Con Todo Cantina y Cocina preview at Andros Taverna
ART
Weinberg/Newton Gallery Partners With Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Weinberg/Newton Gallery, the non-commercial gallery dedicated to promoting social justice causes, is partnering with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to present “Human/Nature,” which will address climate change with new work by artists Laura Ball, Stas Bartnikas, Donovan Quintero, Obvious, Karen Reimer and Matthew Ritchie, along with video interviews from climate scientists and experts. “Humanity is at a critical crossroads–we must take immediate action or our planet will face an irreversible climate catastrophe,” guest curator Cyndi Conn says in a release. “’Human/Nature’ is an exhibition combining visual imagery and scientific interviews to explore our paths forward. What will the world look like if we do not reverse our current path? Alternatively, what will the future look like if we take action now?” “Human/Nature” runs January 14-March 19.
How Are Museum Youth Patron Groups Approaching Calls For Diversity?
ARTnews takes a look at how museum youth patron groups are approaching diversity, including at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. “As demographics change across the [country], museums are under increasing pressure to make their boards younger and more diverse, and young patrons groups are just one of the resources being tapped as pipelines for the next generation of trustees. In recent years, many members of these young patrons circles have expressed a desire to see real change at these institutions, and to better understand how their donations are being spent… As in many other areas of giving, the trend is toward what has become known as ‘venture philanthropy.’ ‘Young patrons are not necessarily subscribing to former models of philanthropy, which is to give and to then be passive,’ said Mathew James Talaugon, senior manager of individual giving at the Guggenheim, who manages the institution’s relationship with its Young Collectors Council. ‘They want to be able to see tangible impact. They want to be able to touch it.'”
Corbett vs. Dempsey Presents New Work By Rachel Harrison
Corbett vs. Dempsey presents “Assorted Varieties,” an exhibition of new work by Rachel Harrison from Friday, November 19 to January 8, 2022. The gallery’s first solo show with Harrison, it is also the artist’s first gallery presentation in the city. Harrison unveils four major sculptures and three wall works. “Of these large-scale pieces, three are, in theory, monochromatic–red, blue and yellow–however their variegated hues almost chide the idea of the monochrome, revealing a subtle pandemonium of hues and temperatures residing in craggy surfaces, torqued volumes, and inset objects. The wall works roughly map onto the color scheme of the sculptures, recast in three different media–a set of Post-it notes, an enigmatic abstract photograph (‘Photograph’), and a blown-up screengrab of a frozen cherry pie with associated Tweet. Everything in Harrison’s artistic ecosystem is buzzing with latent meaning–nothing is arbitrary, but nothing is obvious.”
DESIGN
Invest South/West Invests A Further $126 Million
“City officials have chosen development teams for projects in three commercial corridors—two in Humboldt Park and one in South Shore—representing a $126 million investment,” reports the Sun-Times. “The projects are part of the mayor’s Invest South/West initiative to encourage development in needy areas. Plans include mixed-income housing, reuse of historic buildings and space for community services. Lightfoot announced the projects during a news conference at the South Shore Cultural Center where she marked the two-year anniversary of Invest South/West, her signature effort to spread investment more equitably. In a news release, Lightfoot said Invest South/West ‘is working where it matters most, in the hearts of the neighborhoods that have been overlooked by the city and private sector for too long.'” The Tribune: “The largest of the three new projects… is Team Pioneros, a $53.9 million proposal to renovate the vacant landmark Pioneer Bank building at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Pulaski Road in Humboldt Park as an entrepreneurial incubator space. The project, which is led by Park Row Development and JGMA, also plans to redevelop an adjacent parking lot as a nine-story residential tower with seventy-five units of affordable housing, offices for Humboldt Park Family Health and a potential library branch serving the West Side neighborhood.”
Hyperlocal Delivery Start-Up Buyk Hits Chicago
Buyk, which promises “ultra-fast delivery of… milk, eggs, ice cream and other grocery staples via … bike courier could soon open on Milwaukee Avenue near the 606 Trail,” reports Block Club Chicago. The owners of the property at 1860 North Milwaukee got a zoning change and have “signed a letter of intent with Buyk, a grocery delivery startup that launched in New York City earlier this year, to open at the site… Buyk has raised $46 million from investors and services 1,350 orders per day in New York City… Rodion Shishkov, who co-founded the company [has said] the company could grow to 20,000 orders a day by the end of the year.” The company hopes to open fifty more locations in the city.
What’s Up With The Portage Theater?
Northwest Side watchdog The People’s Fabric reviews the tempest-tossed recent history of the landmarked 101-year-old Portage Theater. “In recent months, the Six Corners Chamber of Commerce’s increased chatter… has some neighbors speculating whether something is afoot—and wondering if the theater owner may reap a windfall from the area’s TIF fund… The Chamber generally works in tandem with Ald. Gardiner, at times telegraphing news that is not yet public knowledge… What we’ve learned is the Chamber has applied for a city grant on the property owner’s behalf, while the owner has nearly three years of delinquent property taxes, several serious unresolved building code violations and now faces a lawsuit initiated by the city.” More.
DINING & DRINKING
Indigenous Food Reviewed
“Why is it so hard to find Indigenous Native American food in Chicago, a city that took its name and land from Native Americans?” Tribune food critic Louisa Chu found answers “at Owamni by The Sioux Chef, a Minneapolis restaurant making waves at the forefront of the movement. ‘They come in, and it’s not like they’re just having lunch,’ says co-owner Dana Thompson. ‘They’re eating culture.'”
Bucktown’s Gallery Cabaret Reopens
“The floors, bar top and ceiling may be new—but longtime employees say the spirit of Gallery Cabaret, an art-filled dive bar and performance venue tucked away on a residential street in Bucktown, hasn’t changed a bit,” reports Block Club Chicago. “‘This has always been a home away from home,’ bartender Tyger Aguilar said. ‘A place to heal, a place to come back and back and be with your second family or community.’ Owner Mike Strandberg waited until the vaccine reached a certain level in the community.” Doors reopen November 26.
Disgraced Blagojevich Introduces DMK Arts & Ideas
“David Morton wanted to make a splash with the Exchange, his restaurant complex… inside the 117-year-old Railway Exchange Building,” reports Eater Chicago. “Morton has invited former Governor Rod Blagojevich to kick off a series where speakers… exchange ideas about art, politics, food and music. Morton’s DMK Restaurants hired a consultant and put out some feelers to determine who would be the right fit for the program, and they landed on the impeached governor.” The recipient of a pardon from Trump will field questions about his recent reality series. “DMK is billing it as an opportunity for the convicted felon” to address the series. Dinner will be prepared by James Beard Award-nominated chef Brian Huston. The audience with the former governor costs $59; no word on how Blagojevich is compensated. “We’re obviously in a heavily blue state,” Eater reports Morton saying. “But this is an authentic way to talk and share ideas in an open forum… He’s really eager to talk. He’s just bubbling with energy.” The first edition of the semi-monthly Arts & Ideas series is Wednesday, December 1.
Andros Taverna Starts Monday Service With Zaragoza Pop-Up
Chef Doug Psaltis hosts Chef Jonathan Zaragoza (Birrieria Zaragoza, El Oso) at Andros Taverna for an exclusive pop-up for his forthcoming restaurant, Con Todo Cantina y Cocina. Diners will be able to sample a special menu from Con Todo at Andros, as well as order from Psaltis’ contemporary Greek menu. Chef Jonathan will use Andros’ open, embered hearth to preview his Al Pastor, which features roasted charcoal pork shoulder, charred pineapple, garnished with cilantro and lime. He will also showcase Pulpo Adobado—grilled octopus, salsa de molcajete and an herbed chipotle marinade. The Con Todo menu also includes mezzes like Whipped Ayocote Blanco—white bean, garlic, lime juice and salsa macha—and Keftede Albondigas, served with an Andros wood-fired pita and rounded with a beef and pork blend, garnished with crispy leeks and sitting atop queso fresco.Two specialty cocktails join Con Todo’s preview, with Paloma Con Todo (libelula blanco, grapefruit, vanilla and mint) and Guava Spritz (Straydog gin, salted guava, lime, martini fiero and Topo Chico). The event is at Andros Taverna, 2542 North Milwaukee on Monday, November 22. Reservations here.
Dom’s Features Chef Beverly Kim
Acclaimed chef Beverly Kim will visit Dom’s Kitchen & Market to demonstrate and sample her Bibimbap with marinated bone-in short ribs. Dom’s will feature Kim’s signature Bibimbap at Gohan through Lunar New Year (February 1) and donate ten percent of proceeds to her nonprofit, The Abundance Setting. Chef Beverly founded The Abundance Setting, a nonprofit supporting the advancement of working mothers in the culinary and hospitality industries. She has risen through the ranks of Chicago’s restaurant scene to become one of the city’s most acclaimed and recognized chefs and is one of the few women of color to be awarded the prestigious James Beard Award, and is an industry activist who first gained notoriety as a contestant on Top Chef in 2011. She co-owns the Michelin-starred Parachute in Chicago with her husband, chef Johnny Clark. Chef Beverly and her husband were awarded the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. That same year they opened their second restaurant, Wherewithall. The event is Saturday, November 20 at Dom’s Kitchen & Market, 2730 North Halsted, at 12pm.
MEDIA
Midwestern Progressive-Leaning Media Outlet Funded
“A major Democratic donor is funding a new media outlet,” reports Politico, “aimed at covering state and local races in the Midwest as the latest entrant into the growing partisan-media landscape.” The concern will combine “Heartland Signal, a new digital news site that will focus on midterm coverage, and WCPT, an existing progressive talk radio station with a large footprint in Midwestern states.” The backer? “Fred Eychaner, a Democratic donor based in Chicago, who has given approximately $100 million to Democratic causes over the last two decades.” (Eychaner founded printing company Newsweb, is chairman of the Alphawood Foundation and a former board member of the Joffrey Ballet.)
Disney To Use ESPN As Entry Into Gambling
“The Walt Disney Co. is taking a gamble on sports betting,” writes the Hollywood Reporter. “The entertainment giant, notoriously conservative when it comes to protecting its brand, will use ESPN as its entry point into the fast-growing sector. ‘Given our reach and scale, we have the potential to partner with third parties in this space in a very meaningful way,’ Disney CEO Bob Chapek told analysts. The decision to pursue a multibillion-dollar betting deal is something of a strategic pivot for the company, which for years said that the only role sports betting had at ESPN was as one more piece of its TV programming.”
MUSIC
Hilary Hahn Begins Two-Year Tenure As First CSO Artist-In-Residence
Three-time Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn embarks on the first Chicago residency of her two-year tenure as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural artist-in-residence, the CSO reports. Marking her first CSO appearances in the new role, she joins the orchestra under Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Principal Conductor of the Vienna Symphony, for three performances of Dvorák’s Violin Concerto (December 9-11), a work of special significance to the CSO, which gave its U.S. premiere 130 years ago, in October 1891. For the December residency, Hahn also takes part in educational activities with local young musicians on December 10 and 11 and in a special benefit to support the orchestra’s programs on December 12. More here.
STAGE
Goodman Updates 2022 Schedule
The Goodman Theatre has postponed the world premiere of Christina Anderson’s “the ripple, the wave that carried me home” to next season due to a delay in Berkeley Rep’s season opening. Mary Zimmerman’s “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci,” previously scheduled to appear in late spring, moves up into the vacant slot. The Goodman’s first play of the new year—”Gem of the Ocean,” by August Wilson, directed by Chuck Smith, in a twentieth-anniversary revival—appears as scheduled. Tickets for “Gem of the Ocean” go on sale today, November 19 and tickets for “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” go on sale December 17 here.
Theater Workers Identify Grueling Work Conditions
“A growing number of theater workers… have been raising their voices about the need for a better work-life balance. They’re asking for the elimination of 12 to 16–hour days, as well as the six-day rehearsal week,” Backstage reports on changes that might be coming in stage rehearsals. “‘Ten out of 12’ refers to the industry practice of holding technical rehearsals—which take place the week before the first preview performance—when all the technical elements of a show (set, lights, sound) come together onstage for the first time. Ten hours of work are allotted for the day, plus two hours of break time for actors.”
ARTS & CULTURE
Sun-Times Tells Mayor: Keep Gambling In Casino
The Sun-Times editorial board is against sports betting in stadiums: “The city has waited a generation for a casino to help fix its economic woes. And before a site is picked—before we know if a Chicago casino can even generate the revenue the proposed operators are promising— Lightfoot needlessly muddies the waters by supporting another competing operation aimed at bettors. Making matters worse: While Chicago is slated to get millions of dollars in yearly revenue from a casino operation, the city’s guaranteed cut from the sports betting is relegated to just a $50,000 operation license per site and a $25,000 annual renewal fee. This makes no sense to us, at all.”
