Review: Go Figaro—The Lyric’s Barber Styles a Light, Bright Opening Night
The Lyric Opera of Chicago will have plenty for those who like their operas dark and deep and full of danger. The season that opened Saturday night (September 28) will […]
Bob Benenson is publisher/writer/photographer of Local Food Forum, a new newsletter that covers the broad sweep of the Chicago region’s food community. He is a longtime advocate for a better, healthier, more sustainable food system and is an avid home cook who gets most of his delicious ingredients from local farmers.
Bach’s Mass in b-minor Got Audience Hosannas at Music of the Baroque Season Opener
The Mass in b-minor is often described as Johann Sebastian Bach’s valedictory masterpiece. It certainly received a masterly treatment by the Music of the Baroque Chorus and Orchestra, whose season-opening […]
Review: Spamalot–For Pure Fun, Head in the General Direction of the Mercury Theater
It is not necessary to have seen the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail to enjoy the Mercury Theater’s buoyant new production of the musical Spamalot, though it might help you […]
Mambo Kings and Tropical Weather Transported Grant Park to Cuba
The Grant Park Orchestra does not often play back-up to a jazz combo. On the other hand, the Mambo Kings, veteran performers of Afro-Cuban jazz, have been teaming up with […]
Review: USA and Russia Peacefully Coexist at Grant Park Music Festival
But it is also clear that Artistic Director (and Conductor) Carlos Kalmar has an abiding appreciation for American and Russian composers. Sometimes they will end up on the same program, […]
Hello, Yellow Brick Road: The Night the Grant Park Orchestra Played Up a Storm
A threat of severe storms dissipated the evening of July 10. Yet a cinematic tornado blew through the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park… and the band played on. The […]
Friday Night Flora: South Side Show Features Plant Art and Edible Flowers
Art fans can turn over a new leaf at tonight’s event — presented by the Ground Level Platform space in Pilsen — that pairs plants as art and flowers as […]
From Patriotism to Protest: Grant Park Festival’s All-American Weekend
The Grant Park Music Festival continued its tradition of touring the American songbook for thousands attending its annual July 4th concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. It […]
Review: Brandi Carlile’s Proud Return to Chicago
Brandi Carlile had built a devoted following since she emerged from the Seattle music scene in 2005, with emotion-driven lyrics and a powerful voice that is a little bit folk, […]
Preview: On July 4, the Banner Will Be Spangled… and the Conductor May Be Too
The Grant Park Music Festival presents excellent classical music concerts — for free — throughout the summer at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Nearly all follow classical formalities, […]
Daley Plaza: The Art of Supporting Local Farmers – Kicks off May 9
Every major city has great art, and every major city has farmers markets. Chicago just happens to have both in one place. The Daley Plaza Farmers Market — the anchor […]