Braceville, IL Arts & Culture and More

The new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is a must visit for kids and families

Sometimes, don’t you wish you were a kid again? That’s what I was thinking as I stood in the middle of The Obama Presidential Center’s huge and wonderful playground on the Center’s campus on Chicago’s South Side. It is the country’s first play space tied to a presidential museum. (Shouldn’t they all have one?)

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Axios Chicago

Alley cafes and plants in the Pedway: 3 ideas to transform Chicago's State Street

From more green space to interactive installations, three winning proposals reimagine what could make Chicago's State Street "that great street" once again. Why it matters: The plans could help breathe new life into a part of the Loop that was once a retail, cultural and social attraction. Driving the news: The Chicago Architectural Club, World Business Chicago and other civic organizations on Wednesday announced the winners of this year's Burnham Prize . Context: In April, the groups called for ideas for "The Future of State" — ways to make State Street a vibrant, inviting and modern urban center. Zoom in: The three winning projects take different approaches to best utilize what already exists along State Street, as well as what new infrastructure is needed. Thickness: From Corridor to Urban Field focuses on the spaces between the buildings. It would turn parking lots into green space, alleys and the Pedway into spots to meet and drink and build elevated walkways to move through the Loop. Unlocking State Street centers on the Chicago Federal Center block, a Mies van der Rohe-designed complex surrounded by Dearborn, Clark and Adams Streets and Jackson Boulevard. The plan would move the security barriers that exist around

chicagoonthecheap.com

Illuminate 900 Shops Holiday Event

Chicago’s tallest holiday tree will be the center of the 10th annual Illuminate 900 tree-lighting event, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation on November 19, 2026, at the 900 N. Michigan Shops in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Get ready for the ultimate holiday extravaganza with music, performances, food, crafts and of...

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WGN News

KPop Demon Hunters world tour coming to Chicago in 2027

Chicago's United Center will host two shows on Saturday, June 19, 2027.

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Block Club Chicago

Palmer Square Park’s ‘Helping Hand’ Sculpture Removed — But Neighbors Hope To Bring It Back

LOGAN SQUARE — For eight years, the big white hand sculpture seen at Palmer Square Park was a neighborhood symbol and became synonymous with the park’s identity. But last weekend, the “Helping Hand” sculpture was removed by artist Carrie Fischer, much to the dismay of neighbors. During the takedown, dozens of neighbors asked Fischer why she was removing the sculpture, she said.

wluw.org

She’s Green Turns Lincoln Hall Into A Shoegaze Dreamscapes

As a light mist settled over Lincoln Park on a Wednesday night, a crowd of devoted fans wrapped around Lincoln Hall in anticipation of She’s Green. The rain-soaked evening provided the perfect backdrop for a night of dreamy guitars, atmospheric melodies, and shared moments with friends. She’s Green is an independent alternative band based in Minneapolis, consisting of lead vocalist Zofia Smith, drummer Kevin Seebeck, bassist Tedd Nordwold, and guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas. The band is currently on their first U.S. headlining tour, with several supporting artists joining them along the way, including Starling and Witches Exist in Chicago.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Chicago rap star Chief Keef finally plays Milwaukee for tour finale

To his fans, and close followers of hip-hop the past 15 years, Chief Keef is a superstar who didn’t get the chance to be a superstar. A pioneer of Chicago’s gritty drill scene in the early 2010s chronicling the hardships of the city’s South Side, the now 31-year-old rapper born Keith Cozart had a seismic impact on where hip-hop headed. Keef’s sound was not just a key inspiration for massive, arena-and-festival packing stars like Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert, but on entire regional scenes. The DIY viral videos Keef made early in his career - even while under house arrest as a teen - became a blueprint for Milwaukee rappers who followed his example and regularly scored millions of YouTube views for their videos, leading to more national recognition and acclaim for Milwaukee rap than ever before. But as popular as Keef’s music has been - DJs still hype hip-hop concert crowds with early 2010s hits “Love Sosa” and “I Don’t Like” - Keef himself didn’t become a hot touring act. Supporters argue he was shunned by Chicago officials in part for his music’s alleged promotion of gang violence. He was unable to headline a big city show until

Milwaukee, WI · 2d

The Garden Magazine

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Shakespeare's Plants Bloom in Evanston's Century-Old Campus Garden

Few spots on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus feel as removed from the bustle as the Shakespeare Garden. Set behind a double row of hawthorn hedges, the ([1])plot has drawn students, garden lovers and couples for generations. Its plantings are drawn from the works of William Shakespeare, which gives a visit a literary twist that few...

Evanston, IL · 1d

WBEZ

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Where to ice skate in Chicago and the suburbs 2026

With the season’s first snowflakes potentially falling on Friday, it’s a sign that now is the time to hit the rink. Whether you have your sights set on Olympic glory or don’t know a snowplow from a salchow, one of these 14 Chicago-area venues, from great date night spots to large, regulation-sized rinks, offer something for skaters of all levels. At Skatium Ice Arena in Skokie, you’ll even find classic rink fare like burgers and nachos with Jamaican flair.

chicagoconcertreviews.com

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From Netflix to Skokie’s North Shore Center with writer, speaker and satirist Fran Lebowitz

For nearly 50 years, writer, speaker and satirist Fran Lebowitz has applied her sardonic wit to a variety of subjects. Reaching the “New York Times” bestseller list with “Metropolitan Life” and “Social Studies” in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Lebowitz has more recently delivered her hilariously scathing critiques both on stage and on screen, appearing in seven episodes of the Martin Scorsese-directed conversational Netflix documentary series “Pretend It’s a City” in 2021.

Skokie, IL · 1d

WBEZ

Evanston musician Jason Narducy is back with more tales of rock ’n’ roll in ‘Mostly the Van’ part two

Jason Narducy would be the first to tell you that rock ’n’ roll stories are not all biting the heads off bats, snorting human ashes, setting hotel rooms on fire and having some intern pick out all the brown M&Ms in your dressing room. Sure, the Evanston-reared musician...

Evanston, IL · 1d

Austin Weekly News

partner publisher · 397 followers

Lil Rel Howery’s comedy still carries the energy of Chicago’s West Side

From Crane High School to the national comedy stage, Howery reflects on the experiences that helped shape him The post Lil Rel Howery’s comedy still carries the energy of Chicago’s West Side appeared first on Austin Weekly News .

rockrivercurrent.com

Once a staple in Chicago, new monumental public art lands in Rockford’s Davis Park

ROCKFORD — A large-scale abstract sculpture that was a fixture of the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago for nearly four decades has a new home in Davis Park. Bridgeport, a 35-foot tall and 15-foot wide painted aluminium sculpture from late artist and sculptor John Henry, now serves as the centerpiece of a new collection installed this week in the riverfront park, 320 S. Wyman St. in downtown.

Rockford, IL · 1d

allhiphop.com

Da Brat Has Message For Chicago Rappers Looking To Make It Out Of The City

Da Brat is bringing a message to a new generation of Chicago rappers as she prepares to return home this month. She’s joining The Hip Hop Nutcracker with advice for artists still trying to turn neighborhood recognition into something bigger. “I just wanted to be a star outside of...

Chicago, IL · 4d

irm.org

IRM Acquires Train of CB&Q Gallery Cars

The Illinois Railway Museum has acquired a second complete and operational train of bi-level “gallery cars.” The three stainless-steel Chicago Burlington & Quincy cars, including two coaches and a cab car, arrived at the Museum on November 11, 2026. Cars 702 and 709 were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia in 1950 and were among the very first gallery cars ever constructed. Cab car 791 was built in 1965 and was part of the Burlington’s original order for cab cars, which enabled the railroad to inaugurate push-pull commuter service.

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ABC 7 Chicago

Cook County Sheriff's Office transforms prison transport bus into mobile library for children

A former prisoner transport bus has been transformed into a mobile library, bringing thousands of books to children in Cook County communities with limited access to reading resources.

Cook County, IL · 4d

blockclubchicago.org

Pop-Up Museum Highlights Route 66’s Passage Through North Lawndale

NORTH LAWNDALE — Get your kicks celebrating Route 66’s centennial anniversary at a pop-up museum in the Central Park Pink Line stop in North Lawndale. Neighbors and officials cut the ribbon earlier this week on “Route 66 @ 100 in North Lawndale,” an interactive museum inside the Pink Line station at 1915 S. Central Park Ave. The pop-up includes history exhibits, games and pop culture memorabilia related to Route 66’s history locally and nationally.

evanstonroundtable.com

Evanston Public Library to host author event on Nov. 14 with Jill Vanneman, daughter of former mayor

The Evanston Public Library is hosting an author event with Jill Vanneman to talk about her new book, The Perfection Campaign: A Daughter’s Search for Acceptance. It will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Community Meeting Room (107) at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.

Evanston, IL · 2d

evanstonroundtable.com