Festivals – Chicago Theater and Arts

Grant Park Music Festival ages well

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park hosts music and dance performances. (J Jacobs photo) — Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park hosts Grant Park Music Festival and other music and dance performances. (J Jacobs photo)

Grant Park Music Festival now and then

NOW

Sit on the grass or bring a chair or reserve a seat to hear great classical music interspersed with special programs. It’s summer as celebrated downtown Chicago at the Pritzker Pavilion. The Blues Fest was just here but now a summer-long music festival starts.

Grant Park Music Festival opens tonight, June 12, 2024, with the Dvorak Cello Concerto played by Alban Gerhardt and continues this week with Christian Tetzlaff playing Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto. At the podium is Carlos Kalmar who has been conduction the Grant Park Orchestra since 2000.

And so goes the Grant Park Music Festival in 2024 with free tickets for those who don’t mind sitting further back of the Pritzker Pavilion or with a low price, often $27, for reserve seats closer up. Visit GPMF Schedule, orgpmf.org or call (312) 742-7647 for more information.

(Common is performing July 20 so tickets are higher. Visit Common :: Grant Park Music Festival.

THEN

Summer concerts started in Grant Park in the 1930s and became a tradition in 1935. By 1944 the Chicago Park District started the Grant Park Orchestra to be led by Conductor Nikolai Malko. He was followed by such renowned conductors as Irwin Hoffman, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman, Zdenek Macal and Hugh Wolff.

The Grant Park Chorus was formed in 1962 by Thomas Peck and then led by Michael Cullen and guest conductors. Christopher Bell took over in 2002.

In 1962, the Grant Park Chorus was established under the direction of Thomas Peck. It was subsequently led by Michael Cullen (1994–97) and a series of guest conductors until the appointment of current Chorus Director Christopher Bell in 2002.

As to location, the Grant Park Music Festival was in the bandshell at the south end of Grant Park then moved in 1978 to the Petrillo Bandshell named for former musicians’ union president James C. Petrillo who joined with then mayor Anton Cermak to start a music festival in Grant Park.

When Millennium Park opened in 2004 with Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by architect Frank Gehry, it became home to the Grant Park Music Festival and other music performances and festivals.

Best US chefs and restaurants named by James Beard Foundation

James Beard Awards and Events

The James Beard Awards for Best chefs and Restaurants announced in Chicago, June 10, 2024

Best Chefs by region

Best Chef: California: Ajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson Milord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH): Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, MI

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA): Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD

Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI): Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis, MN

Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY): Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, CO

Best Chef: New York State: Charlie Mitchell, Clover Hill, Brooklyn, NY

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT): David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT

Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA): Gregory Gourdet, kann, Portland, OR

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR): Valerie Chang, Maty’s, Miami, FL

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV): Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV

Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK): Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix, AZ

Best Chef: Texas: Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, TX

The Following awards are for Outstanding Chefs, Restaurants and contributions

Outstanding Chef: Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.

Outstanding Restaurant: Langbaan, Portland, OR

Best New Restaurant: Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA

Outstanding Restauranteur: Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, ID EST (The Wolf’s Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, CO

Emerging Chef: Masako Morishita, Perry’s, Washington, D.C.

Outstanding Bakery: ZU Bakery, Portland, ME

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME

Outstanding Hospitality: Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL

Outstanding Wine and Beverages Program: Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, SC

Outstanding Bar: Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA

Watch theChef/restaurant awards livestream Chef awards that were on June 10. 2024 James Beard Awards Presented by Capital One Restaurant and Chef Awards (youtube.com)

Chef Art Smith at Navy Pier

(Photo by Carole K. Brewer)

From the Reunion website:

“The food does not have to be elegant, complicated, or fancy. We find that busy people like simple food—the busier they are, the simpler the food. Our menu at REUNION is straightforward, down-home Southern food with a few more contemporary dishes.”

Agree, but it should taste good. And the restaurant interior should be a little more atmospheric than the standard food court inside Navy Pier.

Having followed James Beard awards and nominations for several years, I was looking forward to trying award-winning chef, Art Smith’s restaurant, “Reunion,” at the front of Navy Pier.

The outside wasn’t open when our group visited but it did look inviting. Inside, not so much.

The menu also looked inviting. But it did matter what you ordered as far as taste goes.

My friend and I ordered the three Chicken Sliders on the “First Bites” section of the menu because we hoped it would be a taste treat of Smith’s famous Southern Chicken. Except for the honey, the sliders were barely edible and not encouraging as to trying other chicken dishes.

However, another member of our group ordered the crab cakes, also on the “First Bites” menu. They were little but she declared them “spectacular.” Coming from the DC area where she gets Maryland crab cakes, that’s a high recommendation. She also liked that they were mostly crab and not mostly filling.

Would be happy to hear what you think if you have been to chef Art Smith’s restaurant at Navy Pier.

(Photo courtesy of Reunion website)

Navy Pier is at 700 Grand Avenue, Chicago.

For more information visit Reunion Restaurants.

Jodie Jacobs

LCFP Beer Garden opens

Now that the weather is encouraging outdoor dining consider going over to Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. The LCFP has opened the Beer Garden at Independence Grove.

What to expect: picturesque view and craft brews on tap, in cans and as beer flights plus wine, hard cider, non-alcoholic beverages, packaged snacks and fire pits.

There is a seasonal menu through Untappd, a geosocial networking service used through a mobile app that updates weekly. You can receive notifications and check out a calendar of upcoming events.

“The beer garden has truly become a beloved spot,” said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. “It offers families a unique recreational experience and a wonderful chance to enjoy time spent in nature as the weather turns warmer.”

Seasonal Hours
Tentative hours pending staffing levels and weather: Beginning May 4: Friday–Sunday, 1–9 pm. Special hours: Monday, May 27, 1–9 pm., Beginning May 28: Tuesday–Thursday, 5–9 pm and Friday–Sunday, 1–9 pm.

New Brew Festival: Brews & Views from 4–8 pm on Friday, May 31. There will be a $20 punch card to try 10 different brews, each served in a 3.5-ounce pour, as well as an appetizer. Local breweries include 9th Hour Brewing Co., Glunz Family Winery, Harbor Brewing Co., Liquid Love Brewing Co., Mickey Finn’s Brewing, Phase Three Brewing Co., Ravinia Brewing and Roaring Table Brewing. Non-alcoholic options and food will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome at the Beer Garden but tastings are for adults 21 and over.

Independence Grove Parking:
Parking is free for Lake County residents. Nonresidents are charged per car from spring–fall: $6 Monday–Thursday; $12 Friday–Sunday and holidays. After Labor Day, parking fees are collected on weekends only.
For weather updates or to learn if the Beer Garden is open, view status map here.

Pets Not Permitted
With the exception of service animals, dogs, horses and other pets are not permitted at Independence Grove.

Host an Event
The Beer Garden can be reserved for special events such as birthday parties, reunions, picnics, corporate retreats and other celebrations. Available to rent late spring through late fall, the Beer Garden features semiprivate and full buy-out options, and casual lakeside seating. To reserve the space for an event, fill out an event inquiry form or call 847-968-3473. For catering arrangements, contact Relish Events at Independence Grove at 847-665-9221 or info@relisheventsig.com.

Jodie Jacobs

RhinoFest is back

(L to R) Holly Holsinger and Claudia Cromly in MARIE CURIE HORROR STORY as part of Rhinoceros Theater Festival 2024. (Photo by Bob Perkos)

If you used to look forward to seeing the shows of Rhinoceros Theater Festival, (RhinoFest) or if you just are interested in creative theater and performances, mark May 25-June 30, 2024, on the calendar.

Also, write in the tickets and more information date of May 6. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a $20 suggested price.

Originally instigated by some of the Bucktown Arts Fest folk as a two-day add-on, it has grown over the years. RhinoFest has been adding more days and been held at more or different neighborhood sites. It also moved to different months.

This year, for its 35th festival, it will be held at six locations throughout the Chicago area from the end of May to end of June and feature more than 50 shows ranging from new plays and works in progress to concerts and revivals.

The 2024 festival will start with a Full Moon Vaudeville concert 7 p.m. on May 25 at Facility Theatre, (1138 N. California Ave) with an art/folk/cabaret act featuring The Crooked Mouth.

Locations: Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. in Humboldt Park, Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. in River West, Labyrinth Arts Club, 3658 N. Pulaski Ave. in Irving Park; Perceptions Theater, 1825 East 79th St. in the South Shore neighborhood; Experimental Sound Studio, 5925 N. Ravenswood Ave. in the Ravenswood neighborhood and Women and Children First Bookstore 5233 N. Clark St. in the Andersonville neighborhood.

For more information visit RhinoFest.com

Jodie Jacobs

River turns green and Chicago holds a major parade

Chicago River turns green. (Photo courtesy City of Chicago)

Plan ahead to watch the Chicago River turned to green then watch Chicago’s big St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

February gave us better weather than the usual cold and snow for many readers. And a St. Valentines Day celebrated with flowers, chocolate and or dinner out broke up the month in the middle.

Now, March is already seeing tulips and hyacinths poking their heads through the soil due to our still unseasonably warm weather. And we have such St. Patrick’s weekend events as turning the Chicago River a charming Irish color of green.

More is coming about other parades and places to be in the next article. But this one is about the river because you should start thinking now about going downtown Chicago to watch this annual event a week from this Saturday on March 16, 2024. The coloration is due to start at 10 a.m. Then the downtown parade starts at 12:15 p.m.

First colored in 1962 thanks to the local plumbers union, the river dyeing is still done by them with a secret, environmentally-friendly dye.

What to know: The dyeing of the Chicago River, now celebrating 69 years, is held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day and is followed by the city’s main parade which starts at Balboa Drive and pipes its way north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Drive. In the parade are politicians, Irish dancers, marching bands and bagpipers.

Where to watch: First colored in 1962 thanks to the local plumbers union, the river dyeing is still done by them with a secret, environmentally-friendly dye. Today, more than one boat is used to drop in the coloring. Best is to find a spot on the Michigan Avenue bridge or just west of it along the river. (The lower Riverwalk will be closed.) You need to get there early because the best spots fill quickly.

You can also watch from a river cruise such as Chicago’s First Lady (Wendella. is sold out) Afterwards, grab a snack or coffee and head west of Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive for the parade.

Jodie Jacobs

February means food plus fun and parades

Past Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans (Photo courtesy of New Orleans Visitors Bureau)

So glad to about to turn the calendar to February. On the horizon there is:

Chinese food to order in or eat out for Lunar New Year beginning Feb. 10 and celebrated most of the month.

In the Chicago area there are a couple of dragon parades and other events on Argyle and in Chinatown.

2. We have Super Bowl Sunday to nosh through as we watch and rate the commercials Feb. 11. Some interesting ads are already out on U Tube. See more football info at NFL LVIII.

3. We get to try cajon and other Louisiana or Rio delicacies for Mardi Gras, Feb. 13 before Lent begins. Mardi is French for Tuesday and Gras means fat but the French reverse the order so Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday.

4. Of course there is Valentines Day flowers, cards and candy to get or send on Feb. 14. But this is a holiday to eat out at a romantic or fun restaurant.

The Chicago area has hundreds of restaurant choices so if not sure where to go, visit Choose Chicago. The city’s tourism site has compiled some suggestions. It includes two old favorites, Mon Ami Gabi. and Geja’s Cafe, (fondu). Supposedly the holiday’s origins began in Roman times and continued in England with the Legend of St. Valentine but it has become a Hallmark holiday.

Jodie Jacobs

Chicago Restaurant Week

First Bites Bash

First Bites Bash at Field Museum (Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago)

Just as the January calendar and weather look dismal, Chicago Restaurant Week comes to town. The dates are Jan. 19 through Feb. 4, 2024.

About 350 restaurants from across the city and suburbs will participate, ranging in cuisine from American, French and Italian to Indian, sushi and Mediterranea, plus seafood and steakhouses in between. Dining rates are $25 for brunch or lunch and $42-$59 for dinner.

This is a chance to try something different from your usual eat-out fare or a restaurant you have been meaning to visit.

As an example Riccardo Enoteca, 2116 N. Clark St., is doing three courses for $42. See the offerings at Riccardo Enoteca | Choose Chicag0

So is Kama at 1560 N. Milwaukee Ave. Bucktown/Wicker Park

Just as good is the First Bites Bash at the Field Museum Jan 18 with samples from several restaurants.

Check out the restaurants and First Bites event at Chicago Restaurant Week | Official Guide | Choose Chicago

Jodie Jacobs

Where to spend some holiday time

Chicago is a great place to spend the holidays. But you might want to plan where to go when because there is so much going on in the city and suburbs.

Here are just a few suggestions.

Lincoln P:ark Zoolights(Photo by Jodie Jacobs)

Lincoln Park ZooLights (J Jacobs photo)

Sitting just north of Chicago’s downtown Loop and on the west side of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Lincoln Park Zoo celebrates the holidays with more than a million colorful LEDs for the annual ZooLights.

Sponsored by Com Ed and Invesco, ZooLights casts a joyous spell on paths past animal homes and food booths from Nov. 17, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024. The free daytime zoo now is by $7-$10 tickets at night but is free on Mondays. Festival hours: Sunday–Thursday: 4:30–9:00 p.m. Friday–Saturday: 4:30–10:00 p.m. The zoo closes at 3 p.m. for the festival so it can reopen at 4:30 p.m.

Tip: best plan is to take a bus. Number 22, 36, 151, and 156 buses stop along the western edge of the zoo.

Brookfield Zoo Tunnel of Light sponsored by Xfinity. (Chicago Zoological Society photo)

Tunnel of Light at Brookfield Zoo (Photo courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society)

At southwest suburban Brookfield Zoo, the season is also celebrated with more than a million LEDs Holiday Magic. Those dates are Nov. 24-26, Dec. 30 and dec 1-3 and Dec.7-10, Dec. 14-17, Dec .21-23 and Dec.26-31.

Get tickets for North or South Gate entry Advance tickets needed for South entry. The zoo open from 3-9 p.m. on Holiday Magic dates. Entertainment is 5-8p.m. with “Those Funny Little People” and “Juggling Elves.”

North Gate: 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street),
South Gate Main Entrance 3300 Golf Rd.

Christkindl Market downtown Chicago. (Photo by J Jacobs)

Christkindle Market Daley Plaza, (JJacobs photo)

A fun place to visit during the holidays is the German-style market downtown Chicago at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. or its branches at Gallagher Way Gallagher Way 3635 N Clark Street in Wrigleyville alongside Cubs Park or in Aurora at RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway.

Filled with food and gift booths, it’s impossible to walk away without a taste treat or gift. Visit Christkindlmarket.

For more holiday lights visit November Lights

Jodie Jacobs

November holiday lights

Light up the night at Lightscape

(Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden)

No sooner does Halloween wave a cold and scary skeleton hand goodby than the Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum beckon with tickets for their light shows.

Lightscape

The word “Lightscape” really defines the Chicago Botanic Garden’s winter transformation of its paths, garden areas and islands.

Open Nov. 10, 2023 through Jan. 7, 2024, formerly familiar Garden sections turn into plots of fire, fantastically large flowers and colorful, bright beacons.

For its fifth annual holiday light show some displays, such as the popular Winter Cathedral, return like old, familiar friends. Other sections, such as Evening Island, welcome visitors to new vistas.

What to expect: food and drink in various courtyards plus an enchanting experience of music and light.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL (847) 835-6801.

For tickets and more information visit Lightscape | Chicago Botanic Garden

Lightscape 2022 at Chicago Botanic Garden (J Jacobs phto) — Lightscape 2022 at Chicago Botanic Garden (J Jacobs photo)

llumination

Light transforms a one-mile pathway at Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. Opening Nov. 18, 2023, Illumination continues through Jan. 6, 2024.

A grove of trees comes alive as color change while you watch and lights make trees dance. Hug a tree to see it light up. Then see the display’s finale on Meadow Lake.

You can warm up by a fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores or stop in a concession tent for a snack and beverage or dine at the Ginkgo Restaurant in the Visitor Center. Stop at the Arboretum Store to purchase a temperature-activated, color-changing ceramic mug available Illumination.

The Morton Arboretum is 41oo IL Rt 53, Lisle, IL For tickets and more information visit Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum | The Morton Arboretum.

Jodie Jacobs