Handpicked: Radler sausage party, Mole de Mayo and more

Handpicked: Radler sausage party, Mole de Mayo and more

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Chocolate pie on side yard picnic table at Bang Bang Pie Shop in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

Friday, May 24
Inaugural WBEZ Day of Service registration deadline. Presented by WBEZ and Chicago Cares, volunteer for service projects with a range of non-profits across Chicagoland. Food-wise, on Wednesday (May 29), sort and pack donations for food pantries and soup kitchens at the Greater Chicago Food Depository; and Thursday (May 30) throw a Bingo and Birthday Party for 40 seniors with food, balloons, and lots of fun at the CHA’s Flannery Apartments. On Saturday (June 1) celebrate service with your first Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale on the house at Schubas. Admission FREE, but reservations required here.

Saturday, May 25
Inaugural West Loop Craft Beer Fest on Clinton between Lake and Washington. Last call for Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013 with the city’s largest craft beer outdoor block party. There will be local craft beer of course plus food for purchase by participating Chicago French Market vendors Lillie’s Q, Saigon Sisters, Beavers Coffee & Donuts, Fumare Meats, and Ovie Bar & Grill. Admission $40 general, $65 VIP including one hour of free food.

Fifth anniversary Mole de Mayo at Halsted and 16th. The mole cook-off and outdoor festival will feature mole judging, food vendors, a beer garden, open-air market, lucha libre, and more. Admission FREE, food and drink additional.

Sunday, May 26
The Radler Kickstarter Kickoff Party at Heineman Bar Company. Former Vie chef de cuisine and sausage meister Nathan Sears hosts this highly anticipated first taste of his upcoming modern Bavarian beer hall. There will be handmade sausages, German potato salad, and Flesk Brewing beer. Your donation will be used to protect the existing 120 year old mural discovered in the space, commissioning local artists for new work, and much more. Admission FREE, but please donate at the event or The Radler Kickstarter.

Monday, May 27
Happy Memorial Day!

Tuesday, May 28
Chemistry of Chocolate at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Presented in partnership with Illinois Science Council, this chocolate chemistry workshop will be led by Northwestern University chemistry lecturer Dr. Shelby Hatch and Blommer Chocolate R&D Specialist Melissa Tisoncik. The adults-only night will feature a local craft beer cash bar, plus access to the new exhibit Food: The Nature of Eating, live animal interactions, live music, and more. This event will be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified. Admission $35, $25 for Nature Museum members.

Wednesday, May 29
Rick Bayless chef demonstration at the Green City Market. Watch the Top Chef Master demo ingredients from the market. In case you were wondering, yes, his Taste of Chicago turn as Celebrity Chef du Jour sold out. But you can always listen to his turn on WBEZ’s own Lauren Chooljian’s Year 25 series: “Where was Rick Bayless at 25?” Admission FREE.

Follow Louisa Chu on Twitter at @louisachu.