Weekender with Alison Cuddy
By WeekenderWeekender with Alison Cuddy
By WeekenderWeekday mornings and evenings I’m usually somewhere along the near north stretch of Lake Shore Drive, express-bus bound for either work or home. Traffic can be horrific, the bumpy ride can be jarring. But I never tire of this commute: the sometimes scary S-curve, the rosy red neon sign atop the Drake Hotel, the straight shot by the trees, monuments and joggers of Lincoln Park. You can walk or bike by the lake, you can stroll its sandy beaches. But until you’ve driven along Lake Michigan, forget about it! This is Chicago’s first freeway, its vital artery, the Midwestern version of the Pacific Coast Highway. The drive’s been re-named and re-engineered, it’s provided a route for political protesters, and 40 years ago it served as cultural muse. In 1971 the country-rock-folk trio Aliotta-Haynes-Jeremiah had a hit with their ode to LSD (whether or not the song is also an ode to a different kind of trip isn’t clear). This week the trio’s pianist John Jeremiah passed away. Pay your respects by heading out for a tour of the drive while blasting his tune full-volume. The rest of your weekend activity is below.
1. ACRE County Fair Annual Winter Fundraiser
Friday 7pm
Live Music, Art Auction, Live Portrait Drawing, Cornucopia Eating Contest
Heaven Gallery 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave
Friday 9pm
Pete Rock will be spinning classic hip-hop, soul, breaks and rare grooves
The Shrine 2109 S. Wabash
3. Improv Nerd with Jimmy CarraneSaturday 9pm Interview with Mick Napier
Second City’s Skybox Theater 1616 N. Wells
Hear an interview with Jimmy Carrane here
4. Alien Queen: The ConcertSaturday 9pm
Metro 3730 N. Clark
Hear an interview with the star and co-creator here
5. Windy City Soul ClubSaturday 10pm
Empty Bottle 1034 N. Western Ave
Hear an interview with the Windy City Soul Club DJs here
Sunday 11am
Featuring pianist Marie Alatalo of the New Music School of Chicago
Mayne Stage 1328 W. Morse Ave
7. SchadenBearsSunday 3pm
Chicago Sketch Comedy group Schadenfreude do the Bears play by play
Lincoln Hall 2424 N. Lincoln Ave
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