and faces that morph into common household objects are all conjured up. The AIC compares this exhibit to the imagery of Alice in Wonderland, which might make you think twice about the (creatively twisted) minds of these Victorian ladies.

What could be more urbanite than hearing a little live opera over a locally brewed beer in a downtown bar? Chicago Opera Theater is teaming up with Rock Bottom Lounge to bring you an event that does just that. This event is coming to you from the Underground Opera Club whose trademark is putting fun and contemporary spins on opera. At this event you will get a sampling of opera from two young local stars, all while mingling with other Chicagoans and enjoying freshly handcrafted beer, fine wine and delicious appetizers, included in the cost of your ticket.

Insider Info: This cocktail-hour party is a fantastic opportunity to network and mingle with culturally-minded young professionals in Chicago--also in the mix will be underground opera club members. Be sure to enter your business card in the complimentary raffle that is being held which includes the prize of a pair of Opera Underground subscriptions to Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season running April 17 through May 16 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The season opens with Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto(April 17-25), followed by Cavalli’s Giasone (April 24-May 2), and closes with Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers with Frederica von Stade (May 8-16.).

What is Fooditude? Described as a way to look at your plate and discover the world, Footitude is a new reality-based television program for the tween-set about growing, cooking and eating food. This soiree is the official launch party for this innovative TV series. Come and hear live music and eat delectable food prepared by acclaimed local chefs. Cooking alongside the local star chefs will be kid chefs, helping prepare and serve the dishes.

Insider Info: This is a kid-friendly event, so it is great for the whole family, or earns you cool points when you bring your nieces and nephews! But don't worry that it will be too slowed-down for an adult pace; Fooditiude episodes are full of useful information for any cook or food lover, focusing on cooking and gardening, environmental awareness along with culinary history and food and science facts.

Know anyone who boasts about their tasty and hot as Hades bowl of chili? Moonshine is offering the chili-chefs of Chicago a chance to put their "peppers where their mouth is." Sixteen contestants will get a chance to compete for a cash prize of $1,000 and the title of Best Chili in the City! If you are ready to stand behind your crock-pot, give Moonshine a call or drop in to secure your spot. If you aren't cooking but still want to sample the fare, bring an old coat for donation and you can taste all of the chili for free! If you forget your coat, tickets are available for $10. There will also be live music, burning drums to keep you warm and a tailgate party to watch the Bears game.

Insider Info: While only one person will be walking away with the grand prize, the runner-up gets $300 and third place leaves with $200 in their pocket. The judges will be the party-goers, so be sure to invite as many of your friends as possible to up your votes! This party is in the same vein as their annual rib-a-que and smokeout parties which have notoriously sold-out early to a crowd of all types of Chicago locals. Keep in mind you can buy tickets online in order to secure your tasting spot!

The Lincoln Park Professionals are starting the season off right with their annual holiday party. Join members of the LPYP, Howard Orloff Jaguar dealership and the Hard Rock Hotel for this year's 'Peppermint Bash.' The event will feature a live DJ spinning holiday tunes, a peppermint martini bar, mistletoe cocktails and a wine tasting. Hors d' oeuvres come complimentary of the Chicago French Pastry School, Paula & Monica's Pizzeria and The Melting Pot, to name a few. Tickets are available online and for more information on the event, contact the LPYP at 312-642-5097.

Insider Info: Despite the DJ, the event is more of a meet-and-greet get together of young professionals for mingling, rather than a typical club setting. If, when the 'bash' is over, you're looking to do a little dancing, the official after-party for the event is at retro club and swing bar The Joynt over on 650 N. Dearborn.

M.A.N.D.Y. truly brings an eclectic, exciting breath of air to any club night. The DJ duo are known for their delivery of weird and wonderful dance-able beats that can't be fully pigeonholed into any box of electronic music. Performing with M.A.N.D.Y. will be Damian Lazarus who brings an interesting mix of popular music both new and old expertly meshed with techno and electro beats. M.A.N.D.Y. have a huge house, techno and electro following so I recommend coming early to secure your spot on the dancefloor.

Insider Info: Sky Vodka is hosting an open bar from 10- 11 p.m. and you can now RSVP for bottle specials. Ladies who RSVP will get a comped bottle of champagne! Also don't forget to give the password, pure, at the door. Women who remember to drop the password get in free all night. Guys get in free with password before midnight and get reduced cover afterward.

Love your shoes, but need an excuse to wear them? Look no further! The Hello Stiletto Shoe Club is hosting their first, but soon to be annual, 'Shoe Ball' to benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. There will be live music by the soulful R&B band Tovi Khali and complimentary hors d' oeuvres will be served following a beer and wine reception, courtesy of Peroni and Barefoot Wine. Prizes (including footwear!) will be given out all evening long. The main event of the evening is sure to be the Hello Stilletto Pink Carpet Walk-Off. Attendees have the chance to catwalk down a 40-foot runway for the press and local fashionistas will declare one man and woman "Best in Shoe" at the end of the night.

Insider Info: Hello Stiletto is a "shoe club" aimed at fashion loving women mostly in their 20's and 30's. The sassy, shoe-a-holic members usually get together for a bit of carefree fun and to show off their newest purchase, but this shindig is open to all. If you really don't want the party to end, a limited number of hotel rooms have been reserved at a discounted price of $159 for those in attendance. For more details on how to make a reservation, call Barbara Martin at 312-529-1124.

The Midnight Marauders are a group of cycling enthusiasts who put a different spin on mass bicycle rides. They take Chicago on in the dead of night and they just might have found the most raucous and exciting way to get a little social exercise. This group has been known to barge into dive bars and take over Chicago sex shops. They're basically always finding new ways to own the night. You don't have to be a seasoned rider to join-the group has a set of core members who meet up the third Saturday of every month, but they are always open to newcomers!

Insider Info: To get an idea of what past rides look like and of the crowd who goes on these journeys, check out past Midnight Marauders Flicker Albums. The meet-up place is Handlebar, known for their delicious vegan comfort food and vast beer selection. That said, it might not be a bad idea to stop in Handlebar early for a midnight snack to get you going. It's hard to go wrong with most of the food at Handlebar but the mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and seitan barbecue sandwhich are consistently crave-worthy delicious!

It's a true sign that winter is approaching once Millenium Park opens their ice rink. The rink, now in its ninth season, opens this Wednesday and is located downtown on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison. The Tribune McCormick skating rink is open to the public and, technically, is free if you bring your own ice skates. If you don't have skates of your own (which I think is most of us), rentals cost only $10. If your looking for your own skates but don't feel like paying top dollar for them, they're pretty easy to come across used. I always see two or three pairs at the Salvation Army off the Grand stop on the Blue Line. Used skates will usually require sharpening, however that small price is made up for in full with all the free skating they provide.

Insider Info: It's always hit-or-miss in trying to beat the crowds at Millennium Park. However, the great thing about the rink is that even when the line seems super long, it's usually no more than a half hour wait. This weekend is guaranteed to be a crowded one, but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon should be a great time to go, since kids are still in school. Plus, November is the perfect time for ice skating. It's warm enough so that you can still feel your fingers when you forget your gloves, but it's brisk enough to keep the ice from melting. Once November is over, I won't be hitting the rink again until March.

If you’re like most of the American population on Thanksgiving day, you probably overdo it just a little bit.  So, why not reduce that guilt somewhat this year?  The Bloom Yoga Studio is offering a special yoga practice on Thanksgiving morning this year. This particular class is also perfect for a day when you’ll be consuming more than your fair share of food. It will get your agni (digestive fires) burning and ready to take on the rest of the holiday. Be sure to RSVP as soon as possible if you’re interested, because this class is bound to fill up quickly and pre-registration is also required to attend.

Insider Info: If you RSVP before November 23, the cost of this class will be $20; if you register after, the cost is $25. The instructor, Molly Kavanagh, has been practicing yoga since 2001 and was inspired to teach yoga while traveling in South America, so this promises to be a great class!  I personally have just started doing yoga on my own and have found it a great way to both challenge myself and to just have fun. Why not give it a try on Thanksgiving morning?

Do you miss Virgil, Homer, or the good ol’ days of the grand oral tradition? Or, perhaps you’ve heard The Moth Radio Hour on NPR and you want a live taste? The last Tuesday of each month, Chicagoans gather together, like moths to the literary flame and tell stories. Moth StorySLAMs aren’t just for professional writers, though. Anyone can prepare a story on this month’s topic of blunders, practice it down to five minutes, get rid of their cheat sheet, and put their name in the hat. Ten five minute storytellers chosen from the hat will make up the evening’s performance.

Insider Info: If you aren’t ready to tell a story of your own, but also don’t want to simply sit back and enjoy the show, you can find the person with the hat and request to act as one of the judges for the evening. Be you performer, judge, or audience member, it is sure to be a raucously blunder-filled evening. The show doesn’t start until 8, but make sure to get there early so you’ll be able to snag a seat.

Do you love marketing and social media? Interested in meeting other passionate marketing and social media professionals at a networking event that will put all others to shame? Windy City Social’s Marketing Challenge is a highly interactive, energizing mini-apprentice-like networking event. You’ll compete in teams led by social media experts against other teams to develop and present the best marketing and social media ideas for Southwest Airlines, General Motors and Special Olympics Chicago. No one gets fired, but winners do get over $300 in fabulous prizes.

Insider Info: This event is typically a sell-out, so register now to save your spot! The Challenge Sponsors cases have been posted at www.windycitysocial.com/professional. Check them up to get a leg-up on the competition. Dinner will be Domino’s Pizza and appetizers from the Cubby Bears Fall menu. TheChiGuide readers can also save $10 off the non-member price with Code ChiTEN.

Chicago's Magnificent Mile is hosting its annual Lights Festival, serving as the “official” kick-off to the holiday season. At 5:30 p.m., Grand Marshal Mickey Mouse will lead a parade down Michigan Avenue, lighting over one million lights on the trees along the area. If you're trying to find the best spot to enjoy the procession, stick close to the river. You'll have a great view of the procession while being at a prime viewing spot for the fireworks display over the Chicago River at 6:55 p.m.

Insider Info: But before you grab your spot along Michigan Avenue, head over to Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan) at 3:00 p.m. for a free performance by the Plain White T's. Also at Pioneer Court is Lights Festival Lane, a collection of booths offering fun activities and tasty treats. I highly recommend hitting the Eli's Cheesecake booth for the free cheesecake and the Whole Foods booth for cookies.