From culture to cuisine, here’s what Chicagoans are buzzing about.
Joel Oppenheimer Gallery’s nature-inspired art is now wearable thanks to a new silk scarf series.
Joel Oppenheimer Gallery is a Chicago icon for nature-inspired art—and now the Mag Mile mainstay is getting into the apparel game. Its inaugural offering, a collection entitled Scarves Drawn from Nature, is a showcase of intricate, heirloom-quality silk scarves inspired by natural history artists John James Audubon and Dr. Robert John Thornton. Each piece has been reimagined and expanded upon in the form of original designs crafted by artist, author and gallery owner Joel Oppenheimer. “I’ve been immersed in the art of John James Audubon and natural history art for decades,” says Oppenheimer, and this collection is just his latest way of sharing that passion with the world. 10 E. Ohio St., audubonart.com
Take a seat on Central Perk’s famous orange couch at The Friends Experience.
Pose next to the famed Friends fountain, visit Central Perk cafe or relax in Chandler and Joey’s recliner at The Friends Experience, an interactive, two-story adventure with 12 rooms and activities to explore that allows guests to recreate their favorite scenes from the show in a safe, socially distanced capacity. Having just reopened in March, the experience runs through May 31. Guests can reserve a timed entry to visit, and private access tickets are also available for groups of six to 10 guests. 540 N. Michigan Ave., friendstheexperience.com/chicago
Chef Taryn Huebner brings a new kind of dining experience to Lincoln Park.
A foodie atelier headed and launched by Oprah’s former chef, Taryn Huebner, The Kismet Table is a haven of flavor in Lincoln Park, complete with a full kitchen and dining space. With an ever-changing weekly menu, private dining for up to 20 people, provisions to go and boutique catering, the venue serves housemade staples, artisan cheeses, charcuterie and gourmet pantry items. Try the seasonal baby burrata, handmade tagliatelle or wild blueberry galette with lavender cream, now available for spring. 2142 N. Halsted St., kismettable.com
Herbed tomato bisque with garlic croutons and basil at Coastal Soups
New to Lincoln Park, Lettuce Entertain You’s Coastal Soups pop-up serves comfort by the quart or cup with soups du jour from chef Ben Goodnick paired with bread baked fresh daily by pastry chef Erin Mooney. Operating out of Lettuce’s Summer House kitchen, the eatery will be serving seasonal soups for spring and summer, including vegetable ribollita and spring pea with mint soups. Notes Goodnick, “As we get into the summer months, we will have a fun rotation of chilled soups like gazpacho and cucumber dill.” Pickup and delivery within a 5-mile radius, 1954 N. Halsted St., summerhousesm.com
Donnetta Lavinia Grays stars in her own new filmed play at Steppenwolf.
Steppenwolf NOW’s virtual stage welcomes Where We Stand, a filmed play from the mind of writer Donnetta Lavinia Grays and director Tamilla Woodard. Centered on the concepts of community, forgiveness and fate, the show is presented through poetic verse and music. “We want viewers to watch with each other and reflect on how we allocate resources, both physical and intangible, to ourselves and those we often forget to think about,” says artistic producer Kenya Hall. Streaming in April, steppenwolf.org
Photography by: Courtesy of Joel Oppenheimer Gallery; by Justin Barbin; by Andrew Meier; by Jordan Johnson; courtesy of Steppenwolf Theatre
