”Hair” apparent: Nothing Without a Company (NWaC) announced five performances of The Trouble With My Hair: Coloring, Cutting, and Coming Into Who I Am. They will take place Aug. 21-30 in various Chicago venues, including REM Salon and Center on Halsted.
This is a solo performance—written and performed by award-winning storyteller Ada Cheng—that intimately explores gender, sexual identity and boundary-making through her evolving relationship with her hairstylist and her hair. Tickets are $15-$50 each and are available at NothingWithoutACompany.org.
—Dance the night away: Chicago Dance Health Fund announced Dance for Life’s 35th anniversary.
The nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser takes place Saturday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. A gala dinner will take place at 5 p.m. at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave; and the post-performance after-party will happen at the same venue. Tickets ($65-$750 each) are available at auditoriumtheatre.org and the Auditorium Theatre’s box office.
And now, on to culinary items…
—Brew and view: Read a FREE article on the new Groundswell Coffee Roasters café—which is at the Fine Arts Building—here.
—Win(frey), lose or draw: Read about Oprah Winfrey’s recent visit to a Chicago restaurant in the Aug. 9 SAVOR with Andrew news column—and don’t worry: Stedman and Gayle were there as well.
RESTAURANT PICK: New Chicago History Museum President Michael Anderson took time from his expansive duties to tell me what one of his favorite local restaurants is.
HIs pick is the Edgewater Italian restaurant Regalia. “The chef used to be at Rosebud for many years, and Regalia is really close to one of my other favorite restaurants, which is [the Thai/Japanese spot] Indie Cafe,” Anderson said. “My husband and I love Italian food, and Regalia is really great.”
Find out more about the Chicago History Museum here.—Taking flight: Read my review of Flight Club Chicago—an elevated dart-throwing experience—at SAVOR with Andrew.
—Throughout August, Mordecai (3632 N. Clark St.), located directly across from Wrigley Field, is partnering with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation for its monthly Cocktails for a Cause program.
Every purchase of the featured charity cocktail—Last Out to First Base or the spirit-free Gold Glove—supports the foundation and enters guests to win signed Anthony Rizzo memorabilia, including an autographed baseball, bat or photo. More information and reservations are available at mordecaichicago.com.
—Soft touch: Soft-serve martinis have become trendy—making the way for Frankie’s Gone Bananas, a soft-serve banana espresso martini that takes the frozen cocktail trend in a creamy, caffeinated direction at the Loop’s Francois Frankie (which has Chicago’s only carousel bar).
The $18 drink contains Giffard Banana Liqueur, Combier Vanilla Liqueur, Absolut Vanilla, Allen’s Cold Brew Brandy, espresso and banana ice cream, and is garnished with banana leaves and a dehydrated banana slice.
—Toast of all: The Willis Tower restaurant Kindling—by James Beard Award winner and Food Network Champion Chef Jonathon Sawyer—is inviting guests to extend a day of exploring the city with a meal downtown as a Toast to Summer.
Every Friday and Saturday throughout August, guests 21 and older will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Prosecco when dining. Also, those who bring recent tickets from Chicago attractions—whether from an architecture cruise, museum, observation deck, boat tour or walking tour—will also receive complimentary Oysters Maplefeller with their meals. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
—The lights on Broadway: Dine Out on Broadway is back for its sixth season—and the last dates of the event will be Aug. 21-23.
Having launched in 2020 to help local businesses during the pandemic, the LakeView East Chamber of Commerce is continuing the program to further aid businesses as well as allow the community to enjoy open streets and expanded patios. Some of the participating spots are slated to include Bonci, Dryhop Brewers, Fancy Plants Café, Monsignor Murphy’s, Sila’s and Wilde.
—A “Little” more: The University of Chicago’s Hutchinson Commons, the campus’ student center food hall, will introduce its newest concept this fall: Little Betty Smokehouse, with nationally recognized barbecue from Chicago native Chef Dominique Leach (who owns Lexington Betty Smokehouse) and her wife Tanisha. Doors will open Aug. 24.
The location at Hutchinson Commons (known on campus as “Hutch”) marks the brand’s first expansion beyond its flagship and expands its relationship with UChicago Dining that stretches over the last four years. The new concept will feature Lexington Betty’s featured items such as the Wagyu Dog, brisket baked beans, and loaded mac ‘n cheese while introducing new flavor profiles with the Betty Beef and Betty Taco.
—Float on: On Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7:30 p.m., Three Dots and a Dash is partnering with Shoreline Sightseeing for a one-night-only cocktail cruise departing from Navy Pier.
It will be a 90-minute evening cruise featuring curated cocktail tastings, light bites, music and skyline views. Tickets are $62 per person and are available here: https://shorelinesightseeing.com/tours/summer-special-events/.
Until next time…