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Archive for September, 2010
Blo.Dri Mondays at Epic Sky
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by Adam Marks
Need a cure for the Monday and summer turned fall blues? Head on over to Epic Sky for Blo.Dri Mondays from 5PM to 7PM. Along with complimentary mini treatments, beauty gurus from River North salon Blo.Dri will be dishing on some of the latest fall beauty trends while educating guests through lessons in make up application, long-lasting blow outs, and simple styling techniques that you can accomplish without a pro. The next two Epic Mondays will be held on October 4 and 11, weather permitting.
For more information on treatments available, please visit facebook.com/epicchicago.
Tags: Blo.Dri Salon, Chicago Salons, Epic Sky, Girls Night Out Chicago
Oktoberfest at the Peninsula Chicago
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by Adam Marks
You probably don’t associate the luxe Peninsula Hotel with frosty mugs of beer and an oom-pah band, but from now until October 9, you can do just that.
Pierrot Gourmet—the popular European-style eatery on the Rush Street side of the hotel—is bringing back its popular Oktoberfest celebration. After an overwhelming response last year, the event returns full of beer, brats, and lively entertainment. Sample menu items include:
* German beer flights and draft selections served in customary beer steins
* Brats with Sweet Mustard
* Soft Pretzels
* Wiener Sausage and Liver Dumplings on Sauerkraut with Potatoes
* Hungarian Beef Stew with Sweet Peppers and Spätzle
* Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce
* Sweet Monkey Bread with Raspberry Sauce
And if the flavor of France is what you’re after, the regular Pierrot Gourmet menu will also be available.
Tags: German Food Chicago, Oktoberfest Chicago, Peninsula Chicago, Pierrot Gourmet
Fashioning Desire Exhibit at Historic Water Tower
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by Adam Marks
Not to be confused with Water Tower Place
—one of your favorite shopping destinations—Chicago’s historic Water Tower is more than just a great piece of history, it’s also home to a constantly changing series of art expositions. Just as we tweak our wardrobes to embrace the crisp temps, the Chicago Office of Tourism presents Fashioning Desire: Chicago Fashion Photographers. The exhibit is free and will be on display from now until January 11, 2011 in the City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower.
Fashioning Desire showcases the work of nine local fashion photographers—emerging and established—through their takes on beauty and commerce. Just check out the work of Jason Kim to your right. And while a picture may say a thousand words, get the inside scoop at the public reception on Tuesday, October 19 from 6PM to 8PM.
For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit explorechicago.com
Tags: Chicago Fashion, Chicago Photographers, Fashion, Fashion Industry, Historic Water Tower Chicago, Photography
California Dreaming at D.O.C. Wine Bar
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by
You can tell a lot about a person by how and what he drinks. Similarly, you can tell a lot about a people by what they drink – and even more by the drink they produce. That’s at least part of the rationale behind the monthly wine tastings at D.O.C. Wine Bar in Lincoln Park, which began in April and have proceeded to traverse the world’s best wine-growing regions, “giving seasoned oenophiles and budding connoisseurs alike a chance to survey varietals from across the globe” (in the words of D.O.C.)
The $35 fee includes a taste of eight different wines from the region being featured, along with a promise of “lively, grape-centric discussions.” (And really, what else could you want with eight glasses of wine?) The monthly tastings take place on the third Monday of each month, with sommelier Greg Sorrell acting as tour guide. Previous monthly tours have traversed wine-producing regions from Australia and Austria to Germany to New Zealand.
For October (just in time to moderate the autumnal chill), the menu features California Blends, including Côtes-de-Tablas from Tablas Creek Vineyard; Pazzo, an original blend from Bacio Divino Cellars; a Syrah-Grenache blend called Syrache from Ampelos Cellars; Blueprint, a Cabernet-Merlot from Lail Vineyards; and Papillon from Orrin Swift Cellars.
D.O.C. in Lincoln Park is located at 2602 N. Clark, and the event takes place October 18 between 7 and 9 PM, during which the wines themselves are half-priced per bottle. Call 773-883-5101 for reservations.
Tags: after work, Chicago Bars, Lincoln Park
Chris Potter: saxophone sorcery at the Jazz Showcase
Posted on September 29th, 2010 by
No saxophonist in modern jazz surpasses Chris Potter. If you’ve heard him even once – with any of Dave Holland’s bands, or with 
trumpeter Dave Douglas before that, or on Steely Dan’s GRAMMY®-winning album Two Against Nature – you already know this. And if you’ve never heard him before, you ought to (this weekend at the Jazz Showcase.)
Barely 40, but a 22-year veteran of records and stage, Potter represents his generation’s answer to the legendary Sonny Rollins, who happens top be the only tenor saxophonist to edge Potter out of first place in recent jazz polls. The Chicago-born saxist uses his virile, muscular technique to construct epic, towering solos – solos that soar high even as he burrows more deeply than anyone else into each musical idea. And his sound is a marvelous thing on its own: hard and faceted like a diamond but malleable as gold.
In others’ bands, his work consistently leaves audiences agape, culminating in ovations that out-thunder those for his onstage colleagues. Meanwhile, the 15 albums under his own name reflect a restless inventiveness that has taken him from chamber ensembles to saxophone-piano duets. This weekend finds him at the helm of a pianoless “power trio” (a format pioneered by Rollins), which allows plenty of space for him to work his sorcery. And his sideman in this venture – Larry Grenadier (bassist for Brad Mehldau) and Marcus Gilmore (the highly prized drummer and grandson of the 85-year-old percussion genius Roy Haynes) – ensure there will be plenty of magic.
These days, there’s more than one wizard named Potter.
The Chris Potter Trio performs Thursday through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct., with sets at 8 and 10 each night, and an additional 4 PM matinee on Sunday.
Tags: Chicago Nightlife, live music
Chicago’s Finest…Chocolate
Posted on September 28th, 2010 by
Silly me. Many years ago, I found a small chocolate shop in Manhattan that I thought was the most spectacular French import I’d ever seen. I’d drool over their window displays when walking to office meetings, and every once in a blue moon, would indulge my desires.
As it turns out, it was hardly my little secret. Over the last few years, Vosges Haut-Chocolat has absolutely exploded into the national market, and to my surprise, it was no French import. Vosges is run by none other than Chicago gal Katrina Markoff. If you haven’t sampled the goods, you are seriously missing out.
Katrina insists on hand-picking the ingredients used in her recipes, and the attention to detail is evident in the product. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu, but has worked across the globe to understad chocolate making from every perspective.
So where you do fit into the picture? If you are game, there are flavors comforting and new to delight your pallette. I have yet to taste a Vosges chocolate that isn’t incredible, but I do have a few favorites. They do bacon chocolate better than anyone else I’ve encountered.The little salty bits highlight the flavor of the chocolate instead of towering over it. Also of note is the Oaxaca bar: a blend of Tanzanian chocolate, guajillo, and chilies to add some heat. I’m actually salivating thinking about these.
As Vosges matures, they offer more and more to tempt you. Now you can get baking mixes (like bacon chocolate pancakes and caramel toffee chocolate chunk brownies), vegan truffles, and much more! Vosges chocolates make perfect gifts, and that includes gifts for yourself.
So in the spirit of supporting local businesses, eat as much of this stuff as you can manage. It’s for a good cause, right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an online order to place…
Vosges chocolates are available in their free-standing boutiques (951 W. Armitage Ave, 520 N. Michigan Ave., and O’hare) and in stores everywhere.
Tags: chicago chocolate, Chicago Shopping, Lincoln Park, Mag Mile
Superamas: EMPIRE (Art & Politics) at the MCA
Posted on September 25th, 2010 by Adam Marks
Looking for something a little different to do? Blend culture (art) with a topic that can lead itself into a heated conversation: politics.
EMPIRE (Art & Politics) promises to be a thought provoking performance designed to conjure up discussion and inquiry. The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts one of Europe’s most celebrated young theater companies, the Superamas, who perform a reenactment of a Napoleonic battle to depict how stories are spun to control popular opinion. Both shocking and funny, see on stage how power in art and politics parallel. EMPIRE (Art & Politics) is presented in tandem with the exhibition Luc Tuymans, on view at the MCA from October 2, 2010 – January 9, 2011.
If you want to share your opinion, join in on the informal post-show gathering after the Saturday performance for a special opportunity to engage with the artists. Snacks, hot and cold beverages, and beer and wine are available for purchase.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago, presents Superamas: Empire (Art & Politics) on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, at 7:30 pm, at the MCA Stage. Performance tickets ($28) are available at the MCA Box Office at 312-397-4010 or www.mcachicago.org. Student tickets to MCA Stage performances are $10 and subject to availability.
Tags: as, MCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Politics, Supera, Theater Chicago
‘Rock of the Ages’ Brings Best of the ’80s To Chicago
Posted on September 22nd, 2010 by
When The New York Times refers to a musical “As guilty as pleasures get,” how can you resist? Tony Ward Nominee and “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis rocks Chicago in the newest Broadway hit “Rock of the Ages.”
Small town girl falls in love with big city rocker in 1987 Los Angeles to the greatest songs of the 80s. The story is told through the hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and many more.
Ticket prices range from $18 to $85 and may be ordered through Ticketmaster. For group tickets, call 312-977-1710. “Rock of Ages” is showing at the Bank of America Theatre from September 21 to October 3 and runs approximately 2.5 hours, including intermission.
The show advises that some of the costumes, dancing and language may not be appropriate for children under the age of 14.
This post was sponsored by the Navy Pier IMAX Theatre.
Tags: bank of america theatre, broadway in chicago, rock of the ages, theatre
Korean BBQ Delight
Posted on September 21st, 2010 by
As a foodie, it is always a particular pleasure to indulge in a new cuisine with a seasoned guide on hand. As luck would have it, I was able to experience my first true Korean barbecue under just such a circumstance. And what better venue to enjoy this adventurous meal than San Soo Gab San near Lincoln Square.
To me, a good international meal is not only a lesson in cooking styles, but also in culture. A proper meal begins with a ritual involving the sharing of soju, a rice wine not unlike sake. Almost at once, our servers brought out fresh, hot coals to place in the center of our table. At a good Korean barbecue spot, you are the chef as well as the diner.
One of the distinct qualities of Korean dining is the plentiful side dishes, called ban chan. Each restaurant presents different dishes ranging from pickles to omelettes, dried fish to sweet black beans. I counted no less than twenty-five small plates distributed around our grill!
With platters full of richly marinated meat and spicy baby octopus, we got to work on our grill. The secret is making sure that even in lively discussion, you be careful to not overcook the meat. Sadly, this isn’t my strongest suit, but I’d prefer to think of myself more as an excellent conversationalist than a mediocre grillmaster.
When the meat is ready, it is placed into waiting cups of lettuce, doused with garlic, hot sauce, or any selected accoutrement from the giant spread. The flavors are phenomenal, and truth be told, the meal can be quite healthy and light (if you’d like it to be).
San Soo Gab San is absolutely the destination for Korean bbq in Chicago. It is clean, the staff is friendly, and the spread is incredible. Not only that, but they are open until 5 a.m. every day. Probably better tasting (and better for you), than late night pizza after a bar night, right? Check out San Soo Gab San and bring friends with you. With Korean bbq, the more the merrier! You may smell like smoke and garlic the next day, but it is entirely worth it.
San Soo Gab San is located at 5247 N. Western Avenue at Berwyn.
Tags: Chicago Korean BBQ, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Lincoln Square
Inferno Mobile Recording Studio Comes To The Loop
Posted on September 15th, 2010 by
Contributed by Dillon Goodson
Photography by D. Eric Murphy
Have an aspiring young artist in your family? Join the Chicago Park District on Saturday, September 18 for a free family-friendly event that will cater to your child’s imagination.
In celebration of EYE, the 30-foot eyeball sculpture at Pritzker Park, the Chicago Park District is bringing its Inferno Mobile Recording Studio to the Loop. This free event will offer onlookers a fun-filled afternoon of art, dance and sound improvisation underneath Chicago’s newest “EYE-con” in Pritzker Park at the corner of State and Van Buren.
The best part of it all—attendees will have the chance to create original art alongside the pros!
If you’re still feeling inspired by the art your family creates, stop by the Art Institute of Chicago to interact with the fantastic collection of art on display from across the world. Now through October, you can visit their website and download “The Eyes Have It,” a se
lf-guided tour inspired by Tony Tasset’s EYE that focuses on the museum’s most “ocularly oriented” artworks.
Don’t miss out—the fun kicks off at 2 p.m., this Saturday, September 18 at Pritzker Park! For more information, visit the Chicago Park District’s website or chicagoloopalliance.com.
Tags: Chicago Loop Alliance
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