The sun is out, Chicago!
Here’s to hoping it stays that way through the weekend. Speaking of the weekend, don’t forget about Mother’s Day this Sunday — we’ve got gift ideas and holiday meal specials throughout the city and suburbs to help celebrate.
Meanwhile, live performance announcements are popping up everywhere — including a city-sponsored concert exclusively for vaccinated residents and news on an upcoming “Banksy” exhibition.
And don’t miss a conversation with a Tank Noodle employee whose whistle-blowing helped spur a federal investigation. See you Friday.
— Adam Lukach
Chicago reopening latest: Grant Park Music Fest, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, more
With summer drawing near, plans are being made throughout Chicago, and many event organizers appear poised to give in-person festivities a try.
More Top Picks Best Hydration Bladders
This week, Grant Park Music Festival announced it would return to the city’s massive downtown park this summer with a tweaked setup for safety, making it among the biggest events yet to announce a comeback.
Check out an ever-growing list of venues, festivals, concerts and more planning to reopen in the near future.
City announces concert series for fully vaccinated Chicagoans
Northalsted Market Days announces tentative return in August
Grant Park Music Festival returns in 2021 with lawn pods, lithe ensembles, and a little season
Pierogi Fest to return to Whiting; plans for annual parade not finalized
CSO brings back in-person concerts at Symphony Center for May and June
It took two years, three complaints to city, state and federal agencies, countless phone calls and hours aiding investigators.
In the end, one former employee of Tank Noodle helped spark a federal investigation resulting in nearly $700,000 in back wages paid to 60 employees of the Vietnamese restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood.
The server who first blew the whistle spoke with reporter Louisa Chu to share their story.
40 Mother’s Day specials at Chicago restaurants, from fresh bouquets to free mimosas
Still haven’t made plans for Mother’s Day? No worries: Check out a list of 40 holiday deals and specials from restaurants in Chicago to help you pull it together.
And for your Mother’s Day gift, we’ve got ideas to suit any mom’s wish list.
Masa treats in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations
“After a year of pandemic yeast dough and quick bread projects, it’s a pleasure to work with corn masa dough,” writes Jean Marie Brownson.
“This flavorful, gluten-free dough is used in the Mexican kitchen for everything from corn tortillas to quesadillas, tamales, dumplings and — of course — shallow rounds for sopes and chalupas.”
Chicago rumors are true: ‘Art of Banksy’ tickets go on sale this week
While its location has yet to be disclosed, the “Art of Banksy” exhibit has been confirmed for July.
The exhibit comes from the people behind the ongoing “Immersive Van Gogh” show in Old Town, but the Banksy show won’t have the same digital approach. All works will be originals, donated by collectors.
More Top Picks Vision Therapy Vs Eye Exercises At Home Whats The Difference
Review: In “Last Match” from Writers Theatre, a U.S. tennis champion fears getting older
Review: Joffrey Ballet’s “Under the Trees’ Voices” meditates on COVID-19 and spring’s dual renewal
Restaurants throughout Chicago and the suburbs continue to trickle back into business, including a new Italian restaurant in Oak Brook, several old favorites in the city, and the famous Signature Room perched atop the Hancock tower.
After rough pandemic year, Boka Group bets big on Italian restaurant in the West Loop
Remember the sourdough bread trend? Seems like eons ago, at this point.
These days, we’ve moved on to soft pretzels, which are also difficult, but they’re worth it — at least if you like pretzels.
Since 2001, Eileen Favorite — a Chicago-based novelist and literature professor — has taught a class at the School of the Art Institute titled “Love the Art, Hate the Artist.” The university describes it as a course on the recurring question: “How do the biographical details of an artist’s life influence our attitude toward their work?”
But as one student said, “It’s really more like a course on how to be an artist and still be a good human.”