The Chicago Traveler

• We’re all familiar with the Taste of Chicago, an all-out food fest featuring dozens of Chicago restaurants. Foodies will want to check out the upscale version, Chicago Gourmet. Over two dozen famous Chicago chefs (including Rick Bayless, David Burke, and Art Smith) will be offering some of their signature dishes for the event, along with wine tastings and cooking demonstrations. (Sept 26-28)
• Dia de los Muertos is still over a month away, but you can begin celebrating this weekend at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Dia de los Muertos: La Vida Sin Fin is the nation’s largest Day …read more

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The Cadillac Palace Theatre, another beautiful piece of Chicago’s historic Theater District, first opened its doors in October of 1926. Although the theatre may not look like much on the outside, it more than makes up for that inside. Visitors then and now saw breathtaking design inspired by the palaces of Fontainebleau and Versailles, both in France. The interior includes huge decorative mirrors, breche violet, and white marble; and the walls are decorated with gold leafing and wood decorations.
The majestic theatre saw the likes of Jimmy Durante, Mae West, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. Over the years though, audiences slowly …read more

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• Follow a trail of flour, chalk, and toilet paper on the Sixth Annual Great Chicago Anthrax Scare/Santa Hat Run. This four-mile run (for $44) includes a Santa cap, a hazmat suit, and four hours of food and open bar with the Chicago Hash House Harriers afterward. Meet at the Hidden Shamrock by 2 p.m. (Dec 15)
• Aunt Mabel gave you an ugly-as-sin holiday sweater last year. Here’s your opportunity to finally enjoy it. The Second Annual Fugly Sweater Bar Crawl begins at Blarney Stone at 2 p.m. and makes its way through Wrigleyville ‘til 12 midnight. Call for details …read more

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One of the most recognizable and memorable Chicago landmarks is the legendary Chicago Theatre. Located on State Street in the Loop, the theatre is home to stage plays, comedy performances, concerts, magic shows, and speeches. For several decades, it was the city’s primary motion picture theatre and now focuses on live performances of popular music.
The Chicago Theatre was the first movie venue of its kind in America. Large, lavish, and full of grandeur, the structure astonishes its visitors with an elegant lobby, a majestic staircase, and a beautiful auditorium. Murals grace the stage and ceiling. Movie patrons were enticed by …read more

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• Following a 500-year-old German tradition, Oakbrook Center hosts Christkindlmarket, featuring artisans selling items like hand-carved nutcrackers, beer steins, toys, lace table linens, glass-blown ornaments, European chocolates, jewelry, and a wide variety of German novelties. Visitors can also experience traditional delicacies including bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, leberkase, and more. (Oct 26 – Nov 11)
• Kelly Clarkson performs tonight at The Chicago Theatre. (Nov 1)
• Chris Payne, an entertainment lawyer and host of Q101’s “Local 101,” discusses how musicians can get their songs played on the radio during Sound Advice at Chicago’s Music Garage. He’ll even be taking CD submissions from audience …read more

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I know when I have the opportunity to travel a lot, many of the hotel rooms begin to look the same. That’ll never be the case though with Chicago’s Hotel Allegro in the middle of the Randolph Street Theatre District.
Remodeled in 1996, the Hotel Allegro has not forgotten its 1920s art deco roots. Bold patterns and bright colors can be found throughout the building, creating an upbeat atmosphere. Musical and theatrical imagery prepare out-of-towners for the arts and shows they’re bound to experience in the downtown neighborhood. After all, right next door is the Cadillac Palace Theatre and the hotel …read more

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It’s almost summer, and soon we’ll all be chillin’ poolside. One pool you can check out right now is actually indoors at Truman College. The Pegasus Players have revived the musical “The Frogs” by composer Stephen Sondheim and writer Burt Shevelove which takes place on and in the swimming pool.
“The Frogs” first premiered in 1974 at Yale University, loosely adapted from the comedy written by Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. It was revised and expanded by Stephen Sondheim for Broadway in 2004. Now it graces an Olympic-sized pool in the Uptown neighborhood.
“The Frogs” may not be the most memorable of Sondheims …read more

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A little piece of Broadway has found its way to Chicago. However, this isn’t the stuffy, high-brow stuff we’re all familiar with. No, this is Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit, a musical comedy full of spoof lyrics and considered by many critics to be the funniest 90 minutes in Chicago. If you’re at all familiar with any Broadway shows, you may see a few familiar scenes, but with a few new words…
Les Miserables (a three-hour play): “At the end of the play we’re another year older / And we’re all getting exhausted from playing the poor”… “God, it’s high / …read more

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