If you’ve ever wanted to bake your own Bang Bang pie, hear what Common has to say about violence, music and peacemaking or listen as top entrepreneurs like Martha Stewart tell you how it’s done, then Chicago Ideas Week has you covered. For the last five years, the weeklong event has been bringing us engaging, timely speakers in the top of their fields, plus hands-on labs, with ticket prices that allow anyone to attend. Here are our top picks for the Talks, Conversations and Lab events you won’t want to miss. Check out the full schedule online.
TALKS
TED Talk junkies and lifelong learners will want to pencil in as many of these incredible speakers as possible. General Petraeus talks about leading, Tom Arnold shares what he learned from his friendship with David Carr, and we can all embrace the unknown at a mystery event.
Ideas Week’s mission of addressing the toughest issues we face today head on is clearer than ever. Activist DeRay Mckesson discusses sparking a movement, author Tanner Colby talks about shifting America’s conversation about race, and others contribute to this timely talk looking at the most pressing issues of inequality in America today. (Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Oct 13, 4pm. $15) *Tickets are currently sold out but check back for additional ticket releases
Learn how General Petraeus leads in the boardroom and on the battlefields and what it’s like for Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards to expand programming under constant protest. We wouldn’t want these jobs ourselves, but we can’t wait to hear what it’s like. (Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W Randolph St, Oct 13, 4pm. $15)
This talk isn’t necessarily going to answer life’s biggies, but rather it will explore the questions that cannot be answered easily. What is the meaning of love, how much is a life worth and what’s for dinner anyway? Dan Diaz and wife Brittany Maynard tackle the nature of love, Kenneth Feinberg (the man who administered the 9/11 Victim Fund) ponders the value of life and David Gregory talks finding religion. (Cadillac Theatre Palace, 151 W Randolph St, Oct 13, 7–8:30pm. $15)
Cultural Icons: You Know the Headlines, Now Learn the Truth
A panel of friends, spouses and biographers closest to the iconic cultural personas we only think we know join this highly anticipated event. Actor and comedian Tom Arnold talks about friend David Carr, journalist and author Lesley-Ann Jones shares her journey to understanding Freddie Mercury, and Marvin Gaye’s ex-wife Jan Gaye shares her intimate insights. (Cadillac Theatre Palace, 151 W Randolph St, Oct 14, 4–5:30pm. $15)
Wildcard: Anything Can Happen. And We Promise You It Will.
With a title like this, we are beyond excited for this mystery talk that we’ve been promised will not disappoint. Take a walk on the wild side and enter the unknown at this unique event. After all, for 15 bucks, why not take a chance? (Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Oct 14, 7–8:30pm. $15)
Terrorism: Behind the Headlines
Go beyond the newspapers as this panel of experts and journalists looks at the groups behind extremist acts and the global threat of terrorism. (Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Oct 14, 4–5:30pm. $15)
CONVERSATIONS
These hour-long panels are packed with experts diving into some of the most pertinent and engaging topics facing us today. From sexy science to Shakespearean social media, we’ve highlighted our top Ideas Week convos to attend.
A City Divided: Reimagining the Future of Race in Chicago
Join the discussion on the issue of segregation and equality in our own city and go beyond the headlines to dig into Chicago’s past, present and future. WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore, founder and CEO of Cure Violence Gary Slutkin, founder and CEO of Kids Off the Block Diane Latiker and others reimagine the future of race in our city. (Joffrey Ballet, 10 E Randolph St, Oct 14, noon–1pm. $15)
The Bard may be the original word inventor, creating more than 1,700 English words, but we’re all part of a tech-driven language revolution now. This conversation between expert word nerds and lingo-lovers digs into the modern world of words. (Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Ave, Oct 15, noon–1:30pm. $15)
Redefiniendo el Sueño Americano
For the first time, Ideas Week features a Spanish talk on the experience of Latin American immigrants seeking the American Dream and the wants of their children, who navigate what it means to be second-generation Latino in America. This event will be entirely in Spanish. (Morningstar, 22 W Washington St, Oct 17, 10am-11am. $15)
On a Spectrum: The Evolution of Gender as We Know It
If you haven’t noticed, the way our society looks at gender is changing. At this event, Marlo Mack shares the experience of raising a transgender 7-year old, Tyler Ford weighs in on making agender identity mainstream and writer Jen Richards shares her stories. (Morningstar, 22 W Washington St, Oct 17, 1–2pm. $15)
It’s Time for “the Talk:” Your New Guide to Getting It On
Give your sex education an update at this exciting, fun and informative session. This expert panel will touch on the science of attraction, the changing sex industry and cultural taboos. (Art Institute, 111 S Michigan Ave, Oct 17, 7–8:30pm. $15)
The State of Mental Health in America
The state of mental health in our country is tinged with stigma and misunderstanding, but this panel seeks to explore the realities of mental illness and its impact on the individual and the community. (Joffrey Ballet, 10 W Randolph St, Oct 18, 11am–12pm. $15)
LABS
Ideas Weeks labs let attendees learn in a hands-on way from the city’s top innovators. From brewing to beekeeping, tons of amazing skills and experiences await at these fabulous and affordable labs. Many of these events are selling out fast, but you can check back later for additional ticket releases on the Ideas Week site.
Have a face for radio or simply suspect you’re a spin doctor at heart? Get hands-on with iHeartMedia, where you'll find your on-air voice and learn the ropes of radio production. Attendees will record real commercial breaks for the station’s overnight shifts. (iHeartMedia, 233 N Michigan Ave, Oct 13, 10am-noon. $15)*
This Lab is kind of like a brewery tour, but with a whole lot more beer and way more to learn. Sample hoppy suds and increase your brew-Q at the California based brewery’s new Chicago home in Douglas Park. This event is for ages 21 and up and requires a valid ID. (Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1843 S Washtenaw Ave, Oct 13, 4pm. $15)*
Know Your Coffee with Dark Matter
Many of our lives revolve around the caffeinated brew, yet we rarely give the art of brewing and enjoying coffee the respect it deserves. Walk in a caffeine addict, leave a coffee connoisseur at this lab, where Dark Matter’s Kyle Hodges will show you how to brew like a master and engage in coffee drinking on a whole new level. (Dark Matter Coffee, 738 N Western Ave, Oct 14, 2–4pm. $15)*
Pie Making 101 with Bang Bang Pie Shop
Learn to bake the perfect pie at one of the city’s favorite spots. Join Bang Bang founder Michael Ciapciak on a tasty tutorial and sip wine and coffee while your pies bake. You'll learn about the shop’s history to boot. This event is for ages 21 and up. (Bang Bang Pie Shop, 2051 N California Ave, Oct 14, 6–9pm. $15)*
Graffiti Art with Havas Worldwide
Grab a can and learn to create your street art with three favorite local grafitti artists. JC Rivera, Matthew Hoffman and Sentrock lead a discussion before attendees join in to create a live installation. If those names don’t ring a bell, you’ve seen their work all over the city, you just didn’t know it. (Havas Worldwide Chicago, 36 E Grand Ave, Oct 15, 2–5pm. $15)
Sweet Beginnings Start with Bees
We’re all abuzz about this event, in which attendees will try beekeeping and harvesting honey at the North Lawndale Sweet Beginnings Flournoy Apiary. Here, beekeeping is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to acquire valuable skills and start anew for citizens reentering the workforce after incarceration. Please do not attend this event if you have a bee allergy! Attendees are asked to wear long pants, because you know, bees. (North Lawndale Employment Network, 3726 W Flournoy St, Oct 15, 9am–1pm. $15)
*Tickets are currently sold out but check back for additional ticket releases