In a dystopian fictional future, kids hunt the woods to feed their families in The Hunger Games. But in the present, “Do Children Harvest Your Food?” So asks Helene York at The Atlantic, to mark the 13th annual National Farmworker Awareness Week, “a week of action for students and community members to raise awareness about farmworker issues on our campuses and in our communities.” Sobering thoughts, I know, to start the week. But there will also be beer, cocktails and inspiring sustainable urban farming in our near future.

Monday, March 26

Three Aces chef Matt Troost cooks for The Dinner Party at the Mayne Stage this month, featuring MCA curator Naomi Beckwith, Sons of Blues musician Billy Branch, and Poetry Slam founder Marc Smith. Presented by Fear No Art, the live-action/live-streaming talk show hosted by Elysabeth Alfano also takes your questions live via Twitter.

Spice House owner Patty Erd tells the tales of The Lure and Lore of Spices at the Bartlett Public Library. “Small gift bags of spices will be shared with participants.”

Tuesday, March 27

Friends of the Congo national spokesperson Kambale Musavuli shares in Conflict Soup: Congo at the Janes Addams Hull-House Museum in this week’s Re-thinking Soup. This event will be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified.

What’s Brewing in Chicago? “The Public Square presents a lively conversation on the politics of beer—past and present. Join us to take a look back in Chicago’s history as the beer capital of the world, then fast forward to the rise of microbreweries today. Featured guest speakers are Elizabeth Garibay, public program manager at the Chicago History Museum and founder of the Tales, Taverns & Towns web project, and Pete Crowley, owner of Haymarket Pub and Brewery and president of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.” The event at Haymarket is sold out but will also be recorded for WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified.

Wednesday, March 28

Only three more Soup & Bread dinners this season at The Hideout, benefitting St. Vincent’s food pantry this week!

James Beard nominated chef Andrew Zimmerman partners with local Growing Power urban farms to create a fleeting Winter Market/early spring produce menu at Sepia to benefit the Green City Market. Award-winning head bartender Josh Pearson kicks off the festivities with the Spring Starter, a “welcome cocktail” with housemade rhubarb and angelica liqueur, followed by hors d’oeuvres, then a five-course dinner—including a duck fat fried chicken with mustard greens—with wine pairings. Growing Power’s Chicago project manager Erika Allen, and founder Will Allen’s daughter, will speak about their “inspiring mission to build sustainable food communities.”

Desserts for Deserts at the Greenhouse Loft promises “a sweet fundraiser for Fresh Moves: combating the issue of food deserts in Chicago one bus route at a time.” You may remember Fresh Moves is the CTA bus turned mobile produce market. Presented by Fed Up, look for desserts by Hoosier Mama, Fritz Pastry, Bleeding Heart, and many more.

Thursday, March 29

Bar manager and mixologist Mike Page teaches Mastering the Manhattan and Other Stirred Cocktails at Vie, the first in a series of cocktail classes and dinners. While you’re there, reserve for one of next week’s book release dinner parties for chef/owner Paul Virant’s The Preservation Kitchen—a portion of proceeds will benefit the Dupage Medical Group Charitable Fund.

Friday, March 30

Karaoke at Cafe Bon Ho with Gapers Block and “sing yourself hoarse while drinking cheap beer and soju shots. You don’t have to be good, just a good sport—and if you can sing Don’t Stop Believin,’ Africa or Total Eclipse of the Heart, this is the night!” 

Saturday, March 31

Decorate Easter eggs free at Heritage Prairie Farm. BYOE or use their farm fresh eggs, which will be used in the annual Easter egg hunt next Saturday.

The inaugural Chicago Beer Festival pulls in to Union Station “featuring dozens of domestic and international beers, as well as Chicago’s favorite local breweries.”

Sunday, April 1

Sunda does the food at Philippine Fest at Navy Pier, presented in partnership with the Consulate General of the Philippines and the Philippine American Cultural Foundation—as the latest in the Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World series.