Friday, Jan. 2: Catch seven local bands in concert-including Bull Run, this year’s winner in the state’s Battle of the Bands-and help a local support and advocacy group at the same time. From 5 to 10 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, Crosstown, The Idiosyncrasies, The Cox Force, Audible Empire, Freakin’ Force Convention, Audible Runpire and Bull Run will take the stage to help raise money for West Suburban Access News Association, the Oak Park-based group that works to help people with disabilities live on their own and contribute to their communities. Admission is $5; refreshments, including pizza, will be sold. Proceeds from the concert will go toward maintaining the group’s site, www.wsana.org, which Executive Director Joel Sheffel proudly reports has gotten more than 125,000 visitors since its start in late 2005. The church is at 460 Lake St. in Oak Park. For details about the group, call Sheffel at 383-6258 or e-mail info@wsana.org.
Friday, Jan. 2, to Saturday, Jan. 3: If you’re looking for a structured and fun sleepover for your child while he or she is out of school, the Park District of Oak Park has you covered. Starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, the park district is hosting its annual gymnastics sleepover for kids in first grade and older. There will be games, an open gym, pizza at 10 p.m. and breakfast in the morning. Pickup is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Don’t delay in registering, because walk-ins won’t be allowed. $30; $25 each for siblings. To register, call 383-0218. Gymnastics Center, 218 Madison, Oak Park. www.oakparkparks.com.
Sunday, Jan. 4: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’ll be the beginning of brunch at Briejo. The two-month-old restaurant in Oak Park’s Arts District, now open every night for dinner, is adding brunch to its weekend service. Formal introduction of the brunch menu will be on Saturday, Jan. 10. But this Sunday, curious diners will have the chance to check out what’s to come: from such comfort food as chicken hash and a steak, egg, bacon and cheese sandwich to the macrobiotic choices of winter squash, kale and brown rice. Overseeing this addition will be brunch chef Iliana Regan, a Chicagoan, who is quick to point out that a brioche bread pudding will also be on the menu.