It's a good day outside and with the combination of springing forward the clocks, the South Side Irish Parade Sunday, and warmer temps next week there are plenty of weeks to go out. Start the weekend off by leaving work early and heading to the Artisan Cellar at the Merchandise Mart, where they'll be having a tasting of the new-to-the area Graham Beck wines from South Africa. The free tasting runs from 3:30-6 p.m.,......

Random things that we like: those who do what they love, and groups that help to foster that experience. That’s why we are kinda interested when we hear about organizations like the Chicago Cello Society which, since its inception in 1980, has strived to unite Chicago amateur and professional cellists to promote the art of playing the instrument as well as its standing in the musical world. David Sanders –- currently a cellist in......

Where Do Cows Go to Retire?...

We took a break from our Dungeons and Dragons to check out the competitive gaming taking place at the Chicago Cultural Center this weekend, which played host to the 2007 U.S. Open. We’re not talking about tennis here. We’re talking about the Rubik’s Cube Championship, where the winner of the 3x3x3 Speed Solve gets an all-expense-paid trip to the 2007 World Rubik’s Cube Championship in Budapest. The competition was was sanctioned by the World Cube......

Long before there was a League of Chicago Music Venues or a Hawk Winter Music Festival, the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs (under the guidance of program director – and fellow Lane Tech grad – Michael Orlove) was bringing together the city’s club scene via the World Music Festival. After seven years, the festival has earned a place beside both Blues and Jazz Fest as one of Chicago’s premier music showcases. WMF is also one......

The culture-hungry masses snapped up a few thousand advanced passes to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ free production of The Magic Flute, Mozart’s playful and popular opera, within weeks. The DCA has presented free summer opera for eight years but this one feels special. Part of the Silk Road Chicago celebration, this production incorporates Balinese theater and Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit Theater of India and that country’s oldest theater tradition, with colorful costumes reflecting both cultures.......

Tap dance is so hot right now. Any moment now we’re expecting a press release from the Department of Cultural Affairs announcing Chicago Tap Dance Month. When two tap shows are concurrently grabbing headlines and selling briskly, it’s the next logical, uh, step. At the Harris Theater, Imagine Tap!, incorporates jazz, hip hop, latin beats, spritual music, breakdancing, turntablism, and of course lots and lots of tap dancing led by a group of supremely accomplished......

What do you get when one of the world’s most celebrated cellists and one of the world’s most entertaining city governments join forces? Answer: a year-long celebration driven by a truly remarkable cultural exchange. Named for a network of routes from Rome to Japan traversed by explorers for over a millennium, Silk Road Chicago is our hometown showcase of art, music, theater, dance, and delectable dishes from half a world away. As anxiety persists over......

Do you miss the internet when you log off? Do you wonder whether the World Wide Web is opening doors into the wide world of art? Do you wish you could get that same warm feeling listening to the radio you get reading blogs and surfing the net? If so, you’re in luck. This Sunday morning on WBEZ’s Hello Beautiful!, host Edward Lifson discusses how the internet is affecting art with three people using technology......

An exhibit that makes you laugh sounds good enough. But we grew skeptical about the Chicago Cultural Center’s Situation Comedy: Humor in Recent Art, after reading this description from Cultural Affairs’ monthly e-newsletter: These works employ various strategies involving text and image using parody, satire, slapstick and practical jokes to inject humor into the normally staid art environment. We dreaded the prospect of seeing mildly funny work paired with belabored explanations draining what little humor......

So let’s get this straight. Last year the city finally ditched its rockaphobe tendencies and opened the way for two stellar outdoor music festivals that finally thrust us back in the national spotlight. The Park District makes mucho dollars off these events and is mighty eager to host further musical extravaganzas that will culturally enrich the city (and fatten the coffers.) Then Radiohead – Radiohead! – says they want to do play a two-day stand......

Today’s modern world presents us with problems that we can’t even begin to fully comprehend. From scares ranging from bird flu to terrorism, we often find ourselves lost and seeking comfort. Fear not, dear Chicagoans. Help is on its way. Alderman Burton Natarus (42nd) is here to spare us from a plague that seeks to threaten all that is good in this world. That’s right, street performers. Because Chicago has run out of real......

Have you ever entertained out-of-towners asking where to find the best hot dog in the city? Or deep-dish pizza? Should they go to Chinatown or Albany Park for good Asian-style barbecue? What spice houses sell real saffron? Is your short-term health affected by eating at a Harold's Chiucken Shack? The Department of Cultural Affairs has taken a long look at this and hired four people to act as "culinary concierges" for these and other......

Seven days into the month is the perfect time to mention that October is Chicago Artists’ Month. Much like the Bike Chicago festival, CAM is one part examination of a local subculture and one part showcase for events that would’ve happened anyway. The Department of Cultural Affairs arranges this series of free events and “A-game” exhibitions as a reminder that no matter which corner of the city you live in, you’re never too far from......

Can’t decide whether the chicken or the burger is your afternoon delight? Why not screw the moral quandary and check out the FREE LunchBreak programs at the Chicago Cultural Center instead. This ongoing weekday series offers something for every wandering soul whose noontime errands are already run: Classical Mondays bring classical and opera performances; Jazz Café Tuesdays are for jazz, blues, and cabaret; the Dame Myra Hess concert series on Wednesdays puts the spotlight......

Last time Chicagoist was strapped for cash we looked around us and tried to figure out what we could sell for cash.. and that's just what the city is doing. Facing a great big arts and culture budget deficit, Chicago is turning to eBay to auction off city-related events and emmorabilia. Among the items for sale - » Dumping green dye into the river on St. Patrick's Day » A walk-on role in "A Christmas......