So what if it’ll snow piss all weekend? It’s the last Friday of winter! Rage! There’s lots of good stuff going on. Stuff that’s worth braving the inevitable March depression to see. Remember: the clouds are fickle lovers, but art never dies. Picks of the week: 50 artists from every stratum of the Chicago arts scene did portraits of all 50 Aldermen (plus Daley and Stroger). That’s impressive in itself. Put all together, the result is the Chicago Aldermen Project . It has already gotten lots and lots of press, and Jeremy Scheuch and Lauri Apple hope it raises Chicago’s attention towards our Aldermen and local politics in general. The opening is tonight from 7-11 at Johalla Projects , and many of the Aldermen or their representatives are coming. Should be a fun night of art, local politics, and who knows, maybe you’ll remember your Alderman’s name this time. It’s probably worth stopping by just for Earwax Café ’s “Stroger Special” alone. The meal is $1, but tax is $10. Stay tuned this weekend for an exclusive Chicagoist interview with Scheuch and Apple. The Art Institute has been waiting for their Matisse exhibition, called Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917 , for months and months. Well, it’s here. The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday. Any chance to see 120 Matisses in one building is a chance worth taking, and you’ll also be able to see “ The Moroccans ,” which, quite frankly, is awesome. Rotofugi was ranked one of the world’s top 100 galleries by Juxtapoz magazine this year. After a successful Shag show that just ended last week, Rotofugi is keeping their funky design trip going with a new show featuring Chicago artist Travis Lampe tonight from 7. Photo by lauren*o .

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Chicagoist’s Arts Picks: Don’t Fall For March’s Fake Smile