Are you a Chicago purist? Or a "live and let live" eater? If you're the former, you're going to be annoyed with Kevin Pang, food writer for the Chicago Tribune. Pang has been teasing the twitter-sphere, saying that this week's article would create more mail than anything else written in the Tribune food section. When he said that, we expected something of consequence, like poisoning, or industrial animal abuse perhaps. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised - the story is about ketchup on hot dogs. more ›

20 years ago, renowned percussionists Michael Zerang and Hamid Drake held their first "solstice concert" in one of Links Hall's dance rehearsal rooms as a way for their friends to celebrate the holidays without having to conform to traditional (read: commercialized) ritual. It's now a tradition in itself; a Festivus for the rest of us, if you will. more ›

Almost as much a part of the Thanksgiving holiday as turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, football has traditionally acted as the great entertainer for men while the women slaved away on the feast. While this holiday division of labor has changed some over the past couple decades, the tradition of the NFL on TV on Turkey Day remains even as John Madden and his six-legged turkducken have permanently parked the Madden Cruiser. more ›

In their sixteen years, the Sones de México Ensemble has been the local standard bearer for Mexican "son" and how the music varies by region. Their mission has also allowed them to incorporate as a 501(c)3 educational non-profit, allowing them to take their music and traditions to schools, communities, and other organizations across the country, and further research the history of one of Mexico's best-known musical styles. more ›

If you're planning on heading to the Museum of Science and Industry for the Jim Henson exhibition, you'll also be brought into the early holiday spirit with their annual "Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light" exhibit. The centerpiece, a 45-foot tall tree in the Rotunda, is decorated with over 30,000 lights, 1,000 ornaments and surrounded by over 50 smaller trees decorated by volunteers to reflect Christmas traditions in other countries. more ›

Normally, we wouldn't recommend readers spend their New Year's Day engaging in knifeplay. That's why it's left to the pros, or amateurs in controlled situations. Yesterday we managed to cross "saber a bottle of champagne" off the list of things to do before we die. Done right, it's a very safe way to serve and drink champagne. more ›

In all the boozy fervor over St. Patrick’s day, most people forget that Italians also have a holiday at this time of the year. Wednesday is St. Joseph’s Day, the celebration of the father of Jesus, patron saint of fathers and workers. Celebrated since 1621, St. Joseph’s Day is marked by feasts and public altars full of food and drink. In America, cities with large Italian communities have parades, build public altars and distribute food to the poor. This year, thanks to Holy Week, the official celebration of St. Joseph’s day was moved away from the standard March 19th date, but some places are sticking to tradition! Below are some St. Joseph’s tidbits, and some places in Chicago to join in the fun. more ›