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Film buff?
Reeling Film Festival (now until Thursday October 7)
Founded in 1981 and organized by Chicago Filmmakers, Reeling is the second-oldest LGBTQ film festival in the U.S., featuring a lineup of features, shorts and documentaries highlighting the diversity of queer stories and filmmakers from around the world. The fest will offer a mixture of in-person and virtual programming that includes 42 films this year, kicking off with a screening of Peeter Rebane's Cold War love story Firebird at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N Southport Ave) and running September 24–30 at the Landmark Century Centre Cinemas (2828 N. Clark St). From there, watch screenings virtually through October 7. For a full schedule of films and other events, visit the festival's website. :http://reelingfilmfestival.org/ |
Fall fun.......
JoJo's Pumpkin Patch River North Oct 1Nov 1, 2021
Snag a treat and some decorative gourds at the month-long, 5,000-square-foot JoJo's Pumpkin Patch pop-up, a festive patio adjacent to JoJo's Shake Bar in River North where you'll find hay bales, festive lights and "pumpkin domes" outfitted with tables for dining and hanging out. Guests can enjoy a menu of special seasonal dishes, including caramel apples, pumpkin pie, apple pie, spiked ciders and hot chocolate. There's also a decadent Pumpkin Patch Shake— topped with a slice of pumpkin pie, a taffy apple, roasted marshmallow and a Reese's pretzel—plus cocktails like the Caramel Apple Mule and Pumpkin Spiked Latte. And if you need a big orange gourd to bring home, you can purchase one here. Cheers to fall! Event website:https://jojosshakebar.com/ |
Chicago Pride......
Friday October 1 2021 - Sunday October 3 2021
Unfortunately, the Chicago Pride Parade won't be taking place this year, but Chicago Pride Fest is still moving forward, bringing three days of music, drag, vendors and LGBTQ-friendly event to Northalsted. Swing by to catch headlining sets from The Four contestant VINCINT, early-aughts popstar Mýa and identical twin duo Nina Sky. Plus, on Sunday you can view the Pet Pride Parade at noon or take in the Peach Presents Takeover, featuring sets from local acts like Roy Kinsey, Jamila Woods and Mother Nature. Event website:https://northalsted.com/pridefest/ |
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Latin Lovers.....
Latin Restaurant Weeks land in Chicago at last
Chicago’s first Latin Restaurant Weeks are here, beginning on Monday, October 4, and going through Monday, October 18. Latino and Caribbean restaurants, including Taqueria Chingón, Tacotlan, and Birrieria Ocotlan, will offer prix fixe menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Osito’s Tap will serve specialty cocktails for $10. Latin Restaurant Weeks began in Houston and expanded to Miami before coming to Chicago. https://chicago.eater.com/2021/9/29/...-milagro-obama |
Immersive Van Gogh Lighthouse ArtSpace (Old Town) Until Sunday November 28 2021.
Step inside of Starry Night and The Bedroom in Arles with the help of more than 50 digital projectors in this high-tech exhibition that explores the work of Vincent Van Gogh. Designed by the Italian creative team that worked on the "Atelier des Lumières" exhibitions in Paris, "Immersive Van Gogh" covers 35-foot walls with animated versions of the Dutch painters work, accompanied by a score that blends electronic and classical compositions. Event website:https://www.vangoghchicago.com/ |
Faux ’50s Diner Ed Debevic’s Is Back (so is the chrome, neon, and theatrically rude servers). 159 E. Ohio St.
Ed Debevic’s, the famously raucous retro diner starring singing, dancing waitstaff, returned to Chicago last week, six years after its original restaurant was demolished in River North. Now located in Streeterville and owned by Bravo Restaurants, the new Ed’s still features diner food served by theatrically rude waiters in a shiny faux-’50s setting with lots of chrome, neon, and sassy signage. The menu revives many of the classics from the old days, including chili, Ed’s Mom’s Meatloaf Sandwich, and the World’s Smallest Sundae, but it makes a few concessions to the 21st century, namely an Impossible burger. The servers still dress in vintage splendor with buzz cuts, Buddy Holly glasses, and coonskin caps, but times being what they are, they’re less touchy-feely than in days of yore, and instead of dancing on the tables, they’re encouraged to use special ledges and a runway that extends the length of the main dining room. |
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Even with a pandemic and labor shortages, they remain open and thriving 7 days a week! |
The Chicago Humanities Festival....
Alan Cumming: Tales from a Fully Packed Life. MUSIC BOX THEATRE CHICAGO 3733 N Southport Ave Sunday, Nov 21 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm CT.
For more info visit.. https://www.chicagohumanities.org/about/ |
Coffee lovers........
Explore the world’s largest Starbucks® 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 646 N Michigan Ave, Chicago.
A good weekend starts with a good cup of coffee, and because Starbucks is turning 50 this year, exploring their unique offerings is the best way to celebrate. Head to the heart of downtown to explore the largest Starbucks in the world: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago, which at five floors is a coffee-lover’s playground. Here, all the coffee is roasted onsite daily by Starbucks Master Roasters, and there is a lot more to explore than just specialty brews. Enjoy fresh-baked Italian fare, coffee-inspired cocktails, or try the exclusive nitrogen-infused gelato, and toast to the big 5-0. |
Word buzz is out to shop even earlier this year for best availability.... ....
IF you're in or near Chicago.....
The Magnificent Mile is definitely a hotspot for holiday shopping — and not just at chain retailers, either. There are plenty of unique spots to explore. Galt Baby has more than 35 years experience in stocking modern, fancy, and fun baby gifts and gear. Water Tower Place and The Shops at North Bridge are filled with shopping options and holiday gift possibilities. And Mary Mary Gifts offers unique homewares, art, and global gifts that make it a must-stop shop for locals looking for something truly special. |
Chicago's Andersonville voted..........
One of the 49 coolest neighborhood's in the world
We polled 27,000 city-dwellers and asked local experts to rank the greatest places for food, fun, culture and community. The city’s historic Swedish enclave (take note of the flag on the neighborhood's iconic water tower), Andersonville is now better known for its LGBTQ+ nightlife and the bars and restaurants that line the Clark Street corridor. Over the past year, the area has bounced back in a big way, welcoming new bars (Nobody’s Darling, the Bird Cage) and restaurants (Parson’s Chicken & Fish), while events like the Taste of Andersonville have done a top job of showcasing beloved local institutions. The district has always been a desirable place to live, but its proximity to beaches and coastal parks has only made it more appealing during the pandemic. Andersonville is also a community that’s looking forward, launching initiatives like Clark Street Composts – a pilot program that could serve as a model for eco-friendly composting throughout Chicago. The perfect day: Start off with coffee and pastries from Scandi-inspired bakery Lost Larson, before checking out the vintage knick-knacks at Woolly Mammoth or feminist literature at Women & Children First. Next, stroll along the picturesque Foster Beach, then snag a table at Hopleaf and enjoy mussels and Belgian beer. Round off your day with a drag show at the Bird Cage or a surreal performance of the Neo-Futurists’ Infinite Wrench. |
“The Office Experience”...
The Shops at North Bridge , Magnificent Mile (520 N Michigan) Friday October 15 2021 - Monday January 17 2022.
Calling all The Office fanatics: The same team that created "The Friends Experience" is back with another nostalgic pop-culture experience that will make you feel like a Dunder Mifflin employee. Spread across two floors, the pop-up features 17 rooms that recreate sets from the show, including the Scranton Business Park workplace (which features Michael's office, Pam's reception desk and Ryan's closet) and Schrute Farms. Guests will be able to ecreate moments like Kevin's chili spill and the Dundie Awards—and you'll also find a few original props and costumes on display. Don't forget to stop by a gift shop that's dressed up like the Warehouse, featuring merch like "World's Best Boss" mugs, sweatshirts that say "Nard Dog" and staplers (Jello not included). The gift shop will be open to both ticketed and non-ticketed guests, so even those who don't spring for the photo-friendly experience have a chance to buy some branded shirts and tchotchkes. Event website:https://www.theofficeexperience.com/ |
Film buffs...........
Chicago International Film Festival Movies Until Sunday October 24 2021.
Some of the latest and greatest movies to hit the festival circuit arrive in the midwest during the Chicago International Film Festival, which present a lineup of more than 80 dramas, documentaries, comedies and foreign films, plus 10 short film programs. In addition to CIFF's home base at AMC River East 21, this year's festival expands across the city, with screenings at the Music Box Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center—plus drive-in screenings at ChiTown Movies in Pilsen. Highlights of this year's lineup include an opening night screening of Wes Anderson's tribute to journalism The French Dispatch, a drive-in presentation of Todd Haynes' rock doc The Velvet Underground, Mike Mills' moving tale of a radio documentary producer (played by Joaquin Phoenix) C'mon C'mon and Denis Villeneuve's latest sci-fi epic Dune. The festival will also host the world premiere of two documentaries: Jesse Moss' inside look at Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, Mayor Pete, and the story of Chicago’s first Black mayor, Punch 9 for Harold Washington. Other notable films being show include Andrea Arnold's eye-opening documentary Cow, the vengeful Western The Harder They Fall starring Idris Elba, Ridley Scott's latest period piece The Last Duel and the time-bending Colombian film Memoria, which features a haunting performance from Tilda Swinton. You can find a complete list of films (including drive-in screenings), purchase tickets and learn about other programming on the Chicago International Film Festival website. Event website:https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/ |
Logan Center Bluesfest Friday October 15 2021 - Sunday October 17 2021
The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts honors the tradition of blues music on the South Side of Chicago with a three-day festival highlighting local and national musicians, including in-person performances and livestreamed shows. Highlights of this year's lineup include concerts featuring Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Bobby Rush, plus the premiere of an audio-visual work by avery r. young and Amir George. Check out the Logan Center Bluesfest website for a complete schedule of programming. Event website:https://logancenterblues.org/ |
Check out the West Loop......
One of the distinctive features of the West Loop is its vast collection of street art created by numerous artists, present amid the streets lined with restaurants and on the side of overpasses and railway embankments. Painter and muralist Jenny Vyas is one of those artists whose work has helped to shape the former industrial area, adding splashes of color and creativity to the trendy destination for nightlife and dining that it has become.
A self-taught artist, Vyas first became inspired to paint while recovering from a breakup in 2013. She said that much of her work is inspired by “a lot of the darkness in life that we don’t really talk about.”. Her latest show, “Awaken,” opened last month and is on display at Pilsen Yards through October 31. The show features 15 of Vyas’ paintings, all of which center on themes of vulnerability and finding strength through exploring one’s own demons. “It’s the show I’ve been working toward for the last five years so it’s been really great to bring it all together,” Vyas said. “It’s my largest body of work, ever.” Although she’s originally from India, Vyas has lived in Chicago for more than two decades and considers the city to be her home. |
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On view at Pilsen Yards on Chicago’s South Side through the end of October, |
Time Out says 3 out of 5 stars Oooh Wee It Is specializes in over-the-top soul food dishes that are worth waiting in line for..
Oooh Wee It Is 3 E 83rd St (Chatham) Chicago
I’m of two minds about encountering a line in front of a restaurant when you show up for a meal. On the one hand, it can be frustrating to work up an appetite and arrive expecting to eat, only to have to join a waiting list. On the other hand, when folks are willing to queue up for a table, it typically means that the food being served is something worth waiting for. Thankfully, the latter absolutely applies to the Chatham location of Oooh Wee It Is, where plates of delicious soul food are often overflowing—much like the parking lot. https://www.timeout.com/chicago/rest...oooh-wee-it-is |
A Guide to Apple Picking in Metro Detroit
It’s fall in Michigan, prime season for apple picking. The third top producer of apples in the U.S. (after Washington state and New York), Michigan has about 14.9 million apple trees on nearly 800 family-run farms.
A spring freeze turned blossoms to icicles, however, which means there are far fewer apples to pick. Several orchards and mills that traditionally offer pick-your-own apples are scrapping it this year, after losing a large portion of their crops. There are still apples for sale in most orchard stores and at cider mills, who sometimes buy crops from others in the state. Be sure to call ahead for availability. https://detroit.eater.com/2021/10/14...troit-michigan |
A few days late, but you can still enjoy...
Arguably one of the best celebrations of the year—National Dessert Day—is on Thursday, October 14! Satisfy your sweet tooth and take in the views at LH Rooftop, located on the top of iconic Magnificent Mile hotel LondonHouse Chicago (85 E. Wacker Drive).
We have rounded up the restaurant’s best dessert offerings below, whether you’re a chocolate lover or more of a fruit dessert fan. Brownie a la Mode ($10) – A classic for any chocoholic, made with a warm Valhrona chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream, cocoa, and raspberry Berry Tart ($14) – Cool and refreshing, made with fresh berries, vanilla bean custard, and lemon curd Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp ($13) – Tart with a crunch, made with fresh strawberries, rhubarb, and oat streusel Crème Brûlée Bite ($11) – A traditional delight, made with vanilla custard and brûléed sugar Pecan Sticky Bun ($9) – Served during brunch on Saturday and Sunday, topped with warm caramel sauce poured tableside. https://www.chicagofoodmagazine.com/...nhouse-chicago |
Apple season is here and Gnome Brew is celebrating with their 3rd Annual Cider Day this Saturday, October 23rd (2026 West Montrose) begins at 12pm.
For Gnome Brew's Cider Day they pick up freshly pressed organic apple cider and other seasonal treats from a Michigan orchard the morning of the event for guests to partake in and purchase to take home. Starting at Noon, guests will be offered: Fresh Mulled Apple Cider Orchard Fresh Apple Cider Donuts and Apples Hard Cider Samples from past years Cider Share (bottle share for ciders) Games! For more information, please visit https://gnomebrewshop.com/cider-buy-2021. |
Upcoming event.........
FEW Cocktail Class. Tue, Nov 9, 2021, 7:00 PM. 916 W Fulton Market.
Master the art of making the perfect Old Fashioned with a FEW Spirits Master Mixologist. This is a hands-on class, where you will learn everything you need to know about making a killer Old Fashioned along with 2 riffs on this classic. Ticket includes: $25 TOM card good at any of our kitchens or bars the day of the event, 1 Hour hands on class with FEW Spirits Master Mixologist, 200 ML bottle of FEW Bourbon, Recipe Cards, Old Fashioned Making Kit: 18 oz Crystal Mixing Glass , Strainer, Jigger, Bar Spoon, Cocktail Picks. |
Cosmic Country Showcase: Lavender Country. Hideout (River West/West Town) Friday October 29 2021 - Saturday October 30 2021.
The Cosmic Country Showcase celebrates twangy tunes delivered with psychedelic trappings, dressing up the Hideout's stage to present a wonderfully strange variety show. The latest edition of the event celebrates the first openly gay country album, released by Lavender Country and reissued by Paradise of Bachelors. Frontman Patrick Haggerty headlines two Cosmic Country shows during Halloween weekend, playing tunes from the pioneering record alongside regulars like Andrew Sa and a lineup of special guest musicians, comedians and performers. Event website:https://hideoutchicago.com/event/cos...-country-tour/ |
Maxwell Street Market........
Maxwell Street Market , West Loop. Sunday November 7 2021 - Sunday April 16 2023.
Originally established in the late 1800s, the Maxwell Street Market brought vendors, musicians and cooks to an open-air flea market where shoppers could find just about anything they wanted. The market introduced the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, provided a venue for rising Chicago blues musicians and was immortalized in a scene in The Blues Brothers. These days, the market sets up on nearby Desplaines Street (between Roosevelt and Howard) every Sunday, where visitors will find vendors hawking their wares, an abundance of delicious Mexican food and occasional performances by local bands and dance troupes. Don't let the cold or wet weather scare you away—the Maxwell Street Market takes place outdoors year-round. Event website:https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...t_market.htmll |
Bowlers, check this out! It might be right up your alley....
Seven Ten Social 1055 E. 55th St., Chicago
Get ready to be bowled over, Hyde Park, has a sleek, new bowling alley and cocktail bar! Officially opened Wednesday, October 27, it offers a new gathering place for fun in the neighborhood, adjacent to the University of Chicago with eight bowling lanes, classic drinks and boozy milkshakes, and a menu of burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, wings, and tenders by Lillie’s Q and LQ Chicken Shack Founder/Chef Charlie McKenna. |
Bavette's Steakhouse 218 W Kinzie St, Chicago
The modern steakhouse seduces with its speakeasy feel — and as with any Hogsalt establishment, the drinks are stellar. Their unbeatable boeuf is served up in many forms, such as Béarnaise Filet Mignon or Bone Marrow spread on fresh Frites. The Gatsby-like surrounds only add to the mystique, as do the exquisitely mixed classic cocktails and vast wine list. Pro Tip: The burger is one of the city’s best. |
Chicago Humanities Festival celebrates women of culture this fall...
Chicago Humanities Festival is hosting women who are at the forefront of our culture, including famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, popular Design Matters podcast host Debbie Millman, and the leader of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones. Come out to stages all across Chicago to join these iconic women for a celebration of our culture: from legendary photos and design to groundbreaking poetry and historical journalism.
https://www.chicagohumanities.org/attend/events/ |
Lenny Bruce fans...........
Mercury Theater, until Dec 4.
Returning to the Venus Cabaret Theater at the Mercury Theater, playwright and actor Ronnie Marmo steps into the shoes (and disheveled suit) of boundary-breaking comedian Lenny Bruce. Produced in partnership with Bruce’s daughter Kitty Bruce, the one-man show finds Marmo replicating sections of Bruce's act while weaving the narrative of the stand-up's life. You'll learn about Bruce's arrests on charges of obscenity and his fight for freedom a speech during an era when profane observations were taboo. Throughout “I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce,” Marmo channels Bruce's rebelious spirit, celebrating the freedoms that the comedian fought for through a show that reckons with his struggles. Event website:https://www.lennybruceonstage.com/ |
“Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement” Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center , Skokie IL. Until Sunday May 8 2022
Tracing the contemporary gay rights movement back to the June 1969 police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York City, the Illinois Holocaust Museum's hosts an exhibtion that documents a continuing struggle for equality. On loan from the Newseum, “Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement,” collects more than 85 artifacts, such as posters from Harvey Milk’s campaign for public office in San Francisco and the gavel Nancy Pelosi used to announce the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Visitors will learn about the history of the LGBTQ community through pivitol moments in history and in popular culture. Event website:https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/ex...gbtq-movement/ |
Driving America......
Henry Ford Museum 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI
Driving America is an opportunity to look at America’s favorite mode of transportation in a different way. Explore the cultural significance of the car and learn more about the interactive in-museum features that make this exhibit so unique and engaging. In building a new exhibit all about the automobile, our curators were faced with a challenge: how could we create an experience that appeals to both car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike? As a result, Driving America flips the script on how we look at our day-to-day transportation. With more than 100 vehicles and 20 interactive touchscreens containing activities, video interviews, and artifact information and images, the exhibit is all about the visitor. According to Patricia Mooradian, President of The Henry Ford, “We want people to walk away from this experience thinking about cars, culture and themselves in new, unexpected ways.” https://www.thehenryford.org/explore...iving-america/ Also check out their blog. https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/Detroit67/ |
And another reason to keep this in mind........
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Chicago Critics Film Festival........
Chicago Critics Film Festival Music Box Theatre Friday November 12 2021 - Sunday November 14 2021.
The Chicago Critics Film Association throws an annual film fest, giving the public a chance to see buzzed-about unreleased films and overlooked movies that deserve to be seen on the big screen. This year's lineup includes a 40th anniversary screening of the Chicago-set Michael Mann film Thief, the new Netflix Western The Power of the Dog and an early screening of the new A24 dramedy Red Rocket. Event website:https://www.chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com/ |
Oh, and bundle up if you're going.........
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Friday: Windy with rain and snow showers. High: 44, Low: 30T |
If you have kids..........
“The Dr. Seuss Experience” Water Tower Place | Chicago, Until Sunday January 2 2022.
Get lost in a world of Wockets and Truffula Tree contained within this immersive experience, inspired by the literary works of Dr. Seuss. Bringing to life the characters and landscapes of books like The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax, "The Dr. Seuss Experience" is filled with a series of rooms where guests can interact with characters and snap photos. At the center of the pop-up, there's a maze inspired by Oh, the Places You’ll Go! made up of thousands of suspended balloons. Taking over 25,000 square feet on the street level of Water Tower Place, this experience is great for kids—or for embracing your inner-child. Event website:https://www.experienceseuss.com |
Looking for some laughs.........
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OpeN MiC NighT Wed, Nov 24, 7:30 PM Hairpin Arts Center • Chicago. |
Where to see holiday light displays in and around Chicago...
Christmas is still weeks away, but somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving, large swaths of the city get decorated with millions of twinkling bulbs. If you’re ready to embrace the holiday season, you can begin checking out some of the displays this weekend, as events like ZooLights, Amaze Light Festival and Illumination begin welcoming guests. Plan your festive sightseeing with our guide to the most dazzling light displays in the city and the surrounding suburbs.
Even if you've got a bad case of the bah-humbugs, it's hard not to feel a bit of seasonal cheer when the city gets festooned with millions of twinkling bulbs as part of Chicago's best holiday light displays. https://www.timeout.com/chicago/thin...ryName=DM12669 |
Chicago Christmas parade & Magnificent Mile light show....
Saturday Nov 20, 2021
The night after Christkindlmarket opens and the city's Christmas tree is illuminated, the Magnificent Mile rings in the holiday season with its annual parade. Beginning at 5:30pm, you'll be able to watch lights in more than 200 trees along Michigan Avenue sparkle as a procession of floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands and celebrities pass by. As usual, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will act as the Grand Marshals. Show up early (beginning at 11am) to check out activities along Michigan Avenue and get a picture with Santa. |
Holidays at the Art Institute of Chicago....
Michigan Avenue Entrance ,111 South Michigan Avenue. Modern Wing Entrance 159 East Monroe Street.
Kick off the season this weekend at the Art Institute, Chicago’s home for the holidays! Snap a picture with the beloved lions adorned in their festive wreaths, then visit favorites like the Neapolitan crèche, the Tiffany Window, and iconic artworks from across the collection. Make it a day you and your friends and family will remember. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. |
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along....
201 E Randolph St, Chicago.
There's nothing stopping you from showing up in front of Cloud Gate (a.k.a. "The Bean") at any point during the year and belting out your favorite holiday songs, but you can do it with a crowd of like-minded exhibitionists at this annual series of winter concerts and sing-alongs. Previously know as "Caroling at Cloud Gate," this series will be more inclusive of Chicago’s many faith backgrounds, cultures and holiday music traditions, taking place every Friday at 6pm from November 26 through December 17. Song books will be distributed at each event. |
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