Chicagoist's Best Highbrow Cultural Events Of 2013
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 23, 2013 8:20PM
Both Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former Mayor Richard M. Daley speak constantly about Chicago being a "world class city," but the proof is always in the proverbial pudding.
From longstanding institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to newer gems like the Museum of Contemporary Art and Chicago's vibrant fine dining scene, Chicago can more than hold its own with New York, London and other cities across the world recognized internationally for its arts and culture.
Chicago also celebrates its culture with major events throughout the year, making it hard to whittle down our favorite events of the year. But we've chosen five worthy of taking a shower, shaving and putting on some fashionable duds. Schedule these events between trips to the corner tavern.
Bow down to the art!
After the Art Chicago fair was abruptly cancelled in 2012 after 31 years, the art community was wondering where to turn. Last September, Tony Karman stepped up to the plate with EXPO CHICAGO, a 120-dealer fair packed into Navy Pier. With local, regional, and international galleries showing work by established and up-and-coming artists, the show was well-attended and gallery directors were positive about sales. We're already looking forward to this year's fair.—Amy Cavanaugh
EXPO CHICAGO takes place September 19-22, 2013 at Navy Pier, 840 E. Grand Ave.
In a town whose calendar is stuffed with film festivals, The Gene Siskel Film Center's annual European Union Film Festival is easily one of the finest, as well as one of the most overlooked. Now in its 16th year, each March the festival presents three weeks of recent European cinema. There's a special emphasis on features that may not receive a proper theatrical release stateside, making the festival even more crucial: if you don't grab the opportunity to see a movie here, you may not be able to see it all.—Rob Christopher
The Gene Siskel Film Center is located at 164 N. State Street.
The Second City Guide to the Opera, presented by the Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, returns in June after a sold out Jan. 5 performance. This meshing of opera with improvisation will return with new scenes as up to 300 guests will be seated, cabaret-style, on the legendary stage of the Civic Opera house. Tickets to the June events are on sale now. Phone sales will begin in April.—Chuck Sudo
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is located at 20 N. Wacker Drive.
Rick Bayless dishes out food at Taste of the Nation Chicago in 2011. (Photo credit: Toque and Bottle Advisory)
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Chicago has quickly become one of the most popular culinary events in Chicago. Featuring over 30 chefs and nearly as many mixologists, this is a who's who of Chicago's local thriving restaurant scene, set in the historic Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier and its beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. It's like Taste of Chicago in one night, only with the best chefs in the city.—Jason Baldacci
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Chicago will be held at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom this summer.
(Disclosure: Chicagoist editor-in-Chief Chuck Sudo is a member of Taste of the Nation Chicago's steering committee.)
It's nice to not have to dress up for a classical music concert. It's even better to don some casual clothes, pack a dinner and head to Millennium Park in the summer, which is why we look forward to the 2013 Grant Park Music Festival, beginning June 12 at Millennium Park. Dating back to the 1930s, the Grant Park Music Festival is the only free classical music series of its kind in the country. In its current home at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, it's a world-class setting for a world-class concert series.—Chuck Sudo
The full lineup for the Grant Park Music Festival will be announced Feb. 14.