Today in the Culture: March 19, 2021 | Arts fight against zoning ordinance grows | Restaurant Week starts

New Joffrey Board member Brendan Fernandes/Photo: Nathan Keay

DESIGN

Culture killer

Add Terrain Exhibitions and its Biennial to the list of things threatened by Ald. Sophia King’s rezoning ordinance that would limit the use of houses as cultural institutions; they’re encouraging supporters to write letters. (Preservation Chicago is collecting signatures on a petition.)

DINING AND DRINKING

Indulge yourself and save a job and maybe a business

Chicago Restaurant Week starts today and runs through April 4. More than 250 restaurants are offering special fixed-price menus at $25 for brunch or lunch, and $39 or $55 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, gratuity, and delivery fees). Participants and menus are listed here.

More heartbreak for Tamale Guy

Claudio Velez, aka Tamale Guy, is suing his partners at Tamale Guy Chicago, alleging they froze him out of his namesake restaurant, Tamale Guy Chicago, which opened last August, shortly before he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

MUSIC

Money for jazz

Luminarts has named its 2021 Jazz Fellows, all from Chicago: Max Bessesen, alto saxophone; Michael King, piano; Michael Piolet, drums; and Matt Gold, guitar. They each get $7,500 plus year-long support.

STAGE

New Joffrey board member Farissa Knox

Joffrey adds to its board

Brendan Fernandes (Newcity’s Art 50 2020) and Farissa Knox have joined the Joffrey Ballet’s board of directors.

From the press release: “Fernandes, currently artist-in-residence in the Department of Art, Theory and Practice at Northwestern University, has been an active member of the Joffrey’s Academy Committee since 2017, creating numerous live performance opportunities for young dancers. In July 2020, Knox, author, producer and founder of the Chicago-based advertising agency RLM Media, was named the Second Vice President and Membership Co-Chair of the Joffrey Women’s Board. Knox also serves on the Joffrey’s Community Engagement Committee and has played a crucial role spearheading the Joffrey’s ongoing Crisis Stabilization Fund during the pandemic.”