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Dead Writers Theatre Collective brings Oscar Wilde's wit to life in "The Importance of Being Earnest"
We asked the concierge manager at LX Boutique Hotel, one of the most popular mid-range hotels in Lisbon, for his pick of top restaurants and this is his A++ List
First impressions of Portugal go a long way to convince of the need for a return
Squid Salad with Tomato and Fennel - Summer Salad recipe for Splash readers
"This", a repartee loaded script is staged at the super-comfy Windy City Playhouse
Portuguese Chef Rui Paula shares a recipe for a classic veal dish
Views of historic Porto-- Portugal's second largest city
Lisbon is very much on the map for Europeans looking for a lower cost playground. No-cost 3-day layovers on any European trip via TAP airlines should be of great interest to Americans too
The streets surrounding the many historic sites of Sintra charm
ARCOLisboa was inaugurated in Lisbon in late May, drawing art collectors from across Europe and beyond
Porto's Casa da Musica is a showcase of famed Rem Koolhaas architecture
An interactive tour at Porto's World of Discoveries Museum, gives visitors of all ages a window to the times of the great Portuguese Explorers
Gift Theatre brings Chicago a re-staging of Frank Galati's script of the Steinbeck classic, "Grapes of Wrath"
Inspira Santa Marta Hotel is green in concept and execution and succeeds in giving you an urban oasis feel
Serralves Contemporary Art Museum is a highlight of any Porto tour
Óbidos, with charming cobblestone streets that date back to the Moors, is well-worth including in a Portugal tour
IEEM, promoters of Italian wines, hold an unusually intimate wine tasting in Francesca's on Chestnut- showcasing delicious Piemonte wines
Lisbon's "Can the Can" Restaurant promotes a menu centered around gourmet canned food
Caba da Roca, the most Western point in the EuroAsian land mass is wide open and free feeling
Alvaro Martinho, agronomist manager of Quinta das Carvalhas, exudes passion as he gives you a tour of the vineyards -- and entertains
10,000+ people come every year to tour Quinta Nova Vineyards and Cellars-- makers of many award winning vintages
Conceitus Restaurant at Quinta Nova Winery keeps your focus on the great wines in your glass and the stunning views around you
"Bat Boy" is multi-layered satire that makes you laugh out loud and showcases the rock star talents of its cast
Lookingglass Theatre Company's "Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure" takes on the topic of "passing"
Douro Valley's Quinta Nova Winery House surrounds you in luxurious landscapes
A Travessa restaurant quickly became a favorite in our Lisbon/Portugal tour
Historic port vintner, Taylor Fladgate, gives us a tour of the cellars and a peek at the self-guided tours they were about to unveil
Historic Adega Machado is a highly recommended venue for an authentic Fado experience in Portugal
TAP Portugal Airlines' much tested and sommelier-driven wine list introduces you to Portuguese wines
The stylish flight staff uniforms on TAP Portugal airlines -- and especially their use of accessories-- were an unexpected point of interest on our recent trans-Atlantic flight
Instead of flying a generic airline, TAP Portugal helped launch our first-time Portugal tour with many Portuguese-style touches
Autodidact gourmet chef Rui Paula's DOP Restaurante is an inviting place for a long luxurious lunch linger during a busy Porto tour
Gothic, Indian, Moorish--Romantic Monserrate Palace is surrounded by sumptuous gardens, waterfalls and lakes
A Portuguese King enthused by the Romanticism of his time created the melange of styles and spectacular park at the Pena Palace
A short trip from Lisbon, Sintra's Moorish Castle gives you gorgeous scenery and rich history both
A must-see stop on any Lisbon tour, Castelo São Jorge has the best views of the city, but the tours of this history-rich castle are better yet
The walls, ceilings and decor of the National Palace in Sintra help teach you Portugal's history
Much awarded Portuguese Chef Avillez shares six of his favorite recipes
Portuguese TV Chef stops to share his thoughts and enthusiasm for the global roots of Portuguese cuisine, which we in turn happily sampled at his Cafe Lisboa
Poking the line between truth and fiction, Sideshow Theatre Company's production of award-winning playwright Christopher Chen's "Caught" will make you laugh out loud
Crowds were thick on International Museum Day to see two historic landmarks in the Belem area of Lisbon
For anyone who loves theater, Porto's centrally-located Hotel Teatro has a special thrill
Evolutee Hotel is a top pick for avid golfers who need to get a golf fix during their Portugal holiday tour
Lunch at Lisbon's gourmet and fashionable Bico do Sapato Restaurant lacks for nothing, except perhaps a chance to spy its co-owner John Malkovich
Lisbon's mid-range LX Boutique Hotel is centrally located and the staff poised to give pointers on how to make your visit most enjoyable
Ever historically accurate Dead Writers Theater Collective brings re-creation of set design from Oscar Wilde's time to their upcoming production of "The Importance of Being Earnest"
Civic Opera House is transformed into an elegant King & I themed fantasyland for a gala that raised half a million dollars
CSO ends its Beyond the Score series with a program dedicated to Manuel de Falla
CSO's MusicNow presents three innovative works inspired by nature
CSO's Beyond the Score series presents Falla, in the last of its successful programming to bring classical music ALIVE
Silk Road Rising's "Mosque Alert" takes on Islamophobia with a script that intrigues and never preaches
Bernie supporters, angry-as-hell-Trump-supporters, and anyone who thinks about our growing class divide will find American Blues Theater's "Little Shop of Horrors" biting satire of capitalism run amok right on
Strawdog Theatre Company's production of Kaufman & Hart's "Once in a Lifetime" is a fun-filled satire of Hollywood at the time when talkies were born
MCA Stage wraps up its season with a dance performance by Abraham.In.Motion
Why is Thailand's military junta bothered by Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The King & I"?
Lyric Opera's talented cast in Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The King & I" allows you to experience the beauty of the music anew
Harris Theater presents Miami City Ballet, a Balanchine-based troupe
Theatre Y writes a version of Chekhov's "Three Sisters' in the years after the soldiers left
Shattered Globe produces a totally gripping stage version of "In the Heat of the Night"
"A Splintered Soul" tells the story of Holocaust survivors attempting to re-start their lives in San Francisco--- shining a light on how their hellish experiences also impacted their ethics
MCA opens "Kerry James Marshall: Mastry", a show exhibiting the body of this Chicago-based artist's work and his mission to address the absence of Black artists and subjects in the history of art
Eclipse Theater opens its season of Stephen Adly Guirgis plays with "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train", a masterpiece script
Meet Mai Claypool, a member of the female dancers ensemble for Lyric's production of The King and I and a huge fan of the show
Splash Magazines urges all readers to help victims of the Ecuadorian Earthquake
Dionne Warwick makes a surprise appearance at the opening of Black Ensemble Theater's tribute to her work-- "Don't Make Me Over"
Bertold Brecht's "Life of Galileo", a script he worked on from 1938 to 1953, is staged by Remy Bumppo
Porchlight Music Theatre's "Dreamgirls" is, above all, a showcase of superstar voices
Award-winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter's "The Few" is staged with typical high-quality one expects from Steep Theatre
Taylor Mac selects songs from his grand work-in-progress, "A 24-Decade History of Popular Music"
Shanghai's PuLi Hotel & Resort is a self-described urban spa and resort
The Executive Club at Bangkok's Amari Watergate Hotel is a best bet for comfort
Make Selfie Art and more, joining in Intuit's Anniversary salute to the art of famed Chicago (outsider) artist Lee Godie
Hua Hin-- a great beach and place to relax during any Southeast Asian tour
Hua Hin's Baan Bayan is a carefully restored traditional Thai Teak Bungalow with an open feeling that relaxes you as soon as you arrive
Baan Laksasubha is the only Hua Hin resort still owned by a Royal family. It's the attentiveness of the staff that is the real royal touch
Starting with the Civil Right Heritage Tour, there are many good reasons to add a stop in Birmingham to your US road trip
Lyric Opera's community outreach program, Lyric Unlimited, announces "Chicago Voices", a multi-year project celebrating and nurturing Chicago's diverse musical talents --past and present
The Birmingham Civil Rights Tour immerses you in the past struggles against Jim Crow laws and the victories led by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights
Serving French-inspired Southern cuisine, award-winning Highlands Bar and Grill lives up to its reputation of putting Birmingham on the nation's culinary map
Vulcan's statue is a Birmingham landmark. His namesake museum presents a thoughtful and cogent brief on the "Magic City"'s history
Birmingham's historic 4th Avenue Black Business District is part of the Civil Rights Heritage Tour
Get awed by the world's largest collection of motorcycles at Birmingham's Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Hot and Hot Fish Club is one of the restaurants that Birmingham locals note has put the city on the national and international foodie scene
Breakfast at Bogue's Diner is a tradition since 1938
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama provides a moving monument to how man and machines transformed the world in the industrial age
For authentic and tasty BBQ go to Rib-it-Up in downtown Birmingham
Take a break from urban Birmingham in wildlife and wildflower-rich Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, famed for its golf course, provides Birmingham tourists with a comfortable place to recharge energies
The International Music Foundation marks the 38th Anniversary of the Dame Myra Hess concert series with a special performance by world-renowned Israeli cellist Amit Peled playing the same instrument that Pablo Casals played
Remy Bumppo presents its first ever play by Noel Coward -- the sexual farce "Fallen Angels"
American Blues Theater re-tells the Frank Capra movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio play
Theater Wit's mount of David Sedaris' Xmas classic is in its 12th year
Lyric Opera's production of "The Merry Widow" lifts your spirits with a simple story, beautiful music, and most of all dance
Splash magazine goes behind the scenes with one of the dancer-singers in the Lyric Opera's production of "The Merry Widow"-- Meet Jen Gorman a.k.a. Clo-Clo
One of the new curators of the CSO's exciting MusicNOW series shares his thoughts on what to expect
"Never the Sinner" tells the story of Clarence Darrow defending murderers Leopold and Loeb, who like many perpetrators of terrorism today were unrepentant
"Ibsen's Ghosts" is an adaptation of Ibsens controversial play "Ghosts", which debuted in Chicago in 1892
Soloist Augustin Hadelich performs Mozart's "Turkish Concerto" with the CSO, followed by the full orchestra performing Adams' Harmonielehre"-- both conducted by famed conductor Edo de Waart
The French funded production of "The Ventriloquists Convention" at the Museum of Contemporary Art, especially in light of the Paris massacre, not only entertains but shines a light on finding more of our shared humanity via art
Chicago Humanities Festival presents "Escuela", a re-enactment of training schools for guerrillas out to defeat Pinochet
Saint-Emilion vintners come to Chicago to demo two recent years' wine from their vineyards
Highly regarded Italian Chef Enrica Rocca will be in Chicago hosting a special dinner at RPM Italian that showcases her prosecco and also giving a cooking class at Eataly
On land which used to house the YMCA pool, a New City development has sprung up including a new Kings Bowl location
Chicago Humanities Festival presents "Four Women: Josephine, Eartha, Nina and Tina"
Neil Simon's romantic comedy "Chapter Two", currently playing at Windy City Playhouse, is a story about overcoming loss
"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a perfect match for Saint Sebastian Players and you can tell the cast is having fun performing it
The Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour is aptly named
"Spill" puts a human face on the BP Oil Spill disaster
Jellyfish on Rush Street continues to serve great food and creative cocktails
Columbus, Indiana is one of the top ranked places in the US for architectural highlights
Henry Social Club of Columbus, Indiana serves tasty gourmet fare in the midst of trendy hot spot buzz surrounds
A landmark in modern residential architecture, Miller House is a top pick attraction of Columbus, Indiana
CSO's Beyond the Score paints a vivid portrait of Leonard Bernstein as a man with phenomenal emotional range that informed his compositions, conducting and life
Columbus, Indiana is on the tourist map because of its world-famous architecture but families visiting the town will find fun for children too
Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre and Niv Sheinfeld/Oren Laor perform three highly engaging dance pieces
Luxury and the feel of history at The Inn at Irwin Gardens Bed & Breakfast of Columbus, Indiana
Set in Post-Soviet Russia, "The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls" tells of female perils in a world that likely doesn't offer happy endings
Live performance of "On the Waterfront" score by Leonard Bernstein by Chicago Symphony Orchestra slated for next Friday
"True Life Tales from the Honeymoon Capital of the World (some of which are true)" creates a new genre of self-described "blue collar gothic spoken word folk opera"
The Joffrey bring an emotionally involving story ballet, "Sylvia", to Chicago
With their "Free Art for All" tagline, Oracle Productions presents a gender bender twist on Shakespeare's Richard III
Gift Theatre's "Good for Otto" tells tales from therapists and patients in a small town's mental health care facility
Shattered Globe Theatre brings "Marvin's Room" back to the Chicago stages where it was born
Taste of Pensacola event went a long way to intriguing on Pensacola travel and defining it as a cosmopolitan dining destination
Lovers of the Las Vegas scene won't find a hotel option more central than Bally's
Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" gets true-to-period treatment by Step Up Productions
Rhyming musical "Blood Brothers" tells a UK-variant of the Prince and Pauper tale
A long married Hollywood couple's life is shaken up by an unhinged neighbor in Steep Theatre's "The Cheats"
"Miss Buncle's Book"recreates a small village outside London full of characters, in all senses, one of whom is a secret novelist chronicler of the town
Raven Theatre's "Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys" Recounts Painful History with Great Creativity
Tanya Tagaq performed her inimitable take on Inuit throat singing in accompaniment to a screening of "Nanook of the North" at the Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the World Music Festival
Chicago's happening arts scene is on display at festive Expo Chicago at Navy Pier
Porchlight Music Theatre's "SideShow" tells the story of the Hilton Sisters, conjoined at birth and catapulted into show biz
Shakespeare's "The Tempest" is re-imagined in the dustbowl age when Prospero could be a conjurer in this magic -filled production by Chicago Shakespeare
Joffrey Ballet's "Millennials" concert debuts two new works with a third one that showcases the troupe's amazing grace
Look for the sumptuous costumes that are a Dead Writers' trademark in this Jazz Age adaptation of a Moliere classic--4 shows only
House Theatre's "The Revel" is loosely based on the Greek tragedy by Euripides "The Bacchae"
Stars of the Lyric Opera at Millennium Park 2015 gave a tantalizing teaser of the upcoming season
ShawChicago's staged reading of "Geneva" tops many a fully staged production of Shaw's work
In its love letter to Vaudeville, Silent Theatre pays homage to all the performers in the olden days who would do one act --all day, every day-- until the thin line between life and art would start to blur
Chicago Dancing Festival provides a delightful sampler of dances to come on Chicago stages this year
One of the most popular plays on recent Chicago stages, "Bad Jews", is re-mounted at the Royal George Theater
A superb cast makes American Blues Theater's "The Rainmaker" a highly enjoyable performance
"The Lyons" family sets a new standard for dysfunctional in this script by Nicky Silver
Winston Churchill has just been voted out of office when the daughter of the manor comes downstairs to the kitchen to stir up trouble in Strawdog Theatre's "After Miss Julie"
Partnering with NAMI (National Alliance for Mentally Ill), Congo Square Theater brings a stirring portrait of highly talented musical legend Donny Hathaway
A masterful staging of Pinter's "Ashes to Ashes" should be a magnet draw to view The Intuit: Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art's remarkable collections
Legendary actor Mike Nussbaum is joined by stellar cast in Timeline's re-mount of Arthur Miller's "The Price"
Relive a seminal debate on race at Oracle Theatre's "This House Believes the American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro"
No Stakes Theater Project produces its world debut show "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice"
Standout performances by A+ team of circus artists make Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios, Cabinet of Curiosities" show riveting and festive
Minita Gandhi engages and charms an Indo-American Heritage Musieum audience with her poignant one-woman show "Muthaland"
Dame Myra Hess Concert hosts a fitting memorial concert to its founder, the late Al Booth
Charming and endearing, "Last Train to Nibroc" is a love story well-told
Creativity is the driving force behind RoseAngelis' Italian fusion cuisine
YouTube sensations Igudesman and Joo bring their whimsy to the well-named "Playful Talk" classical music show hosted and created by pianist Yana Reznik
As follow on to their important play about the Armenian Genocide -- and to mark the anniversary-- Silk Road Rising Ensemble hosts an important panel
"Loving Repeating", a chamber musical, celebrates the life and work of Gertrude Stein
[title of show] is a musical about making a musical
Hell in a Handbag's BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS is pure entertainment
Douglas Ewart Clarinet Choir joins with other performers to create a multi-level tribute to an early AACM founder
Steep Theatre Company's mount of "Brilliant Adventures" is disturbing, poignant and well worth your time
Winner of the famed Paganini Violinist Competition, 20-year old In Mo Yang gives a dazzling performance at the Dame Myra Hess concert
Winner of the famed Paganini Violin Competition, In Mo Yang gives dazzling performance at Dame Myra Hess concert
"The Freedom Principle" exhibit at the MCA salutes the Chicago-born avant grade jazz scene born a half century ago, also showcasing its confluence with Black power-informed visual arts
Black Ensemble Theater's "Men of Soul" pays tribute to music legends you never tire of hearing
Chicago's Jazz Festival brings leading jazz performers to the city in early September
In salute to recent Supreme Court ruling, Dead Writers Theater Collective presents play about Oscar Wilde
Playful Talk hosts a classical music comedy show on July 27
Now 21, musical prodigy cellist Oliver Aldort performs at Dame Myra Hess concert and is soon to join Boston Symphony Orchestra
Cirque du Soleil's newest show, "Kurios - Cabinet of Curiosities" comes to Chicago on August 6
CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL June 30 – July 19, 2015 at The Den Theatre
Hypocrites' "All Our Tragic" immerses you in the universe of Greek tragedies for 12 hours leaving you hungry for a repeat
An authentic taste of Italy at Piccolo Sogno
Grant Park Apprentice Chorale and the Project Inclusion Quartet sing Ferlinghetti poems and more at the Dame Myra Hess concert
Field Museum unveils a new permanent exhibit, "Cyrus Tang Hall of China"
Chicago Contemporary Circus WOWS with creativity
After a 37-year hiatus, the Royal Ballet returns to Chicago
Chicago's Balzekas Museum of LIthuanian Culture makes the traumatic history of Lithuanian D.P.s during World War II and its immediate aftermath come alive
Chicago, home to more Lithuanians outside Lithuania, also houses the US' largest Lithuanian museum-- the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
Gift Theatre's "Body + Blood" is a modern day play set in Chicago about faith
Griffin Theatre's "The Birds" transports you to a post-apocalyptic scary world
Superhero and supervillain comic book characters are brought to life in Lifeline's musical, "Soon I Will Be Invincible"
The passion of Chicago's non-equity actors was palpable at the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards
CSO's final "Beyond the Score" program of this year focuses on the genius of Maurice Ravel
The 606 Bloomingdale Trail Park opens with festivities and a happy mood
Haven Theatre's "Don't Go Gentle" -- top shelf acting telling a meaty tale about a man trying to re-do his life as he faces his mortality
Anna Clyne and Mason Bates' curation of the MusicNOW concert series had a powerful finale performance with especially distinctive opener and closer pieces
The new season of Rush Hour Concerts begins with a spotlight on St James Cathedral's magnificent pipe organ
Free Dance Classes June 8 - 14 at American Rhythm Center
Chicago's Indo-American Heritage Museum's "Taste of India Tour" is a tasty way to learn the history of your Indo-American neighbors and about the rich diversity of Indian culture
Linchpin Theatre's "Other Hands"-- a gem of a production-- reminds you of what you always hope to find in Chicago's small theaters
Rogue Theater ends an 8-year performance hiatus with a mounting of George Bernard Shaw's "Don Juan in Hell"
Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs world premiere of "The Seamstress" by Mead Composer in Residence Anna Clyne, along with works by Berlioz and Beethoven
"Wild Sound" was performed by Third Coast Percussion at the Museum of Contemporary Art
InFusion Theatre Co.'s "Another Kind of Love", is a punk rock play now at the Chopin Theatre
Pianist Weiyin Chen performs short Brahms selection followed by Schubert's "Piano Sonata No. 18 in G Major, D.894" to enthusiastic reception at Dame Myra Hess concert
Ten Days in Tuscany road trip--enough to convince to make a much longer return trip
Hedwig Dances marks 30th Anniversary with "One Grand Dance" performance
Montecarlo's Buonamico Vineyards are known for their sparkling wines, unique to the area. Their whites, reds, and rose are quite tasty too
Pulitzer and Tony Award Winning "Crimes of the Heart" is in good hands with Step Up Productions
"Little Foxes", a classic play by Lillian Hellman, is mounted by Goodman Theatre
Boasting 7 lakes, nature trails, biodiversity preservation efforts, wetlands with birding houses, fields of olive trees and ancient wheat and more, Tenuta Bellavista Insuese provides a unique vacation getaway with a very convenient location
Lang Lang performs Tchaikovsky, Bach and Chopin, with two encores at Civic Opera House
Tour Apicoltura Cristofori Mauro in Vinci and learn more about beekeeping
Book ahead at Casa Carbonaia to enjoying stunning views of the lush countryside, the hospitality of a warm host, and perhaps some adventure too
Vinci is a scenic spot to visit and learn more about the town's most famous son, Leonardo da Vinci
Scottish Ballet brings the emotional arc of Tennessee Williams "Streetcar Named Desire" to the stage
Trattoria Montecarlo is a lovely spot to linger over a meal for hours with a good bottle of the famed Montecarlo wine
Wine enthusiasts have Montecarlo on their map-- those seeking Tuscany charm and perhaps a bit of opera should too
Picturesque Villa Grabau and its historic gardens is also a wedding destination spot and luxury accommodation
Volterra in Tuscany has Medieval charms and more
Lucca, a city that has escaped ruin by luck and pluck through the centuries, offers a glimpse back in history and a vibrant cultural scene today
B&B La Pecora Nera features rooms inspired by three historic women
Petra Wine has a vineyard that makes an architectural stamp on the Etruscan Coast countryside
Lu.C.C.A - Lucca Center of Contemporary Art- is headed by one of the most forward-thinking Museum Directors in the world, and also features a world-class restaurant with creativity on par with the museum's exhibits
First Floor Theater's "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" is a true whodunit political thriller
A tour of Florence can help orient you to Florence's rich history and even richer art treasures. A group tour may be your best entry ticket to some of the harder to get into tourist spots
Sitting on the Arno River, Florence's Ville Sull'Arno Hotel overflows with history, charm and luxurious touches
Welcoming, luxurious and comforting-- but the best thing about Palazzo Rocchi is its warm and convivial Manager Roberto
Learn about pre-patriarchal Etruscan culture in Volterra at the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci
Relais La Cappuccina near San Gimignano was the most American-like hotel we stayed at in Tuscany
What a treat to get a cooking lesson from a rock star chef serving one of Livorno's signature dishes-- The Cacciucco
A one-stop shop to experience the bounty -- 0 KM -- of historic Volterra, Italy
If you only have time to visit Florence, make sure you experience De Gustibus to get a feel for the small producers of high quality food and wine throughout Tuscany
The chef at Florence, Italy's Oliviero Ristorante aims for a balance between traditional Tuscan fare and infusion of the menu with new globally-sourced ingredients
Learn why and how the best organic cheese from Italy tastes so good by visiting Lischeto Farm. Short answer: It's an obsession
Shop in the local market, get a quick short course on olive oil tasting and make pasta from scratch at The Florence School of Olive Oil
Alab'Arte in Volterra, Tuscany is keeping the historic alabaster art style alive and making beautiful objects too. Visit their workshop to see the magic in action
Podere Vignanova --a comfortable farm hotel with jacuzzi and the touch of a master cabinetmaker on the Etruscan Coast
A fun spirit pervades Borgo Allegro, starting with the menu only visible in a mirror, in homage to the writing habits of Vinci's most famous citizen, Leonardo da Vinci
Near historic Volterra's center, the small vineyard Il Rifugio dei Sogni gives you an up close and personal taste of winemaking, in all senses
In the center of historic Volterra, Enoteca Del Duca serves traditional fare with dashes of "modernity"-- and gives cooking lessons too
Touring the Livorno canals you learn about how the Medicis made their mark building this "city of nations"
Dr. Pescia's passion for his bees is evident when you tour their bee farm, the largest Tuscan honey supplier
A network of archeological parks on the scenic Etruscan Coast gives you a window into ancient Etruscan culture
Dead Writers Theatre presents the Oscar Wilde classic, "Lady Windermere's Fan"
Palazzo Vecchietti, in the center of Florence, was designed by a leading Medici artist
Learn about the Bolgheri D.O.C. label and see the beautiful grounds of Tenuta Argentiera on the Etruscan Coast of Italy
Travel to the Etruscan Coast's Poggio ai Santi restaurant for a truly unique culinary adventure close to nature
San Gimignano in Tuscany is a good place to visit for one to three days to soak up medieval culture and even some contemporary art too
Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Raven Theatre mounts a superb production of "Beast on the Moon"
The Hypocrites mounts the classic Chekhov play "Three Sisters"
Porchlight Music Theatre brings a laugh-a-minute production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Vaudeville flair
Roosevelt University marks its 70th Anniversary with two plays about their namesakes starring Ed Asner and Loretta Swit
Lyric Opera's Carousel transports you with iconic music, star power, and remarkable set design
A Las Vegas act -- "Louis & Keely Live at the Sahara- tells an almost forgotten story in American music history
MCA Ragamala Dance with Mahanthappa - Onstage Interplay of Dancers and Musicians Enthralls Audience
Free music all day long in Chicago during the Summer Solstice (also Father's Day)--June 21!
The Director of the LBJ Presidential Library weighs in on The Seldoms' "Power Goes", a possible Chicago location for the Obama Presidential Library and more on LBJ
CSO's "Beyond the Score" series paints a multi-media collage of Brahms and his Symphony No. 3
River North Dance Chicago performs two world premieres along with stellar Chaves choreography and other works
Rising star clarinetist Samuel Marques reflects on how he is more "regular guy" than the average professional musician
Griffin Theatre Company presents "Balm In Gilead" with an ensemble of 28 actors
MusicNOW showcases works by Boulez and series organizers' Bates and Clyne
Chicago's newest Equity theater, Windy City Playhouse, makes its debut with off-the-charts irreverent "End Days" by Deborah Zoe Laufer
Yo-Yo Ma performs with Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Charles Dutoit
The Seldoms "Power Goes" explores the visceral dimension of power through telling LBJ's story
"The Full Monty" calls itself "The Revealing Musical Comedy" and we call it GREAT FUN
Thodos Dance Chicago performed many works with a deep Chicago connection as prelude to their gala. A sense of community pervaded Harris Theater
In an intimate performance space, "Beyond the Aria"'s season finale showcased soprano Amber Wagner, tenor Brandon Jovanovic and baritone/pianist/composer Will Liverman
Nostagia-fueled joy exploded from the audience as the old Doo Wop standards were performed in "The Signal" at City Winery
Joffrey's "Winning Works" showcases works by choreographers of color and their remarkably talented students
Kuchipudi Artist Shantala Shivalingappa Enchants at The Dance Center of Columbia College in association with Chicago's Eye on India
Alonzo King Lines Ballet from the Bay Area thrills Chicago's Harris audience
Grupo Corpo brings a unique Brazilian stamp to dance on the Auditorium Theatre stage
"Yankee Tavern" toys with your notions of conspiracy theorists
"The Property" tells the story of a family returning to Poland to reclaim family property lost in the Holocaust
In its Midwest premiere, the Lyric Opera presents "The Passenger", a moving story of life and death in Auschwitz
Winter Tour of Atlanta - A few tips
"Meet you at the egg" is what many Atlantans say when they want the best brunch and scene
Visit Atlanta's Fox Theatre and get a tour of the only theatre in the world undergoing continuous restoration
Atlanta's High Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Southeastern USA
Find the "real" Atlanta and tasty food at Atkins Park in Virginia Highlands
Atlanta's Center for Civil and Human Rights thoughtfully presents the story of ending segregation
"World of Coca-Cola" immerses you in their corporate story
"Lure" is a standout seafood restaurant that surprises in landlocked Atlanta
Budget conscious travelers to Atlanta who don't want to totally sacrifice a touch of luxury should consider the Sheraton Atlanta Airport
In 50 minutes CNN gives you a tour of their studios and shows you how they make their sausage
The Historic Boone Tavern of Berea College, a national historic landmark that is both super-green and comfy
Berea, Kentucky is a road trip destination for students of history, among others
Boone Tavern Restaurant adds gourmet flare to locally sourced ingredients
Giordano Dance Chicago combines strength and grace in their historic first full-length program on the landmark Auditorium Theatre stage
A New Kind of Classical Music Show!--Playful Talk Show with Yana Reznik at PianoForte Studios
TimeLine Theatre mounts two plays of more recent history than is their norm from the four-part "Apple Plays" by Richard Nelson
Stan's Cafe's "Three Cardinals" re-tells bible stories via a puppet show flirting with the profane
A Red Orchid Theatre's "Accidentally Like a Martyr" Tells a Story of Grief --or Several--Played Out in a Gay Bar
Star ballerina and Tchaikovsky's magnificent score please in The State Ballet Theater of Russia's "Swan Lake"
Take a taste of luxury in the Palmer House Hilton's Lockwood Restaurant's afternoon tea service
The New Colony's "Plastic Revolution" is campy musical theater that makes you laugh
Free Performance of Collaboraction's "Crime Scene Chicago 2015" in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King
Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" Gets the Top Shelf Acting the Excellent Script Deserves
Photos from the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show
1st Annual Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Gets Kick-Off with Richly Layered and Fun Lamentation on Death in the Digital Age by Manual Cinema
The intimate "Beyond the Aria" performance bathed attendees in sweet song
Cozy and Charming - Two Performances remain of "I Don't Remember You: Broadway's Cult Classics, Vol. II"
Cor Theatre's inaugural work, "Map of Virtue" is a psychological thriller that terrifies
The Sideline Project's "Push Button Murder" is a dark comedy about drone warfare
Vasily Petrenko conducts CSO in works by Elgar, Beethoven and Rachmaninov
Come to the Art Institute for free through February 10
11th Annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show brings travel experts, 1000s of travel options and international culture and cuisine to Rosemont
Dmitri and Anna Shelest performed from the four hand piano repertoire at the last Dame Myra Hess concert of 2014
The spectacular and other-worldly terrain of Cappadocia dazzles when you trek across it
Chicago-Splash journalists join in mourning tragic loss of widely respected Silverman Group VP-- Eric Eatherly
Yana Reznik, a pianist with an eye to making classical music more accessible to a contemporary audience, entertained with a program of encore pieces at the Dame Myra Hess concert on December 24
The Apollo Chorus' "Handel's Messiah" is a tradition of the holiday season to bookmark
CSO Principal Percussionist Cynthia Yeh is solo star in varied program under baton of Prieto
"Vodou: Sacred Powers of Haiti" at the Field Museum debunks myths about the religion and explains its rituals from the perspective of followers of that faith
Los Lobos brought out more of the rock side of their repertoire at City Winery
The Florida Keys are far more multi-faceted for a less than 2-day trip to give them their due
Sunset Key Latitudes is the place to head for special occasion meals in Key West-- superlative!
Firefly in Key West delivers a unique and tasty Nouvelle Southern cuisine menu
Historic Key West Inns' Chelsea House gives you an affordable alternative to cookie cutter chain hotels
Recently expanded and renovated and also protected by Miami Beach as a historic building, Marriott's Courtyard Cadillac Hotel is festive -- for families, business travelers, and more
Art Basel Miami is the premier art show in the US-- and vast!
Dance Theatre of Harlem's graceful dancers performed classic ballet and one crowd pleaser that goes beyond
Frank Gehry and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Beyond the Score creators team up to give a moving portrait of living legend Pierre Boulez
"The Humans" is an aptly named play depicting a contemporary American family having Thanksgiving dinner
Landmarks Illinois Honors Three Chicago Preservation Projects with Driehaus Preservation Awards
Uber-flexible actors and fast-paced script of Strawdog's "Great Expectations" delight
Personable pre-concert speaker brings Brahms, Bruch and Dvořák newly alive-- followed by a transporting CSO performance
"Wayfinders" may have created a new genre of sci-fi inspired musical expressionism
Museum of Contemporary Art's exhibit "David Bowie Is" gets an accompanying dance performance showcasing the rock star's music by Michael Clark Company
A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago World Premiere of a heavy-Irish accent play "Strandline"
"Lotto Fever in the Sucker State" tells the story of small farmers suffering today with disarming humor
"Wild Grass" by Beijing Dance Theater is based on writings of a well-known Chinese writer Lu Xun (1881 - 1926)
"The Hundred Flowers Project" aims to explore Mao's notion of continuous revolution through the zeitgeist of hi-tech times
Lyric Opera voices in an intimate cabaret-like setting on Pritzker Stage
Rosy Simas' subtle choreography paired with video and soundscapes creates a moving poem, in all senses
Profile Theatre mounts a top-notch production of David Mamet's play "The Cryptogram"
The People's Music School Appoints a new President and Artistic Director who is a kindred spirit of the school's founder
Chicago Symphony Orchestra enlists famed rock drummer to bring classic silent film "Ben Hur" alive
Renée Fleming diva powers the Lyric Opera's current production of "Capriccio"
Well-known Minneapolis choreographer Rosy Simas brings her heralded work "We Wait in Darkness" to Chicago
Porchlight Music Theatre Gives the Ghoulish Tale of Sweeney Todd a New Charm and Intimacy
See dance history and get mesmerized by the performance of "Rosas danst Rosas" at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Two powerful premieres and a re-mount of one of River North Dance Company's first hits helps mark their silver anniversary
For that fun Bayou sound go to City Winery to hear Lost Bayou Ramblers-- and catch a good meal and wine
Interrobang Theatre Project's "Owners" delivers an absurdly funny ideological spoof
Auditorium Theatre kicks off its 125th birthday with a performance of historic dances performed by American Ballet Theatre
Lyric Opera gives Mozart's "Don Giovanni" a modern setting and new resonance
Four composers' works-- each quite distinct-- were performed at the recent MusicNOW concert in Harris Theater
Chicago Sinfonietta teams with Mucca Pazza punk marching band to totally delight
Joffrey Ballet tells three short stories through dance
Thousands of cutting edge artworks from around the world were exhibited for sale at EXPO CHICAGO
Classic romance novel Jane Eyre re-imagined for the stage
Ballet X takes transforms classic ballet with strength and grace
Join Strawdog on a nail-biting journey to the brink of nuclear winter
Missing past glory days of political tourism at the last and 37th Annual Tom Harkin Steak Fry
Museum of Contemporary Art showcases eighth blackbird and world premiere of "Colombine's Paradise Theatre"
Chicagoland native Gabriel Cabezas (cello) partners with Amy J. Yang to bring a baroque feel to Dame Myra Hess concert
First of two concerts by Lyric Opera Chorus to be held Friday September 12
Stars of the Lyric Opera in Millennium Park give an enchanting introduction to their 60th Season
Light-hearted and fully entertaining, Piccolo Theatre's "Smash" is George Bernard Shaw-lite
Latin music infused biographical sketch of baseball hero Roberto Clemente
The Jeff Award nominees for Equity Productions-- Chicago's equivalent of the Tony's-- are announced
"My Name is Asher Lev" portrays the story of a Hasidic-born artist's struggle to make art and remain devout
World-class talent Ketevan Kartvelishvili gave a high-energy performance at the Dame Myra Hess concert series
Debut Production of new Chicago theater company gives top-rate actors a platform to shine
Watch The Joffrey Ballet rehearse Swan Lake!
Grant Park Orchestra performs final concert of its 80th Season
The David Bromberg Band performs from their new album "Only Slightly Mad"
Full rundown of CSO 2014 - 2015 season
Children's story about the Northern Lights set to newly symphony jointly commissioned by Grant Park Orchestral Association and KV 265
A master of Turkish cuisine is opening a food stall to counter globalized fast food chain trends
The tasting menu at Meze by Lemon Tree meyhane near the historic Pera Palace hotel should be on visitor's short list of Istanbul dining experiences
Neil Young and Crazy Horse meet their hordes of young fans in Istanbul
Get oriented to Turkey with a Turkish Flavours Food Tour or Cooking Class
World-renowned coloratura soprano Diana Damrau performs with harpist Xavier de Maistre, along with two harp solos
Istanbul Music Festival "Encounters" program brings together violinist Troussov, cellist Capuçon, and pianist Ducros
Three musicians from France dazzle at Istanbul Music Festival with Beethoven and Brahms program
World-renowned classical guitarist Pepe Romero celebrates his 70th birthday with a world tour, including an important stop at the Istanbul Music Festival
Cappadocia-- geologic wonder, historic hideaway of persecuted early Christians, relaxation fueled by hamams and local wines, and much more
Ziggy's is one of the most successful restaurants in Cappadocia -- a visit will show you why
See the spectacular landscape of Cappadocia from the vantage point of a snug safe basket in one of Voyager Baloon's hot air balloon tours
Restauranteur Muti's creative energies drive him to develop new twists on authentic Anatolian cuisine
Kale Konak Hotel in Cappadocia gives you options for above ground seclusion or troglodyte luxury
Award-winning violist Arianna Smith and expert chamber music pianist Kay Kim perform a repertoire emphasizing the melodious voice of the viola
Chicago Sinfonietta raises hundreds of thousands of dollars with its annual Ball fundraiser and throws one of the town's hippest parties at the same time
Salute to Reverend Philip Blackwell and his role in supporting Silk Road Rising's mission
Pianist Angelo Rondello performs pieces by Debussy and Liszt
Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 Thrills along with works by Shostakovich and Britten
Free Concert of Blue Man Group and CYSO in Millennium Park
CSO performs more Prokofiev, Britten and Shostakovich, with brilliant solos
"Rung" is a beyond the fringe opera, perhaps beyond communicating
"Cirque Shanghai: Warriors" is a wow, Wow, WOW!
Euclid String Quartet returns to Dame Myra Hess concert with an uplifting performance
The magnetic cast of Black Ensemble Theater's "One Hit Wonders" mesmerizes with their strong singing voices
Join Auditorium Theatre in its 125th birthday celebration, starting with a tour of the historic building
Chicago Opera Theater is combining film events and two one-act operas to explore how fascism can be satirized
Puppets, experimental music and narrative dance-- three performances at "The Unexpected", hosted by Creative Partners
M. Butterfly re-imagines a real-world story of a French diplomat who falls for a transvestite's persona of the perfect Asian woman
Ballet icon Mikhail Baryshnikov is joined by talented cast in narrative, dance, song re-telling of two Chekhov short stories
"Passions of Emma Goldman" retells history in a one-woman show
Chicago Sinfonietta celebrates 27 years of excellence with their 2014 fundraising ball
Redmoon inspired festivals will be held with the help of fifteen local civic organizations as neighborhood hosts of the Chicago Fire Festival this summer
Lucky Plush's "The Queue" is a music, dance, comedy farce set in an airport
Architecture, dance and a rare illustrated book inspire three new works performed at the CSO's MusicNOW concert
Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Polish composer Lutoslawski
Timeline Theatre Company remounts a short-lived Broadway musical from 1959, "Juno"
Museum of Contemporary Art Hosts North American premiere of choreographer Maud Le Pladec's contemplation of "Democracy"
Ballet Preljocaj's Tale of Snow White Adds the X-Rating with help by Jean Paul Gaultier couture
Imagine a Dilbert Cartoon with music and dance and great cast chemistry. That's Porchlight Music Theatre's bring to life "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".
Chicago Humanities Festival announces its lineup for the Fall 25th Anniversary Festival
Chicago Symphony Orchestra's "Beyond the Score: Things Our Fathers Loved" brings Charles Ives' music to life as never before
Lookingglass Theatre's "In The Garden" speaks to the struggle between Creationism and secular science through the lens of Charles Darwin's domestic life
Corner Bakery Cafe adds healthy menu items
Four works-- Barber, Schuman, Bates, Gershwin-- performed flawlessly by Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin's baton
Hanoi's La Badiane Restaurant Serves World-Class Outstanding Food With Thoughtful Creative Flourish
Rush Hour Concerts - Free Concerts every Tuesday evening at St. James Cathedral in River North, June 3 – August 26
Non-golfers and golfers alike will thrive and RELAX at The Boulders
"Petals and Pearls" was the name of the Lyric Opera's "Fantasy"- an important fundraising benefit and an even better party
MusicNOW concert series showcases new music
"Ain't Misbehavin" recreates Harlem Renaissance glory and song
A Chicagoan's summary of Scottsdale highlights-- when to go and what to do
Immerse in the artistry and traditions of Southwestern Native American tribes at The Heard Museum
With an imaginative and novel method of storytelling, "The Golden Dragon" takes on human trafficking and exploitation of illegal workers
Lovers of world music and students of global culture should not miss Phoenix' Musical Instrument Museum
"Taste of Old Scottsdale" food tour gives you bearings on the town, its history and range of food options
Rich in public art, Scottsdale also hosts a weekly artwalk that display works --largely Western and Native American arts-- from its 100 or so galleries
The House Brasserie is a destination in its own right for any visitors to Scottsdale who love great food
Desert Splash seaplane rides through dazzling Southwest splendor
Scottsdale's "Native Trails" is a twice weekly outdoor celebration of Native American food, dance, song and tongue
Scottsdale's "Native Trails" is a twice weekly outdoor celebration of Native American food, dance, song and tongue.
Chicago Symphony Center hosts the world premiere of an exciting new work that is part of the rare two cello and orchestra repertoire
Touring Taliesin West in Scottsdale gives you a sense of Frank Lloyd Wright the man, as well as his architecture
Scottsdale's Cosanti is a required visit for any serious student of sustainability and thought-provoking for all
Scottsdale's skyline definition comes primarily from Camelback Mountain-- also a hearty hike
Cafe ZuZu in Scottsdale's Hotel Valley Ho has a well-deserved reputation among Scottsdale's local foodies
Central to all Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho is a treasure of Mid-Century Modern architecture
The Desert Botanical Garden has more than 50,000 stunning desert plants to welcome you to the Southwest
"Our Cultural Center" takes a glance at office jealousies
Rivendell Theater's production of "Rasheeda Speaking" vanquishes all notions of post-racial America- with humor and searing intelligence
Two hit men waiting for their next assignment followed by two actors decompressing- two delightful one act plays that are part of RhinoFest Fringe Festival
Shattered Globe presents the Olivier-award winning and Tony-nominated "Our Country's Good"
A Red Orchid Theater's "Solstice" - Immersing in a world of blood lust and frail order unraveling into violence
Lyric Opera's "Die Fledermaus" delights with song, dance and comedy
Kokandy Productions' "Sweet Smell of Success" is a noir musical
Chicago Contemporary Circus includes aerialists, jugglers, acrobats and clowns with a multi-media modern twist
Aria in the Fairmont Hotel is one of the more beautiful dining spots in Chicago's Loop
Contest announced for Chicago short films to be shown in summer's Movie in the Parks series
"Chicago Authors" is the top pick of Chicago History Museum fans for a crowdsourced decision on upcoming exhibits
One of the few dining experiences included in the book "One Thousand Things to Do Before You Die", Arun's Thai brings "destination dining" to an entirely new level
It's Friday the 13th and some find this a source of office amusement in "Our Cultural Center"
"Our Cultural Center" a webisode series about the difficulties of non-profit arts, takes a look at unpaid interns
Black Friday shopping travails-- the next webisode in "Our Cultural Center".
For boomer Motown nostalgia, Mary Wilson's Holiday Spectacular with the Four Tops comes to Chicago
"On a Different Level" is the next webisode of "Our Cultural Center"
The 10th Year of a Japanese drumming event at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taiko Legacy, was an auditory and visual spectacle
The Ruffians' "Burning Bluebeard" Creates Memory of a Historic Fire in a Most Artful Way
Too many emails? "Our Cultural Center" webcast comedy takes a look at one manager's solution
Talented cast breathes lots of life into this circa 1946 musical
Redmoon Theater's "Winter Pageant" is a magical parade that draws upon Chicago's multicultural artists
Bowlin-Li-Myer trio makes world debut at last Dame Myra Hess Concert of 2013
Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs flawlessly under the baton of Miguel Harth-Bedoya
This week you can see "The Merry Wives of Windsor" as a play or an encore performance of Metropolitan Opera's "Falstaff"
Chicago Shakespeare Theater re-imagines "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in post WWII England -- with great success
Strange Tree Group's "The Dead Prince" is playing at the Storefront Theater through December 22
Gaudete Brass Quintet play a mix of traditional and new music at the Dame Myra Hess concert
"Hellcab" is Chicago's holiday season answer to the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life"
Tap wine fresh from the keg has advantages reviewed here by City Winery's Head Winemaker, David Lecomte
The House Theatre's "The Nutcracker" is steeped with creativity and imagination to enchant children of all ages
Chicago Symphony Orchestra's "Beyond the Score - Symphonie Fantastique" brings Berlioz to life
"Sandyland", Sandra Bernhard's comedy cabaret comes to the MCA
"HoliDaze" is five one-act plays with a lets-get-real-about-the-holidays theme
Mavis Staples at the City Winery in New York overflowed with charisma and song
Think beyond the music at the City Winery. This is a foodie stop worth noting
Brooklyn Museum has created a crowd pleaser exhibit of the intriguing haute couture of Jean Paul Gauthier
"The Forty Part Motet" at The Cloisters is an immersion in beautiful music that grabs and holds you close
Time your visit to see the Da Vinci exhibit at The Morgan Library to catch a docent's tour
The Guggenheim presents an intimate collection of Kandinsky's works from the last eleven years of his life while he lived in the suburbs of Paris
"After Midnight" evokes the Jazz Age and delivers non-stop fast-paced music, song, dance entertainment
Chicago Sinfonietta's memorable Day of the Dead performance was another milestone in having impact on growing a classical music audience
Chicago Humanities Festival sponsors the play "White Rabbit, Red Rabbit" at the Museum of Contemporary Art performance space
Metropolitan Opera's HD Broadcast of the Iconic "Tosca" is intimate and mesmerizing
Che Malamba stuns and awes with gaucho inspired percussive dance
Italian winemakers are on tour in the USA, the world's largest importer of Italian wines
In this episode of "Our Cultural Center" Randall wants to may hay about the organization going paperless
Chicago Humanities Festival "Birds Do It, Bees Do It" was this year's cabaret event with new commissioned works that shined
Episode 8 of "Our Cultural Center" takes a look at office politics through the lens of the coffee run
Sharing food in the office-- Our Cultural Center, a nonprofit arts organization comedy
This production of Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" re-tells the horror of the earliest days of the AIDS, with a heart-rending love story amidst the political storm
Elephant Room is a waltz into magic with heaps of offbeat absurdist humor on top
Today is the last day to visit SOFA (Sculpture Objects Functional Art & Design) Show, now in its 20th year
Trevor is a show biz chimpanzee struggling with dried up gigs and a mother who clings to him beyond proportion
Episode 6 of "Our Cultural Center" where Randall takes the bait
"Our Cultural Center" shines a much needed spotlight on the dismal state of funding for non-profit arts with comedy! Here is Episode 5
Chicago's traditional Do-It-Yourself-Messiah continues in 2013 and your contribution is welcome now
MCA hosts the International Contemporary Ensemble's (ICE) tribute to John Zorn on his 60th birthday, where he also make a memorable cameo performance
Ka-Tet produces Lydie Breeze a dark story about a failed utopia
"Our Cultural Center" episode 4 continues to take a humorous look at how art and business are at odds with each other
Art in the Parks!-- New Sculpture Exhibits Announced
"The Nose", a satirical opera based on the short story by Gogol, uses visual dazzle to remind of Shostakovich's artistic journey through Stalinist times and the role that absurdity plays in global modernist art
"Our Cultural Center" episode 3 puts us in the situation of a "troublesome" art exhibit
World-Renowned Semyon Bychkov conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in works by Prokofiev and Walton
"Our Cultural Center" is showcasing top acting talent in town in a webisode series shining a light on nonprofit arts organizations dire need for funding-- with a lot of grins along the way
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company deliver "Story/Time" as a rumination and continuing conversation about art started by John Cage's "Indeterminacy" in 1961
The Storefront Company is a welcoming, delectable farm-to table Bucktown Wicker Park restaurant with great flair for culinary art
CSO's MusicNOW series kicks off with three of Europe's leading composers
See the latest episode of "Our Cultural Center" on Splash magazine
UK puppetry troupe Blind Summit demonstrate Bunraku Puppetry in "The Table" in a Chicago Shakespeare World Stage presentation
The public is invited to determine a major exhibit in the Chicago History Museum
World-Renowned Chicago Shakespeare Theater Contributes Energy and Expertise to Chicago Schools
Chicago Symphony Orchestra- Mozart, Hindemith and Prokofiev in a stirring concert
Cafe Absinthe features contemporary American cuisine with selections for varied palates
The North China Lover at Lookingglass Theater is an adaptation of Margerite Dumas novel of same name
Chicago Symphony Orchestra's celebration of Verdi ends with a highly dramatic rendition of Macbeth
Lighting design and flawless dancers make for a beautiful evening, with the best saved and named "Last"
Light Opera Works pays tribute to George Gershwin's rich legacy
The Chicago skyline now sports a pink reminder of breast cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond
Museum of Contemporary Art Performance space brings a taste of the Buenos Aires theater scene to Chicago
Symphony Center continues in the new year with Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts and other music events, several free to the public
A wide ranging program--Debussy, Beethoven, Faure, and a piece based on a poem by Allen Ginsburg-- were performed by a much-awarded cello and piano duo
Lifeline's "The Killer Angels" is a compelling presentation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name that brings the horror of the Civil War to life
An Abridged Concert of the History of Political Popular Music by Performance Artist Taylor Mac entertains while delivering scathing political commentary through a gender politics lens
People who keep many of Chicago's better food places humming know to do their humming at Lokal. It's really hopping in late night and early a.m. hours. Look to Lokal for gourmet winter comfort food as the weather chills
The International Music Foundation's Dame Myra Hess Concert featured a rarely heard saxophone repertoire performed by the award-winning and sparkling Project Fusion
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns to Chicago for one night only. Program features work by Jorma Elo, Cayetano Soto and Chicago's own Alejandro Cerrudo.
The Trip to Bountiful is a story about longing for happier times and coping with a life that is less than what you want
Chicago History Museum Special Exhibit Now Open -- Siam: the Queen and the White City -- reminding us of how Chicago-Thai bonds were born
Evita tells the story of Eva Peron and the cult of personality surrounding her with music, dance and spectacular staging
Atop a Gold Coast Hotel, Drumbar awaits you with cocktails carefully thought through to match the season
To Master the Art tells the story of Julia Child in France during the years that spawned her famous cookbook and much more, entertaining all the way
Chicago Symphony Orchestra plans many holiday themed concerts for December
Shattered Globe Theatre makes you mull on capitalism with a fresh eye with this expertly acted production of "Other People's Money"
This is the 95th year of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association's s training ensemble for pre-professional musicians—the only one affiliated with a major American symphony orchestra
Free CSO Concert Wednesday, September 18.
Meet Hank Williams as a boy and follow him to his untimely death at 29---with many a classic song along the way expertly performed by an enthusiastic cast
Chicago Gateway lunchtime destination adds more art and street performance
TimeLine Theatre brings Chicagoan Lorraine Hansberry's classic play "Raisin in the Sun" to vibrant life, compelling you to grapple with the experience of each member of the Younger family portrayed in this story
"Conversations on a Homecoming" tells the tale of one Irish emigree returning to his home town pub one night to see his old friends. Drinks are downed and hard truths come out.
Chicago Dancing Festival showcased world-class dance talent with imaginative choreography stealing the show
Prasino, which means "green" in Greek, prides itself in being a first of a kind eco-friendly restaurant for foodies serving eclectic clientele in the Wicker Park /Ukranian Village and from throughout Chicago
Two world-renowned virtuoso pianists share an intimate program of four hand selections
Join an 80-year tradition and volunteer to help make the Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago a memorable and fun event for children of all ages
Grant Park Music Festival just concluded it's 79th season of summer music in the spectacular Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
Chicago Symphony Orchestra's November, 2013 programming includes options for families, devotees of classical music as well as fun sing-along events
On September 12 the cutting-edge Chicago Sinfonietta hosted a fundraiser sneak preview of their 2013-2014 season--another milestone in making classical music accessible to new generations and all communities
Meet Franklin, a man of God or at least sound-bite Gospel, through the eyes of a son struggling to come to terms with his father's complexity
Grant Park Music Festival puts on a night of Latin-inspired Jazz and other Latin classical sounds, including a Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra, under the energized baton of Carlos Kalmar
Broadway lovers waited out the rain for a fast-paced collage by video and live performance of snippets of some of the Broadway shows coming to Chicago in the coming year
Silk Road Ensemble's "Invasion!" deconstructs stereotypes of the Arab man in America and the violence that surrounds these stereotypes -- taking on a weighty topic with great humor
Museum of Contemporary Art maintains its now long tradition of hosting Chicago Human Rhythm Projects Annual Festival showcase of where this art form is evolving
Millennium Park concert features Rachel Barton Pine, Third Coast Percussion, Betti Xiang and more on August 26 in a concert sponsored by the Chinese Fine Arts Society
America's Finest Civilian Aviators on Display August 17 and 18 at North Avenue Beach
Chicago Sinfonietta's noteworthy music educational outreach programs are making rare print available as part of fundraising effort.
Jellyfish makes a delicious Asian themed gourmet menu accessible to a wide range of palates and varying comfort zones with food adventure
Jackalope's "The Casuals" tries to tell a story of government atomic experiments in a time of secrecy amidst layers of personal and impersonal betrayals
Bailiwick's "Mahal" is a welcome window into Filipino-American culture in today's USA and a tale well told
City Winery overflowed with acoustic talent-- Leo Kottke and Kim Churchill-- and good food and wine to boot
Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Chicago's City Winery is the only winery in city limits--with a winning formula of combining headline talent with excellent wine and a small plate menu with wine pairing foremost in mind
The versatile Grant Park Orchestra delighted the crowd with dance tunes in nearly every style-- accompanied by charismatic dancers and pop singer soloists
Sideshow Theater Continues Its Admirable Experiments with Scripts Showcasing Characters on the Fringe. This one falls short.
Sam Shepard's "Simpatico" performed by Red Orchid Theatre pulls you into a thoroughbred racing world of whodunit double crosses where characters you've never known almost become more real than the people you do know
Fashion samples that inspired Impressionist works are on display in tandem with over 75 major Impressionist works showing the drive for modernity and style of the booming consumer culture of the time
Chicago's Gospel Festival, now in its 28th year, gives Chicagoans and the world a chance to clap hands and rejoice in Bronzeville's Ellis Park, near the spiritual center where Gospel and its offshoots in soul, R&B and beyond began
A work by the Chinese composer who also wrote the music for the world's first Olympics hosted in China created an exotic meld of traditional Chinese and Western Classical music, followed by two memorably flowing pieces by Ravel and Faure
Pivot Arts has provided an incubator to a group developing a new performance genre called a Tavern Opera
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dance(e)volve: New Works Festival was well named. Audiences were delighted by a living demonstration of intriguing movement vocabularies being developed and massaged
Filini Bar & Restaurant is an excellent choice for delicious food and excellent moderately- priced wines-- a destination dining spot that shouldn't be missed
Kendall College hosts a culinary competition and is awarded $25,000 for their efforts
Collaboraction's 13th Annual Sketchbook Festival includes 14 World premieres--most very short. This festival pays homage to the creative spirit-- and especially those of theatrical bent in Chicago
Chicago Architecture Foundation gives an Uptown tour as part of the Pivot Arts Festival-- explaining the area's posh beginnings steeped in Vaudeville and prohibition history
Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Music Director Riccardo Muti grabs the baton to lead memorable performances of Haydn, an oboe concerto by Martinu, and Scriabin's "The Divine Poem"
A car accident brings a long mourning middle aged couple into the world of parents of a baby who literally lights up the room, among others, in this folklore-laden tale of loss and recovery
The Whisper Opera is an experiment in "fragile" music commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art and reported by the composer to be part of his rumination on live performance vs. recordings
Francesca Anderegg (Violin) and Brent Funderburk (Piano) perform Ravel, Moya, and Bartok at the Dame Myra Hess Simulcast with WFMT last Wednesday May 29, 2014 in Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center
Uptown and Edgewater are filled with fun and cutting edge entertainment in diverse venues from June 6 - 22, 2013 as part of Pivot Arts organization's community outreach
Ka-Tet Theater's "Smudge" Gives Everyone's Pre-Held Notions and Convictions About What Defines Life a Jolt
In "Homecoming 1972" we revisit a time when returning Vietnam Veterans could not find a place or way to feel normal.
Relive the Dada times in a multimedia performance inspired by the renegade German dance-theater-film artist Valeska Gert
Pamela Gaard's portraiture of Somalis and explorations of Somali proverbs are helping to break down barriers between a marginalized community and mainstream Minnesotans
Art Alliance Illinois's Voices of a Creative State Luncheon Adds Almost a Quarter of Million Dollars to Coffers Supporting Illinois' Arts and Especially Arts Education
Dance Spa's Zumba classes are one of the best ways to get your health and fitness on track with pure joy
Ganesh and the Third Reich tells the story of the Hindu Gods reclaiming the swastika. But how the tale is told makes us contemplate who has rights to tell a tale
Muse and artist alike are bound by artistic genius bordering on madness -- a story told so well by psyche-oriented Boris Eifman in his ballet "Rodin" recently performed in Auditorium Theatre
Yves Dharamraj (Cello) and Riko Higuma (Piano) returned to perform the WFMT-simulcast Dame Myra Hess Concert on May 15, delighting the audience with work from 16th, 19th and 20th Century musicians with a flair suggestive of their love of new music
It's easy and fun to plug into the Chicago theater scene by watching award-winning playwrights develop their voice and a body of work at the Chicago Dramatist's Saturday Series--- play readings where you learn a lot and get entertained to boot
Enchanted as never before by Rimsky-Korsokoff's Scheherezade
The Humanities Festival includes a "not-so-fairy-tale" real-life hip-hop dance autobiography in its season of fairy tale explorations. "Paige in Full" gave a high energy performance but the right audience was M.I.A.
The best way to experience spring in the USA is to go to a place like the Twin Cities where the winters are long and spring is so welcomed. Their unsurpassed May Day parade is a Rite of Spring that should go on EVERYONE's calendar
Lyrebird, a rare bird harp/flute duet treated the audience at the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series In Chicago Cultural Center
Making a Chicago home for eighth blackbird performances is high on the list of the MCA's achievements
Arya Bhavan on is the first and only 100% vegan Indian restaurant on Devon Avenue serving delicious vegan options that even carnivores will crave
Chicago's Classical Monday series presented chamber ensembles from the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra--- a rare delight for all Chicagoans and a moment of pride for the Korean-Americans of our city
"I Can Get it For You Wholesale" -- lyrics that will make you smile from ear-to-ear make a strong case for Lost Note Theater Company to find a full-scale production for a re-make of this musical that launched Barbra Streisand's career
A visit to trendy River North's Roka Akor's patio was great for people-watching in style while enjoying 13 spring cocktails and designer bar food for all palates
From the first note of Marriott Theatre's "South Pacific" you will know you are in for one very enchanted evening
"The Happiest Song Plays Last" fills the void for those longing for more genuine Latino voices on Chicago's stages
The Feminist Show at MCA--the tribe of Divas and their energies is what carries the show
What Wilmette's Actors Training Center Repertory Company teaches us most is that the value of teaching via art is priceless
we met eight young artists on their trajectory of operatic brilliance in beautiful Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center
We are so charmed by the singing, dancing a la Busby Berkeley in "Catch Me if You Can" that it is only later that we might ponder if the very subject matter of the story doesn't quite lend itself to a musical comedy format
The soul restoration of a fragrant lemon grove lets the characters "In a Garden" speak wistfully of their common humanity. The tragedy that so little is truly shared is what will keep you mulling upon this exquisite Red Orchid production.
Mark your calendar for a special night when John Waters' "This Filthy World" comes to the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance on May 21, 2013
If you want to inspire children to enjoy theater for their lifetime you can do no better than enthralling them with top notch performance by chronological peers in Drury Lane's "Oliver"
..graduating from Smith College and thinking ahead to her Yale Divinity degree, it's unlikely her thoughts went to the day when she would spellbind audiences wearing a combination Fredericks of Hollywood teaser with prosthetic hook arms...
Comic tragedy is a difficult genre to master---Sideshow Theatre's "Maria/Stuart" has done just that
Taking the chill off an unseasonably cold April noon today at the Cultural Center's stunning Preston Bradley Hall proved yet another one of Chicago's memorable music moments--- Benjamin Lash on Cello and Matthew Hagle on Piano


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WEST OCEAN CITY – The Fox Theater at the White Marlin Mall in West Ocean City showed its final movie last weekend and is now being prepared as a site for one of the latest major chain retailers in the area.
The Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corporation, owners of the White Marlin Mall along Route 50 in West Ocean City, confirmed this week the movie theater, which has been a cornerstone of the shopping center since it opened in 1987, is now permanently closed. It will be replaced with a new Michael's store, the national chain specializing in arts and crafts and other goods.
In addition, a Bed, Bath and Beyond store is also proposed as part of the redevelopment of the White Marlin Mall with both stores expected to be open in the spring of 2008, according to Matt Mittenthal of Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corp.
"Bed, Bath and Beyond will occupy the space between the Cutting Crew and the Dollar Tree, and Michael's will take over the theater space," he said. "We expect to have them both open by this spring."
Greenberg Gibbons has already presented plans for the Bed, Bath and Beyond to the county, but the developer has not yet presented plans for the redevelopment of the movie theater property into a Michael's, which signed with the corporation earlier this year for the 20,000-square-foot space.
Michael's is the largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts in the country with 900 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Michael's operates 21 locations throughout Maryland with an outlet in Salisbury currently the closest to the resort area. Each store carries more than 40,000 products and offers a wide range of products in categories including apparel arts, bakeware, beads/jewelry making, fine art, floral, framing, general crafts, kids crafts, home décor, paper crafts, seasonal, wedding, and yarn and needle crafts.
The 186,000-square-foot White Marlin Mall opened in 1987 along Route 50 in West Ocean City.
The mall has seen its share of tenants come and go over the years, but the addition of the Michael's and the Bed, Bath and Beyond next spring will add stability to the shopping center as it continues to be redeveloped.
In 2003, Greenberg Gibbons began an extensive renovation and re-tenanting program that included the addition of major anchor stores such as Staples and Marshalls.
See The Dispatch tomorrow morning for the latest news of the week.

subset: commoncrawl


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Drake University is concerned about your health while you are a student. The university operates a Student Health Center on campus, which treats students with common illnesses. However, students with more serious illnesses or injuries will need to see a doctor or go to a hospital.
Des Moines has several good hospitals which serve the community and Drake students, but the cost of medical care is very expensive. Therefore, you are required to purchase Drake's International Student Health Insurance (see section, Drake International Student Health Insurance).
You received a Medical Record Form when you were admitted to Drake. Please have a doctor complete the form, then return it as instructed or bring it with you to campus. If you have not completed the Rubiola measles immunization and PPD tuberculosis test required on the form, you must complete them when you arrive at Drake and there will be a charge. Depending on the prevalence of tuberculosis in your home country, you may be requested to complete a second PPD tuberculosis test once you arrive at Drake. We advise you to complete the Rubiola measles and one PPD tuberculosis test before leaving home.
We also ask that you take these health precautions before coming to the United States:
• Visit your own doctor. Get a reasonable supply of any medications you expect to be taking. Also get a copy of your prescriptions, written in English. Medications in the US can be very expensive, and often require a prescription. Also, though good substitutes are available for most Western medications, some traditional treatments such as medicinal herbs are not available in the US. You may want to bring a supply of these with you. It is wise to have a signed statement from your doctor explaining the use of any medicinal herbs, since the US government has strict laws about drugs.
• Complete any dental work or eye examinations before you leave home, as these are not covered by Drake's International Student Health Insurance. If you wear eye glasses or contact lenses, bring two pairs and a copy of your prescription with you.


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Water reporting requirements expanded for loggers
Board of Forestry requires companies to disclose how much water they extract
California regulators have expanded water reporting requirements for logging companies in response to the state's ongoing drought, a newspaper reported.
The California Board of Forestry now requires the companies to disclose how much water they extract from any stream in the state for dust control. The requirement previously applied only to streams where salmon or steelhead fish were present, The Sacramento Bee reported on Thursday.
The new, extended requirement took effect on June 19.
The practice of spraying water for dust control is known as water drafting. It is intended to protect plants, animals and people from dust generated by logging trucks. Tanker trucks are filled with water from streams that is then sprayed on dirt roads, according to the Bee.
The forestry board's executive director, George Gentry, said officials don't want to see already low streams depleted further, which could have a serious impact on fish and users downstream.
"We have to be very cautious about how much water we pull out right now," Gentry said.
The new requirement applies only to new logging plans, Gentry said. It does not force companies to reduce the amount of water they draw from streams or stop it altogether, although the Bee reports that state officials will use the reported information to decide whether to grant permission to continue drawing water.
Information from: The Sacramento Bee


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Product Description
The HondaLink™ Navigation app is compatible with vehicles equipped with HondaLink-ready technology:
2014-15 Civic EX & above
2015-17 Fit EX & above
2015-16 CR-V EX & above
2016-18 HR-V EX & above
2016 CR-Z LX & above
(US only)
Be advised that HondaLink Navi is not compatible with 2016-18 Pilots, 2016-18 Accords, 2016-18 Civics, 2017-18 Ridgelines, 2017-18 CR-Vs, and 2018 Fits. The App is compatible with the iPhone 5/5S/5C with iOS 7.x/iOS 8.x/iOS 9.x/iOS 10.x/iOS 11.x, the iPhone 6/6+ with iOS 8.x/iOS 9.x/iOS 10.x/iOS 11.x, the iPhone 6S/6S+/SE with iOS 9.x/10.x/11.x, iPhone 7/7+ with iOS 10.x/11.x, and the iPhone 8/8+/X with iOS 11.x.
With the new HondaLink Navigation app, you can have in-dash guided mapping directions with voice instruction over the stereo speakers. Users can receive all the convenience of in-vehicle maps and routing, including continuously updated traffic information for freeways, highways, and major surface streets. Search for points of interest or specific addresses, and easily route to your selected destination. Includes free annual map updates.
Download the HondaLink Navigation app onto your smartphone and stream the entire navigation system into your Honda dashboard display. Use the steering wheel controls to interact with the HondaLink Navigation app while driving. The app is designed to work alongside other HondaLink apps. Be sure to download them all. Data fees may apply (check legal disclaimer).
Note: Works in both standalone mode (for use when not driving) and when connected to Honda vehicles available with the HondaLink-ready technology (listed above).
Requires registration with HondaLink. Requires HDMI cable connector, Apple lightning adapter, and Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® connection. See handsfreelink.honda.com for more details (US only).
Some services require use of GPS for location-based content. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.


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Live Music Daily at the Flora-Bama
Enjoy Live Music every day at the Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar in Perdido Key Florida, located at the Alabama/Florida state line. The Flora-Bama is a gulf front oyster bar, beach bar, and Gulf Coast cultural landmark, touted as being America's "Last Great Roadhouse". The Flora-Bama takes its name from its location on the Florida-Alabama state line.
This famous Gulf Coast establishment has been entertaining locals & visitors since 1964. Featuring live music 365 days a year from top regional and national acts – it's home to the world famous "Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party" and other popular festivals that are held throughout the year.
Via: 10/07/2018 – Flora-Bama, Live Musical Entertainment Daily


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Soda: Taylor's Tonics Holiday Fizz
Last week, I tried Taylor's Tonics. Impressed, I went back to Cost Plus World Market last night to buy the brand's Holiday Fizz four-pack, which includes sodas called "Gingerbread House," "Eggnog Fizz," "Candy Cane Shake" and "Cranberry Dream." Risky propositions all, save maybe the cranberry. Or so you'd think, before you see that the cranberry soda is flavored with pine needles, to create the impression of "holiday berries strung along an evergreen garland."
On paper, the flavors brought to mind Jones Soda's Thanksgiving Holiday Pack, a noble concept that prioritized novelty over taste (and that's hardly criticismI don't think that Turkey & Gravy soda can be done well, but appreciate Jones for giving it a shot).
While Taylor's Tonics specializes in novel drinkssee last week's review of the Chai Cola and Maté Mojito sodas for evidenceit is also a company rooted in sophisticated flavor and quality ingredients. According to the press release that accompanied the first roll-out of Holiday Fizz sodas, in 2011, the four flavors were chosen from a roster of thirty through a careful testing process.
Some soda companies take license with their inspirations. We drink "orange" soda that doesn't taste a thing like oranges, "lemon-lime" soda that's just a step away from sugar-water, and murky colas with no clear precedents in food or beverage.
The Gingerbread House, by contrast, tastes exactly like gingerbread, heavy with sweet molasses, clove, and cinnamon. Were you to puree gingerbread, soak it in water, and strain the mix, you might arrive at a reasonable facsimile. The same can be said for the Candy Cane Shake. The smell is unmistakably that of candy cane, as is the taste—a strong pink peppermint, bolstered by vanilla, medicinal at room temperature but light and wintry when chilled.
The most exciting thing about the Cranberry Dream is the heavy dose of pine, from a sparkling-water base infused with balsam fir needles and an added dash of Douglas fir flavoring. You feel, first, like you're drinking cleaning fluid, then adjust to the pine flavor, and enjoy it. Sip-by-sip, the pine begins to overpower the cranberry, and you don't mind. If there is a better way to capture holiday spirit than the scent of fresh-cut pine, I have yet to see it. This drink takes that one step further, into flavor, with tastyif intenseresults.
The Eggnog Fizz is the only forgettable soda of the bunch. Considering its name, maybe we should count our blessings. What could have been a truly bizarre soda tastes instead like cream soda with a heavy dose of nutmeg.
All in all, this is collection is both highly novel and decently drinkablea rare combination sure to impress folks at your holiday-season get-togethers.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.