In a land far, far away, perhaps even in the next galaxy or through the nearest wormhole, there is a place called the Suburbs. This place is filled with magical places called 'Meijer' and 'Wal-mart.' This land of corn, strip malls, and meth labs also has a thriving music scene, if y'all could get off your lazy Chicago booties to make the trek. Ian's Party is an annual celebration of this music scene, and they have even been kind enough to throw in a few Chicago bands for the citified dandies sure to show up. From December 31 through January 3, dozens of bands will play at locations within walking distance of each other in downtown Elgin. In addition to the insanely cheap price ($30 for the whole weekend) and the insanely fantastic bands, there is also the insanely novel idea of spacing the bands a few minutes apart so that you can, ostensibly, see every last band on the docket. Stick that in your Pitchfork pipe and smoke it, if you have any time for pipe smoking in between tromping up and down Grove Avenue from Mad Maggie's to the Gasthaus.

Insider Info: Go to the website at www.iansparty.com before the day of the show and get your pre-sale weekend pass for $30. You'll get a free screen-printed Ian's Party 2010 poster and a copy of the new Vicelords album, out on Cassette Deck. And while you're in Elgin if you need to nap for a few hours, head over to the Colonial Lodge and take advantage of their hourly rates.

Has there been a time in your life that you’ve been at a club and completely unimpressed with the music—wishing there were multiple rooms of music?  It’s rare to find such a treat in Chicago, but on Thursday you can hit up three rooms with totally different music. There will be the ‘Rock Room’ featuring 90s sensation Gin Blossoms. There is the party room featuring the hip-hop tribute group Too White Crew and 80s cover band The Breakfast Club.  The last room is the club room featuring DJ Roland. If the music isn’t enough to get you there, the open bar from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. might do the trick. The trip down memory lane listening to the Gin Blossoms will be worth the $85.

Insider Info: Not only will an open bar be provided but you will also get party favors and access to all areas of the event.  If you need a place to stay, the hotel is offering rooms starting at $139 in addition to offering hotel and dinner packages.  One package costs $340 and includes a room, two tickets to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Ball, and vouchers for the breakfast buffet that will be held the morning after.  Also, there will be parking available for only $20 overnight.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is channeling the grab-bag spirit of Christmas with their monthly event series called Cabinet of Curiosities.  This event is held the third Thursday of every month, and each month features a variety of presentations from different artists in the Chicago area. These presentations can take a variety of different formats, from performance art and readings to slide shows and discussions. Each session has a different theme, but due to the grab-bag nature of Cabinet of Curiosities, you won’t know quite what you’re in for until you try it out for yourself!

Insider Info: Cabinet of Curiosities takes place in the MCA’s Puck’s Café, which features a full-service restaurant and an express counter. On Tuesdays the MCA is actually free all day and open until 8 P.M., so you can peruse the MCA for free before attending Cabinet of Curiosities later at 6 P.M.  The cost of attending Cabinet of Curiosities is also nothing at all, so this a great way to spend a cheap Tuesday!

Sick of the amateur-art crowd at the MCA and Modern Wing mixer events? Come to Wicker Park's more local-flavored alternative. The Flat Iron Arts building and other Wicker Park/Bucktown businesses are come together to celebrate the arts on the first Friday of this month. There will be two floors full of art and "impromptu" performances in over three-dozen resident artists' studios in the Flat Iron building. Special guest artists will also be featured on the second floor FIAA Gallery and Cultural Center. A complete schedule, list of venues and participating artists are all available on the First Friday website.

Insider Info: First Friday is a great way to view the work of local artists in an intimate, comfortable setting. Many of the studios will offer refreshments, but Earwax is always right down the street if you want an inexpensive (vegetarian friendly) meal. I recommend the sweet potato black bean quesadilla, with cheddar cheese. While at the event, be on the lookout for DJ sets and fashion shows as well.

You know a play is good when its writer, cast and creative team are full of Tony nominees. You know a play is great when its run is extended due to audience demand. American Buffalo, now playing at Steppenwolf, has all of the above and more. About three small-time con-men in Chicago and the dysfunction that arises from a planned heist, American Buffalo is an American classic in the same vein of Death of a Salesman – everyone should see it at least once.

Insider Info: Written by David Mamet, Chicago’s own Second-City-busboy turned superstar playwright and screenwriter, American Buffalo is definitely a Chicago play – from the “Da-Bears” accents to the references to Lake Shore Drive and other Chicago landmarks. And for those of you who caught August: Osage County before it headed to Broadway, this production is a great way to catch Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts showing off his acting chops – complete with handlebar moustache, tight 70s-era pants and a polyester top.  Check out my review here.

It isn’t often that a restaurant pairs their food with something like manicures. But Eivissa, the pintxos, tapas and sangria restaurant, is hosting a free night for the ladies. The event is free but RSVP is necessary to provide enough massages and manicures. Not only will women get the primping, but also $4 glasses of Eivissa's renowned sangria and some select delicious tapas. The restaurant boasts 6 different kinds of sangria, one of which is restricted to three glasses a person (the name of this particular poison is ‘Amnesia’). Experience that forgotten feeling of summer with the summery drink and light food, and pretend you’re in Barcelona getting the full works at a spa.

Insider Info: It’s not really classified information, but Eivissa holds this event every second Thursday of the month.  The restaurant is also holding a New Years Eve party that will be much classier than sitting in your friends’ apartments. It will cost $90 but include a full open bar from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (which is much cheaper than what you’ll probably pay drink by drink anywhere else.)

If you are the type of foodie I am, your love of food involves trying all of the Chicago restaurants you can afford and drooling over the reviews for the ones that you only get to go to for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. This coming week, save up the money that you'd normally spend on take-out for because Chicago's usually rare-treat restaurants are offering their menus at a serious discounted price! For the Local Tourist Week over 15 of Chicago's best are offering 3-course-meals for $25 at lunch or $35 at dinner with proceeds going to Endure to Cure, who raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Insider Info: Among the restaurants on the bill for the event are Province, who will be serving food inspired by seasonal fare, Nacional 27 who are known for their seasonal ceviche and tapas, Gemini Bistro who do spot-on inspired American fare and C-House where people rave about the yellowfin tacos and raw bar. The week brings an eclectic mix of world food, so why not explore your city and get adventurous about food while saving some cash!

For those looking for a low-cost budget this New Year’s Eve, why not consider saving money on all those expensive drinks?  Let’s face it, whenever we go out to restaurants, bars, or nightclubs, drinks usually make up the biggest percentage of our tab. So, why not take this New Year’s Eve to explore some of Chicago’s BYOB spots? In the spirit, we recommend newish Logan Square spot with star-studded reviews: Knew. For $45 Chef Omar Rodriguez is whipping up a four-course dinner. (Most entrees here go for $30 a pop.) While the full-menu has not been released a lobster-pasta is rumored to be one entree option.

Insider Info: In addition to a delicious NYE night, Knew has another surprise in store: they are waiving the usual corkage fee and also giving all guests 20% off their next meal at the spot. Of course there are many other BYOB's available to ring in 2010, so if Knew isn't your thing there are plenty othe options-- try Treat if you're feeling indian fusion, Ciao Amore if you want italian or Chilam Balam for mexican fare.

When hearing about a New Years Day swim, you might imagine a heated indoor pool to leisure about after a hard New Years Eve. But, this is entirely not the case. The Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Swim consists of anyone who wants to come to the North Avenue beach house, disrobe to a swimsuit and run into icy Lake Michigan—for fun. Basically, come dressed in really warm clothes with your swimsuit underneath, disrobe for a group picture then run to the water. Be warned, though, that there will be no official medical support there. You could join the other people interested in this on New Years Day at noon or come out to the Oak Street Beach on January 30 and be a part of what they anticipate to be the biggest plunge yet.

Insider Info: The Lakeview Polar Bear Club was founded in 2002 by three guys who decided that a frigid swim would be the perfect pick me up after their New Years Eve. Since then, the events they sponsor have gone to support hardworking families who have hit hard times. The club wants to help anyone who has no where else to turn. So tell those that say you are crazy that plunging into the ice-cold waters on a national holiday is actually a good thing, thank you very much!

After the holidays, winter gets old pretty quickly. Instead of hunkering down and waiting for warmer weather, embrace the cold with the annual Chicago Cycling Club's Weather Be Damned Ride. Social riders will meet at the Clock Tower at Waveland and Lake Shore Dr. at 10:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. The ride is scheduled to be shorter than most, but temperature and weather will determine the length. After the ride, bikers can enjoy lunch at the Red Apple. If you just can't seem to drag yourself out of bed on January 1, you can enjoy the January 3 Bike Winter Film Festival. This day-long film fest at Facets Multimedia (1517 W Fullerton) will feature 2-wheeled cinema fare. (Details are still TBD, but it definitely sounds entertaining!)

Insider Info: There may not be as many bikes on the road this time of year, but Chicago does in fact have quite the winter biking scene. Check out the official site for a complete schedule of winter biking events in Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and St. Louis. There's even a special Snow Biking ride that takes place any day that has two or more inches of snow fall. Meet at Handlebar (2311 W North Ave) at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy.

The Chicago Park District is hosting 'Free Fitness Week' at all 66 gym locations in the Chicago area. That means total free gym access for one week! Chicago Park District fitness facilities use equipment such as treadmills, cross-trainers, weights and stationary bikes. They also offer kickboxing, yoga, pilates and other classes for a fee. For a complete list of participating gyms, visit the official website of the Chicago Park District.

Insider Info: If you sign up for a winter membership (Jan.-Mar.), you'll receive a free Nike cinch bag! Hurry up though, because this offer stands only while supplies last! Memberships range between $35 and $75. For more information, contact the Chicago Park District at 312-742-7529.

Chicago has a Literary Hall of Fame, you ask? Yes it does. The Hall of Fame is a tangental project from the Chicago Writers Association. The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame strives to document and celebrate the eclectic talent embodied by the diverse articulations from those who capture our city with words. Special author guests will include Don De Grazia, Marcus Sakey, and Bayo Ojikutu. More importantly, the benefit offers unlimited  premium beers as well as tasty appetizers (grilled cheese bites!). Like every benefit, there will be a silent auction. Highlights of the items to be included are first edition signed books by Libby Fischer Hellmann, Audrey Niffenegger, and Robert W. Walker, blog consulatation by Marcie Hill, and two certificates to get your name in Robert W. Walker's next novel.

Insider Info: If you don't like beer, there is a $20 cash bar ticket option (only $15 for members). Buy your tickets online prior to January 6th, though, as showing up the night of will cost you $5 more. Also, if you would like to get your foot in the door of the Chicago literary community, head to this event. It is their first fundraiser, and part of the proceeds will fund their first induction ceremony.

One man's stocking stuffer trash is another's much needed treasure...or something like that. This major swap/rummage event brings you a chance to unload those awful gifts your relatives insist on giving you every year-- without the guilt that comes with throwing away a new gem-sweater with the price tags still on. It works like this: you bring stuff you don't want and either sell it or trade it for items that others have brought and don't want. With NYE resolutions also running stong this week, a massive closet-clean-out may be on your list anyway, so here is your chance to start the year with a fresh, clean closet and concious!

Insider Info: If you were to look through my own closet you might discover that 1.) I should probably clean out and bring stuff to this event and 2.) that I've got dozens of vintage dresses, indicating that I am a thrift-store-junkie. As a veteran of garage sales myself, I've got a few tips for any green-thrifter: Wear light clothing (not heavy jeans) so you can try clothing on over said clothes (at these things you are lucky if you get a mirror). Grab anything that catches your eye as you roam through then ask for a lump-price (a way to get discounts and sift through wants and not-wants effectively.) For more haggling info chec out this great video tutorial from Garage Sale Warrior.

If you’re looking to network and enjoy stunning Chicago skyline views at the same time, then consider attending 'Network at the Vertigo Sky Lounge' on January 7.  This event will be a great place to network with fellow business associates and make new connections.  Furthermore, the Vertigo Sky Lounge has been lauded as a Chicago hot spot, and was named to Conde Nast’s Traveler’s 2009 Hot List, so this venue definitely provides a great atmosphere to make new business connections and network with your fellow colleagues.

Insider Info: Be sure to get to this event on time as there will be an open bar hosted by Absolut vodka and appetizers provided by the Dana Hotel and Spa from 6 to 7 P.M. Be sure to RSVP here. If you find that you like this venue, the Dana hotel is also home to a fantastic spa as well as the Vertigo Sky Lounge, so why not indulge yourself this New Year?