Try chowders from some of Chicago's best chefs - tickets are on sale now. more ›

We're going to get some snow tonight, but not enough to freak out about (Actually, you shouldn't be freaking out about tomorrow's snow, either.) Chowdah Fest Chicago, happening tonight at Columbia Yacht Club (here's Anthony's preview) has put up a block of discounted day-of-event admissions for $35. more ›

2011 is the year of the first annual Chowdah Fest Chicago, brought to you by the creators of the Chicago Ice Cream Festival. We should admit up front that we aren't objective at all about this - we love chowder, and when chefs like Giuseppe Tentori are cooking it for us, we pretty much start swooning at the thought. At the event, inspired by a similar fest in Boston, nine different chefs and vendors will offer up their take on Chowder. Guests will get to sample all of them, as much as they want, while sipping on craft beers and wines. The event will take place on Monday, January 31 on board the 1910 ship of the Columbia Yacht Club, which should make it an experience not to be missed - the only thing better than eating tons of amazing chowder is eating it on a gorgeous boat. more ›

This Saturday, September 4, Lake Michigan will be covered in the sweet sounds of yacht rock. AOR gems from the '70s and '80s will dance gently upon the waves as a legion of smartly dressed smooth operators drink booze and dance upon a yacht. No, this isn't a flashback kids, it's what's likely to go down this weekend at the Stay Smooth XIV: Nowhere Left To Rum party being held at the Columbia Yacht Club. DJs Bald E. (Life During Wartime, Only Children) and STV SLV (Hood Internet) will be waxing poetic with their vinyl for most of the evening, spurring smooth moves to permeate the dance floor. The heat is likely to turn up as the grooves thicken during a live set from Quadrophonica a.k. a. "the finest smooth cover band this side of Lake Smoothigan." more ›

Last Saturday's Stay Smooth X was a blast. Yacht Rock cast members Hollywood Steve and Hunter Stair represented the show, DJs Bald Eagle and STV SLV had the assembled dancers displaying their smoothest moves, and cover band Haulin' Boats pretty much stole the show with an incredible set of classic FM-lite tuneage. We took a few seconds out from our time on the dance floor to snap a few photos to share with you. more ›

We love the Yacht Rock. We love the smooth jams. And we've loved this crap since we were kids in the '80s addicted to Kenny Loggins' appearance on what seemed like every single movie soundtrack in existence. As we grew older we also learned to incredible power Toto's "Africa" can exert over a dance floor, and that Steve Perry -- solo or with Journey -- can provide a direct route into the pants of your dance partner. Smooth is strong. more ›