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Like you, I am a workaholic. I can’t help myself. I find the geodomain industry oddly addictive. However, after spending five days cooped up in the office, I need a break from the corporate world just as much as you do. Weekends in Chicago are for letting loose and — believe me — there is never a shortage of things to do.
The weather finally started cooperating this week. In fact I’ve began walking to the office instead of driving. It’s better for the environment, I save money, and it keeps me in shape. That even more of a reason to celebrate this weekend! I have managed to find the coolest things to do in Chicago, and here are my top picks for March 26-28.
Critical Mass
I am taking off a bit early on Friday and riding my bike down to Daley Plaza at Dearborn St. & Washington St. for an extensive bike ride through the city. For those of you who have not participated in Critical Mass, it’s a meetup of Chicagoans who enjoy riding bikes. Each week they choose a new route and spend Friday night biking through the city. It’s not only fun, but you get to meet a bunch of great people. They take off at 5:30pm, so be on time!
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Mac Madness
After all of that riding, I’m going to need two things: beer and food. All week I have been hearing about Rockit Pub & Grill’s Mac Madness week at 22 W. Hubbard St. Each day they’re featuring a new entree using mac and cheese and serving it for only $12! Friday’s special is crawfish-and-andouille macaroni. Top that off with some great drink specials, and I’m ready to call it a night. A portion of the proceeds from Mac Madness go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, so eat up!
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Matisse is in Town
The Art Institute is really keeping me busy this year. Last month was admission free, and this month they have a Henri Matisse exhibit. So first thing Saturday morning I am headed down to 111 S. Michigan Ave. to see this for myself. This exhibit focuses on his art between 1913-1917, with the selected works representing his experimentation with the cubist era of the avant-garde movement. This exhibit only runs through June, so get there while you still can.
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Chicago Eats TV Launch Party
After getting my cultural fix at the Art Institute, I’ll be ready to drink some good beer with some good people. Luckily, there’s just a place for that this Saturday over at Empire Liquors at 1566 Milwaukee Ave. My buddy Jeff over at ChicagoEatsTV.com is holding a launch party for his website. Jeff travels around Chicago and shows you some of the best restaurants the city has to offer. And he films the whole experience, so you get all of his wacky humor as he tells you what spots you need to hit up next.
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Rush Limbaugh! The Musical
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Second City, but I quickly found the show just for me over at Piper’s Alley at 1608 N. Wells St: Rush Limbaugh! The Musical. What better way to celebrate the long overdue healthcare reform than laughing your socks off at this satirical portrayal of America’s most boisterous pundit? This musical comes from the same team who created Rod Blagojevich Superstar!, so I know what kind of comedic quality to expect from this show.
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Prohibition Style Eats
After the show I’m headed down the block to 1419 N. Wells St. to eat dinner at the 33 Club. Named for 1933, the year that darn eighteenth amendment was abolished, the 33 Club’s interior brings you back to the days of lindy hopping and raccoon coats. The moderately priced menu features something for everyone and the comprehensive wine list will let you perfectly pair your booze and your food.
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Second City’s “Taming of the Flu” is a gracefully structured show. The layered scenes and characters were as memorable as the people that performed them. One of my favorite scenes of the show was a hysterical Andy St. Clair and very funny Tim Robinson as Chicago cops on bicycle patrol. The duo wore unbelievably short shorts and ridiculous helmets, poking fun at current events, crime and segway cops (It is a delectable scene).
To further appease the Chi-townish pallet, Napier (producer) throws us a curve ball with a spin on cabbie life. Being from the city and having ridden in many a cab, I understand the plight of the cabbie. Tim Robbins cabbie is set solo. He reaches his arm around the passenger seat, turning to address the audience with his justification for fare hikes like boogers on the seat and cleaning puke. He carried the scene away with his over sumptuous Middle Eastern accent, screaming about drunks in his cab and farts. “Classic.”
Aside from cabbies and bike cops this troupe touched up on everything from the 1950s to political satire and even treacherous Chicago winters. The Chicago winter song was great, but the star in my eyes is the “wonderfully talented” Lauren Ash. Her angelic voice and verbally challenging tongue twisters of comedy made my side hurt. This show is great for the locals and the outta-towners. Ruby Streak (musical director) is a talented musician. I wish I could have heard a little more but she delivered a charming interlude to the 1950s prom era.
My favorite part of the whole show hands down was “Frank Lagouse” performed by Andy St. Clair. His impersonation of an Italian seminar speaker complete with gold chains, hairy chest and utterly ridiculous sun glasses was so spot on I thought it was my cousin Joey “up der”. Keep your eye out for St. Clair, I am sure we will be seeing a lot of this “rising star” on the big screen very soon. “Second City” my butt, this bright minded group of highly motivated funny people is another reason why I know Chicago is number 1.
Forbes has nominated Chicago as one of the 10 most miserable cities in the United States of 2009.
Dear Mr. Forbes,
My mother always says if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all. In this trying economy, it’s easy to point out the negatives in life, like low real estate values, cold weather (it’s winter, we get it), unemployment, and long commutes. I realize it’s that time of year when we have those extra pounds we’re trying to get rid of, when work is slower than ever, and no matter how well I wipe my shoes on the mat, I always manage to track in salty snow and muck on my hardwood floors. Perhaps Forbes Magazine forgot to ask the locals what they think. What about the three other seasons in the year that I think are pretty freakin spectacular? What about our colleges like Northwestern and University of Chicago? What about the dozens and dozens of professional athletes like Michael Jordan, Carlton Fisk, and Mark Buehrle who give back to their communities and draw in the national spotlight? What about Second City, The Goodman Theatre, and Steppenwolf? What about Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field? What about the Bears and the Blackhawks, and the Fire? What about Rick Bayless, Charlie Trotter, and Alpana Singh? What about Harry Carey? One word. Oprah. The list goes on… and on…and on. It may just be me, but I ain’t miserable Mr. Forbes. I saw Avatar. I don’t need a horse/anteater or a giant lizard flying thing or a ten foot tall blue girlfriend with really great legs… Instead, I’ve got breaded steak sandwiches. I’ve got miles of beautiful coastline next to mile high skyscrapers. And if I’m late to work, most likely it’s my fault and not the Redline train or the buses. (Blame the breaded steaks. Or the deep dish pizza. Take your pick.)
This is where I call home Mr. Forbes and I have a lot to be thankful for.
And hey, Forbsey, you know you can always ask me, Cousin Vinnie, anything about what makes Chicago so great. It’s the people. Friends and family, who back each other up when times get rough. It’s Bridgeport, the neighborhood I grew up in. It’s my buddies the Tito boys. It’s a meal with my beautiful girl. It’s a walk in the Lincoln Park Zoo when it’s 20 degrees out. It’s coffee with the guys at work. In times like these, it’s important to remember the little things. And Chicago knows how to do the little things real big.